Aa
Heart or breathing stops during sleep?
I am having a problem where my heart or breathing stops after I've fallen asleep, and I wake up panicking. I've tried to include as many details as possible.
I first experienced this on a business trip. I went to China for the first time in February, 15 hour plane ride and 12 hours time difference. I took 5 or 6 Dramamine during the trip so that I wouldn't get sick and slept the whole way. So after arriving, I felt on schedule; I fell asleep at night and woke up in the morning. But in the evening, I would get this "weak" feeling in my chest, similar to what I feel when I have bouts of heart palpitations. It felt as if my heart was slowing down or skipping more often the more I fell asleep, and then after I fully fell asleep, I started waking up in the middle of the night feeling as though my heart had stopped, and was pretty terrified. I think I had panic attacks right after I woke up, which I have never had before. I think I had one during dinner one day, too. I felt as though I could not let myself fall asleep or I would never wake up again, and so I would jerk myself awake all the time (like trying to not to fall asleep in an early morning class in college).
They took me to the Chinese hospital, which did an EKG and a blood test, and said I'm fine, though I don't know how far to trust them. (And of course my heart never skips while someone is watching it. Only when no one is around.) I have had EKGs in the past to look at the heart palpitations, and they didn't show anything, either. (I have been getting palpitations for a few years, either a "skipped beat" while beginning to exhale or a fast heavy beat that feels like THUMPTHUMPTHUMP instead of THU-thump .. THU-thump .. THU-thump.) My brother gets premature ventricular contractions, so I wouldn't be surprised if I do, too. They gave me Chinese xanax, anti-psychotic, antibiotics, and ginseng. The anti-psychotic helped to relax me. I tried to go to sleep early that night, but woke up suddenly again and was in a trembly panic state, so I took the pink pill, and warm calmness washed through my body, but it made me feel drugged and strange and I only took it once. The Chinese xanax seemed to help, so we thought maybe it was just stress, but the same thing happened while recovering from jet lag at home, too, when I was not stressed. My mother's doctor said that sometimes people get sleep apnea from the pollution in China, but it's been happening since I got back, too. While riding in the limo home, I would doze off and be woken by the tingling sensation in my hands.
Since then, it has been happening more and more often, though, just at home. I am not sure if it is my heart that has problems or if it is my breathing, since I am fast asleep when it happens. Sometimes I wake up and feel as though my body has "forgotten" to inhale, and I breathe in deeply a lot in a panic to try to counteract it. Other times I am woken up by my heart fluttering or skipping, though maybe this is caused by the lack of breathing? I don't know much about medicine, but my impression is that my body's normal system for regulating breathing has stopped, I breathe out and it never tells my lungs to breathe in again, and then my body parts panic from the lack of oxygen and wake me up with some kind of chemical signal since the normal nervous system paths aren't working correctly. I feel a strange emptiness or numbness in my left hand and right foot, kind of like pins and needles from poor circulation, but not really. It still feels strange half an hour after I woke up. I went to bed around 1 AM, probably fell asleep around 1:30 AM, and then woke up suddenly around 3 AM. If I intentionally breathe out and never breathe back in again ("hold my breath out"), I get the normal reflex of feeling a need to breathe in, so I don't know how this could actually happen during sleep.
I am 26, 6 feet tall, 155 lb. This is certainly not the kind of apnea where your throat gets blocked. I don't smoke, don't drink caffeine, don't do drugs, and drink alcohol rarely. My heart rate an hour after I woke up suddenly (4 AM) is 72 beats per minute. I don't really feel lightheaded when I wake up. I often have anxiety of various forms. I do spend the majority of my time on the Internet on a laptop, probably with poor posture, bending my neck at odd angles (is there ANY good posture for laptop use? probably not.) I try to exercise, but only do a little. Running on an elliptical for half an hour maybe once a week, lifting small weights and doing sit ups maybe twice a week.
It seems to happen more often if I go to bed late and if I don't eat enough dinner (bad habit from procrastination, I sometimes ignore it, go to bed hungry, and eat more in the morning so that I don't have digestion problems while sleeping).
I know I should see a doctor about this, but I apparently have some kind of doctor phobia. I went to the doctor just last week about a puncture wound in my toe, and fully intended to ask about the sleep problem during the same visit, but chickened out while sitting in his office. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't want to die in my sleep.
I first experienced this on a business trip. I went to China for the first time in February, 15 hour plane ride and 12 hours time difference. I took 5 or 6 Dramamine during the trip so that I wouldn't get sick and slept the whole way. So after arriving, I felt on schedule; I fell asleep at night and woke up in the morning. But in the evening, I would get this "weak" feeling in my chest, similar to what I feel when I have bouts of heart palpitations. It felt as if my heart was slowing down or skipping more often the more I fell asleep, and then after I fully fell asleep, I started waking up in the middle of the night feeling as though my heart had stopped, and was pretty terrified. I think I had panic attacks right after I woke up, which I have never had before. I think I had one during dinner one day, too. I felt as though I could not let myself fall asleep or I would never wake up again, and so I would jerk myself awake all the time (like trying to not to fall asleep in an early morning class in college).
