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For the past few weeks I've woken several nights with Nocturnal Panic Attacks. For no apparent reason.

I'm years from any DDays. WH and I are doing very well together. No major trigger days or daily triggers. Just waking at night in a panic [no nightmares/dreams preceding them]. But Holy BLEEP! They suck. The chest pains, the rapid breathing, the sweat, the horror of it all....I've had enough post DDay to recognize them for what they are.

And the worst is I'm awake for hours in their aftermath, trying to convince myself it just a night time panic attack and do all the mental self soothing exercises.

Anyone else?

How old are you could this be menopause? Yes hot flashes in the middle of the night waking up soaked and feeling heart racing is just part of it.

Well Hell tushnurse! I'm in my mid 50s. So sadly...you may be right. I knew hot flashes were a thing and could happen at night. I had no idea Nocturnal Panic Attacks could be menopausal as well.

Yeah I have had to change clothes and sheets in the middle of the night. It's truly awful. Please reach out to your Ob/gyn and get labs and meds if appropriate. I had gel and patches and creams to g e t me through.
Those hot flashes can be really wild. Try keeping your room cool and wearing light clothing if any at bedtime. Then look at dietary changes that can help.minimize symptoms. Also avoid alcohol as it can make flashes wildly more intense.

Edging around a guideline, I will say that many of the people I know in the United States have been uncommonly stressed for the last few weeks.

I've had more than a few of these the last couple of years. Don't know what can help, but can say you aren't the only one that gets them.

I was having these a few months ago, more like waking up needing to sit up and catch my breath. It turned out I have a cardiac condition I had no idea was getting worse. Have your healthcare provider check out your heart for any irregular sounds. Especially after we turn 50. Most likely menopause but rule out heart issues.

It turned out I have a cardiac condition I had no idea was getting worse

I knew your heart was too big!

"For the past few weeks I've woken several nights with Nocturnal Panic Attacks. For no apparent reason."

I am not fully emotionally healed and it’s been quite a long time so I don’t think emotional stress is out of the question even years later. And I can empathize with your situation.

I am not a medical person but I did have similar experiences from a legitimate medical reason. Mine was cardiac damage from lyme disease that had gone undiagnosed.
I am alive because someone itested me for medical reasons. I also remember from a previous cpr class that I took that many women have cardiac issues but don’t "look like it". I guess that was me.

That and there is research that women’s’ symptoms are not generally taken as seriously as men because of bias. So if I was having a serious symptom I would get to an excellent doctor. I cannot express enough gratitude to the nurse practitioner who saved my life literally.

There have been times I did not take as good of care of myself as I did other people so I always encourage people to take exquisite care of themselves.

Sending positive thoughts your way and o hope you are able to find out what is causing this and get what help you may need.

Chaos, just wanted to chime in with a me too on the menopause symptoms. I thought mine were heart issues which runs in the family, which spiked my fear response and probably did morph into mini panic attacks…. Meno symptoms suck. Mine were all over the board, but those pounding heart nighttime events would wake me up as if from a nightmare too, heart pounding so hard I thought it might stop. I started wearing a fit bit just to track it. Nothing beyond hormone therapy helped, although I had several doctors put me on SSRI’s and other stress relief and sleep meds before I finally got to a doctor who helped me figure it out. Not my gyno, who was dismissive, but my Internal Medicine GP. I had also seen a cardiologist for the heart pounding, and she was crucial in helping me stop panicking about my heart, and helped diagnose my C-Spine issues causing other concerning symptoms… I have learned to think outside the box and the specialist on my health…

I had a very hard time getting on the hormones due to family history of breast cancer. I just read the chapter in Blind Spots by Dr. Makary addressing the misinformation regarding HRT and I was pretty pissed I suffered for years before I got help. I hope you get sorted out. It’s so hard to get back to sleep after one of those adrenaline and heart rate spikes. It’s so hard for me to get a good night of rest, and it makes all the difference in how I face the day. Hope you get some answers and some solutions…

@Chaos - bumping this up to see if you figured out why this has been happening and to see if you've found anything to help it.

Thanks number4

They are still happening. I can't pinpoint a reason. I have made no changes to diet/medication/etc.
I drink plenty of water, practice moderation, exercise regularly and limit caffeine.

At my annual physical 2 weeks ago, it is determined I'm healthy and have no underlying health reasons for this [other than being gently reminded that even if things are going well in the Land of Chaos - betrayal [and mine is LTA] is a trauma and those scars can linger and sting when least expected and to be gentle with myself]. I declined any type of sleep aid - like I told my Dr - I'd rather just be tired than deal with any of the side effects of any Rx.

I will be discussing with my GYN at the beginning of the year to discuss menopausal issues. I am in my min 50s for those curious :)