Another night time panic candidate

[PaulB]

Hi All,

I'm a new member who found the site whilst looking for an explanation and help about my night time panics which started a year or so ago. I have had panic attacks in the past (about 20 years ago) which I got over after; 1) realising I wasn't alone in suffering them and 2) reading a book by Dr Claire Weeks which I found most helpful.

However, I recently have been suffering attacks when going to sleep and despite knowing what they are and that they won't harm me, am having great difficulty dealing with them. It seems to start with a dream where I am suffocating or feeling claustrophobic. I awake in a panic which is very hard to ignore and have to get up and walk around the house, (much to the annoyance of my wife). I am now beginning to dread going to sleep as they are starting to come more frequently now. I have to go into hosipital tomorrow for an MRI scan ( may have suffered a stroke last week !) and I'm obviously very disturbed about it.

Anyone been through this already? Your comments would be most helpful.

PaulB

[Fall Out Boy]

Welcome to this site, dude! :yesyes:
It is very helpful, i have found lots of info since i joined yesterday. :D

[groovygranny]

Hello Paul :welcome:to you!

Oh, I have a central groove in all my carpets from the pacing around I did at night - and during the day for a while too! I too have a long suffering spouse!

The fear of going to sleep was overwhelming to the point where I'd do almost anything to prevent falling asleep so as I wouldn't feel that blackness closing in on me and the heavy weight on my chest.

Feel free to PM me or email if you want to talk.

You'll find plenty of help and support here!


Pleased to meet you!

:)

[trac67]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum, you will get a lot of good advice here and make some new friends

Take care

Trac xxx

[honeybee3939]

Hi Paul

Welcome to NMP, its lovely to see you here, im sure you will get some great advice support and make new friends too.:)

check these links out too hun they may help.

Night panic
Nothing like a panic attack at 3:30 am (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2701)
Sudden nighttime attacks (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24)
Waking Up With A Panic Attack In The Night (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5211)
Bad Morning !!!!!!!!!!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5692)
Panic attacks during sleep. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5796)
It's Back! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5769)
Waking Startled at Night (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5951)
Panic Attacks....During Sleep (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6385)
panic attack in sleep (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7118)

Love
:hugs:
Andrea
xxxxx

[PaulB]

Thanks Andrea especially for the links which were really helpful.

I'm amazed that there are people who suffer really badly, makes mine sound pretty lightweight really.

Nevertheless, it's really hard to deal with them. Had a long talk with my wife after a bad time last night. She did find it hard to sympathise but I think now understands a bit more that these feelings are uncontrollable and it doesn't mean I'm a wimp and telling me to "pull myself together" isn't helpful.

She really helped last night finally reassuring me and getting me to try diversion/distraction therapy, you know thinking about something nice as she puts it. We actually planned a trip to Italy before I finally fell asleep.........

I think this kind of support is the most important and helpful thing so I am very sympathetic for those who are on their own.

As for the actual panic, I'm told breathing into a paper (not plastic) bag is helpful as the increase in carbon dioxide reduces the symptoms. I'll let you know if it works.

Kind Regards

PaulB

[nomorepanic]

Hi Paul

Welcome aboard and lovely to see you here.

Hope we can be of some help and you will get loads of support and advice on here.

Yes the paper bag does work - I have one with me in my handbag in case of emergencies.

Rescue Remedy is good too!

[Nibbles]

Hi Paul and :welcome:

You'll get loads of advice and support here while making new friends along the way. I've read that when waking at night with panic having something like a jigsaw to turn to can help relax the mind again.

Take care,

[manmoor]

Hi Paul,

A big warm welcome to you. xx

[happyone]

I used to get night panics quite a bit but they largely went away. I have had a couple in the last couple of weeks, not on going to sleep but in the middle of the night.
The best advice I can give is, you know already they won't kill you but when you have a PA, you release adrenalin and it takes at least an hour for that adrenalin to fully get out of your system. So, after having one, accept that you won't get to sleep for a while and don't fret about not getting to sleep as that keeps you in panic mode.
Good luck

happyone
xx