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Original poster

I stop breathing when I fall asleep - it is really frightening

72 replies

NuggetsForTeaAgain · 26/12/2011 09:13

Recently, I have begun to wake after about 10 - 30mins of sleep gasping for air! It is like I have stopped breathing and then my reflexes kick in and I start up again. It is really terrifying and I hate it I barely slept last night for fear of not waking up (though I knew in reality that I would!). I have not previously gone to bed thinking about it but after last night when it happened four times in a row I am worried about it happening again. Sad Has anyone got any experience of this. I am shatttered beyond belief today Sad

OP posts:
FriendofDorothy · 26/12/2011 09:32

See your GP - you might have something called sleep apnoea.

Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 26/12/2011 09:37

i have heard of that and it crossed my mind. Is it dangerous? I know people live with it but it is horribly scary when it happens

OP posts:
HecateGoddessOfTwelfthNight · 26/12/2011 09:40

Yes. It's dangerous. Go to a gp asap. You will be refered to a sleep clinic.

You must go.

Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 26/12/2011 09:41

fucking hell - i won't die will i?

OP posts:
belgo · 26/12/2011 09:41

Yes potentially dangerous. You need to get referred to a sleep clinic. Go and see your GP asap.

Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 26/12/2011 09:44

fuking hell you are all totally freaking me out. I have not read anything that says you can die from it!!! it just says it causes disturbed sleep etc. Not that you won;t bloody well wake up. How can I ever go to sleep again! It is boxing day ffs! No docs open today - it is not every night but it probaby will be now

OP posts:
FatimaLovesBread · 26/12/2011 09:45

Don't want to crash the thread, but I think my husband suffers from sleep apnea too.
Especially when he's had a couple of beers, he snores and then it's like his breathing gets stuck for a few seconds/minutes then he does a big gasp.
It's always worried me but more so recently.
I presume he should definately get it checked out. What can doctors do to help it?

Sorry for thread crashing Xmas Smile

belgo · 26/12/2011 09:47

Untreated long term sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure cardio vascular disease which puts you at risk of stroke and heart problems.

I am not saying you are going to go to bed and not wake up!

But you do need to get treated as it can be dangerous in the long term.

I know people who have to wear a special mask to keep the airways open at night time.

A sleep clinic will know how to diagnose and treat you.

SantieMaggie · 26/12/2011 09:48

they send you to a sleep clinic monitor you while you sleep and then treat you from there.

try sleeping on your side for time being and see gp soon.

Sewilma · 26/12/2011 09:50

The thing with sleep apnoea is that long-term it causes high blood pressure, puts a strain on the heart and causes lack of oxygen to the brain so you are at risk of a stroke or heart attack. You are also at risk of diabetes and there is the potential risk of falling aleep / not being alert during the day and causing an accident.

The sleep clinic will probably fit you with a device to wear overnight then they analyise the results. You may suggest you wear a device called a cpap. It's a machine that pumps postive pressure into your airways to keep them open via a mask worn over the nose and mouth.

It sounds scary but you will notice the improvement in your sleep and quality of life.

Good luck x

Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 26/12/2011 09:56

FFS - i am positively terrrified now! I feel a bit relieved that I will not die in my sleep but this all sounds horrific! I thought it was just a little sleep blip. thanks for your advice but I sound like I am at death's door. I am otherwise fit and healthy (i presume), at lesat I hope so. Is there anything I can do in the meantime as I don;t think i will be able to have a doc's appointment for a a couple of days.

OP posts:
belgo · 26/12/2011 10:04

Make a note of your symptoms, write down every night what is happening. If you sleep with someone, ask them if you snore. Then the GP will have something to go on to get you the correct diagnose and referral.

Sewilma · 26/12/2011 10:16

At least you are going to do something about it now you suspect what it might be. Have you seen this? www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sleep-apnoea/Pages/Introduction.aspx.

It's easier said than done. but try not to get distressed. You had it last night and probably will again tonight, nothing has changed at the moment. The main things is you are going to deal with it x

Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 26/12/2011 10:22

i sleep alone as i am a widow. I don;t want my children to lose their Mummy too SadSadSadSad

OP posts:
didldidi · 26/12/2011 10:23

Are you overweight?

clopper · 26/12/2011 10:29

my DH has this and wears a mask/ machine thing at night for sleep apnoea. It sort of kicks in and evens out his breathing when he stops, and keeps an even pressure to open his airways. He started off with this due to terrible snoring. The sleep clinic sent him home with some monitors to wear for a couple of nights then they analyse the results to see the extent of the sleep problem. Although our solution is not ideal, we both now feel more alert as long term sleep deprivation isn't good for your body.

Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 26/12/2011 11:20

no - 8 st 9lbs. I don't snore (as far as I have been told by my children), I don;t eat late at night. I have had probs with anxiety and insomnia which are recurrent but this is really scary. I am 46 yrs old and reasonably fit

OP posts:
Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 26/12/2011 11:21

i sometiems get an irregular heart beat thing whtich my doc previously called something like asystolie arrythmia

OP posts:
Panzee · 26/12/2011 11:35

I used to do this. To help myself I would make sure I never went to sleep on my back, and always kept a hand or foot touching my husband to 'ground' myself.

Have a look at this: Sleep Paralysis. Less scary to read about than apena.

giraffesCantDanceAtXmasParties · 26/12/2011 11:35

i used to get that when i had tonsillitis, since been removed

Kewcumber · 26/12/2011 11:41

as many others have said sleep apnoea isn't imminently dangerous but has serious long term health effects if left untreated.

Having said that - I had one of the worst cases of sleep apnoea my sleep centre had seen and I never woke myself up by "stopping breathing" - I wasn't aware of it at all.

Unusual (though not unheard of ) to have sleep apnoea with such a low weight and no snoring. Do you doe off during the day much or whilst driving.

You certainly need to talk to your GP but I wouldn't be surprised if (given the other things you've said) its anxiety.

Sleep apnoea is not at all scary once treated.

Kewcumber · 26/12/2011 11:42

the highest risk to sleep apnoea sufferers is falling asleep whilst driving a car.

Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 26/12/2011 11:49

kewcumber - thankyou. i was beginning to think i had a death sentence!

OP posts:
HecateGoddessOfTwelfthNight · 26/12/2011 12:39

I didn't mean to scare you, but I thought you wanted to hear the truth - whatever that may be.

I have respritory depression, which is basically the same thing as sleep apnoea in that you don't get the oxygen you need!

My SATS were dropping as low as 26% at night - which can kill you. It really can.

I was falling asleep all day. I had constant headaches. I couldn't function.

Apart from, as kew says, falling asleep driving (you have to report having sleep apnoea to the dvla) It can in extreme cases lead to strokes, high blood pressure and heart disease. It isn't something to ignore.

It was not my intention to scare you. For a start, I can't possibly tell if it is sleep apnoea. But stopping breathing when you sleep must be checked out urgently.

I now have a bipap and my oxygen levels remain fine overnight. I am alert during the day and my headaches have gone.

There's no need to be scared, but you do need to make an appt with your gp.

tribpot · 26/12/2011 12:55

Try not to worry but do get yourself in front of a GP as soon as you can to start the referral process, which can take some time. If you can afford it, it's worth getting a private referral (also via your GP).

Kewcumber has said it - sleep apnoea is not scary once treated. The machines are improving all the time so my DH's latest one is quite nifty and quiet, and you may notice a staggering improvement in your wellbeing the first night you use it. You may have to try a few settings and masks to find the one that's right for you, that said, but the sooner you get into the system the better.