unable to breathe

[frankie1963]

I awoke the other morning (whilst lying on my front) and realised that I couldn't breathe. It was like my brain was paralysed in sending instructions to the lungs. My mind was going crazy so I lifted my top half (like a push up) and took my arms out, therefore hitting the bed and I began to breathe. That was the first I have ever experienced. I have started back at the gym and do pump (weight sesssion), palates and Zumba. It did scare me but I wasnt sure if I was coming out of a dream at the time. I also am experiencing (for the last five years) hot flushes at night!!!!! On the night in question, I had no alcohol, coffee, sweets but lamb, veges etc.  

[frankie1963]

Thanks for that. I'm interested in knowing what you mean about past history of abuse. Why would something like that figure now in my life? As I said I was having hot flushes at night and this has occurred over the past 5 years (I am now 47) but the hot flushes had subsided over the past year until recently when it all resurfaced. I had had a wonderful two weeks on holiday in the pacific just prior to all of this starting again. I am a mild asthmatic and usually only use my inhaler infrequently. It was so weird but I didn't panic when I realised my brain hadn't quite "woken up".

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, it seems to be a manifestation of type of sleep disorder like parasomnias, wherein the certain events occur without the knowledge of the person.
Few of the individuals are known to suffer from parasomnias esp. when they are on non-benzodiazepine sedatives, drug abuse etc which is negative in your case. Otherwise no definitive cause exists in few individuals apart from stress, positive past history of abuse etc.

The associated symptoms with the following disorder are confusional wakefulness, sleep paralysis, nightmares and night terrors. This can occur in any sleep stage (REM and non-REM stage).

Possibilities of hot flashes are Carcinoid syndrome, Mastocytosis, Pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism and pancreatic tumor/VIPoma. The tests like 24 hrs urine analysis for 5-HIAA, histamine, prostaglandin and catecholamine and other blood tests.

To rule out parasomnias you need to undergo Polysomnyography and sleep analysis. You need to take out time for further evaluation. I suggest you to consult you to a physician or sleep specialist. Take care and regards.