Am I having panic attacks in my sleep or asthma? Confused, please help?
I wake up in the morning with what feels like I am having a bad asthma attack. Shortness of breath to the point I use my inhaler. I am in a deep sleep and wake up with this often in the morning. Then after I do treatment to the asthma symptoms it feels like I did not sleep at all the entire night the rest of the day. I do recall when I wake up I do feel a bit panicky. However, my Dr. stated it sounds more like I am having panic attacks in my sleep that is provoking like symptoms of asthma since it only occurs during this time. He also said it’s not too common asthma patients have asthma attacks while they sleep.
I do have lucid night mares often about my ex boyfriend in the past where I was in a really bad abusive relationship with. They are about the things he did to me. Any suggestions or thoughts here? Should I try an over the counter sleep aid see if that helps?
The way you describe the attack does not sound like a panic attack to me. In my own personal experience with panic attacks they usually occurred before I am in the deep sleep faze. I have very lucid dreams because of my medication and I never remember having dreams before a nocturnal panic attack. When I’m having a panic attack, I wake very suddenly. Shortness of breath is prevalent, but it really the least of my worries. It isn’t just a panicky feeling, it is a terrifying experience. I’m positive that I am going to die or go crazy. Nocturnal panic attacks are worse than normal attacks for me, because I am still not fully awake and I’m completely confused and out of it, while I know what is happening during the daytime and can take control of the attack. For me, they usually last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes long, though it always seems much longer. I can’t sleep for days afterword because I’m worried it will happen again. You described it as feeling a "bit panicky", but if you had had a nocturnal panic attack, it would be way more then a bit.
Experiences vary from person to person, however, but being a "bit panicky" does not constitute a panic attack. It just doesn’t sound like a panic attack. I’m no doctor, though. If it continues to happen, I would go see another doctor with your problem and see what he/she recommends. If it is panic attacks, sleep aids will not help (they will help you sleep, but they cannot stop a panic attack). For your sake, I really hope it isn’t panic attacks.
Comments
Comment from Jackdaniels
Time February 22, 2010 at 4:08 pm
you just have to get past those panik attacks . like Charlie says . well not exaxtly panik attacks but you can see . take beer or something . dont know about panik attacks and all .
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Comment from baby angel!
Time February 22, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Probably Anxiety attacks, Keeping busy, exercising and eating well by this I mean eating healthy balanced meals. Take in lots of fluids. Stay right away from sleeping aid. May be sleep therapy will help.
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Comment from Arlette
Time February 22, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Hello, I’m a doctor. Use singulair. I think that you want to get more info about it. Please go to —-> http://webmd40.notlong.com/AA4UUr6
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Comment from thornezoo
Time February 22, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Does your inhaler stop the attack? If so I would doubt its anxiety. Do you have any idea what triggers your asthma attacks? Is there maybe something in your environment that could be causing them while you sleep?
If your doctor thinks it may be anxiety, have him refer you to a specialist for that condition to either confirm it or rule it out. A doctor that deals with anxiety attacks 24/7 would be much better able to diagnose a panic attack. If it’s not a panic attack than you can go back to your regular doctor and he can treat it accordingly after conferring with the specialist.
The last thing you want is for your regular doctor to be guessing, prescribing drugs that may put you in too deep a sleep to respond if it is an asthma attack.
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Comment from Mitch D
Time February 22, 2010 at 5:47 pm
are you drinking coffee in the evening? or any caffeine? stay away from caffeine.
don’t let your doctor push xanax, valium or klonopin on you. They are power sleep aids, anti anxiety aids, and are highly addictive. When stopping them, it’s the same as alcohol withdrawal.
than there are the z-drugs. sort of like valium but shorter acting, thus less addictive. however, studies show them as being just as addictive. this is the stuff that micheal jackson had in his system when he died. only good for people crippled by fear (when an ssri isn’t working), or for alcohol withdrawal.
maybe try a small dose SSRI like Zoloft or Paxil. they are not addictive. take a few weeks for them to build up in your system though.
do you get panic attacks during the day? a panic attack is an intense sense of doom or fear that give you the flight or fight response, and most of the time you feel like you have to flee the situation. it’s not when your just freakin out about a test or stressed out, it’s actually extreme fear, last a few minutes usually.
anyways, back on topic. melatonin is a good sleep aid. grab it at any major store in the vitamin section. melatonin is what makes you sleepy. u can get ones that dissolve under the toungue. 3, 3mg ones at night. don’t take for more than a month ( lol, it’s on the bottle)
if you don’t have trouble falling asleep however, i don’t think you would need a sleep aid.
but maybe.
are you getting other physical symptoms? chest pain? fatigue? lethargy? bowel problems?
if you feel it’s something physical than get some tests run that effect sleep.
usually the thyroid, blood sugar can cause such things.
sleep clinic might be an idea.
if this happended after your dickhead ex bf, than you know it’s emotional stress, and should pass over time.
sleep is the most important thing, it’s required to have an energetic day. otherwise you’ll end up with health problems down the road.
so do look into it.
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Comment from Ace
Time February 22, 2010 at 6:22 pm
The way you describe the attack does not sound like a panic attack to me. In my own personal experience with panic attacks they usually occurred before I am in the deep sleep faze. I have very lucid dreams because of my medication and I never remember having dreams before a nocturnal panic attack. When I’m having a panic attack, I wake very suddenly. Shortness of breath is prevalent, but it really the least of my worries. It isn’t just a panicky feeling, it is a terrifying experience. I’m positive that I am going to die or go crazy. Nocturnal panic attacks are worse than normal attacks for me, because I am still not fully awake and I’m completely confused and out of it, while I know what is happening during the daytime and can take control of the attack. For me, they usually last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes long, though it always seems much longer. I can’t sleep for days afterword because I’m worried it will happen again. You described it as feeling a "bit panicky", but if you had had a nocturnal panic attack, it would be way more then a bit.
Experiences vary from person to person, however, but being a "bit panicky" does not constitute a panic attack. It just doesn’t sound like a panic attack. I’m no doctor, though. If it continues to happen, I would go see another doctor with your problem and see what he/she recommends. If it is panic attacks, sleep aids will not help (they will help you sleep, but they cannot stop a panic attack). For your sake, I really hope it isn’t panic attacks.
References :
Comment from comixstudios
Time February 22, 2010 at 6:54 pm
The over-the-counter sleep aid will only get you dependent on them. I use to be on a lot of prescribed drugs to drop my sleep panic attacks while sleeping. You can naturally stop them by changing your cognitive behavior which you can try with a psychologist or visiting the website below. Additionally don’t drink caffeine or lower your intake of it, and try doing yoga to relax and clear your mind. You can see how I stopped my sleep panic attacks from the website below.
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http://SleepPanicAttacksInfo.com
Comment from B0uncingMoonman@aol.com
Time February 22, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I think you should find another doctor, for a second opinion. What is happening to you is certainly not healthy.
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