They took me to the Chinese hospital, which did an EKG and a blood test, and said I'm fine, though I don't know how far to trust them. (And of course my heart never skips while someone is watching it. Only when no one is around.) I have had EKGs in the past to look at the heart palpitations, and they didn't show anything, either. (I have been getting palpitations for a few years, either a "skipped beat" while beginning to exhale or a fast heavy beat that feels like THUMPTHUMPTHUMP instead of THU-thump .. THU-thump .. THU-thump.) My brother gets premature ventricular contractions, so I wouldn't be surprised if I do, too. They gave me Chinese xanax, anti-psychotic, antibiotics, and ginseng. The anti-psychotic helped to relax me. I tried to go to sleep early that night, but woke up suddenly again and was in a trembly panic state, so I took the pink pill, and warm calmness washed through my body, but it made me feel drugged and strange and I only took it once. The Chinese xanax seemed to help, so we thought maybe it was just stress, but the same thing happened while recovering from jet lag at home, too, when I was not stressed. My mother's doctor said that sometimes people get sleep apnea from the pollution in China, but it's been happening since I got back, too. While riding in the limo home, I would doze off and be woken by the tingling sensation in my hands.
Since then, it has been happening more and more often, though, just at home. I am not sure if it is my heart that has problems or if it is my breathing, since I am fast asleep when it happens. Sometimes I wake up and feel as though my body has "forgotten" to inhale, and I breathe in deeply a lot in a panic to try to counteract it. Other times I am woken up by my heart fluttering or skipping, though maybe this is caused by the lack of breathing? I don't know much about medicine, but my impression is that my body's normal system for regulating breathing has stopped, I breathe out and it never tells my lungs to breathe in again, and then my body parts panic from the lack of oxygen and wake me up with some kind of chemical signal since the normal nervous system paths aren't working correctly. I feel a strange emptiness or numbness in my left hand and right foot, kind of like pins and needles from poor circulation, but not really. It still feels strange half an hour after I woke up. I went to bed around 1 AM, probably fell asleep around 1:30 AM, and then woke up suddenly around 3 AM. If I intentionally breathe out and never breathe back in again ("hold my breath out"), I get the normal reflex of feeling a need to breathe in, so I don't know how this could actually happen during sleep.
I am 26, 6 feet tall, 155 lb. This is certainly not the kind of apnea where your throat gets blocked. I don't smoke, don't drink caffeine, don't do drugs, and drink alcohol rarely. My heart rate an hour after I woke up suddenly (4 AM) is 72 beats per minute. I don't really feel lightheaded when I wake up. I often have anxiety of various forms. I do spend the majority of my time on the Internet on a laptop, probably with poor posture, bending my neck at odd angles (is there ANY good posture for laptop use? probably not.) I try to exercise, but only do a little. Running on an elliptical for half an hour maybe once a week, lifting small weights and doing sit ups maybe twice a week.
It seems to happen more often if I go to bed late and if I don't eat enough dinner (bad habit from procrastination, I sometimes ignore it, go to bed hungry, and eat more in the morning so that I don't have digestion problems while sleeping).
I know I should see a doctor about this, but I apparently have some kind of doctor phobia. I went to the doctor just last week about a puncture wound in my toe, and fully intended to ask about the sleep problem during the same visit, but chickened out while sitting in his office. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't want to die in my sleep.
Hi.
The following is a general response which I posted to another thread which may throw some light on your condition and may give you some measures to try which may be of help.
My condition take either of 3 general forms as described below (I've named them simply Types 1, 2 & 3).
Type 1
These episodes tend to happen when I’m in a deeper sleep, in the middle of the night, and probably don’t last any more than 10 seconds (however, they are very traumatic and upsetting). They can happen once or a number of times during an affected night:
From dreamless sleeping, I suddenly become aware but not awake as such. This awareness is focused on a feeling of something being really, really wrong. My semi-conscious interpretation, at that instant, of this feeling may be, for example…. ‘I’m not breathing!’... or… ‘I’ve swallowed my tongue!’… or just simply… ‘I’m actually dying this time!’ (note, none of these interpretations are actually true). So, adrenaline/panic kicks in and I struggle to awake properly. Previously, I’d end up literally jumping out of bed in desperation. Latterly, I’ve trained myself, sometimes, to stay in bed and just breath or count until the awful feeling subsides.
Soon afterwards, I settle down again, though badly shaken, and usually return to sleep perhaps 10-20 minutes later.
Type 2
These episodes tend to happen when I’m in a lighter sleep at any stage of the night. They are less upsetting but in some ways more problematic as they can occur more frequently throughout the night and thus seriously disturb quality of sleep:
From dreamless sleeping I simply suddenly jerk awake with an abrupt inhalation or gasp. These occurrences tend to leave me somewhat shaken but more just annoyed. I normally go back into a light sleep quite soon afterwards.
Type 3
This type tends to happen in the middle part of the night and can happen in conjunction with ‘Type 2s’. It can last for a number of hours.
It comprises a general and unpleasant state of disorientation and confusion where the distinction between being asleep and awake is very blurred. This would be accompanied by much tossing and turning.
