Awake due to breathing problems

[Convolvulus]

I'm not about to stop breathing or anything, but I seem to have an increasing difficulty in catching my breath when I'm lying down, and as soon as I become aware of it I get into a sort of vicious circle of worrying about it, trying and failing to catch my breath, worrying more, and so it goes on. So I wondered if other people have encountered the same and have any tips that may help?

By way of background, it has been suggested in another context that I may have sleep apnoea - I tend to snore and DH says there are times when I'm asleep when I seem to stop breathing for longish spells, and I also get quite sleepy to the point of dropping off to sleep unexpectedly at times during the day. I'm also overweight.

I know I need to lose weight and possibly get the apnoea checked out, but might things like exercises help?

Try propping yourself up when you sleep. You can get wedge pillows, but pop multiple pillows under yours for tonight. It helps to open the airways. I would definitely make a doctors appointment for sleep apnea.

Lying flat on your back makes sleep apnea worse, sleep on your side or with a wedge pillow propped up. The thing is with sleep apnea the breathing issues should only be happening when you're asleep due to everything relaxing, you shouldn't be having difficulty while awake unless it's just an anxiety thing. Exercise will not help sleep apnea but if you're overweight and don't want to be then exercise will help that part. Do you have an oximeter to check your actual oxygen levels?