cause of waking during night gasping for breath / heart racing?

[reegee]

For the last week, I've been waking suddenly several times through the night feeling like I've stopped breathing and my heart needs to restart beating, It's such a horrible, scary feeling and I find it difficult to get back to sleep afterwards. I'm tired and worried.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar and found out what caused it? Im 48, average weight, health generally fine but peri menopausal ( started HRT 6 months ago, which greatly helped with anxiety, tiredness etc). A few years ago I had some acid reflux and thought I might have a hiatal hernia. This went away after a while but I'm wondering if this could be linked?

I will try to see GP if this continues, but getting an appointment is nigh on impossible at the mo.

In the meantime if anyone has had any similar experiences I would really appreciate it if you could share your thoughts.

Thanks.

Not had this before but giving you a bump

I had this and it was long covid - have you had covid?

Sounds like it could be sleep apnoea?

One for the GP I think and not a bunch of randoms on the tinternet. Must be really frightening when it happens.

I get this quite a lot - definitely silent reflux. I think it is called LPR or something. I'll have a google for what I mean.

I had this and it was thyroid related.

Sounds similar to a friend who had panic attacks. She phoned an ambulance once as she was convinced she was going to die and all the medics were really nice about it because apparently panic attacks are known to be that awful.

Anxiety/panic attack

Had this for 6 weeks post covid. It’s stopped now thank goodness.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

I also get anxious but I think it is the reflux that does this. Can you work on reducing anything that might give you reflux - no eating late, raise head of bed, eat less acidic foods, don't wear tight bras/waistbands etc

Ugh I get this too, exactly as you describe. Like I'm jolted awake to gasp for air like you used to see on Baywatch when they'd pull someone unconscious form the sea.

I've no idea what it is, but once I'm awake then my heart is racing and I can feel the adrenaline pumping through me then I'm too scared to try to sleep again.

I've had this on and off for a long while, pre covid anyway. Sorry this is a useless post because I can't offer you any info or solutions, just solidarity.

Check your pillows aren't making your neck go at a weird angle and restricting your airflow.

Try taking an antihistamine and/or antiacid before bed.

Anxiety can cause you to clench your teeth/hold your breath.

My reason was snoring due to being overweight but all three helped ease my symptoms.

Sleep Apnea?

Thanks for all replies, I will try to get to GP, although it's fairly impossible here right now. I guess I was looking for reassurance that others had had similar and that it wasn't anything awful, as it's so scary.
I have had covid, but back last September and felt fully recovered. I don't think it began as panic or anxiety, although I do feel anxious about it recurring now it has begun. I've never suffered from sleep apnea in the past, but it's a consideration. as I will try some of the reflux related suggestions too, thank you all.

I get that I need to see GP, but thanks for all the messages, it has made me feel less alone.

I had this but with dizzy/woozy feeling and it was nocturnal vertigo. Had to do some exercises each night and it went away

Do you have any breathlessness/racing heart during the day? If so, you need to get checked out for pulmonary embolism

Have you tested for Covid? I had this when I had Covid.

Thanks for your reply, I will definitely look into this. I did have some heart racing prior to starting HRT, but put it down to another peri menopause symptom, as it did go away after HRT started.

Thanks, I hadn't considered this, but it's worth a try. I have a few tests in. I'll give it a go first thing as I don't want to wake the kids up by rifling through the cupboard now.

I'm just hoping it's something transitory that will resolve itself.

I had this when pregnant- I also had acid reflux and gestational diabetes so I assume it was connected to one of those. It went away as soon as I gave birth

I have suffered with this for years. I told the doctor and all he said well you start breathing again!!!!!! It has gone on for years absolutely terrifying when it happens no help from the GP at all sorry cannot give any advice other than it does pass. I feel like I cannot breathe for a few minutes then I am sick. Always the same thing no idea why it happens but it does maybe once every few weeks

Yup. I had this too and it was LPR and I have a hiatus hernia.

Yeah it's probably GERD. Which can be connected to sleep apnea. Take a couple of tums for now. The only thing that stopped mine was cpap therapy

Thanks for replying. Sorry for all those also suffering- it is horrible.
I'm going to persevere with some of the reflux / LPR related suggestions for few days then try to see GP if no improvement. Sorry your GP was no help @Justcallmeanatm.

I also had this in the recent past and it has improved since I have started on thyroxine. Could be thyroid related