Panic attacks?

This is a bit embarassing for me because in my mind I know Im doing this to myself. Ever since my surgery I am having panic attacks but only at night when I try to go to sleep.

I begin to feel heaviness in my chest and my heart starts beating so fast and hard it hurts. When I try to fall asleep I get this wave that goes through my body just before I drift into a deep sleep and I gasp for air. Its terrible sisters, and terribly embarassing too.

I suffer none of this during the day and I dread the the thought of trying to go to sleep. I dont want to even close my eyes for I know what will happen.

I know this is all because of the surgery. I was petrified of going under and not waking up and I believe subconsciously my body is still traumatized by the general anestisia.

Has anyone else had something like this happen after their hysterectomy? I feel like such a freak!

Please don't be embarrassed. You are not a freak! Anxiety is a pretty powerful emotion, and I understand that it can be caused by imbalances in the brain, as well as situational causes, such as surgery. Mine is chronic--I've been anxious all my life, and it became unbearable when my dad died years ago. I've been taking paxil ever since. I began to feel more anxious (losing my breath, increased heartbeat etc) when my exhusband died this past Feb. Then finding out I had to have a hyster, freaked me out. My shrink increased the dose of paxil and it did help. I was scared before the surgery, didn't want to leave my daughter parentless, I too was afraid I wouldn't wake up. I have had no anxiety since the surgery--I am sure it is due to the paxil, and the fact that I DID wake up. I'm so darned thankful I'm feeling okay. Please do NOT be embarrassed by this--I think you should call your doc immediately and tell her/him about the anxiety, tell h/h it is interfering with your healing (no sleep) and ask for some support, either someone in the know to talk with, or medication. You are not a freak, you're not crazy! You're a woman who just went through a very traumatic experience. Please let us know how you're doing, and what is working for you. And please don't be so hard on yourself--you are doing well otherwise, right? A great big hug to you!

Kristin

DAnni

I had the same thing a few nights after i got home. Not sure if there is a connection with the surgery or not, it was horrible, however i have not had one since so i hope your go away soon

LissaJo

I was also terrified (for whatever reason) about going under the ansethetic and having this surgery (had mine on 6-1). I've had previous surgeries, but was a big baby before this one.

And about 4-5 days post-op, I also had an anxiety attack at night.
I've had very few surgical menopause symptoms, but at night I would get some warm rushes, and one set my heart racing and made it difficult to breathe for a few hours. I freaked out and called my doctor the next day.

We weren't sure if it was anxiety brought on by a hot flash, or if it was an allergy to the high dose of Ibuprofen he had me on (stopped taking that). But I'm thinking it could have simply been an anxiety attack as you described yours. I haven't had any since that night, but my nights are more challenging with some insomnia/headache issues arising then.

Perhaps check in with your doctor. Review your meds that you are taking. Perhaps you can take something to calm you in the evenings. I have tapered off on the caffeine, have tried valerian root, Tylenol PM, and this has helped my evenings run more smoothly.

Shoozie

Awwww...I'm so sorry, Danni. Don't be embarassed. Your body is going through quite a shock. I see you had a BSO...are you taking Hormone Replacement Therapy of any kind? Lack of estrogen often brings on panic attack-like symptoms. When I was 40 and beginning peri-menopause I went through exactly the same thing you're describing, except I would wake up with it in the middle of the night when I couldn't even try to talk myself into calming down. And it always happened the week before my period--every night for a week out of each month. It's a terribly frightening experience. Don't blame yourself. Hormones do weird things to us and our brains. I have several friends who are between 40 and 50 without hysterectomies who are going through the same things because of the drop in estrogen from peri-menopause. A couple of them take low doses of antidepressants, one lady wakes up her husband and has him hold her till the heart palpitations stop, another has a glass of wine before bed and that seems to help her, and still another takes a natural over-the-counter estrogen supplement (but that often takes a few weeks to work to it's full potential and many can't wait that long). It's not easy for any of us who have those symptoms and each person has to find relief in a way that's comfortable for them. Some people don't want to take antidepressants, and others don't drink wine. I've heard that even accupuncture and/or biofeedback can be effective. And some lucky women have hardly any symptoms at all as they approach menopause! Not fair, huh? I think the panic-attacks would be even scarier when they're brought on by hysterectomy surgery cause your body is still in such shock and pain. And, like you said, yours might be compounded by the fear you had of being under anesthetic. Would you feel comfortable talking to your doctor about this? He/she would likely understand and probably wouldn't be surprised to hear it--because I bet he hears it already from a lot of women. Don't beat yourself up over this. There is help and light at the end of the tunnel. Hope it gives you some comfort to know you're definitely not alone in this. Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing. Many hugs...Cindy in CA

Hi, Danni!

