Ongoing nightly panic (?) attacks. CHRONIC

[[ve...]]

Heart palps, rapid heartbeat, every night?  Does anyone have ongoing symptoms like this every night? I could handle the insomnia if it weren't the waking up with my heart 'wigging' out.    Is this panic attacks, or w/d symptoms?  I've had chronic situational stressors for years, thus the reason for starting the hateful benzos, which now I understand to have exacerbated my symptoms, after taking for years.

Naturally every doctor I've seen about this, wants to give me drugs.

 

I'm running on here, but awakened at 1:30 am AGAIN, with those aforementioned symptoms. I'd give anything for it to stop.

 

I'm going to try and really get exercise daily, think that might help, or is it my damaged brain that insists on sending out panic when I sleep?

[[Pr...]]

I'm having a hard time getting any sleep at night at all. I just started my 7th month out cold t and I've been panicking every single one of those nights. Heart goes crazy..most nights I get no sleep at all because of this. If able I would exercise. But I do think it's chemical

[Guest [ba...]]

It's withdrawal that's causing you those 'attacks'.  I had those same freaky wake-ups (often several a night).  It will get better, but you may need to have finished your taper for a while for them to disappear completely.  A lot of people are really uncomfortable about having palps, but they're not life-threatening (just a nuisance). 

 

Exercise is good, but be sure to start slow and easy.

 

You might look into finding a good therapist instead of using drug-pushing psych doctors.  Over time, therapy would have had you learn some coping skills for your chronic stressors instead of having you suppress those feelings with drugs.

[[ve...]]

"Finish my Taper", I think fear is keeping me from doing that. I could be totally wrong, but I'm scared if I jump or finish tapering (I know I'm on a low-dose now) the 'attacks' will worsen. But then, they are happening nightly any way...gad, I'm over-thinking this I believe.

 

I...just....want...to...sleep. 

[Guest [ba...]]

Fear is the enemy.  Your psych docs did you a disservice when they gave you pills to cover up the symptoms instead of working with you to learn to deal with it.

 

Definitely not time to jump yet (IMHO).

[[me...]]

Geez, you've really been through the wringer with psych drugs! Congrats for getting as far as you have. I agree, 2.5 mg. Valium is too high to jump, most get down to at least 1mg, and personally I would go down further. Those small doses can still be extremely powerful.

 

Exercise is great, it is one of the only ways to burn off excess adrenaline/cortisol. The other way is crying, so don't hold back the tears when you are frustrated!

 

I almost always wake up at 1:30 to 2 AM. I've accepted that this is part of a natural sleep rhythm and I just work with it. Try looking up "segmented sleep" for more information, I think it will make you a bit more relaxed about it. I have a largish stack of books on my bed (one reason I can't share it!) and just dive into one of them, using a blue-blocker lamp. Almost always I can get back to sleep in 2-4 hours. I'm going to relearn how to crochet again as another option, so I can be a proper old lady.

 

Curious--Do you have any neuropathic pain?

[[ve...]]

No, no neuropathic pain.

 

Yep, I got the full regimen of psych drugs and looking back when this all started IF the doctor had tried therapy/cognitive thinking instead of giving me a ticket to that long Psych Drug/ Benzo Train, my life would be far, far better.

 

Crochet!! Lol I have a closet full of throws. I could open a store!!!!