Lack of sleep

[Scoobs87]

Has anyone got any problems, with waking up during the night choking when asthmas bad. This has happened to me 3 times in the last week.

[Hidden]

Asthma symptoms are often much worse at night for many people. Propping yourself to sleep rather than lying flat helps, as can sleeping with window open. Have your blue inhaler to hand, ready loaded onto the spacer, and a glass of water. I don't know if its very scientific, but I'll take a couple of shots of blue inhaler before settling down to sleep if I get that "feeling" that things aren't quite right.

[Scoobs87 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve never been like this before, this is all stemmed from having chostochrinditis. Up until then, I was fine.

[Annieslp]

Hi there. Do you have any post nasal drip? This could be running down your throat and triggering a cough/choke response. Do you lay in your back as you sleep?

[Scoobs87 in reply to Annieslp]

Sometimes I do lye in my back. This has just started in the last week. First time was early hours last Saturday. Then my breathing got worse over that 48 hrs, after that I was taken to hospital.

[Kitten-kat23]

I have this problem. I manage it by raising my pillows at a angle. It has reduced my attacks quite a lot.

[Silentreader]

I agree with Tim about not lying flat but having the top part of your body a bit higher with cushions. Read this about Asthma and sleep even though it might be a bit frightening. I am currently reading all I can find. sleepfoundation.org/sleep-d...

webmd.boots.com/asthma/guid...

Also - if you have Asthma and Acid Reflux sleeping on the right hand side might aggrivate the situation - "Which side is better to sleep on for acid reflux?

Several studies have found that sleeping on the right side aggravates heartburn; sleeping on the left tends to calm it. The reason is not entirely clear. One hypothesis holds that right-side sleeping relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, between the stomach and the esophagus"

Well yes it is clear because it has to do with the shape of the stomach. Many studies show that sleeping on your right side can lead to heartburn. Though they aren’t exactly sure why, some have hypothesized that sleeping on the right side can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the muscular valve that keeps stomach acid from entering the esophagus. Researchers have found significant increases in overall acid clearance and reflux time in studies of right-side sleeping. Stomach sleeping may also have similar effects.This leaking acid is caused by a weakness at the junction between the stomach and the oesophagus, and triggers the burning pain. The key is to sleep on your left side.

In a study of heartburn patients at the Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, doctors found that sleeping on the right side meant that leaked stomach acid took longer to drain out of the oesophagus compared to sleeping on the left, so those who slept on their right side suffered more discomfort.

So for some of us who have Asthma and acid Reflux, sleeping on the right side can make it worse and cause us to wake in the night. It happens to me and I take one of my pillows and go downstairs. On the couch it is a more narrow postion and you do not turn around in sleep so much - not like in your bed. It is not ideal but that is what I do. There are also certain cushions you can buy that stop you when you turn to the right or at least that you are then in a bit of a higher position.

I hope this helps.

[loulouliss1]

That has been happening to me too. I keep my blue inhaler right next to me and sleep with more pillows now. It’s gotten slightly better but not loads though

[Scoobs87 in reply to loulouliss1]

The sleep factors the worse. Body clock is all over the place.

[Scoobs87 in reply to loulouliss1]

I just hope after this bout of steroids. Everything will settle down. I’ve also got Cerebral Palsy. It’s affected that too So this has just took a physical and mental toll on me at the moment.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

As otbers say asthna is often worse at night and propping yourself up can help - I also try taking reliever before bed.

Be careful with opening the window - in cold weather that can make things worse for some asthmatics. I have problems if my room is too cold and also because there is truly terrible double-glazing and therefore draughts - moving soon thankfully! On the other hand some people find too much heat at night is worse. Have you noticed any difference with the temperature of your room and how you are at night?

[Scoobs87 in reply to Lysistrata]

Not with temperature. Ever since I had an attack on the 17th dec. I’ve just been very unsettled. Not always getting good quality sleep. Which doesn’t help matters. Thankfully the choking settled down.