So that's my condition. I've engaged various doctors and consultants to try and diagnose the problem but none have come up with anything. As part of these consultations I've carried various blood tests, examinations and overnight sleep studies (fully monitored in a hospital setting). None of these have shown anything untoward and have generally left the doctors and medical staff scratching there heads. That said, the sleep studies did confirm that the waking episodes, that I describe, are real. However, apart from waking suddenly with accompanying rapid heart beat (from the panic), the sleep studies have shown that there is no disruption to my breathing or any other physical issue. Thus, among other known sleep conditions, I do not have any form of sleep apnea.
So no diagnosis, explanation or possible solution whatsoever from the conventional medical fraternity.
So over to chance! That is to say, by chance, I discovered some time ago that completely avoiding gluten in my diet pretty much solved the problem. Consume any gluten containing product and sure enough the problem would occur that following night. Avoid all gluten, I would sleep fine. So I adopted a totally gluten free diet which worked well for a number of years. However, sometime ago, I started experiencing the various episodes (as described above) even when avoiding gluten.
Back to the drawing board.....because, purely from my own observation, this condition seemed to be linked to diet, I researched this further and decided to try adopting an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet. You might want to look this up....but basically it's a very strict diet avoiding all grains, nuts, seeds, dairy, nightshades, refined sugars, alcohol and any processed food at all. This diet is informed by the latest nutritional thinking (though not conventional medicine) behind various autoimmune conditions. As you might appreciate this diet is very difficult to follow but if I follow it strictly it works and I sleep just fine (I do seem to be able to adjust the diet somewhat to my needs, e.g. I can eat regular potatoes and tomatoes (both nightshades). Given the alternative for me - guaranteed very traumatic and debilitating sleep disturbance (not sustainable in the long term at all) - I try my best to follow the AIP diet, though it does take major readjustment to lifestyle, eating, etc. By the way, generally speaking, the less I adhere to the AIP diet the more I experience the episode types described above, particularly the 'type 2's....and vice versa. On another positive note, adopting this diet has also had other health benefits for me including increased energy levels, weight loss, muscle mass, etc.
As you might realise my dietary solution to my sleep condition is quite similar to that advocated by sonic 12. Heretofore, given the nature and success of adopting the AIP diet, my inclination is that my condition is some form of autoimmune condition which has generated hypersensitivity to a whole range of food groups and manifests itself as I've described. There is more and more evidence linking the gut and gut health with both the immune and, perhaps most interestingly, the nervous system....is this the route cause of my condition, I wonder? Anyway, I read with interest sonic 12's account of his or her research and his/her conclusion that his/her (similar) condition is to do with adrenal fatigue....perhaps this is behind my condition as well. In particular, I am curious about the possible role of stress with my condition, though I have not been able to figure out any patterns in this regard.
Whichever way, I think, between myself and sonic 12's experiences, people with similar undiagnosed sleep conditions have at least some (not easy but possibly very worthwhile) options to explore and to try out. Any feedback to this forum, concerning success or otherwise, by anyone trying these approaches, I'm sure would be very useful to this community.
Finally I should say that, obviously, before one goes down the approach that either myself or sonic 12 have adopted it would be important to rule out more obvious, potentially dangerous, sleep conditions, such as sleep apnea with a medical consultant or physician. By the way, you might also find apathy or even resistance to these dietary/lifestyle approaches to the described sleep conditions by the conventional medical fraternity....but given the complete lack of any alternative suggestions by my consultants and doctors and the success that myself and sonic 12 have had with these dietary/lifestyle approaches then maybe they're worth a try.....even just trying for a start a gluten free/low processed food diet.
Hope this is of some help. P.
The following is a general response which I posted to another thread which may throw some light on your condition and may give you some measures to try which may be of help.
My condition take either of 3 general forms as described below (I've named them simply Types 1, 2 & 3).
Type 1
These episodes tend to happen when I’m in a deeper sleep, in the middle of the night, and probably don’t last any more than 10 seconds (however, they are very traumatic and upsetting). They can happen once or a number of times during an affected night:
From dreamless sleeping, I suddenly become aware but not awake as such. This awareness is focused on a feeling of something being really, really wrong. My semi-conscious interpretation, at that instant, of this feeling may be, for example…. ‘I’m not breathing!’... or… ‘I’ve swallowed my tongue!’… or just simply… ‘I’m actually dying this time!’ (note, none of these interpretations are actually true). So, adrenaline/panic kicks in and I struggle to awake properly. Previously, I’d end up literally jumping out of bed in desperation. Latterly, I’ve trained myself, sometimes, to stay in bed and just breath or count until the awful feeling subsides.
Soon afterwards, I settle down again, though badly shaken, and usually return to sleep perhaps 10-20 minutes later.
Type 2
These episodes tend to happen when I’m in a lighter sleep at any stage of the night. They are less upsetting but in some ways more problematic as they can occur more frequently throughout the night and thus seriously disturb quality of sleep:
From dreamless sleeping I simply suddenly jerk awake with an abrupt inhalation or gasp. These occurrences tend to leave me somewhat shaken but more just annoyed. I normally go back into a light sleep quite soon afterwards.
Type 3
This type tends to happen in the middle part of the night and can happen in conjunction with ‘Type 2s’. It can last for a number of hours.
It comprises a general and unpleasant state of disorientation and confusion where the distinction between being asleep and awake is very blurred. This would be accompanied by much tossing and turning.
