Hi all,

So I started having panic attacks / bad anxiety this year. It was really bad at first. Things have generally gotten better over time and since I got better help. Because I have been getting better I have been feeling more and more in control. Not completely though, might never be again and that's ok with me now.

I have a question about a sort of relapse. Last night I fell asleep watching a movie and woke up about an hour into it with the worst panic attack I have had in a while. I fought off nocturnal panic attacks and I haven't even had a sleep start for over a month (falling asleep and waking up within the hour like clockwork). Most of my night attacks happened soon after I woke up, there was a ramp up period, a place I could get a little foothold and calm myself and consciously ride it out. Not last night though. My heart was pumping full steam, I had already started to get the tingling fingers and was barely conscious. Since one of my biggest fears is a heart attack, my goose was cooked. It took serious consoling and Xantax to even make the ride bearable. Thankfully I am well practiced in breathing otherwise my heart may have jumped out of my chest.

After all was said and done I had strong adrenaline aftershocks like feeling cold and shaking. But the worst thing about it all was that I felt like it had come completely out of the blue. Partially because it started in my sleep and partially because I felt I was doing better in general. I am trying to not let it feel like a giant setback, but it's hard. I mean I even had to take xanax... granted, it's only a half of a .25mg pill but it feels like a defeat when I have to take it.

Oh and just so you know what I am doing. I see a psychotherapist once a week. I have a fantastic DO whom referred me to the therapist. I also have a terrible GP who I only use to run tests because that is all they have time to talk about in 10 minute visits.

Question:

Anyone else have to deal with night panic? Anyone else felt like they were making progress only to have our friend Anxiety use the ol sucker punch?