Breathing issue stopping me falling asleep PLEASE HELP

[TinkerTiger]

I’m desperate as I’ve now gone 2 days with no sleep.

*Questions from my long OP (sorry)
1- does anyone with obstructive sleep apnea recognise what I’m describing below?

2- does anyone recognise this at all?*

I don’t know how to explain this, but sometimes when I’m unwell with sore throat/congestion, I do this funny thing as I’m about to nod off that wakes me and I’m unable to sleep. This has happened once before, and it’s happening again and I cannot cope. I’m exhausted but cannot sleep.

The best way I can describe it is, as I nod off, I inhale/exhale (not sure) a breath. Sometimes it can be loud like a snore, but can be a tiny sound escaping. It has the effect of jolting me awake and my brain is alive again, not in that sleep mode.

im going insane. Google only tells me Obstructive Sleep Apnea, but it’s not really describing what I’m experiencing. Also my understanding is that you’re unaware of the symptoms with OSA and you can at least fall asleep?

The last time this happened GP gave me a steroid to open the airways which helped, I went to A&E today and told them my history and they said hmm could be OSA, but also could just be due to enlarged tonsils.

I’ve taken another of the steroid tablets as I’m so desperate and just want a nap but the ‘breath’ thing is still happening.

I don’t know what to do as I can’t go on like this, I certainly can’t go to work.

Family is suggesting it could be anxiety and I’m making it worse by getting worked up but I’m positive it’s a physical thing that’s preventing me from sleeping.

Ok update on the feeling. It's an exhalation, I just remembered at one point air pushed up and popped a little congestion bubble that had been sitting at the top of my throat (sorry for the info).

It could be described as a little hiccup.

Could that be apnea related?

Anyone?

It seems like it's at least worth having it looked at.

My partner has it and is sometimes aware of it and also has panic when dozing off sometimes.

I can't help re: congestion but I know my partner also finds it harder when congested.

Thanks for your reply. I'll bring it up with the GP. I just hope I can have some sleep, it's really upsetting

How do you breath generally? Do you breathe fully in and out through your nose? Roughly how long are your inhale and exhale?

Hi, yes I breathe fully though my nose I'd say most of the time. Even now; while I fan feel mucus in my throat I'm breathing though just my nose mostly.

Hmm inhale/exhale...1-2 seconds?

That's a short breath, your diaphram won't be full dropping down to allow your ribs to extend and lungs full inhale. I do around 15 breaths a minute.

Perhaps you could try a progressive muscle relaxation before bed or a yoga nidra to see if you can relax your breathing and calm your nervous system.

It might be worth seeing a breath coach to learn diaphragmatic breathing to support you in addition to your medical investigations.

Actually I just timed it, I do 10 breaths a minute. That's where I feel unhurried but not overly extending

Have a look at Upper Airway Restriction Syndrome (UARS) OP. See if that resonates.

Thanks for this!

Hey I get this and have periodically googled to see whether anyone else suffers - and here you are!
It’s when I’m ill (cold/flu type illnesses) that I really suffer and I’ve sort of accepted I don’t sleep if I’m unwell. Propping upright and using Otrivine or similar help a bit as does taking Phenergan to knock me out.
I also have another version which is like a twitch - as I drift off some part of my body will jerk/twitch or I’ll get a rush of panic and jolt into my body again. This is all very much mental health/stress related and it will flare for a bit then settle down. There must also be a physical component as I’m overweight and snore and since starting to eat very healthily and exercise about 8 weeks ago the problem has disappeared.
Basically I think it’s multi factorial and just accepting it is here but will pass has helped me. In the dead of night things can feel desperate but generally when I get up in the morning, have a shower and a cup of tea I can get to work.
Sending love!

If this only happens when you have mucous from a respiratory issue, I'd imagine it should be ok, maybe try a steam bath before bed to loosen it. It's unlikely to be OSA if it's only when you're snotty

I get this a couple of times a night but I roll onto my side and go back to sleep. If I have a cold I have to have 2 pillows and use olbas oil. Its more frequent when I'm overweight or if I haven't exercised enough (when I had gym membership and was running/walking 5k on a treadmill a few times a week was when I was least troubled by it).
Also this has been happening more as I've got older (I'm mid forties) and has significantly improved since starting HRT.

Hi! I kept meaning to come back to this post. So glad that I'm not the only one! And yes I've experienced the jerk thing too, I definitely think there's anxiety mixed in there as well.

The prednisolone helped and I did eventually sleep on Sunday. Last night I did again but was still experiencing the 'snorts' (I have no idea how to describe them) and I thought I was in for another sleepless night. Next thing I knew I was waking with my alarm. I only got about 3 hours, but I'll take it. Hoping for a better night tonight, the anxiety around it is crushing.

Thanks for sharing

I'm also overweight and not getting any younger, so seeing this mentioned by a couple of posters is kicking me up the ass to try and do something about it!

Thanks for sharing

Hope you're feeling better op

Sounds like a nightmare

Had my first proper night's sleep last night! I'm becoming human again