So that's my condition. I've engaged various doctors and consultants to try and diagnose the problem but none have come up with anything. As part of these consultations I've carried various blood tests, examinations and overnight sleep studies (fully monitored in a hospital setting). None of these have shown anything untoward and have generally left the doctors and medical staff scratching there heads. That said, the sleep studies did confirm that the waking episodes, that I describe, are real. However, apart from waking suddenly with accompanying rapid heart beat (from the panic), the sleep studies have shown that there is no disruption to my breathing or any other physical issue. Thus, among other known sleep conditions, I do not have any form of sleep apnea.
So no diagnosis, explanation or possible solution whatsoever from the conventional medical fraternity.
So over to chance! That is to say, by chance, I discovered some time ago that completely avoiding gluten in my diet pretty much solved the problem. Consume any gluten containing product and sure enough the problem would occur that following night. Avoid all gluten, I would sleep fine. So I adopted a totally gluten free diet which worked well for a number of years. However, sometime ago, I started experiencing the various episodes (as described above) even when avoiding gluten.
Back to the drawing board.....because, purely from my own observation, this condition seemed to be linked to diet, I researched this further and decided to try adopting an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet. You might want to look this up....but basically it's a very strict diet avoiding all grains, nuts, seeds, dairy, nightshades, refined sugars, alcohol and any processed food at all. This diet is informed by the latest nutritional thinking (though not conventional medicine) behind various autoimmune conditions. As you might appreciate this diet is very difficult to follow but if I follow it strictly it works and I sleep just fine (I do seem to be able to adjust the diet somewhat to my needs, e.g. I can eat regular potatoes and tomatoes (both nightshades). Given the alternative for me - guaranteed very traumatic and debilitating sleep disturbance (not sustainable in the long term at all) - I try my best to follow the AIP diet, though it does take major readjustment to lifestyle, eating, etc. By the way, generally speaking, the less I adhere to the AIP diet the more I experience the episode types described above, particularly the 'type 2's....and vice versa. On another positive note, adopting this diet has also had other health benefits for me including increased energy levels, weight loss, muscle mass, etc.
As you might realise my dietary solution to my sleep condition is quite similar to that advocated by sonic 12. Heretofore, given the nature and success of adopting the AIP diet, my inclination is that my condition is some form of autoimmune condition which has generated hypersensitivity to a whole range of food groups and manifests itself as I've described. There is more and more evidence linking the gut and gut health with both the immune and, perhaps most interestingly, the nervous system....is this the route cause of my condition, I wonder? Anyway, I read with interest sonic 12's account of his or her research and his/her conclusion that his/her (similar) condition is to do with adrenal fatigue....perhaps this is behind my condition as well. In particular, I am curious about the possible role of stress with my condition, though I have not been able to figure out any patterns in this regard.
Whichever way, I think, between myself and sonic 12's experiences, people with similar undiagnosed sleep conditions have at least some (not easy but possibly very worthwhile) options to explore and to try out. Any feedback to this forum, concerning success or otherwise, by anyone trying these approaches, I'm sure would be very useful to this community.
Finally I should say that, obviously, before one goes down the approach that either myself or sonic 12 have adopted it would be important to rule out more obvious, potentially dangerous, sleep conditions, such as sleep apnea with a medical consultant or physician. By the way, you might also find apathy or even resistance to these dietary/lifestyle approaches to the described sleep conditions by the conventional medical fraternity....but given the complete lack of any alternative suggestions by my consultants and doctors and the success that myself and sonic 12 have had with these dietary/lifestyle approaches then maybe they're worth a try.....even just trying for a start a gluten free/low processed food diet.
Hope this is of some help. P.
I have EXACTLY the same issue! And I no one in comments section has fully acknowledged your specfic problem. It’s not a ng issue... it’s as if your heart stops and you have to wake yourself up out the dead. I used to have this occasionally when I was doing big clubbing sessions in my mid 20s but got it agsin last night after a heavy booze session. That’s why I’m researching. Would love to know what it was . As it’s frightening
1 Comments
Mine started 3 days ago after drinking a lot that day and now it won’t go away
Yes I have this exact problem too. sorry to reply 7 years late :P but you do explain it so well. the worst part is when i am falling asleep and i accidentaly let my heart drop past that low feeling point. because then as you say my hand and feet get pins and needles or sometimes just twitch out completely . i really beleive in these moments if i dont cough or sit up fast that i am gonna die.. I Jump up out of bed because of it too. and unlike you guys i do do drugs and i do smoke and drink.. which can make it worse but i get it even when i am clean. :(
I am only 12 years old and have had problems with this kind of sleeping disorder also. It all started one day while I was playing soccer. The Humidity was very high and temperatures might have been in the 90's. I pretty much had bad breathing all through out the soccer practice, but when are trainer told us to go run a few laps, that's when it got bad. I only ran maybe 50 - 60 yards tell I had a panic attack and was completed deprived of my ability to breath, luckily I was able to calm down and was forced to leave practice. Then (I think it was around that night to two night later) I started waking up gasping for air. I probably got in bed at 10 and fell asleep at 1 in the morning. My mother, being a single parent as she still is, walking me around my apartment complex and I started to get better, but as soon as I walked in the door, it got worse.
