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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To thinking waking up gasping for air is not normal?

42 replies

Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 17:50

To just put this down to a normal part of post-Covid recovery? Had covid a week and a half ago. Very bad ongoing cough since. Noticed a wheeze in my breathing last night before sleep. Long story short- woke up coughing and unable to breath after. Finally had a huge loud gasp of air when it broke. Happened twice on that occasion but not again. I’m thinking it’s just inflammation after covid. Did try to get Gp apt but impossible to get. So AIBU to think it’s just after effects or would you think it was serious? Side note- anyone had similar/what was it?

OP posts:
widowtwankywashroom · 15/09/2023 17:53

It's happened once and you're trying to get a Dr appointment?
Why not monitor it and see how it goes?
You woke up coughing???

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 15/09/2023 17:55

Did you wake up coughing and it caught your breath?

Original poster
Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 17:55

@widowtwankywashroom did you read the post? I had covid a week and a half ago, ongoing cough since. Worse in fact. The thing I’m wondering about is the not being able to breath for a few seconds, when I woke with it. But as I said, I think it could be just recovery. I was trying to get the apt for the ongoing cough as it can be a secondary bacterial infection.

OP posts:
MrTiddlesTheCat · 15/09/2023 17:56

It's happened once and you're trying to get a Dr appointment?
Why not monitor it and see how it goes?

Because being unable to breath is kind of serious?

Original poster
Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 17:56

@MoserRothOrangeandAlmond I momentarily couldn’t breath. A few seconds I reckon. It was scary I genuneinly couldn’t inhale. Then a massive gasp of air thankfully,

OP posts:
Motomum23 · 15/09/2023 17:56

Could be sleep apnea I would see gp too

Zebedee55 · 15/09/2023 17:57

Well, it's normal for me (long story), but if it keeps on, I would try to get GP advice.

WhateverMate · 15/09/2023 17:57

Any time I've had covid, a cold or flu I've coughed and not been able to breathe for a few seconds.

It's never occurred to me to think it's not fairly normal.

Hereforsummer · 15/09/2023 17:58

If you can't get a GP appointment I'd give 111 a call. They would probably be best to advise you whether you need seeing urgently or not.

Original poster
Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 17:59

@WhateverMate really? I’ve had severe respiratory infections, and never that. Do you mean genuinely couldn’t inhale or breath at all after the cough? As that’s what I’m describing here . Not just tightness or shortness of breath.

OP posts:
marshmallowfinder · 15/09/2023 18:01

It's breathe, breathe, breathe. Breath rhymes with Beth. Anyway, sounds scary OP.

Covetthee · 15/09/2023 18:02

I’ve had this once when i had a bad chest infection, the antibiotics hadn’t cleared it up properly. It’s frightening

definitely get seen by a GP as this is not normal.

Original poster
Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 18:03

@marshmallowfinder I know how to spell it! I’m not feeling well- I’m not checking every word. Completely unnecessary comment.

OP posts:
UhHum · 15/09/2023 18:03

Hi Lis, I have this. The first time it happened was actually around 18 years ago and now I have very occasional sporadic episodes, probably once or twice a year, then none for ages. However, I did finally see a doctor about 6 weeks ago after a particularly scary episode. The doctor sent me for a chest x-ray, it came back fine. She said we could check out if it's anything to do with my heart but that is unlikely because my oxygen levels were great and I exercise a lot. I've not had an episode for about 4/5 weeks, however I've had a continuous cough for about 3 weeks now and it wasn't going anywhere. I saw a different doctor about this who said I have allergic rhinitis, I didn't mention my waking up unable to breathe but now I'm wondering if it's all connected 🤷

However I'd like to offer my sympathy because it's absolutely terrifying when it happens.

Someone also suggested it could be related to anxiety, but who knows.

Sorry if I'm not much help but these are my musings xx

JamieJ93 · 15/09/2023 18:04

Is this the only time it's happened? I have sleep apnoea and I stop breathing 23 times per hour ( I know this from a sleep study) I always used to wake up gasping for breath and used to scare my husband half to death. It rarely happens now I have a CPAP machine. I think it would warrant a GP visit ( or telephone app may be more appropriate) x

Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic · 15/09/2023 18:04

When you say “I had covid a week and a half ago” do you mean you tested positive about 3 weeks ago or that you tested positive a week and a half ago….in which case you still have covid.

TregunaMekoides · 15/09/2023 18:06

Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 17:59

@WhateverMate really? I’ve had severe respiratory infections, and never that. Do you mean genuinely couldn’t inhale or breath at all after the cough? As that’s what I’m describing here . Not just tightness or shortness of breath.

I haven't had this with COVID (touch wood) but I have with a chest infection and it was horrible. I would have I controllable coughing fits and couldn't breathe in momentarily afterwards, like my lungs just wouldn't come out of the coughing spasm. It was scary but for me antibiotics sorted it because it was a bacterial infection.
It's worth speaking to the doctor as although antibiotics won't do anything for COVID, you might need an inhaler for a bit. I know a good few people who have needed on post-covid.

DisquietintheRanks · 15/09/2023 18:07

It w normal for me after having covid for the first time in 2020. And terrifying, so much sympathy. I never worked out if it was due to lung inflammation or brain inflammation - maybe doctors now know. In any case speak to your gp, it may be treatable.

Loopytiles · 15/09/2023 18:07

Whole household just had this repeatedly, 6 of us, about a week after the first covid symptoms. Quite scary at times. One of my DC for several weeks and was prescribed an inhaler. Found articles online about it but not recent.

marshmallowfinder · 15/09/2023 18:08

Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 18:03

@marshmallowfinder I know how to spell it! I’m not feeling well- I’m not checking every word. Completely unnecessary comment.

Fair enough, sorry. I just see it everywhere and I exploded. I really hope you're OK and it doesn't happen again. Scary for you.

Loopytiles · 15/09/2023 18:09

Felt like vocal chords and throat, lungs all fine.

Pix56 · 15/09/2023 18:10

Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 17:50

To just put this down to a normal part of post-Covid recovery? Had covid a week and a half ago. Very bad ongoing cough since. Noticed a wheeze in my breathing last night before sleep. Long story short- woke up coughing and unable to breath after. Finally had a huge loud gasp of air when it broke. Happened twice on that occasion but not again. I’m thinking it’s just inflammation after covid. Did try to get Gp apt but impossible to get. So AIBU to think it’s just after effects or would you think it was serious? Side note- anyone had similar/what was it?

This exact thing happened to me, and only once. It turned out that I had sleep apnea.

Original poster
Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 18:11

@marshmallowfinder Thank you; I understand. That’s okay. I know it can be irritating but rest assured, I know it! I even used my semi-colon above- no comma splicing here! Have a good evening and thanks for replying and the concern. It is terrifying, but hopefully won’t happen tonight.

OP posts:
Italianita · 15/09/2023 18:14

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

widowtwankywashroom · 15/09/2023 18:17

Lis1992 · 15/09/2023 17:55

@widowtwankywashroom did you read the post? I had covid a week and a half ago, ongoing cough since. Worse in fact. The thing I’m wondering about is the not being able to breath for a few seconds, when I woke with it. But as I said, I think it could be just recovery. I was trying to get the apt for the ongoing cough as it can be a secondary bacterial infection.

Noticed a wheeze in my breathing last night before sleep. Long story short- woke up coughing and unable to breath after. Finally had a huge loud gasp of air when it broke. Happened twice on that occasion but not again.

This is what you said, it happened last night, happened twice but not again