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Gjmck profile image
13 Replies

When I fall asleep I cant breath and it wakes me up gasping for breath.. Why? Is this anxiety

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Gjmck profile image
Gjmck
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13 Replies
Sablegirl profile image
Sablegirl

Sablegirl

Have you been checked for sleep apnea? Or do you suddenly wake up feeling panic?

Gjmck profile image
Gjmck in reply to Sablegirl

No, to sleep apnea. Yes, I suddenly wake and panic until I catch my breath which usually happens with in a few seconds. But its nightmareish. Some nights are fine and others are not..

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to Gjmck

I use to have this as well Gjmck, when I first starting experiencing anxiety but didn't

really know what it was. Just like you, there were some nights that were okay and

others I'd wake up in a startle feeling like my chest was unable to expand. I'd jump

out of bed and run to the door for air and within a moment, I could breathe again.

Of course by then, I'm sweating and my heart was racing. It happened for several

months and then one day stopped.

I came to realize that I actually was having a panic attack in my sleep caused from

severe anxiety. Don't forget even when we are asleep the subconscious mind is

is awake and feeding information of the day into our psyche. We perceive it as

threatening and wake up in a panic unable to breathe.

Once I started listening to relaxation tapes which included imagery and self hypnosis,

it put my mind and body at ease before sleep and I never experienced it again.

Maybe you can try listening or watching a Relaxation Video on YouTube (5-10min)

before you go to bed and see if that might help. Wishing you peace and calm. xx

Gjmck profile image
Gjmck in reply to Agora1

I will give it shot.. At this point I have nothing to lose but sleep and my sanity. Lol

A Dr told me it was anxiety and prescribed African. I've only taken a 1/2 a mg 4x In the past 10 days.

Thank you

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to Gjmck

I hope this helps you some. Of course like anything else it takes some practice

getting your body to respond to relaxation when it is wound up like a top.

But after several nights it should get easier for you to fall asleep while breathing

deeply and listening to calming thoughts. Let me know in a week how you're doing xx

Gjmck profile image
Gjmck in reply to Agora1

I will Thank you. I sure do not want to get on the this anxiety medication I hear it's highly addictive.

Sablegirl profile image
Sablegirl in reply to Gjmck

I’m in the same “boat”. I don’t know when they’ll strike me & mine are more often right as I entering deeper sleep & BAM I’m slammed with one & it’s disorienting & I have to remember to breathe-it-out.

Gjmck profile image
Gjmck in reply to Sablegirl

I'm hoping us and anyone else struggling with this together we can over come it..

Have you tried the relaxation tapes b4 bed?

Sablegirl profile image
Sablegirl in reply to Gjmck

Sablegirl

I haven’t in a long time. They weren’t very helpful. I have to be almost asleep, usually watching Netflix (with the night screen on to block the blue light). I know it’s not the recommended thing but Ever since my daughter passed 8yrs ago, I have to do what works for me. My sleep’s often broken up throughout the night. Only get 5 hours of straight thru sleep.

Gjmck profile image
Gjmck in reply to Sablegirl

If you ever need to talk I'm here. I will be cking in on this group quite frequently.

It's been a blessing just to hear yalls story I was starting to think I was losing it..

Elfje profile image
Elfje

Same here

The raison with me wake up in panic is because I process things at night

Gjmck profile image
Gjmck in reply to Elfje

For me it's not just at night it will happen when I get home from work while I'm sitting on the couch and doze off.. I will get ckd for sleep apnea soon.

Elfje profile image
Elfje in reply to Gjmck

Well yes I work than IST ok

I whant the relax than its start

Sleep the same

So apneu ye I had the test too

But whas all ok

But ok

Let check

So than you know

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