Unexpected Insomnia and Panic Attacks

[jlsmithseven]

Hi
So I’ve been on the forum for a while but I’ve recently had some very serious issues surrounding sleep.

I had a panic attack one evening at the start of August, went to the ER. This was the first night I panicked because I knew I wasn’t falling asleep and I know I needed sleep, so it’s like a snowball effect of anxiety that just led me to hyperventilate.

Since then I’ve tried an anxiety med one night after that night and it was very scary I’ve never been that low with depression/anxiety.

Also since then I’ve tried multiple things but it wasn’t until seroquel 25mg I’ve been on this past week and I’ve been sleeping 7-9 hrs every single night. I finally feel like myself again after struggling most of August.

I was having fear/anxiety about the thought of just going to sleep most of that month as well. So as night approached I’d get very nervous and aggitated.

Anyways, I’ve tried all the melatonin, magnesium, lavender stuff and none of it really stuck. I’ve also always woken up in the middle of the night or 2-3am before and now I just sleep through the night like a normal person.

I’m here because the first week I’ve been on seroquel my mask has been leaking like crazy , and I’m still asleep most of the night, and I’ve gotten dry mouth. I drink water and it’s been ok.

But, my sleep regardless has been very good and the mask is still doing its job. I’d like to not be on this medicine long term because there really isn’t a positive word to be said about it anywhere I look, but it has been working tremendously. I have slight grogginess in the morning, but I take adhd meds that stimulate my brain so most of that goes away pretty fast.

Last night was a very good night though my mask didn’t leak and my pressures remained consistent and I feel amazing today like a new person.

Please just don’t bash on seroquel in this thread because i feel it literally saved me. I just don’t want this relationship to last long term but the way things are going I really wouldn’t mind it… I’ve been suggested cbd also. But yes I would like a more natural approach if at all possible.

[lazarus]

This article touches on making sure your thyroid is OK and possibly looking into a form CBT for insomnia, which I believe is now generally considered first-line treatment over drugs:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/d ... ep-anxiety

Waking up once or twice a night may be no big deal for many so-called "normal" people, although I'm not sure I've ever actually stumbled across any of those in the wild.

I wish you the best and hope you get permanent relief soon.

[jlsmithseven]

My thyroid is good per the bloodwork I got recently.

[zonker]

Waking up once or twice a night may be no big deal for many so-called "normal" people, although I'm not sure I've ever actually stumbled across any of those in the wild.

well, like attracts like.

[lazarus]

well, like attracts like.

I wouldn't know a "normal person" if it bit me on the nose--I mean assuming of course that normal people bite other people's noses.

[robysue1]

Also since then I’ve tried multiple things but it wasn’t until seroquel 25mg I’ve been on this past week and I’ve been sleeping 7-9 hrs every single night. I finally feel like myself again after struggling most of August.

I'm glad to hear the seroquel seems to be working out well for you. You should talk with the doctor who prescribed it about what the long term plan is, however, since later on you indicate that you would prefer not to take the seroquel indefinitely.

I’m here because the first week I’ve been on seroquel my mask has been leaking like crazy , and I’m still asleep most of the night, and I’ve gotten dry mouth. I drink water and it’s been ok.

In order to help you, we need to see the data. Also it would help to remind us about the mask you are using and your machine's settings, including the humidifier and heated hose settings.

But, my sleep regardless has been very good and the mask is still doing its job. I’d like to not be on this medicine long term because there really isn’t a positive word to be said about it anywhere I look, but it has been working tremendously. I have slight grogginess in the morning, but I take adhd meds that stimulate my brain so most of that goes away pretty fast.

Again, this is something you need to bring up with the doctor who prescribed the seroquel.

Here's the thing: Most people can be weaned off of prescription sleep medication once they are sleeping well and when they have a desire to be weaned off the medication. But it may be easier to do if the person is willing to also do some CBT-Insomnia at the same time so that any new issues with insomnia can be addressed through the CBT-I rather than just by going back to the original dose of the sleep medication.

Last night was a very good night though my mask didn’t leak and my pressures remained consistent and I feel amazing today like a new person.

Here's hoping that last night was the first of many very good nights for you. And that you continue to feel good when you wake up.

But do keep in mind that most people---even those without sleep anpea and those without insomnia---have some really good nights and some really bad nights in terms of the quality of their sleep. But on the whole, the good nights are more common than the bad nights are. I say this so that you won't get too discouraged after the next bad night happens. (And it will happen---nobody has a really great night's sleep every single night.)

Please just don’t bash on seroquel in this thread because i feel it literally saved me. I just don’t want this relationship to last long term but the way things are going I really wouldn’t mind it… I’ve been suggested cbd also. But yes I would like a more natural approach if at all possible.

Again, since you are expressing some understandable concern about taking seroquel long term, talk with the doctor who prescribed it and let the doc know. If/when you get to the point where you believe you are sleeping well enough to attempt to wean yourself off the seroquel, ask the doctor for advice as well as talking to folks (here or elsewhere) who have been successful in weaning themselves off prescription sleep medication.

As for a more natural approach: It's not an either, or situation. For some people who've been through a wringer like you experienced in August, a mixed approach involving both prescription sleep medication and some CBT-I at the same time can work wonders in helping the body understand both what a good night's sleep feels like and how to get a good night without necessarily relying on sleeping medication for the rest of your life.

In particular, look up "good sleep hygiene habits" and make a serious attempt to follow the basic ones even while (especially while) you are taking the seroquel to help you sleep better. The more good sleep hygiene becomes a daily habit while you are taking the seroquel, the easier it may be for you to wean yourself off the seroquel when you think you are ready to do so.

You might also find reading through Sound Sleep, Sound Mind by Dr. Barry Krakow useful. He provides lots of interesting CBT-Insomnia ideas for reducing the anxiety many people feel when they find themselves unable to sleep through the night the way they want to sleep through the night.