Don't be embarassed, hon, we're all family here!

Anxiety is so powerful, and takes so much practice to learn to control. Maybe you could call your doc and ask for something temporarily so that you can have several nights without the symptoms. That way you will have good sleep experiences to think of as you go to lay down at night instead of remembering when you felt horrible at bedtime.

Hi Danni,
I agree with all the other ladies, this is nothing to be embarrassed about. I have had terrible panic/anxiety attacks in my early 40s. I took Xanax back then and after a few years, I am happy to say, it's under control; it's not as scary of an event like it used to be.
Regarding the hysterectomy, after I got home, I experienced the same thing. Every time I would fall asleep, I would jolt and be awake again with my heart racing like crazy. In my case, I think the culprit was the hospital stay (3 days). I remember being woke up on a constant basis to have my blood pressure taken, to have meds administered, to be weight, to have my pee bag emptied, drinking water replenished, temp taken... you get the picture. My body was so used to being woke up all the time that it had a hard time relaxing. Danni, it will get better! Now, I sleep through the night except for emptying my bladder maybe once or twice, and then I go right back to sleep.
And yes, don't laugh, before the surgery, I got my house in order. I filled out a living will, details and instructions about my financial situation, who gets what, who would get custody of my son, and how I wanted to be buried. I even wrote a good-bye letter to my son, just in case I would not make it. NO PANIC here, The rest I left up to God.
I completely understand.
Angie

hi Danni, I experienced the same exact sleep arousals as you. I would fall asleep and feel a d "dropping off" feeling and jerk myself awake. Also gasping for breath and feeling extreme anxiety to the point I would have to get up and walk around. This was all pre hysterectomy. It was discovered after a sleep test that I was suffering from severe sleep apnea. I would stop breathing many times a night for as long as 90 secs! My husband observed my gasping for breath not to mention loud snoring. I was really having alot of anxiety and had a feeling of clasterphobia. Anyway.. since going to a sleep specialist I am now using a CPAP. It's a continuous pressure of air that keeps me breathing correctly. And all my nocturnal anxiety has stopped. I'm getting alot better sleep and feeling alot more refreshed. Just thought i'd pass on my 2 cents. If it continues I suggest you see a sleep specialist for an evaluation. Can't hurt to at least get evaluated.

Please don't feel embarassed, Danni, - we are here to listen and encourage you!! I, too, got 'my affairs in order' prior to surgery - made sure my will and health care preferences were up to date. Then I prayed and turned all the anxiety and fear over to the Lord. He says that He will do all the impossible things for us if only we ask in Jesus' name - so that's what I did - and boy!!! what feelings of relief and confidence came over me! My Doc asked if I was worried about not waking up. I told her, "well, I was, but I turned it over and it is all in God's hands now, so we'll just see what His plan is." I think even she got comfort.

So, I'll pray for you that God comforts you and takes away your anxiety. I urge you to pray every night as you lay down and say something like: " Dear God, I place myself in your hands now. If it is your will, please help me get a good night's sleep and wake in the morning feeling strong and rested. I ask too that you heal my body as quickly as possible and that you allow my healing to be a glory to You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

I know you will feel His comfort and peace. There is nothing like it.

Jan- This is my fear. When I wake up gasping Im convinced that I have stopped breathing. But not sure if sleep apnea can come on so suddenly?

GreenGrass, your replies are always so comforting and I look forward to them. Just like my mother you always seem to have the right thing to say and I thank you for that.

And to the rest of you thanks for the reassurance. One begins to feel as though they are crying wolf when they experience as many problems as I have. I've always been in great shape and feeling like I could take on the world. These past few months have really shot me down to rock bottom and fast. Im not used to being in this condition and not being able to fix it. Its terrible and my mind is making me pay for it.

Thank you all so much for your reassurance. I apologize for my abundance of posts of complaints. I just cant complain to my family because they dont know me to be this way and dont want them to.

I love you all, and hold you close to my heart

Thank you!

's
Danni