Nocturnal anxiety, panic attacks???

Posted by m @mh10, Apr 29, 2023

I’ve been having a horrible time with different symptoms from this long Covid since February, and recently was diagnosed with POTS…and it’s severe where I cannot stand in one spot, sometimes for more than a few seconds, sometimes I can go minutes… It all depends on the day and how I’m feeling. I don’t know if it’s because of everything going on physically with me or if this is another symptom of this horrible thing that’s taken over my body.
In the last week, I have woke up 3 different nights in the middle of the night sweating in a panic like something horrible is wrong, and the most loud hissing in my head… I can only describe it as the most horrible feeling in the world imaginable. They had nothing to do with dreams or nightmares, it was an anxiety attack I believe that woke me up, then I got up and was in a terrible depression for no reason.
I’m just curious if this is happened to others. Like I said, I don’t know if it’s a symptom or if I’m worrying deep inside because of everything physically happening to me.
I’ve had severe postpartum depression 30 yrs ago with my daughter and almost did not come out of it and I am very extremely afraid that it will come back because I don’t think I will be able to get out of it this time. 😞

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I was hospitalized in December for a week and definitely have PTSD at night. Every little cough or chest heaviness causes me severe anxiety. I do deep breathing exercises after I’ve walked around the house a bit to calm myself. I usually am able to fall back to sleep either in bed or the sofa. I think it’s normal considering the severity of Covid in many. It took me at least 6 weeks after I got home to just feel normal- a lot of which still is a bit off - stomach intestinal issues, tired more often. Blood work for lymphoma I have every 6 months is still good. I’ve gone go urgent care a few times to be tested again for the flu and Covid. All negative.

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I have experienced that too. Have you been prescribed anything for the anxiety and panic attacks. I have, and it works.

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@mitfit

I have experienced that too. Have you been prescribed anything for the anxiety and panic attacks. I have, and it works.

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I’m on Xanax just .05mg at night time. It helps me fall asleep. But when I wake up in the middle of the night it doesn’t. Deep breathing sometimes helps.

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Yes I get extreme anxiety after too much excitement or interactions w other people. Very strange as I’m very extroverted and energetic.
I’ve never had this since Covid. I have to take Ativan to calm myself. It’s most troubling

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My anxiety is most definitely worse at night; I had mild covid in December, which has caused my anxiety to worsen. My doctor told me that often times, our anxiety is worse at night because that is when most people "relax", especially when you are trying to go asleep. I've woken up many times in the middle of the night for no reason, confused and in a panic. I take 2 medications to help my symptoms and it has helped me. It's still a slow going healing process but anti anxiety medicine can be helpful.

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@dawniepoo

Yes I get extreme anxiety after too much excitement or interactions w other people. Very strange as I’m very extroverted and energetic.
I’ve never had this since Covid. I have to take Ativan to calm myself. It’s most troubling

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It’s almost like you’re describing my symptoms.. I’m also outgoing and social but since my covid recovery I too have anxiety when I’m involved with others and then I talk too fast and start sweating..afterwards I’m exhausted and soaking wet, I have times that I feel like I’m going crazy.. I also use Ativan to calm down but I feel guilty because I’m trying so hard to get off these evil meds, they work well but when they wear off you have hell to pay back, it’s a proverbial roller coaster ride..I was doing okay with weaning but covid totally destroyed my efforts, I have hurt my health in the past few years with the pandemic and then cancer..my problem is I worry too much and it’s becoming chronic, poor appetite, little sleep and obviously weight loss which I couldn’t afford. I’m truly very negative about myself and how well I can do, it doesn’t help that my building I live in is old with bad ventilation so I smell tobacco in my unit.. it’s not a smoke free building and I have lived here for 36 years, that’s half of my life..moving isn’t an option so I’m stuck.. I don’t have the best support from the medical staff, it’s all just so depressing.

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@frouke

It’s almost like you’re describing my symptoms.. I’m also outgoing and social but since my covid recovery I too have anxiety when I’m involved with others and then I talk too fast and start sweating..afterwards I’m exhausted and soaking wet, I have times that I feel like I’m going crazy.. I also use Ativan to calm down but I feel guilty because I’m trying so hard to get off these evil meds, they work well but when they wear off you have hell to pay back, it’s a proverbial roller coaster ride..I was doing okay with weaning but covid totally destroyed my efforts, I have hurt my health in the past few years with the pandemic and then cancer..my problem is I worry too much and it’s becoming chronic, poor appetite, little sleep and obviously weight loss which I couldn’t afford. I’m truly very negative about myself and how well I can do, it doesn’t help that my building I live in is old with bad ventilation so I smell tobacco in my unit.. it’s not a smoke free building and I have lived here for 36 years, that’s half of my life..moving isn’t an option so I’m stuck.. I don’t have the best support from the medical staff, it’s all just so depressing.

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Deep breathing and mindfulness has helped me some. I just get so frustrated and think how much of my life isn’t the same

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@dawniepoo

Deep breathing and mindfulness has helped me some. I just get so frustrated and think how much of my life isn’t the same

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I agree, it’s been quite some time since I had a good laugh or even a cry, I’m afraid I won’t be able to to stop..I would call myself a survivor and do almost anything to keep going, I’m blessed with a good family and friends so I can get motivation but also I’m feeling a much needed improvement mentally since I got connected here.. I found other souls in need and I sure enjoy helping out where I can. Thank you for your help, I am learning to use breathing as a resource and I always like to repeat a wise saying, it goes like this, yesterday is gone, tomorrow hasn’t happened yet and we live in the present so that’s why we call it a gift, amen.

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I too had these issues. They are predictable with the central sensitization that comes with Post Covid. I found relaxation activities paced throughout the day really helped improve — and largely alleviate — the problem. Deep breathing, meditation, stretching exercises, and literally telling myself “It’s Ok. That damn virus” helped me turn the corner. It’s hard to not become more anxious because symptoms of Post Covid can be so unpredictable, so faith and self-kindness are vital. Compression socks, even at night, help control the POTS I too got. When I want to feel sorry for myself, I try and be grateful that I have seen progress over the last year. That’s not always easy — so I fall back on the basics (deep breathing, positive self-talk, and simple stretching that I can do sitting down). Know you are not alone, and may this community help during this difficult time.

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@misska

My anxiety is most definitely worse at night; I had mild covid in December, which has caused my anxiety to worsen. My doctor told me that often times, our anxiety is worse at night because that is when most people "relax", especially when you are trying to go asleep. I've woken up many times in the middle of the night for no reason, confused and in a panic. I take 2 medications to help my symptoms and it has helped me. It's still a slow going healing process but anti anxiety medicine can be helpful.

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I too take an Ativan every night. It helps a lot

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