Out of breath in morning and waking me up at night

[Madonna1]

I have copd, and id say the last couple of weeks iv noticed im out of breathe soon as I wake up.I also have heavy feeling in my lungs and in my shoulder blades..Last night woke up 3 times out of breath!

I was diagnosed with copd 2 years ago, I had a test done and doctor said im mild..I feel im getting worse and my doctors are no help cant even see one now with covid..Id like to be referred to the hospital but copd nurse just wants to keep gaving me inhalers which just dont work for me..They don't know ywt these new symptoms which I think is my copd..Is anyone else getting out of breath soon as you wake up and waking in the night??

[O2Trees]

Hi Madonna. This may or may not be a possibility: does the breathlessness usually happen when you are lying down? Im asking in case your breathlessness could be caused by reflux. Lots with copd get this, and with what they call silent reflux (so-called because you can have it without getting heartburn) acid can get into your throat and cause breathing problems. This can happen at night as gravity makes it easier for the acid to leak out when you are lying down.

Might be worth checking with your GP, especially as you say being given new inhalers isnt helping. The usual medications for reflux, which I take, are called PPIs - proton pump inhibitors.

But whether the problem is reflux or not, please dont give up asking for help - you shouldnt be having to endure this without further investigation.

[Madonna1 in reply to O2Trees]

Hi.Thanks for your reply.I get it in the mornings lying down and when I up it still with me for half a hour or more.As day goes on I feel fine..last night woke few times breathless..I have draw full of inhalers, waste of money as non work for me..I not really needed one as I only noticed breathlessness when walking uphill or on my exercise bike..But just lately im getting worse..I will try talk to a doctor, the reception staff are very difficult to get appointment and it wont be at surgery.Have to be phone call..Thank you

[Blackbird8 in reply to Madonna1]

Hi Madonna if it might be reflux then you need it checking out .

Meanwhile with your bed raise the head end up from floor level with a few books or a brick under each leg ....

Only use one pillow at night for sleeping.. if it is reflux lifting the bed head will keep gastric juices to a minimum ..please dont lift the bed by yourself get help obviously...

Take advice from your doc and feel better soon 🧡🧡

[O2Trees in reply to Blackbird8]

Yes, good suggestion. You could also try sleeping on your left hand side as the way the stomach is constructed makes it harder for the acid to leak out. I sleep on my left on a wedge pillow which you can get on the internet and this sorts it for me, plus the medication of course. I have read that if its hard to breathe OUT, then its probably copd or asthma, and if its hard to breathe IN, then that is usually reflux.

But as others have pointed out, there could be lots of things which would cause that and you must follow it up. Good luck.

[Bevvy]

If this has only been happening for past couple of weeks could it be an infection or flare up?

I often feel like this when additionally not well....

You need to speak with gp.

[Madonna1 in reply to Bevvy]

I will try and talk to them about it.I was fine this morning,so it is weird.

[Alberta56]

Sorry to hear your surgery is being so unhelpful. Hope you find the strength to persist.

[Jct1]

I have copd I find sleeping upright does help. Also I found that I panicked when I woke up knowing I would have trouble breathing and this made it worse. My gp put me on anti anxiety tablets and the situation has improved. I also take my sats regularly and I have found that reassuring as they are at acceptable levels and my anxiety goes. I hope you find this useful jct1

[Izb1]

Hi Madonna1, I have had this for a few weeks and my sputum test came back normal, I do t normally suffer from sob, finally 2 weeks ago my own doctor put me back on antibiotics which seems to be clearing this now. I have bronchiectasis and was wrongly treated for asthma for years, like you the inhalers were a waste of time. I would go back to your doctor and if necessary ask for a referral. Have you had a ct scan? this tends to show up other things that are going on with your chest. Good luck x

[Biker88]

Hi Madonna1, I have COPD and Aspergillosis, if I lay down I start getting breathless and coughing. This was waking me up numerous times at night, so now I sleep in a semi sitting position. Takes a bit to get used to it but now I don’t get breathless and cough at night. Quite a few of the people I know with lung problems at the hospice that supports me have ‘hospital beds’ as they also find that sleeping sitting up helps.

[Jambar52]

I have been having this problem for sometime was on steroids and antibiotics for 16 days as I was so out of breath when I get bad I use several pillows that helps take care

[theomus]

Have you been checked for angina?

[Grayjay]

I have COPD and Heart failure, and have the same problem but can't put my finger on the problem. I think everything has been covered in this post. My advice is to not eat before going to bed if it's reflux. Sleep in a higher position in case of fluid on lungs. Do you have swollen feet? Perhaps you need water tablets if you have them already take an extra one in the daytime. Sleep with a window open to keep the room ventilated.

[Madonna1]

I have a heart murmur and should be checked every 5 years I not been checked.Dont know if it because I changed my doctors and they didn't realise .