I had this problem go on for about 2 weeks, then it died down and it turned into a thing that only happened when a; I ate to much sugar: b; I went to bed to late: or c; I really thought about while going to bed. It still is a thing that happens, even 6 months later, but it has died down over the time and I never went to the doctor, which was a mistake. I really think you should be checked out as maybe it isn't a disorder and could lead to bigger problems. Even if the doctors cant prescribe you with any medicine, its always good to have closure.
I had this problem go on for about 2 weeks, then it died down and it turned into a thing that only happened when a; I ate to much sugar: b; I went to bed to late: or c; I really thought about while going to bed. It still is a thing that happens, even 6 months later, but it has died down over the time and I never went to the doctor, which was a mistake. I really think you should be checked out as maybe it isn't a disorder and could lead to bigger problems. Even if the doctors cant prescribe you with any medicine, its always good to have closure.
I also have this problem. I fall asleep and gradually so does my breathing. It is better if I sleep on my side and it is better if I go to bed before I'm too tired. I did take the overnight test. I did wake up gasping in the beginning. They saw nothing but did say that I did better on my side. I am more comfortable on my back...but maybe too comfortable. :)
I’m a 58 year old male that has sleep apnea. Did four sleep studies & they say I have a mild case of sleep apnea but it feels a lot worse than mild. I tried the CPAP breathing machine but it didn’t work. I tried having the operation to take my tonsils out but that didn’t work. I’ve been fighting this for 7 years. I wake up at 4:30am every morning in a panic & my blood pressure is high but goes down after 45 minutes. But now my blood pressure doesn’t seem to going down as much as it used to. And then go back to bed & sleep 2 more hours. If I get 7 hours of sleep it feels like 3 hours. Like a lot of the other commenters have said it’s really crippled my life professionally & personally. I’m falling asleep at my job. Tired all the time. Can’t focus very good. It really took its toll on my marriage which ended up in divorce. I’m kind of a zombie half of the time. I am afraid to go to sleep cause I think I’m going to died. Like other people said I wake with headaches & light headed. I have a tremendous feeling of impending doom & then it passes after I’ve been awake for awhile. But now I found an app on my android phone that I downloaded that’s called “Paced breathing” that I do an hour in the morning & an hour at night & three time on the weekend when I have more time to put oxygen back in my body & it’s been helping. I think the lack of oxygen in my body is perpetuating the sleep apnea. I'm not out of the woods but it's helped. Also I am going to get a custom mouth piece specifically made for sleep apnea from my dentist to see if that will help the sleep apnea. Hopefully it will help. I want my life back. I hope this helps somebody.
I’m a 58 year old male that has sleep apnea. Did four sleep studies & they say I have a mild case of sleep apnea but it feels a lot worse than mild. I tried the CPAP breathing machine but it didn’t work. I tried having the operation to take my tonsils out but that didn’t work. I’ve been fighting this for 7 years. I wake up at 4:30am every morning in a panic & my blood pressure is high but goes down after 45 minutes. But now my blood pressure doesn’t seem to going down as much as it used to. And then go back to bed & sleep 2 more hours. If I get 7 hours of sleep it feels like 3 hours. Like a lot of the other commenters have said it’s really crippled my life professionally & personally. I’m falling asleep at my job. Tired all the time. Can’t focus very good. It really took its toll on my marriage which ended up in divorce. I’m kind of a zombie half of the time. I am afraid to go to sleep cause I think I’m going to died. Like other people said I wake with headaches & light headed. I have a tremendous feeling of impending doom & then it passes after I’ve been awake for awhile. But now I found an app on my android phone that I downloaded that’s called “Paced breathing” that I do an hour in the morning & an hour at night & three time on the weekend when I have more time to put oxygen back in my body & it’s been helping. I think the lack of oxygen in my body is perpetuating the sleep apnea. I'm not out of the woods but it's helped. Also I am going to get a custom mouth piece specifically made for sleep apnea from my dentist to see if that will help the sleep apnea. Hopefully it will help. I want my life back. I hope this helps somebody.
2 Comments
My pulmonary doctor told me that those mouth devices do not work with all sleep apnea patients. Like in my case, I need the CPAP machine and the full size mask. This device is to be used for the rest of my life...so it's a matter of training myself to it, wearing it during the day so that my body gets used to it. Good luck.
The post above is exactly what has been happening to me for the past 3 nights now. The jolting awake in a panic with a deep breath and even tingling in hands. Kind of shaky feeling internally and light headed. I’ve been on a stay cation this week and don’t know what I’m going to do when I go back to work on Monday if this doesn’t go away. Im 48 5’1 and weigh 122. I have gained about 10 lbs in the past 6 months so I’m hoping if I lose weight this will go away. I first noticed this the other night when trying to fall back asleep at 3am. That day I did have quite a few drinks and am wondering if I somehow damaged my brain.
i have same problem, this few years experiencing dysautonomia and i finally have a few preventing tip i do.
1. be calm and feel any pain in you chest, its really little pain that almost you dont feel it but when you massage the pain get in your nerve i mean its really please your body like almost a 100 yrs lying in bed. use a oil or something chill/cold that use in massage. i use omega
2. dont lean your arm/use your arm to support your chest too long. sometimes the bone or the blood vein is the reason.
