I feel like I am dying in my sleep..
 

Not sure what this is, and it's happened since I was diagnosed, so I can't help but think this is related to my MS.

It's like when I go to sleep my body doesn't know how to work everything while I am not conscience.

I wake up abruptly, very short of breath, inside's are in a huge panic, and my pupils will be so messed up, like one pupil super small and the other is huge.

My neuro said they're panic attacks, but I firmly believe that is not the case.
I wake up like this, and after about 2 minutes of being awake my insides go right back to how they were before.

The feeling is awful, my inside's truly feel like I am dying.

Have any of you experienced this?

I hate doing it, I feel like the scare of it is taking years off of my life, and some nights it happens 4-5 times in one night...

I don't have that sx but your post did make me want to reply.

So your neuro thinks it can be panic attacks? Now what? You are still having a huge scare, that is very real. What did he recommend you do for the panic attacks? Did he blow you off with his comments?

If the answer is yes, you have to be a better advocate for yourself. Do you bring anyone in with you when you have a consultation? That may help, especially if you believe the neuro is not being as thorough as he/she should be. Two concerned people can work their magic on the situation. Plus your "other" might perceive what is happening differently, interpret whether you are being blown off or not understanding what is being said.

It should not be adversarial. You are both on the SAME side and he gets paid a lot of money!:) I would pursue the panic attack with my PCP, no doubt. Let the PCP have a crack at it and see what is said.

If panic attack is ruled out then go back to the neuro.

Whatever you do, never let the doctor stand with one hand ready to walk out the door.

One of my favorite ways to pleasantly manipulate the situation is saying, "Ok, you think it is such-n-such. We need to work together to come up with a solution. I am open for suggestions."

smile, relax. He is the expert and you are the body!

Yes, I have and your Doc is right....Panic attacks, at least for me. I thought I was dying too. I never had a panic attack or suffered depression befor MS, so I know darn well, it's caused by MS.

Ask your Doc about Buspar or Paxil, they are both good for panic/anxiety as well as depression. I'm on Prozac now, but if you are having Panic Attacks, you don't want Prozac yet as it has a bit of an upper effect.

:hug:

since getting my own panic attacks under control I rarely have such issues.

Have you had a sleep study? I know a couple of people who have had very similar issues, and they both had undiagnosed sleep apnea.

Just wondering...what was your neuro's explanation for your pupils being different sizes? Did someone notice that symptom, or did you observe it yourself?

panic attacks?

I do that sometimes (not the panic attacks) but wake up abruptly. Usually coughing and trying to breathe. I dont have asthma, but I wonder if there's something going on with my ability to swallow correctly and maybe I'm choking in my sleep.

Sleep study was my immediate thought also

I wake choking because my tummy back washes up into my throat. its all part of my frozen stomach thing. My tummy cant seem to push the food down, so when my tummy relaxes it pushes it back up! I find myself choking now and again after a big meal. scares me!

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I'm not going to lie, I am rather a crappy advocate when it comes to my health and the doctors, and the reason for that is because I feel really bad for not having health insurance, so when I see my neuro (and yes he does always have his arm halfway out the door ready to go) I mention the big things that are bothering me and let him do the talking. I just feel bad because I don't have money to pay for the service so I guess I feel that I need to take what I can get and never ask for anything. I do feel blown off by him alot of the time but maybe that's just me.

He gave me lorazpam <--I think thats what was, and I have taken them. I can't say they really help, I take one, go back to sleep, sometimes stay asleep, sometimes I wake up with the same thing. My boyfriend said he noticed when I do this craziness, that its about 30 minutes into sleep. He thinks it's sleep apnea. My grandparents have it and they say they've never woke up in a panic from it before..

I've thought about doing a sleep study. I just have no clue where I need to go to do so.

My neuro had no explanation as to why my pupils were so different, just a puzzled look on his face. I noticed my pupils were different, when this happens I can feel the difference in my eyes and my vision is .. odd?

does anyone know how to direct me to a sleep study?
and if I were to be put on depression medicine that might fight against them?
also, why would I only panic while I am asleep?

thanks again everyone!!! :grouphug:

I have sleep apnea, and what you described is what I experienced. I had a sleep study; abnormal sleep apnea is 5 or more incidences during the night, according to my neuro, who is also a sleep specialsit. I had 98:eek:
I now use a CPAP machine, and even though I still have periodic limb movements, I don't awaken the way you describe any longer. I get better sleep, too.