'Sleep panics'

[gail]

has anyone ever experienced these - i named them 'sleep panics' as i dont really know exactly what they are, or an appropriate medical term for them.

ive just had them - i get them mainly when i try to sleep in the day and i dont know whether they are in realtion to PNI as ive always had difficuly sleeping in daylight (pni aside when icaould sleep fr hours in day)

the only way i can describe them is an incredible desire to sleep , with physical exhaustion etc, but everytime you drift off - something makes you panic and you wake yourself up - its like a trigger /mechanism that will not let you fall asleep and it really is the most bizaree and panicky sensation. like being afraid to sleep/fall asleep feeling vulnerable etc

anyone else had this experience? i always wake up feeling really panicky./scared afterwards, like im in a dream - i had the sensation when i got up that id left my body in bed and i was asleep -weird.

any offers?

love gail
xx

[clarabelle]

Hi Gail

Yep, I've had that and it's horrible! All you want to do is sleep but as soon as you're on the brink, you wake up panicky. I've had it during the day and at night. It's because your mind and body are on red alert even though you feel tired. It's all part of the depression, especially if anxiety is a feature for you.

You're not going mad, it's just all part of this horrible illness. You're not alone and as you improve and get better, you will experience this less. I must admit I take valium in the morning to calm me. But quite honestly I'll do anything if it helps get rid of the panicky feeling. I don't know how you feel about taking tablets?

Anyway, I hope you get this less and less as you get better.

Claire xx

[marion]

Hi Gail
I get this too - I havent been able to sleep in the day due to anxieties and racing thoughts since November last year (did manage 30mins on sat though but that was becuase I was having a reaction to a new drug). I have given up trying now as I just get upset - the more I try to relax the more I panick that I'm not relaxing or asleep and just keep looking at the clock thinking I dont have much time left until Chloe wakes up.
It's so frustrating isnt it - you can be SO SO SO tired but it doesnt matter - your mind has other ideas!!!!!!

Love
Marion.

[yoyo]

Yes me too - unfortunately. They did wear off eventually though. My GP said it was dregs of post traumatic stress disorder and my chinese doc says they are 'hun shudders' - he says the chinese say it's when your mind isn't restful and they present especially when trying to sleep.

[cheshire]

Yes, me too. It is not pleasant at all - sometimes mine evolves into a panic attack which leaves me gasping for breath and scared.

Have had it again since family bereavement and I'm pi**ed off with it to say the least


Hopefulxxx

[monica]

Hi

I had it in the throes of PNI. It was horrible. With me, I had dying and illness constantly on my mind and as it was like my mind couldnt let me forget about them, so as soon as I'd fall asleep and for instance turn over, these thoughts would pop into my head and I'd start panicking. And to make things worse, I dream very easily adn quickly. My dreams would be full fo nightmares about my anxieties.

For me the antids helped and although I don't tend to sleep brilliantly, I don't seem to et them any more. Breathing techniques helped loads, too ie deep breathing through your stomach, or tensing your muscles for a few secs then letting go. I also found lavender oil was good.

I'm sure it'll pass for you.

Monica

[hannah457]

hi gail.
i get them too, but i dont know if mine are connected to my pni or my rape.

hannah xx

[cheshire]

Hi Girls,

Can I ask again about sleep panics?

I had a good weekend but couldn't settle well at all last night. My 'sleep panics' are either to do with hyperverntilation and breathlessness - and this can prevent me from sleeping well ( I can manage this better now though). But also (and to be honest I had these before PNI occasionally - but they seem more intense since having PNI) I occasionally, when on the brink of sleep, find myself in a short lived, temporary state (say for 6-10 seconds) where I feel that my breathing has completely stopped. I'm usually half asleep when this happens and typically sit bolt upright/ run to a window/ tell my husband I'm about to die!!.

I just wondered if anyone ever felt like they'd actually stopped breathing for a few moments when having a night time panic?

Love Hopefulxxxx

[Jo]

Hi Hopeful
Yes, I've had this. I struggled to sleep at all in the early days of this illness (although anti'd's are working on it) and used to wake up feeling like i hadnt been breathing at all. I mentioned this to my doc and she said it could be to do with me feeling anxious while asleep, it is possible to hold your breath for a few seconds whilst asleep but the body will always take over and you wont hold your breath longer than you physically can do.
Hope this helps!

[cheshire]

Thanks Jo

A while ago I asked about it too - and was told the body has a survival instinct to revert back to breathing. Think this is similar to what you describe. Horrible tho' hey, but helps to know I'm not on my own

Thanks again, still need the reassurancexxxxxxx

[Jo]

know the feeling, sometimes no matter what the docs say, its still panicky in the middle of the night