3. do an exercise. its really helpful in all kinds of problem in your body
4. ancient kwak doctor (acupuncture, not-like-ours people) is useful in this kind of problem go see them if you know someone.
5. eat regularly, an air that wont go out in your stomach is triggering
6. dont sit all day. stretching your body is good
im not a doctor im just guy have same problem and wishing you that my tip can help you.
1. be calm and feel any pain in you chest, its really little pain that almost you dont feel it but when you massage the pain get in your nerve i mean its really please your body like almost a 100 yrs lying in bed. use a oil or something chill/cold that use in massage. i use omega
2. dont lean your arm/use your arm to support your chest too long. sometimes the bone or the blood vein is the reason.
3. do an exercise. its really helpful in all kinds of problem in your body
4. ancient kwak doctor (acupuncture, not-like-ours people) is useful in this kind of problem go see them if you know someone.
5. eat regularly, an air that wont go out in your stomach is triggering
6. dont sit all day. stretching your body is good
im not a doctor im just guy have same problem and wishing you that my tip can help you.
Hi, folks! I was wondering if you might help us out by answering a one-question survey? If you have a moment, go to the front page (hit the back to community button at the top of this page) and locate the poll about sleep topics. I would love to have your feedback. Thanks, H.
This happens to me also.When laying on your back,muscles relax and the back of your throat will kind of close shut.This causes a sudden loss of breath of course.Anxiety makes the muscles do alot of weird things which can make it worse.Acid reflux contributes I believe as your throat muscles tend to spasm due to the burning.
" I do not believe it is sleep apnea because I do not wake up panting or breathing heavy as one would with oxygen deficiency."
I believe this is a misconception. Of the people I know personally with sleep apnea, I've never seen them panting or breathing heavily like one would from aerobic exercise.
It is really unsafe to cut your medication dose in half, *especially* after your doctor has specifically advised you not to. If you don't have confidence in this doctor, it's entirely appropriate to seek out a second (or even third) opinion. Considering your symptoms, it makes sense to request a sleep study to test for sleep apnea. This is a perfectly reasonable request, and if your doctor is unwilling to definitively rule this out, the best thing to do would be to see a different doctor for a second opinion.
I believe this is a misconception. Of the people I know personally with sleep apnea, I've never seen them panting or breathing heavily like one would from aerobic exercise.
It is really unsafe to cut your medication dose in half, *especially* after your doctor has specifically advised you not to. If you don't have confidence in this doctor, it's entirely appropriate to seek out a second (or even third) opinion. Considering your symptoms, it makes sense to request a sleep study to test for sleep apnea. This is a perfectly reasonable request, and if your doctor is unwilling to definitively rule this out, the best thing to do would be to see a different doctor for a second opinion.
What you describe sounds similar to something called "sleep paralysis." Most people experience this at least once in their lifetime, and some people have this problem recurrently. Sleep paralysis is scary, but it is not dangerous at all. It usually occurs when people are sleep deprived or have a "sleep deficit" and more often occurs when people sleep on their backs than when sleeping on their sides or stomachs. This is definitely something to bring up with your primary care provider (family doctor, general practitioner, etc.) just in case they think it could be caused by something else.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis
I am Anna. 12 years old. Born in 2002. When I am asleep I suddenly woke up because I felt that my heart skipped a beat. Then I woke up trying to catch my breath from shock. I'm so scared. I'm turning 13 this April 27, 2015. And one time I'm sleeping in the afternoon then my presence of mind suddenly woke up then I tried to open my eyes, but I can see only blurred surroundings then I cant feel my arms, so I tried to move. But I can't move at all. I'm super scared and don't know what to do. Please help me.
I have been experiencing this same thing for about 10 months. It only happens when I am asleep but I suddenly wake up with the feeling that my heart has stopped beating and that I am dying. I do not believe it is sleep apnea because I do not wake up panting or breathing heavy as one would with oxygen deficiency.
I think it is due to my high blood pressure medicine. I take Lisinopril. I took 5mg per day for years but at the beginning of 2014 I had a period of high blood pressure and my doctor upped the dosage to 10mg. This is when I started experiencing this. I asked the doctor to give me another prescription for 5mg and he said only if I want to have high blood pressure again. I have tried splitting the pills in half but they are tiny.
Like some have said I'm convinced my doctor thinks I'm a hypochondriac so I hesitate to say too much to him. Anyway, he never has more than about 10 minutes to spend with me. He seems to be under some quota to see a certain number of patients per day.
I think it is due to my high blood pressure medicine. I take Lisinopril. I took 5mg per day for years but at the beginning of 2014 I had a period of high blood pressure and my doctor upped the dosage to 10mg. This is when I started experiencing this. I asked the doctor to give me another prescription for 5mg and he said only if I want to have high blood pressure again. I have tried splitting the pills in half but they are tiny.
Like some have said I'm convinced my doctor thinks I'm a hypochondriac so I hesitate to say too much to him. Anyway, he never has more than about 10 minutes to spend with me. He seems to be under some quota to see a certain number of patients per day.
1 Comments
Switch doctors!
Unless he's a psychologist its not his field to tell you or anyone that. But surely he wouldn't be so unprofessional to speak about patients this way. Maybe a new doctor?
