Waking up in Terror/Panic attack

Hi @lisalynn Panic attacks/night terrors are horrible! I haven’t had them in years but they leave a lasting impact. Anyone who can be dismissive of a patient who is experiencing them obviously has never gone through one. They’d be a little more compassionate.

I’m wondering if tapering off the Klonipin has anything to do with this in your case. This is not something in my experience but we do have a group in our forum with members discussing what is working for them with their Klonipin taper.
Here is a link to the discussion group What is the best way to taper off Klonipin. Some of the replies are dated but that won’t change the experience. To see the most recent replies, in the box under the opening comment, you’ll see a little oval in the lower right that says, Oldest to Newest. Click there and you can reverse the order.

I’m so sorry you’re having the night terrors. You mentioned not being able to get out of bed to get the Klonipin. Is there any way you can have this right at your bedside with a glass ass of water and some crackers so it’s not on an empty stomach?

@lisalynn First, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. How did you find us, if I may ask?

Gosh, that must be a difficult spot to be in each morning. I don't take Klonipin. I do take Celexa each night, just a small dose of 10mg, It is used for depression, mostly.

FEAR can also be an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. Are you panicked at the thoughts running through your mind? Wondering what the day might bring? When do you take the Klonipin - might that timing need to be changed? You mention your doctor is taking you off that medication, what is the replacement? It should be a long taper off, especially given how many years you have been on it!

Perhaps a couple of things that may assist you:
-By switching gears in your mind to more positive ideas, even just one that will lead to another, may help you.
-Sensory changes, like a smell you attach positive things to [lavender, pumpkin pie, a certain flower, etc]
-Write it out - keep a journal and pen nearby, write out what is going on in your mind, take the power away. See our discussion here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/

Do you think any of these might help?
Ginger

So sorry that you're suffering with this. I can relate.For almost two years now, I've woken up with rushes of anxiety and horrible fear. Usually starts at 5 am, and if I doze off again the rushes wake me up again with shaking fear throughout my body. In my case, this started with a cancer diagnosis and the anxiety that caused. But even though I am well now, the morning horrors continue. Therapy hasn't helped, and I've resisted drugs. I do generally, although not always, start to feel better as I get up and start my day.
Is that the case for you?

Fellow panic/anxiety attack survivor here.
I have them during the night when I am stressed about something. I wake up with my arms up in the air, bent at my elbow! Sleeping in that position is a clear sign that I’m over thinking about something.

I realize that I don’t have the exact same feelings as you do, but I can tell you that there is hope for a better future.

May peace and blessings be yours today and always. 🌻

My psychologist suggests eating biscuits when it happens. Or getting up and walking or having a cup of tea. It helps.

Why biscuits?

I think just because they are easy to have by the bed

I had those from ever since I was small until (yes, they are gone!) way in my thirties. They went away quite quickly after telling myself each time a panic attack emerged that I had survived all others, that nothing had happened, and that they all had passed.
After that I never had them again.
During a bad relation ship (and after surviving it) I had others though; these were sheer terror about being attacked, killed, and more. These are the very bad ones that have to do with stress. And those are hard to beat because they jump on me while I sleep.

Cookies…

Make a thermos with nice tea in it and keep it near your bed. Add organic rose petals, some lavender if you like that (I do) and maybe some other herbs or spices that smell nice and are wonderful to drink. This also helps; fragrance is important.