Shortness of breath waking me up!

[oObyeOo]

It happened twice past night. I woke up at midnight biting at the air and forcing myself to yawn as I just could get the oxygen I needed. My heart was thumping.

The 1st time made me a bit dizzy, but I got up had some water and it subsided.

The second time it woke me at 5am caused a panic type attack. I was hyperventilating and began shivering. My she was able to calm me
down, and I fell asleep.

But the whole time, including now I just feel like I’m not getting enough oxygen when I breath!

I’ve been suffering with heart palpitations for approx 3 years. Docs can’t find any issues, but they’ve only ever done long term ecgs or blood tests. The ecgs have shown palpitations such as racing heart at rest, and skipping a beat, but apparently they’re nothing to worry about.

I’m going to contact go on Monday.

How old are you, and I’m assuming you’re female?

Yes, female. I’m 40. I’m pretty fit and active. Not overweight. I eat well (sometimes!).

I stopped drinking caffeine and alcohol about 6 months ago due to the palpitations, which has helped. I only get the palpitations for a couple of days before my period now.

Iron deficiency I would say. I've had the exact same thing off and on for 5 years and one of the symptoms I described to my GP was as though I was 'forgetting to breathe' and I also woke myself up a few times doing exactly what you have done. I've had tablets a few times, three a day, which were awful and irritated my bowel and stomach, but the minute I stopped them, my levels dropped. Earlier this year I was given the loading injections (6 injections every other day over a 2 week period) and I still feel like a new woman.

Hope you get sorted op

I also had the heart palpitations, dreadful anxiety, dizziness, a feeling of looking in on myself, and just generally feeling tired and rubbish

I described to my GP was as though I was 'forgetting to breathe' and I also woke myself up a few times doing exactly what you have done.
That's a symptom of low iron?? I'm always holding my breath, then having to suddenly gasp for air, especially when watching TV or dropping off to sleep. Done it for years 😮

I have wondered if it was iron deficiency. My last bloods a year ago came back with low ferritin levels of 11. But the go didn’t seem worried. She said just take some iron, so I take a multi vitamin.

I’ll try upping it.

I have annual bloods on Monday. Hopefully they’ll show something. Thanks

Mine’s not like this…. I’m not holding my breath. But plus when I breathe normally I just feel like it’s not enough.

last bloods a year ago came back with low ferritin levels of 11.

NHS guidance:
Adult females: <15 ug/L: Consistent with absolute iron deficiency;
15-29 ug/L: Indicative of low body iron stores;

Posters here say you need a minimum of 70 for healthy hair growth. You are low!!

Sounds like a vasovagal attack. I get them when pregnant and related to low iron.

Sympathise, horrid things

For me it was the beginnings of an underactive thyroid.

Iron is not a vitamin. Just checking but does the multivitamin you take contain iron?

My bloods last year showed a very slight under active thyroid, but again the go said it’s nothing to worry about. But they’ve scheduled annual bloods. Luckily I have them booked on monday

Just checked… no 😣

So I’m currently not taking iron! This makes more sense now.

Try a B vitamin complex tablet rather than a general multi-vit. Supermarkets sell them.

You can buy iron over the counter, but you might need an infusion (although good luck getting one unless you are practically dead). My GP didn't think I needed to take iron with ferritin at the lowest end of the range (30) because I wasn't anaemic, but I've started anyway as i still have periods so it's only going to go one way! I also had very low folate.

My thyroid was only slightly underactive and I was prescribed the lowest dose, but it solved the problem.

Go back to GP. Maybe a different one for a second opinion / to see if their actions are any different from the other.

Do you know if your oxygen is low. If you dont have a smart watch pulse oximeters are cheap. It could also be panic.

If iron tablets don't agree with you buy Floradix from Holland & Barret works much quicker, no constipation etc

@oObyeOo Maybe look up sleep apnoea. One of the symptoms is having breathing problems at night, where your body forgets to breathe and you wake up gasping for air.

Sounds like lots of sensible advice here about iron, probably the most likely scenario, but just want to throw a rogue other suggestion in there on the off chance - have you switched up your bedding recently? I used to find I'd wake up on holidays in the middle of the night completely unable to breathe, like a severe asthma attack that would impact me into the day too.

Realised after a while I was allergic to feather pillows! Now I have to be really careful and tell hotels etc ahead of time.

Just wanted to check a new duvet or pillows couldn't be responsible.

Ohhh really! Have you any other symptoms? It might be worth having it looked at

Spatone is supposed to be very good for iron. It's not prescribed but a nurse who used to work at my practice used to take it, and another nurse friend has also recommended it to me. I think you can get it in H&B

Do you have sleep apnoea? It’s not something to be ignored

It does sound a bit like sleep apnea. As well to get it checked out.