I would like to know your outcome, as I was having heart palpitations last night and woke up in the middle of night trying to breath and couldn't. I have had this only a couple times before this one. This one was the worst. it came with sleep paralyis in the past.
One thing about doctors that I've learned is that it is all a guessing game and the last doctor I saw told me that my guess was better than theirs. Really. So...if you think he have something make them test you for it. Make them earn their education. If their bed side manner is not to your liking see someone else.
I would like to know your outcome, as I was having heart palpitations last night and woke up in the middle of night trying to breath and couldn't. I have had this only a couple times before this one. This one was the worst. it came with sleep paralyis in the past.
One thing about doctors that I've learned is that it is all a guessing game and the last doctor I saw told me that my guess was better than theirs. Really. So...if you think he have something make them test you for it. Make them earn their education. If their bed side manner is not to your liking see someone else.
I am 18 and I am having the same thing it just started one month ago and I am thinking about going to the doctor today. when I was born I had a hole in my heart but it was supposed to close and having been to the doc to check on it I do know if this could have something t9 do with it people are saying its anxiety but I wanna be sure Cruz coronary heart disease runs in my family and the symptoms I'm having says it could be that or arrythmias
I'm currently not seeing a psychologist and not taking any other anti depressant meds, but I am taking xanax as needed to calm my brain down. In someway it does help. Its a fast acting agent, you feel it in about 10 min. I still have my anxiety problems, just try to deal with it as it comes. If it gets any worst, I will have to go back and see a psychologist against.
Oh, I also forgot to mention, I had many panic attack over the last few years, almost blackout a few times on the freeway while driving that just hit me. So be careful.
Oh by the way, you need to find a doctor that really is on your side and willing to work with you, otherwise its going to be so much more stressful and not good for your health. So if you doctor thinks you are hopeless or helpless, you need a different doctor
Oh, I also forgot to mention, I had many panic attack over the last few years, almost blackout a few times on the freeway while driving that just hit me. So be careful.
Oh by the way, you need to find a doctor that really is on your side and willing to work with you, otherwise its going to be so much more stressful and not good for your health. So if you doctor thinks you are hopeless or helpless, you need a different doctor
I wish I have come across this post sooner, I been having multiple similar issue lingering around for years. Been to ER many times for short of breath, chest pain, chest discomfort, heart palpitations, and many other problems. I have to. Say I have a PCP that is very supportive. He sent me to see who ever is necessary to get things fix as much as possible.
I also been traveling to China for many times and also been in the Chinese hospital many times. If I have any major problems while I'm there, I make a trip out to hong Kong for more advance medical treatment. Also been hospitalize in hong Kong a couple of time for about 3 days and many times to the hospital ER in hong Kong as well.
After a few ER visit, got all kinds of test, ECG, stress test, echo, xray, all came back normal. I was diagnosis with anxiety and panic disorder. I was refer to see a psychologist because its the mind that is causing many problems. My main issues are constantly worrying about something, many what-if questions, fear of death, fear of heart attack and heart problems, which in return caused me to be extremely nervous, pounding heart, chest pain, sleepless, etc. I was put on Prozac in the beginning, which it seem to do the job for a period of time. Took the med for a year and was better for another, than everything came back again, just as bad as the first time it happen. Back to ER I go, more workup, this time even a cardiologist did a angiogram on my heart to look for blockage in arteries and I was good.
So back to see a psychology I go, this time a different doctor. He gives me paxil, been seeming him for a good 2 years, didn't really seem to improve things. Over the time, my anxiety slow down, but I didn't felt the med was doing more than it already did. So current I stop taking it all together. Had to cut down slowly otherwise there is a major withdrawal.
At the same time, with that many trip to ER, I was also following a cardiologist for the last 4-5 years already. My cardiologist is very good, he will do a stress test, a echo and other test once a year. I even had a holter on for 48 hours and a event monitor on for a month to monitor my heart activities. Since I have high blood pressures and other health problems that could or couldn't effect the heart, my cardiologist thinks it's best he keep an eye out for me.
I have to say, over the few years with major anxiety and panic disorder, it has completely ruin my life style. Thou as any doctor will assure you, anxiety will not cause any life danger, but it sure can ruin your life.
Oh, by the way, that sleeping issue everyone has, I also have the same thing. It is bad. As soon as I'm cross between awake and sleep, it felt like a shock, spasm, felt like my heart stop and restart, or felt like I stop breathing and waking up gasping for air. Its goes all night and can not fall asleep at all. I'm thinking I might need to see a sleeping specialist. Its very frustrating, so tire in the day and can't sleep in the night.
I also been traveling to China for many times and also been in the Chinese hospital many times. If I have any major problems while I'm there, I make a trip out to hong Kong for more advance medical treatment. Also been hospitalize in hong Kong a couple of time for about 3 days and many times to the hospital ER in hong Kong as well.
After a few ER visit, got all kinds of test, ECG, stress test, echo, xray, all came back normal. I was diagnosis with anxiety and panic disorder. I was refer to see a psychologist because its the mind that is causing many problems. My main issues are constantly worrying about something, many what-if questions, fear of death, fear of heart attack and heart problems, which in return caused me to be extremely nervous, pounding heart, chest pain, sleepless, etc. I was put on Prozac in the beginning, which it seem to do the job for a period of time. Took the med for a year and was better for another, than everything came back again, just as bad as the first time it happen. Back to ER I go, more workup, this time even a cardiologist did a angiogram on my heart to look for blockage in arteries and I was good.
