Any one else ever wake up to an anxiety/panic attack?

[mappergal]

I know anxiety/panic attacks are common with people with PD but I want to know if others experience it like I do. I wake up to anxiety attacks, except for my first one about 20 years ago, the rest have happened while I am asleep and I wake up to my heart racing, I feel like it is going to burst and die. I had a real bad one last night. When I realized what it was I started breathing slowly and it stopped. Since this one was bad, I considered calling the doctor but I felt perfectly fine when it was over, but I took an aspirin just in case. I also took my blood presure 100/75 but my heart rate was high for me, 93. I have an appointment with my neurologist today and I will discuss it with him. Does any one else wake up to these?

[susan wheatley]

hi mappergal,
dont wake up to them i only have them if i am in a situation i dont feel comfortable with it feels like my heart is going to leap out of my chest its very scary hope things go well with the neuro take care.

[laseecan]

Hi Mappergal,

I've had pd for 17 yrs now and until a couple yrs ago I never had bad dreams or panick attack.... It all started for no reason... I have arthritis since the age of 3 and when those attacks occured at first I thought it was a bad arthritis attack (extremely painful chest, heart racing, soreness of both arms from shoulder to end of fingers). When this happens I have to take 2-3 aspirins and take deep breath...until it goes away sometimes 10-15 mins later.

When I started to get those attacks my GP thought I had angina attacks. It appears to be small cases of panick attack. It happens mostly at night for no good reasons, I'm not even nervous or worried about anything, but when it happens it is frightening and painful. My meds where changed 2 mos ago due to my health changing a lot faster than before. I broke my wrist due to new meds that gave me hallucinations, lost of balance and dyskinesia. But my husband tells me that I am talking in my sleep almost daily around the same time. He says that I don't speak french nor english (cannot make out what I'm saying).

My neurologist switched my meds and I felt better than I ever did. No more trembling, no more compulsive movements but gain of weight... until 2 wks ago. I have restarted to shake a lot inside and it really tires me out. I'm trying to sew and impossible to do until my meds kick in for about 2 hrs a day. I am going to my neuro on the 28th of July.. will see what's happening then...

Well enough for me now, hope to talk to you again soon.

Laseecan

[Rikki]

Hi Mappergal,
Panic attacks are frightening and debilatating experiences. I've had them for nearly 20 years. The worst part about them is that just when you think you've tracked down the trigger for them, they'll stop - then start again in a completely different time and trigger.

I've fought this particular demon for two decades. I've found that a good hypnotherapist can teach you self hypnosis and this is very effective (if you're in a position to do it when the attack happens). However by best friend and constant companion (I never leave home without them) are Xanax tablets. They're quite addictive but if you're strong willed and only use them when your having an attack they work very well for me, even in a very small dosage (I use 0.5mg - sometimes even half a tablet at that).

The important thing is to recognise the anxiety attack (with all the REAL physical symptoms) for what it is. Then be determined - never give in to it! Good luck - I certainly know exactly what you are going through.

[Drew Saunders]

Panic attacks.
I know all about them. The demon within.
Had a long talk with my doctor some 2 years ago re above and he prescribed me Diazepam (Valium) 2mg. If I go somewhere unfamiliar with lots of people around then I kick off. Take 1 diaz and 10 to 15 minutes later - fine. Same if we (my wife driving, she is a very good driver by the way, on a motorway I get fazed by the speed of other vehicles) the spin dryer starts in my stomach followed by palpitations - take 1 "D", calms me down therefore avoiding chucking up in the car. That's a plus! There is no evidence that PD causes panic attacks but maybe a by product of the condition. A few doctors will not prescribe Diazepam/Valium because it is "habit forming" but so is simenet - I take 9 62.5/day so so with the flow.
I hope this is of interest to fellow sufferers.
Have the best that you can,
Drew

[mappergal]

Thanks for all your input. Although I had panic attacks in the past, that one was was the worse, but it is over. I know I'll have another some day but I can use the advice here to get through it.

[mappergal]

Laseecan, my boyfriend says I talk in my sleep quite often too. The last time my daughter had a sleep over, she and her friends heard me and I woke up to a room of girls staring at me as I someimes get a little loud. Life with PD is quite interesting