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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:
Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 27/12/2011 10:39

Vicarinatutu - I will get docs appontment anyway as I cannot sleep often due to anxiety

OP posts:
Elibean · 27/12/2011 10:49

Yes, GP appointment in any case, absolutely - even if it is reflux, it may need something other than Zantac. Am only suggesting that as an interim measure!

No, dh had no other symptoms - he would feel fine when going to bed. First thing he knew of it was waking up with his windpipe in spasm. Me, OTOH, bad heartburn and coughing - am on Omeprazole now - but have never had the stopping breathing thing.

dh knows it IS reflux causing it because the anti-reflux meds stop it happening! Doc agrees.

Elibean · 27/12/2011 10:51

Also, dh doesn't suffer from anxiety at all - but this stopping breathing thing used to make him VERY anxious. So if you are anxious to start with, it will really make it worse, whatever the cause - a vicious cycle!

Hope you get the apt. soon, but if you can't be seen today/tomorrow, I would try Zantac anyway - can't hurt Smile

belgo · 27/12/2011 10:57

I've had sleep paralysis myself quite a few times, and hallucinations, and it could be that but doesn't really sound like what I've experienced.

And I agree, it's a bit of a viscous circle regarding the anxiety and insomnia.

ThatVikRinA22 · 27/12/2011 10:58

i take omeprazole and prescribed zantac - it stopped mine within 2 weeks. never had it since but i was referred to a specialist clinic.

reflux was my problem but it has a long winded name - its LPR for short.

you dont feel it - Google GERD and LPR. might explain your symptoms. GERD is the forerunner to LPR. I had this for years without knowing what the hell it was. by the time i got treated my windpipe was going into spasm during the day aswell, very very frightening.

fumblebee · 27/12/2011 20:41

Yeah I can imagine its scary :( try not to panic, get someone to sleep with u xx

Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 27/12/2011 21:13

fumblebee - it was very frightening the othe rnight as it was about 4 times in a row. Last night was absolutely fine but I didn;t sleep for worrying about it Sad. so today I am exhausted. Today I had a panic attack driving my car - no one in it knew but it was horrid

OP posts:
Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 28/12/2011 08:54

so no episodes last night either. I slept like a dream. Maybe it was stress, I had a panic attack yesterday too so i defo think it is all anxiety related, I wil book a dogs appointment anyway as I need reassurance. thank you all for your advice and help.[Xmas Smile

OP posts:
Foxinsocks · 29/12/2011 09:27

I sometimes get it when I exercise too. Larynxs are a pain in the backside! Mine was totally caused by reflux. Am considering having the op that can make it loads better. Stopping breathing like that is frightening, even when you know it is temporary!

Original poster
NuggetsForTeaAgain · 29/12/2011 09:38

just seen I typed dogs appointment. I ment docs! Xmas Blush

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BMW6 · 29/12/2011 23:55

I often get this - wake up unable to draw breath. usually sit bolt upright / leap out of bed & fight to get lungs to work. I find best thing to do is try not to panic - hard I know, but may be a panic attack. I distract myself by thinking of something totally irrelevant (or just look out of window & try to see something of interest) and suddenly can breathe normally. Is totally terrifying experience & every time I think I'm going to die, but still v much alive & kicking (esp during one of these!). Syptoms Started with same reaction while eating chilli or pepper so initially thought was allergy to those, but sleep thing started after

ThatVikRinA22 · 30/12/2011 00:25

BMW google GERD and LPR. i will bet a pound to a penny that you have GERD or LPR.

i am the lucky bearer of LPR.

its just acid reflux, but it burns the windpipe at night and thats why you wake up gasping and choking.

Haziedoll · 30/12/2011 00:28

This happened to me before I got pregnant with ds2, it happened on and off for about 7 years then it went away and I have only had it once since. I wasn 't overweight and my blood pressure is on the low side 90/60. I never saw a doctor because I was too scared.

Haziedoll · 30/12/2011 00:31

Reading these makes me think that it was reflux in my case as sometimes I would wake up choking because I was being sick.

ThatVikRinA22 · 30/12/2011 00:36

yup. sounds about right hazie

i have woken up choking with wine dripping out of my nose....hours after i drank it!
so not nice.

Kewcumber · 30/12/2011 00:40

ewww! Thanks for sharing Vicar.

Haziedoll · 30/12/2011 00:40

The strange thing is that if dh has been awake he has noticed that I have stopped breathing seconds before I wake choking.

It's odd how I don't seem to get it anymore as nothing has changed healthwise.

ThatVikRinA22 · 30/12/2011 00:45

your welcome kew welcome to my world!

it doesnt happen all the time. the choking was quite intermittent. but got more frequent the more knackered my valves became.

you have 2 valves from the stomach to the windpipe. both of mine are fucked. if only one is you tend to get GERD.
if both are you tend to get LPR.

i really should lay off the wine and acidic things altogether. some food/drinks can worsen the effects.

you are supposed to put bricks under the head of the bed to make it slightly higher. i just take the pills. much easier. i should really go and have a camera down my throat but i just cant bear the thought....

Kewcumber · 30/12/2011 00:48

will it sound like one upmanship if I say I have GERD, gastritis AND sleep apnoea (there's no hope for me!)

ThatVikRinA22 · 30/12/2011 00:59

ha! you win!

but i get my wine twice. Grin

Kewcumber · 30/12/2011 09:30

oh and I've had the camera down the throat - not a hobby I'd recommend.

cocochanel6 · 02/03/2012 23:48

The same thing has been happening to me that is happening to Nuggets. For over a month now just as I am crossing over from being awake to going to sleep I stop breathing which wakes me up straight away. Sometimes it happens two or three times before I can sleep properly. Once I am asleep I sleep fine and if I do wake up later in the night I always go back to sleep normally. This is happening three or four times a week and is very scary. The strange thing is I was getting this for a couple of years previously only when I was sitting up napping in an armchair. Just as I am crossing over into sleep it is just like I have forgotten how to breathe. I solved that problem by not napping during the day but now it is happening at night too. I went to my GP last week who said he did not think it was sleep apnea and called it a sleep "tic" but I am not convinced. He prescribed me a mild sleeping tablet but I am too scared to take them in case I am unable to wake myself at all!! This problem is getting me down. Nuggets, if you read this, I would love to know how you are getting on.

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