Waking up gasping for air when first falling asleep? Help!

[SkySnake22]

Why is this happening to me? I had a near head-on collision with a wrong way driver on the interstate in June and haven’t slept well since. It was a terrifying experience and brought back many memories of nearly dying a few times growing up. I was kidnapped in a foreign country at 8 years old. I was involved in a near fatal airplane incident at age 19. Then the wrong way driver. Since then I have had the worst anxiety of my life. I’ve always suffered with it, but left it untreated for several reasons.

I finally went to my GP last week when my beloved pit bull passed away. I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore. She prescribed me Prozac for what she called PTSD. (I thought only soldiers got PTSD) It DOES seem to be helping, but I have developed this weird thing when I try to sleep, whether it’s a nap or trying to sleep at night. Immediately upon falling asleep, I stop breathing! I wake up gasping for air. It’s very scary! It happened several times in row before falling asleep last night, I had to take an ambien to get thru it. Tonight, there was no hope, which is why I’m writing this at 2 AM.

Can someone please offer me some help if they’ve heard of this before? I’m assuming it’s anxiety, but I, not sure. Thanks I’m advance!

[Jeff1943]

It does very much sound like anxiety bearing in mind the traumas you have suffered. It is my understanding that you can't stop breathing even if you try, even if you're asleep. Breathing is an automatic function wired into us which we can't over rule, just try holding your breath and see what happens, before long your body forces you to take a breath.However, I think it's important for you to see your doctor about this, he or she will have knowledge of this problem, apart from anything else it will bring you reassurance.

Sleep will come eventually, it's another automatic function that we can't over rule even though we may delay it.

For the moment just accept this symptom of anxiety and try to sleep without fear or the extra anxiety caused by the fear could keep you awake. You'll be o.k. but do see your doctor for peace of mind.

[SkySnake22 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Jeff. I have an appointment with my GP next week. 🤙

[Jeff1943 in reply to SkySnake22]

That's good, SkySnake. It may be a cliché but true: all troubles pass and so will yours.

[Hidden]

You may be developing sleep apnea often due to gaining excessive weight….often a by product of anxiety in some… cause eating often seems to help some reduce their feelings of anxiety.Also it could be a side effect of Prozac.

Try not to eat three hours before retiring to bed…introduce a daily walking routine…which helps both with breathing and weight loss…to change medication…get an appointment with your doc.

[Lulu421]

I am so sorry to hear that such terrible things happened to you — indeed, any one of those incidents you described could result in PTSD. I would definitely seek the help of a psychiatrist for the PTSD — you could probably use a benzodiazepine to help reduce your anxiety and promote restful sleep, on a temporary basis anyway, as it’s easy for the body to become hooked on those meds and you don’t want to become dependent on them. You would probably also benefit from some form of trauma-focused psychotherapy (i.e., talk therapy), to address the issues you mentioned.

It also sounds as though you may have sleep apnea, since you mentioned waking up, gasping for breath. I would definitely discuss this with your GP. You probably need to see a sleep specialist or pulmonologist and go for a sleep study, to determine how mild or severe your sleep apnea is and move forward with the recommended treatment. This is extremely important, as sleep apnea is linked to heart disease and, if left untreated, can have dire effects on your health.

My heart goes out to you. Please know you are not alone and keep us updated on your progress.

Sending you lots of hugs from the states (I’m guessing you’re in the UK, but I might be wrong.)😉❤️

[Kamgal5]

First, I would go see a counselor and a psychiatrist instead of a GP. Second… sounds like night panic attacks due to your anxiety ( if this only started after the driving incident) as opposed to sleep apnea- but you could do a sleep study at some point to check that out). Try to just go to bed relaxed- take a bath, have some tea, read ( no electronics), meditate, stretch and deep breathing before bed. Don’t force sleep. I get hypnotic jerks ( google) if I am stressed before bed so I form a good before bed routine an hour before bed. The book DARE would be a good read about night time anxiety.

[TegaItaisan]

I believe in asking for help when I need it. So I support that you went to your GP to get help with your anxiety. It might be a good idea to go back to your GP to disclose your waking up at night out of breath. It could be sleep apnea or it could be something else Related to your anxiety or both. But you need to address it When you see your GP. Take care and good luck