Is it possible to have a panic attack when falling asleep?

[colette]

I have been sleeping quite badly , wake up several times during the night and in the morning feel knackered and usually have a headache. This has been going on for a week or more just after I had had flu. I thought I was knackered because I was still a bit run down.
Last night as I was just about dropping off to sleep it felt as if I was "pulling back" and not letting go. My heart was beating faster and my teeth were clenched. It is very wierd , has anyone had anything like this and most important cured it ?
I have been feeling more tense lately even when there is not anything unusual happening.

I get recurrent bouts of imsomnia and when it happens it's like I'm feeling nervous - when I'm about to go to sleep I jolt awake. Hard to describe but it sounds similar to you. It tends to be cyclical. Ofetn I'll be totally shattered then as soon as I hit bed I'm awake.

I have used sleeping tablets but only very occasionally. Usually I get up and lie on the sofa with the TV on, it seems to be enough of a distraction that allows me to doze off.

thanks for the reply picnikel it does sound similar, I have had acupuncture which really helped but does not seem to work as well now (also am getting too skint to keep it up).

I hate it! Have always coped until had dd last year but combination of insomnia and new baby was not good (hence the sleeping tablets but didn't use them for long). It's back to "normal" now - hadn't thought of acupuncture though.

I hope it is cyclical too , have had it before but last night I was really aware of being tense. Acupuncture is good but as I said expensive. Glad you are better anyway. I think it is a slow torture aagghh

yep! i have had anxiety issues and panic attacks adn they can definitely occur whilst falling asleep b/c that's when everything seems to come crashing in on me.

Expat - are you thinking about things when it happens? I was not aware of any thoughts - it is very wierd . What helps you?

No, b/c of the insomnia I'm usually shattered.

I'm trying Nytol herbal just now b/c I am bfing, but before, I had to use tranqs to get to sleep at times, unfortunately.

Would like to try accupuncture, tbh.

Yes it certainly is. I had them after being left in labour with dd. I couldn't sleep at all as just closing my eyes brought on a suffocating, claustrophobic panic attack. I ended up taking some kind of herbal/homeopathic remedy recommended at the health shop, which seemed to help. It was horrific.

Expat do the nytol work? I think when I was b/f it was very hard to switch off at night and really improved as ds slept through so hopefully it will get better for you.
Aloha , do you no longer get them ? Do you remember what the herbal/homeopathic remedy was?

yes definitely possible

horrible too poor you

remember it is a physical thing and you can stop it by deep breathing

No, I don't get them anymore thank goodness. It was SO scary. I felt like I couldn't breathe and felt like I was buried alive every time my eyes closed.
I am racking my brains to think of the remedy - it was drops you put in water and it did seem to work. IN fact I think I posted on MN about it.
Will go in and ask tomorrow if you like? Keep promising ds a trip to the health food shop as they sell Dr Hauschka for me and chocolate soy drink for ds!
It did pass though. Try also cutting out all caffeine and alcohol and drinking a LOT of water. Good luck.

Kid-frienly explanation of these jerks

Not that anyone's a kid - it's just a well-written explanation And gives tech names so you can google for more info

thanks Enid - the thought that I have some control over it is really important. I will try deep breathing, it is as if I have just realised what is happening even though i think deep sleep has been eluding me for a while.
Aloha if it is not any bother I would be really grateful if you would find out what it was called.Yesterday I had a lot more caffiene than usual because I was so knackered but it is a bit of a vicious circle. I will try cutting it right down , I am desperate to unwind and wake up feeling o.k.
Sue w - thanks for the link it does describe exactly what has been happening (also reminds me of watching our dog kick out as she fell asleep ) and has given me some more info. to look up.
Thanks for the replies it helps to know I am not cracking up

My dh suffered really badly from this. He took an enzynatic therapy treatment called l-theanine before going to bed and it cured him completely. Google it, and try your local health shop/alternative remedies shop. I was amazed at how well it worked. Good luck xx

Yes, this is when I most often get them - evening and when just gone to bed. I just ride it through or tell dh and get him to talk to me about something. I get them when I'm really overworked or stressed. Horrible.

read this

Thanks TeddyRobinson and evansmummy for your replies it is good to know it happens to other people. I am off to bed as it always takes me ages to actually get there.