Hello everybuddy,

My hubby told me about his strange experience this morning and I thought I'd post it here, just in case someone has had a similar occurance or can provide some ideas as to what he felt.....

Last night, he fell asleep watching Wimbledon on our couch and while sleeping he suddenly felt a surge of adrenalin or a jolt of energy go through his body......That's the best how he can describe it, just going through him......He felt warmth throughout his body, like a warm feeling inside.....

He opened his eyes and started having palpitations and his heart beat rapidly......He felt like a cold sweat and it was a bit scary for him, as he thought he was having a stroke or something.....His father (who passed away 2 yrs ago) suffered a massive stroke 10 years earlier and was a chain-smoker like my hubby.....Anyway, he sat up and tried to speak just to check if his speech was slurred as this is a symptom of a stroke......

Instead, he says he spoke rapidly and in a high pitch voice, much like when you suck in helium from a balloon......His mind was racing and everything felt like it was going really fast......He got up off the couch and went to the kitchen to get a drink and also use the bathroom......This was quite puzzling to him because normally, when he would get up at night he walks around in a daze, bumping into furniture and feeling drowzy after a deep slumber......

But last night, he moved around with tremendous energy, that's what it felt like, as if he was full of beans, so to speak......All his actions felt really fast and this lasted for about 15 minutes, then he sat back on the couch and once he felt normal again, layed down and fell asleep......

This has never happened to him before, I told him it could have been sleep paralysis or even sleep-walking !! We haven't got a clue, an older gentleman asked him at work, how long has it been since he visited his father's grave and my hubby replied, a while since Feb, our annual memorial service for him.....The fellow suggested it might be my father-in-law's spirit but I don't really believe that sought of thing but you never know.....

It sure spooked hubby and I bet he's gonna want to go see him this weekend....... Anyway, any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated......

BTW Hubby's an insomniac, he can only fall sleep while watching TV so maybe it's a sleep-deprivation type of thing.........

Gosh MUM (HUGS)!! Has he had any problems in the past with Anxiety attacks? That's what it sounds like to me. If it was Sleep paralysis, he wouldn't have been able to move, or felt like something was pressing on him, couldn't speak..etc,. It sounds more like anxiety to me, than sleep walking..

Just in case, he needs to go get himself checked out ASAP!

Please keep us updated too.

Here, I found this link to the symptoms of anxiety attacks.. does this seem to fit?
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_ty...tment.htm#signs

Hi koukla.....

He's never had any problems before with panic/anxiety attacks......But I wouldn't be surprised if it was.....He is always stressed at work, doesn't sleep much, doesn't eat well and smokes like a chimney......This sounded more like a physical problem whereas maybe an anxiety/panis attack is more phychological ?? I don't know for sure but he's due to go to the doctor for an annual check up/blood work......I'll tell him to mention it to him......

Also, is it normal to get an attack while asleep ?? And what about the surge of adrenalin too ??

Just in case MUM, he really needs to get checked out, I urge you, just in case, it's something more.. then the fact his father had a stroke.. (ugh).. Sooner the better..

(The other possibility could be sleep apnea, if was during his sleep.
It's possible to get anxiety attacks at any time. They are both physiological and psychological. Some people will even hallucinate or think they are dying..
Did you get a chance to look at these symptoms in particular?

symptoms of an anxiety attack include:

* Surge of overwhelming panic
* Feeling of losing control or going crazy
* Heart palpitations or chest pain
* Feeling like you’re going to pass out
* Trouble breathing or choking sensation
* Hyperventilation
* Hot flashes or chills
* Trembling or shaking
* Nausea or stomach cramps
* Feeling detached or unreal

Anxiety can onset any time, and of course with all the other issues going on, it's a possibility.

((MUM)) It sounds like anxiety/panic attack while sleeping, it sure can happen. Sometimes it causes heart palpitations, fear, anxiety and rapid movements. They can be frightening, and my son used to get them and would walk around, afraid, anxious and energized, simply due to the panic he experienced. A check up is a good idea. Keep us posted..JN

Okay then, it sure sounds like he did experience a panic/anxiety attack.....Thanks guys for your help, I'll definitely tell him tonight to get his behind to the doctor ASAP..... JN, what sort of treatment did your son receive if any ??

