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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by karenR on April 17, 2001, at 11:38:08
I was diagnosed with Night Terrors when I was 25. I've had them all of my life.
I usually wake up a few times a week or month with racing heart, scared to death
and am not easily aroused, and generally don't remember. However, lately, I've
been waking up 3-6 times a night, and I remember about 30% of the time. I can't
breathe (I have anxiety about breathing) and am very upset and not easily comforted.
I am drivng my husband crazy, he's really a saint and trying to help, but I think
the lack of good sleep is getting to him as well as me. I have been taking
Remeron for about 2 months now, at 30mgs for 1.5 weeks. It's supposed to make you sleepy, but I still have
many terrified wakings at night. Does anyone else have Night Terrors or panic
attacks in the night? Can you tell the difference? What are you doing about them?
I feel ok with my anxiety when I go to bed, but I wake within an hour of sleep, and
then another hour later, and so on and so on....Very tired and frustrated!
karenR
Posted by Michele on April 17, 2001, at 12:59:25
In reply to Night Terrors or Panic Attacks? Medications?, posted by karenR on April 17, 2001, at 11:38:08
Karen,
Hi girl.. that sounds upsetting. You said this happens weekly/or monthly. Is there a pattern that you've noticed, ie.. things you did that certain day, the time of your cycle, etc? Maybe you can keep a little journal on that part.... see if there is a connection to something else.Medically speaking.... I get occasional panic attacks.... Not an everyday thing.. as it sounds like yours is.... but I take a xanax.... right on the onsight.... and knocks it right out. Seeing that your having yours in the middle of sleep sounds disturbing... because I have basically learned how to control the symtoms of these.. breathing excersises, etc. But I guess I wouldn't be able to do this is I was half asleep. Thats rough.
Anyway.... xanax helped me greatly.... to the point where I don't even have them anymore. May have just jinxed myself.... and no longer need to take the xanax.... my humble opinion. Hopefully you'll get some more responses..... there are some incredibly bright people on here. Good luck. Michele
Posted by mila on April 17, 2001, at 14:15:51
In reply to Night Terrors or Panic Attacks? Medications?, posted by karenR on April 17, 2001, at 11:38:08
Dear Karen,
could you see a sleep specialist? Your description of the night sleep pattern is rather unusal. It makes me wonder whether your sleep stages are abnormal. sleep terrors differ form nocturnal panic in the stages of sleep when they occur. Sleep terrors occur at a stage 4 sleep, and nocturnal panics occur during delta wave or slow wave sleep, which is the deepest stage of sleep, it occurs several hours after we fall asleep.
I also wonder whether remeron might have affected your sleep stages.
As far as the treatment of nocturnal panics concerned, they are effectively treated by intermediate acting benzodiazepines. Behavioral therapy alone works quite well for many, sometimes it is supported by medication for as long as six months to a year to prevent early relapses.
To summarize, consider seeing slep disorders specialist and someone who specializes in panic disorder or at least in anxiety disorders. you should know however, that today not many specialists are trained in the newest therapeutic techniques for treating panic disorders (including nocturnal panics). see someone who has received advanced training in Panic Control Treatment (PCT). It is very effective (80-100% of patients are free of panic after approximately 12 weekly sessions).
I am very sorry you have to go through such an ordeal. Sleep disorders are one of the worst ever to have:(
I am also very glad that you've got such an extraorinarily great husband. Yess!!!
mila
Posted by karenR on April 17, 2001, at 14:48:07
In reply to Re: Night Terrors or Panic Attacks? Medications?, posted by mila on April 17, 2001, at 14:15:51
> Dear Karen,
>
> could you see a sleep specialist? Your description of the night sleep pattern is rather unusal. It makes me wonder whether your sleep stages are abnormal. sleep terrors differ form nocturnal panic in the stages of sleep when they occur. Sleep terrors occur at a stage 4 sleep, and nocturnal panics occur during delta wave or slow wave sleep, which is the deepest stage of sleep, it occurs several hours after we fall asleep.
>
> I also wonder whether remeron might have affected your sleep stages.
>
> As far as the treatment of nocturnal panics concerned, they are effectively treated by intermediate acting benzodiazepines. Behavioral therapy alone works quite well for many, sometimes it is supported by medication for as long as six months to a year to prevent early relapses.
>
> To summarize, consider seeing slep disorders specialist and someone who specializes in panic disorder or at least in anxiety disorders. you should know however, that today not many specialists are trained in the newest therapeutic techniques for treating panic disorders (including nocturnal panics). see someone who has received advanced training in Panic Control Treatment (PCT). It is very effective (80-100% of patients are free of panic after approximately 12 weekly sessions).
>
> I am very sorry you have to go through such an ordeal. Sleep disorders are one of the worst ever to have:(
>
> I am also very glad that you've got such an extraorinarily great husband. Yess!!!
>
> milaMila,
Thanks for the note. I did go to a sleep center 2 years ago for my sleep troubles. Unfortunately, I didn't sleep much (90 min all night!). They said
I had.....insomnia (wow, what a surprise!). I didn't ever get into REM that night, so they really were
inconclusive. I don't think another night would be successful because I was very uncomfortable hooked up to all that stuff.
My husband taped me sleeping last week and I woke four times (I only remember one of them). It was scary seeing myself panic like that.
I am having my awakenings usually within an hour of going to sleep, and then again an hour later and such.I am seeing a therapist that does CBT, but I am not sure if he is certified in PCT. I will look into that. Thanks!
I am wondering, too, if the remeron is hurting my sleep. I took zoloft for 2 years and it really helped my sleep.
Unfortunately, it didn't help the anxiety so I went off that and onto remeron. < shrug >Thanks for your input,
karenR
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