Re: Panic attacks

Have you tried raising your bed a few inches at the headboard end? Waking up suddenly can be caused by your airways being blocked. Also raising your pillow a bit can help too.

Re: Panic attacks

Annie have you tried the magnesium spray from Holland and Barratt, that is supposed to be quite good for both anxiety and to aid sleep, I think the spray will only absorb how much magnesium you need. Worth a try, I'm sorry for you, it's horrible when you can't sleep, I've suffered from it myself from time to time, usually when I have big worries on my mind. Also what about trying yoga and deep breathing exercises, helps to clear the mind. Good luck love, let us know how you get on tonight xxx

Re: Panic attacks

Thanks you may be onto something there. I did sleep on a different pillow last night and I did have a better night's rest & felt more refreshed this morning. It may have been a bit higher but it's definitely firmer. I woke up a couple of times with palpitations but fell back to sleep.

Re: Panic attacks

I kept waking at night feeling unable to breathe,which panicked me more,a few times I called 999 and they whisked me to Hospital,I was usually given a few times on a nebulizer and sent home next day ,but a few times Ive been kept in,tests have shown fluid on my lungs,now Im on different meds. I have 2 different teams checking on me.Also I never go to bed now but stay in my recliner chair,sometimes I doze,but if not I watch tele and make myself a warm drink and a biscuit,as the kitchen is near my living room,maybe do a puzzle,I leaves me tired and lethargic next day. The more we try to sleep the more difficult it becomes

Re: Panic attacks

Thanks for the tip Queen - I haven't tried that yet, but I am going to make potatoes with spinach tonight which is rich in magnesium so will see if that has a similar relaxing effect. (Ive just seen online that dark chocolate is rich in magnesium - what a great reason to indulge).

I know yoga would help and I love doing yoga with my special yoga tea & scented candle, but I've been too tired in the evenings to even think about it... Vicious cycle isn't it.

Re: Panic attacks

i think your problem is the diazepam -it has bad side effects the dr should tell u ...try to do with out them 'they give out bad thorts and anxious feelings ...had a friend close to me who took them .... the more u worry over not sleeping the worse it gets -my hubby doesn't sleep good either -ask dr for a prescribe sleeping pill ... try to nap in the day if possible ...

Re: Panic attacks

Maybe visit your GP annie , he could help.

Re: Panic attacks

Annie, get an see a doctor to get checked over to make sure theres nothing medical going on

High BP gives palpations for example, and there are syndromes where BP rises at night ( when you least expect it )

I know what you mean about dreading going to bed, why do you think Im online all hours. Its a vicious circle, the less sleep you get, the worse you feel, and so it goes around

I get by by having a power nap when I get in from work - 20 mins usually. And funnily enough, I find I can sleep better at night, sat up on the sofa with lots of pillows about me so now and then I do that, much to mr missy disgust

When things get really bad for me I take 6 Amitriptyline 30 mins before bed, which knock me clean out but don't leave me groggy the following day.

Do go see and discuss it with your GP though, and let him/her know your fears about a breakdown

Re: Panic attacks

Welcome to my world Annie, you can often find me in the middle of the night posting here...it's so frustrating. I just give in to it now.

Re: Panic attacks

I go through spells of not sleeping but have been better of late

When it happens I get up and do something calming to take my attention like making bread or ironing, I avoid the computer because it stimulates brain activity .

After a while I have another go at sleeping and repeat the process if I can't.