Just had an awful panic attack

[Feelingcrappy2]

I’m so drained from it. I think what did it is that I’d only been asleep for around an hour and fell into a deep sleep when my son woke me up. I’m used to waking during the night but it not so soon after falling into a deep sleep, so it’s like my body didn’t know how to respond/adjust.

Was violently shivering for about 10 mins to the point where my ribs ache and body feels shattered from the tension.

I do get this sometimes but my gosh it’s awful. Any tips much appreciated.

I just had the very same thing! It's bloody horrible. Hope you're okay.

I usually just ride the wave tbh, let myself cry and have a bit of a panic. Keep telling myself affirmations, like that I'm not about to die etc. I do some deep breathing, try to read something funny to distract myself and usually finish off with a cup of tea.

Keep well x

Have you told your GP?

You can get beta blockers which slow your heart rate down which is why you're having a panic attack

I had one the other night. (I also hadn’t been asleep long.) It’s been a long time since I woke in panic , so I forgot to do what I used to do - which is to get out of bed straight away, go the kitchen and get a glass of water and drink it down, it used to slow down my racing heart and halt the panic. Not sure why? But worth giving it a go, I think.

I feel for you, I really do.
Do you take meds for the panic?

I'm sorry x they are awful. I used to get them daily, mostly in the morning.

What was it about your son waking you up that sent you into an immediate panic attack? Its quite an intense automatic response so may be worth unpacking that one to try and identify the fear - it could be unconscious?

They are horrible aren't they. I had one in the middle of the night after an iron infusion. I woke up with a pain below my shoulder blade and through to the front, and my brain went to is this a heart attack. I was trying to work out when I'd know I'd need to call 999, how the paramedics could come in without my dog barking the house awake, all sorts.
I was shaking violently I was so cold but covered in sweat. I got up and sat on the loo for a bit Googling how to calm a panic attack down and a lot mentioned breathing in for four and then out for four. I sat up in bed for a good hour just focusing on breathing in and out to the count of four. Every time I thought I had it under control my heart rate went right up again. Eventually I laid down and carried on doing the breathing and the next thing I knew it was morning.
I had it again after another infusion, but it didn't last as long. Still very scary.