So back to see a psychology I go, this time a different doctor. He gives me paxil, been seeming him for a good 2 years, didn't really seem to improve things. Over the time, my anxiety slow down, but I didn't felt the med was doing more than it already did. So current I stop taking it all together. Had to cut down slowly otherwise there is a major withdrawal.
At the same time, with that many trip to ER, I was also following a cardiologist for the last 4-5 years already. My cardiologist is very good, he will do a stress test, a echo and other test once a year. I even had a holter on for 48 hours and a event monitor on for a month to monitor my heart activities. Since I have high blood pressures and other health problems that could or couldn't effect the heart, my cardiologist thinks it's best he keep an eye out for me.
I have to say, over the few years with major anxiety and panic disorder, it has completely ruin my life style. Thou as any doctor will assure you, anxiety will not cause any life danger, but it sure can ruin your life.
Oh, by the way, that sleeping issue everyone has, I also have the same thing. It is bad. As soon as I'm cross between awake and sleep, it felt like a shock, spasm, felt like my heart stop and restart, or felt like I stop breathing and waking up gasping for air. Its goes all night and can not fall asleep at all. I'm thinking I might need to see a sleeping specialist. Its very frustrating, so tire in the day and can't sleep in the night.
1 Comments
Hi,
Even though your post is from 4 years ago, maybe you'll receive my post. I have had the sleeping problem for years. I got the sleeping test and found to have bad sleep apnea. They tried the CPAP machine but I get "claustrophobic" wearing those masks. I didn't pay attention to the doctor's advise and years later starting to wake up from my sleep wheezing, gasping for air! That's scary!..I was advised to get the CPAP machine or otherwise the heart will be affected. Seven years or so have happened and now the condition is even worse. No other choice but to get the machine and get used to it. Now the next step is the cardiologist to complete the treatment. By the way, I have been getting the panick attacks where I feel like am dying, fainting, short of breath...is awful. Once I get the tests at the hospital, they send me home with a "panic attack, anxiety diagnosis...
Even though your post is from 4 years ago, maybe you'll receive my post. I have had the sleeping problem for years. I got the sleeping test and found to have bad sleep apnea. They tried the CPAP machine but I get "claustrophobic" wearing those masks. I didn't pay attention to the doctor's advise and years later starting to wake up from my sleep wheezing, gasping for air! That's scary!..I was advised to get the CPAP machine or otherwise the heart will be affected. Seven years or so have happened and now the condition is even worse. No other choice but to get the machine and get used to it. Now the next step is the cardiologist to complete the treatment. By the way, I have been getting the panick attacks where I feel like am dying, fainting, short of breath...is awful. Once I get the tests at the hospital, they send me home with a "panic attack, anxiety diagnosis...
Your trapezius muscle, which runs from your neck and across your shoulders is going into spasm. This restricts your lungs and the amount of air that you can breathe. If you're awake, it can feel like you're drowning. Asleep, once the CO2 levels exceed a certain point, your heart will kick in hard (in the same way that breathing CO2 into someones' lungs kick starts theirs in "the kiss of life), and that will wake you up startled and anxious.
Neuroleptics regulate the heart rhythm, avoiding the normal fluctuations, and will keep you from waking. However, although your heart remains pumping, you will still be suffering oxygen deprivation, and whatever long term consequences that may have.
I'd suggest you find a good chiropractor, and explain your problem. Physicians seem to take a snapshot of how a patient presents, and if all seems well (which it would) fail to investigate further, putting it down to anxiety.
There are no anxiety disorders; merely undiagnosed or misdiagnosed physical disorders leading to anxiety states.
Neuroleptics regulate the heart rhythm, avoiding the normal fluctuations, and will keep you from waking. However, although your heart remains pumping, you will still be suffering oxygen deprivation, and whatever long term consequences that may have.
I'd suggest you find a good chiropractor, and explain your problem. Physicians seem to take a snapshot of how a patient presents, and if all seems well (which it would) fail to investigate further, putting it down to anxiety.
There are no anxiety disorders; merely undiagnosed or misdiagnosed physical disorders leading to anxiety states.
I am crying as I write this because for quite some time I have had the exact same symptoms and felt awkward trying to explain it to a doctor. There were times that I felt as if I continued sleeping I would not wake up. At times I must take deep breaths to get my heart back in sync. It is as if there is an absolute silence in body, as if the blood stops flowing through my veins. It is horrible and scares me immensely. Thanks to this thread I now have an avenue to pursue. Thank you.
my mom i think was a diabetic and wouldnt go to the doctor years ago, til in the last 8 weeks and she was diagnosed diabetic....... kidneys then were functional around 50% and your body can have complication after that...... she went to sleep and never woke up....... just dont know why she died, but my guess is diabetic could have cause the complication and made her quit breathing (heart attack) she didn't have heart problems
Good to hear you're ok. I've had similar problems and turned out to have Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome. After surgery in 2011 it seemed ok. Until recently I started waking up at night like you were. Not sure if it's tied to anxiety/stress from work or a return of my WPW. Have you ever been tested for WPW?
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