Waking through the night trying to catch my breath

[towzer]

Hi folks
does anyone get this

the past few nights I have woken a bunch of times

Typically I have some jerks before I fall asleep then last night at 1pm I woke to a sensation that I was trying to catch my breath - suffocating feeling

I am heading to Doc tomorrow coz I dont think this is anxiety. I suspect its Sleep Apnea because for the past 6 months I have been absolutely exhausted

[jerryilliniwek]

hi Towzer,

 

IT's good to check with the doctor for peace of mind.  I've had these same symptoms as you describe.  Difficulty sleeping is a common thing with anxiety. 

Good luck,
JerryIlliniwek

[gypsygulia]

Agreed..good idea to have checked out by a doctor just to rule out unlikely  problem.For sleep apnea, they may suggest a sleep study (which is usually more than $4,000)

Some points to discuss with MD might be possibility of allergies triggering a nasal leak, especially if you sleep on your back. This can be minimized by side or stomach sleeping. And of course anxiety can do awful things to the respiratory system and/or our perception of it's function. Meditation along with diaphragmatic breathing exercises before bed (and upon rising)  may be something to look into as well. There are several resources on this online and available to your MD if he or she is agreeable.

On a personal note, although I have had anxiety and panic attacks in the past, this "round" has manifested itself with that feeling you describe. My state of feeling air starved (keyword: feeling) has shown some improvement now that I have started Zoloft along with my security Valium along with diet modification, exercise and the above mentioned breathing/mediatation. 
Please keep us updated following your appointment. Know you are not alone in this. Warmest regards.   

[gloomy]

I have suffered with what you are describing too towzer.  However, I stopped sufering for 2 years when I was on Effexor.  I camr off that drug for 5 months and it all started again, in fact the panic and anxiety and all other related symptoms hit me like a freight train so I am now on Lexapro (for last 4 weeks)  and a side effect of effexor is INSOMNIA.  Cant win really cant win!!