Feels Like I Am About To Die Just Before I Fall Asleep

[Cliff.P]

I have a problem falling asleep. I can be right at the edge of a deep sleep where Iam starting to lose focus on my surroundings and it feels like I've been jerked out of bed or kinda like I am falling, my heart is pounding heavy from fear an Iam grabbing at my chest because for some reason it felt like it stopped, I can't catch my breath like Iam forcing my self to draw air in. I've found things that aid in getting to sleep but do not work always an it still happens frequently.

For me laying on my side really helps after the first one. Iam up most of the time waiting to feed my son, just relaxing an watching tv, not stressing at all or thinking for that matter. Then it happens, I nodded off an suddenly Iam wide awake, heart racing, gasping for air like I forgot how too breath, looking for what I thought grabbed me.

After that I go in to full on panic attack. I've laid on the bathroom floor many nights waiting for it to stop so I can get back in bed with out waking my wife. The last one was rough I had to wake her up just in case, I literally thought those were my last moments.

I had an attack driving the work truck today like always not stressing or focussing on anything except singing with the radio an it hit me so hard an fast I almost lost control of the truck I had to pull over an get a grip before I could go on.

 

[arfie]

Have you talked to a doctor about this? I have heard of it in connection with sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

 

[junglegirl]

I have the same issue. I am thin but I had a testcand on my back I have sleep apnea. I stop breathing five times and six times is the official diagnnosis required for a cpap- the mafhine prescribed fo sufferers. The reason it happens during the day is bc of lack of sleep the night before.

 

[zeckster81]

I too have had this happen. Except I usually don't fall back to sleep. I found sitting up or sleeping in the car helpful.

 

[Cliff.P]

I've been to a doctor an he just prescribed anti depresents an Xanax. I think imma need to see another doctor though, I tried the meds but it felt like I was paralyzed when I woke up with the problem. I had to mentally push hard to get my body to move, it's hard to explane.

It's been two years an though the problem comes an goes it's still happen frequently enough to keep me on edge. I honestly feel like death is upon me when it happens. Thanks zeckster for the top imma try it tonight in the recliner to see if that helps.

It's really hard to get a full sleep though. I've had it happen at least 4 times in one night. An when it happens it's really hard to try to go to sleep with out an attack. An after that it takes 30 mins or so to calm down.[DOUBLEPOST=1398564359,1398564239][/DOUBLEPOST]

I too have had this happen. Except I usually don't fall back to sleep. I found sitting up or sleeping in the car helpful.

 

[shell]

I went through this during a period of very little sleep, with hypnagogic jerk and sleeping panic attacks, as my stress levels reduced and I started to catch up on sleep it corrected itself, took months. I really think stressing about just added to the problem, try telling you self it's okay, and it might help to read up on them, it set my mind at ease.