Is anybody awake, I'm freaking out

[TiredAllTheTimeMum]

Just nodding off to sleep and I woke up my self up with a little gasp, tried to go sleep and this happened another 2 or 3 times. Woke up feeling a little gasp in my throat. WTH is this. Now I'm too scared to go back to sleep in case I stop breathing or die in my sleep or something, literally never experience something so bizarre. Should I be worried.?

Sleep apnea? Try lying on your side

I was on my side. I was sleep on my side. It keeps happening about four or five times in the last hour or so

Perhaps go to sleep sittting up. Plump the pillows up.

I get this pretty much 2/3 times a week. I've had it so bad I literally couldn't breathe AT ALL. It's scary but now I am familiar, when it happens to me (because it goes on for about 10 seconds) I try not to freak out but I attempt to breathe through my nose ... some times works, sometimes I end up coughing a lot. I've never been to the doc because - what's the point.

Yes I'm trying that now but I can't bring myself to go sleep cos I'm too scared of not waking up. I feel like I should get help but then is it that serious.?

What is it!?!
I'm having a full blown panic right now.

@TiredAllTheTimeMum you will wake up. IF you stop breathing in this way your body wakes you up to start it again, thats why people with sleep apnoea are so tired even after what they thought was a good night sleep. Being tense won't help so you need to try to relax, as hard as that is, and rest.

Could you be Peri-menopausal, op? Anxiety attacks like this are very, very common. During the night, first thing in the morning, they come out of nowhere and are just awful.

Thank you. I've never experienced this before. It's like brain is totally aware and Im actually waking up mid gasp.

I also think I've got a bad case of post nasal drip which also might be contributing but who knows.

I don't think so, I'm only 31

Your brain is aware, and yes with Sleep Ap. you wake up mid gasp, the gasp is your brain kicking in the breathing again. I don't know what post nadal drip is but if it makes you bunged up that could absolutely be the cause of this. Sleep Ap. is caused by restricted airways

I feel like I've a lot of mucus the back oft throat. I can sorry if feel drilling from my nose into my throat and it's been there each time ive woken up gasping too.
I'm really shook up to be honest x

Yep, that will absolutely be what is causing the obstruction. It is scary to witness in others so I imagine it is scary to experience too. If you've got any decongestant take it, if not try steaming over a bowl of hot water to free up the mucus. Sit up and sleep, that will help too.

Strange cos for months I've been telling DH he has sleep apnea. He snores so loud and stops breathing completely for 20 seconds at a time..I don't snore and this has never happenes to me before.
i think I'm only freaking out so much because I'm.je alone with DS and I'm thinking oh god what if I don't wake up!

But you will wake up, you know you will because the waking up is the very thing that has freaked you out! Do whatever works to calm yourself down because you are making yourself worse x

If you wake up suddenly, are coughing with it, suddenly choking, and feel like you have "liquidy" lungs, get checked out in the morning - I have got sarcoidosis of the lungs and this is how can happen (but please don't worry - sarcoidosis is not cancer and so on, and only if you constantly ignore the issue does it cause an issue) post-nasal drip can present in a very similar way. Nothing will happen, your body will wake you up. I'm no medical expert, but think Sleep Ap is a bit similar that it wakes you suddenly with no real reason. Then of course, it is difficult to get to sleep, especially if you are worried. For the first two, I would definitely try and just get comfortable sleeping sat up a bit. Mine is worst when I am very tired to start with and go to sleep flat on my back. You will be OK so don't panic, but yes, get checked out. It is only my experience, but hope this helps xx

Thank you so much for your help and advice. I really appreciate it. Think I just need to calm myself down for real.
"I am not going to die. I dont need an ambulance and breathee"

Interesting. I had a chest x ray last year when I had quite bad chesty symptoms and lost nasal drip and it was clear. Would it show up on that?
It's not so much my lungs, it's feels like it's right at the back oft throat and sticky.

If it helps, just get up and potter about, until you feel tired again, then re-attempt sleep - I realise that the new day is coming and you feel you might feel you need some sleep to get through it, but it is sometimes better than lying stressed in bed, you will be fine tomorrow, if a bit tired ! I found sleeping in a different place helped me, be it a chair or another bed x

Oh I'm shattered but just in such a panic at the moment. I can't get comfortable or bring myself to close my eyes.

Aw x, please don't panic or be stressed, really you will be absolutely OK. You might have to do something else for a while to distract yourself because you have woken in a panic and that feeling can go on for a while. But you are fine, and up now (even if you wish you were not !) as long as there is nothing wrong with your breathing now (and if there is, call 999) then it is just one of those things that goes on in the night, and is a symptom of one of the things that you and other posters have described. BTW I am not brushing the horror of it under the carpet, I have woke unexpectedly gasping and choking in my time and I know how it feels, like you are about to die and truly awful, but believe me, eventually, you will feel tired enough to sleep, and nothing will happen when you do. Tomorrow make an appointment with the docs and tell them what has happened, I know things don't happen instantly, but they will take you seriously and do some more checks. I am hoping this helps and you (eventually) get a bit of sleep. xx

Thank you. No my breathing is fine but I've noticed that even fully awake I keep doing weird gasps. More like a sudden intake of breath. Which is making me panic more..I'm very sleepy and tired but.jjst cannot get into that deep sleep. I'll call the GP in the morning although I'm not hopeful.

Whats the point????????? It could be sleep apnea …
Go to the doctors! Christ

My mum had this and would literally wake up gasping for breath and panicking and feeling she couldn't breathe and would sometimes wake me it was that loud and it was acid reflux! She takes omeprazole and doesn't happen now.