Question:
A friend has had episodes of waking up in the middle of the night
unable to breath. He says it feels exactly as if someone punched
him in the stomach and knocked the wind out of him. He has an intense
feeling of panic and terror but thinks that feeling is from being scared
to death that he won't be able to start breathing again. It takes
about 30 seconds for him to be able to breathe.
His doctor said it sounds exactly like a panic attack, but he has
never heard of that happening while asleep. Since it has only happened
3 times in a year, he doesn't think a sleep study would catch it.
Has anyone ever heard of anything like this?
Answer:
A sleep study should be done because it sounds like what happens when
the body doesn't get the oxygen so there is the huge jolt message sent
out to make you wake up & breath... Hubby never described it as feeling
like a panic attack, but I *do* remember the big jolts - one of the
apnea signs. The regulars here will be able to talk to you more about
the details of this as I'm not sufficiently knowledgable on the subject.
This has happened a few times with me (no sleep study yet). I'd like to
offer thoughts & comments...
What other symptoms do you have?
Is it possible it could be a reaction -- like to medication? Something
you ate before bedtime? Allergy to something in your room? Asthma?
Extremely stressful situation or prolonged stress?
Not sure, but I'd certainly delv deaper with the doc (or see another
for a second opinion).
I unfortunately experience those night time panic attacks. They started
once I started using xPAP for my OSA. The Doc has reduced them from three
time a week to now once a month by prescribing Ativan for almost two years
now.
Yes, I had that happen a couple of times, but also had them when I was
awake. The only thing that stopped them was valium but for the last 5 years
I've been on Effexor and don't have them at all anymore. I'm 54 and started
having them when I was in my early 30's. The worse was waking up with one.
Terrible. I spoke to my Dr. on the phone and he had me take 3 valium before
I got it under control and it was in the middle of the night when I awoke
with it.
Also I was starting on a new drug that I had taken years before,
amitryptalene and that's what caused the one in my sleep.
Could be a panic attack but also fits the description of the few times I awoke
after breathing had stopped and was unable to clear my airway. This was due to
OSA or obstructive sleep apnea. Probably worth looking at having a sleep study
done. It can be a life saver!
