Couldn't breathe, gasping, very scary.

[StJamesInfirmary]

I woke up last night at about 2am gasping/rasping for breath but couldn't get air in. This has happened before and I immediately jump out of bed and it sort of shocks my body into breathing again. Last night it was about 30 seconds (felt much longer). All I could manage was a deep gravely rasp which has really hurt my throat. DH was terrified and also jumped out of bed with the noise I was making. He's usually a very heavy sleeper. I've called the doc and waiting for a call back. Just wondering if anyone has experience of this. I'm not sure if it counts as "stopped breathing" as in sleep apnoea as I imagine this is more like the breathing pauses. What happened last night was not a pause, it was like my muscles forgot how to inhale.

Could you move? It sounds a bit like sleep paralysis but you say you jumped out of bed so perhaps not. I sometimes have the sensation of not being able to breathe and it’s due to having a dry mouth because of mouth breathing- I’ve been using dry mouth pastilles (they stick to your gum) and it’s made a massive difference. No more struggling to breathe or sleep paralysis since I’ve used these.

Isn’t this sleep apnoea? You might need a machine to help you breathe at nighttime. Good luck

sleep apnoea

Yep, sleep apnea - you’ll need to see a doctor and probably get fitted for a CPAP machine.

Thanks for replies. The doctor called back and said it does sound like sleep apnoea. I've got a face to face appointment on Monday but he said first port of call is weight loss and after that it would be a CPAP machine

I get this it’s awful. Not spoken to the doctor though above posts suggest I should