Please keep us updated, MUM!! I mean that sincerely.

The physician said that many times he gets stressed out during the day, and shrugs it off, so it surfaces when he is at rest, in his subconcience. He told him when he get stressed and gets home from work, to face the stress, and then let it go, and deal with it when awake. He also said relaxation exercizes and clearing his mind, will also help. He doesnt get them anymore..Good luck Sweetie, he will be fine..I just know it.. (((MUM))) JN

I hope so guys....I'll definitely let you know what the doctor says.....It's a bit of a worry because of his unhealthy lifestyle and his dad's medical history.....Thanks again.....

Hi (((MUM)))..I just saw this, (slow that I am) and I'm going with anxiety attacks. I had taken care of my mom after she got ill, and about a month after she passed away,(from a stroke) I awoke with the same feelings as your hubby. I was ready to go to the ER thinking I had a stroke...This lasted for quite some time, I was afraid to be by myself and would sit on the front porch just to be able to see people. I would look in the mirror and actually thought my whole face was distorted and shaking. Finally I went to an internist, who was excellent. After filling out a 20 something medical history (including any thoughts of my commiting suicide ) and having an EKG, we sat down to talk. He told me stress was a major issue with these attacks, and yes, you get the same symptoms as a stroke or heart attack (reason for EKG)...all stemming from my mom passing away...He gave me a prescription, which I only took for a few days), and after about a month I was back to my old self. Family history goes a long way, so I'm glad hubby is going to see a dr., so much better to be safe than sorry....As JN said, relaxation is an important part in dealing with this...Keep in touch ...Just wanted to add on to the "relaxation"..The dr.told me that my andrenelene was sky high when taking care of my mom, and it seemed that my body went into a minor shock because of the excess time that I had on my hands...Something I couldn't handle...

Yeah goalie, he definitely had most of the symptons that Shankpin listed.....He really is sooo stressed, especially in the last 3 months due to work.....He's a musician/barman and they cut down his music gigs from 3 nights to 2 nights, so it's affected us financially..... He's the only breadwinner so it's hard on him.....

But things are picking up again and Friday nights are starting from tomorrow......It's weird how common strokes are and I worry sometimes because he smokes a lot and so did his dad.......Getting him to relax ain't gonna be easy though.....Maybe the doctor might prescibe him some anti-anxiety drugs, we'll have to wait and see......I don't like the idea of medication but sometimes it's the only thing that works......

I'll keep you posted......((Hugs))

Yep, the dr. put me on anti-depressant pills, but figured I had to help myself and couldn't let the pills take control...It's tough when the friggin stress sets in, you feel so helpless...Prayers and good wishes going out to all of you...(((MUM)))

No faster way to fall asleep than watching tennis!

The key to this story that I see is the falling back to sleep part. It is my contention that he was sleeping the entire time and just had a very realistic dream.

Bless your heart!! I'm truly sorry about the loss of you mother.
But, what you described is exactly how my sister was effected after the death of our mother.
The attacks had gotten so intense and so constant that she admitted herself into the hospital thinking she was losing her mind.
She later found out it was her way of reacting to anxiety..
The thing about these attacks is it can effect people in many different ways..

Thank you Shankpin. Although this happened quite some time ago it stays with you..I feel for your sister for what she went through and hope that all turned out well for her ...The sad thing with anxiety is that it can lie dormant for some time and then come full blown when you least expect it, or are totally stressed out...

I can almost assure you it was a panic/anxiety attack, Ive never had one in my life, UNTIL about a year ago when I was under alot of work at school. I started getting them sometimes 2-3 times a day. First time i went to the hospital to make sure it was not a stroke and they said it was a panic attack. Then after that I had them i sorta just walked them off or tried to ignore it and just calm myself. I stopped stressing myself out. Since then ive never had a panic or anxiety attack again.

You also mentioned his father died from a stroke 2 years back. I don't know if this could also be contributing to the cause but when I also found out that people can have strokes at any age and at any time I worried about it alot at first and that also was about the same time I got panic attacks/ anxiety attacks. So it could be a mixture of him having fear of getting a stroke and his stress. The best way I got rid of that thought and stress is just realized when its time to go ill go. Until then, dont worry about anything.

It's a very scary thing, an attack. I know my sister thought she was having a heart attack. She would also see things.

just scary.