Suffering from Nocturnal Panic Attacks, advice without medication?

Posted by cocobean603 @cocobean603, Apr 15 8:42am

I have been suffereing from nocturnal panic attacks. I wake up regularly sweating, heart pounding, panicked and afraid. I know it's a dream, but it is disrupting my sleep. I am always exhausted. I prioritize sleep, I see a mental health professional, and I get over 8 hours a sleep a night. I also believe I'm beginning perimenopause. Has anything worked for anyone? I want to avoid any medication that could cause weight gain. I was tested for sleep apnea and it was negative.

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Scott R L | @scottrl | Apr 15 10:57am

I had those symptoms. It was truly horrible. After a while, I ended up in the emergency room.

Turned out I had severe sleep apnea. Once I got treatment for that, the nighttime panic ended.

So did my GERD.

That was 25 years ago.

If you haven't been checked for a sleep disorder, consider a sleep study.

Good luck!

kb2014 | @kb2014 | Apr 15 1:18pm

Scotts input is very good. I would add meditation deep breathing reducing caffeine reduced or 0 news consumption. Do you have a pet? That could help

cocobean603 | @cocobean603 | Apr 15 2:09pm

Hello! Thank you both for your input. I don't drink caffeine, and I did have sleep study that was inconclusive. I didn't have an episode the night of the sleep study, probably because I didn't sleep well. I do have a pet, she sleeps with me. My doctor is suggesting anti anxiety medicine but I'm hesitant to take the medication.

kb2014 | @kb2014 | Apr 15 11:25pm

I have 2 dogs who are my documented ESAs. They sleep with me and my husband. I havd PTSD

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Apr 16 6:36am

@cocobean603
I can relate. It could be that your hormones are changing and causing this nighttime sleep disruption. You may want to talk to your OBGYN or primary doctor about what to do to manage perimenopause symptoms. You can also take magnesium (like Calm) and Melatonin at night to help you sleep.

1. https://bodymind.com/can-hormones-cause-nightmares-and-nocturnal-panic-attacks/
2. https://www.calmclinic.com/panic/causes/hormonal
3. https://www.menopausenow.com/panic-disorder/articles/all-about-nocturnal-panic-attacks
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/expert-answers/panic-attacks/faq-20057984
5. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-mental-health/202402/do-you-panic-in-the-night-youre-not-alone
6. https://www.healthywomen.org/content/blog-entry/menopause-and-panic-attacks-whats-connection

kenroy | @kenroy | Apr 16 4:19pm

100 MG zoloft daily stopped my panic attacks?took years of different medicine it worked for me

dmphillips | @dmphillips | Apr 16 8:10pm

Have you researched simple home exercises for your vagus nerve / parasympathetic? It’s as simple as ear manipulation, gargling, humming, massage…
Loads of simple exercises on instagram and FB stories by physicians and other related health professionals. I’ve made a Pinterest board and it’s loaded. My sleep is now fabulous using at-home processes with no drugs.