DO MY LUNGS GO TO SLEEP ALSO ?

[vittorio]

In the last two weeks , I ended up in hospital =because on waking up very early in the mornings ...I started gasping for breath very quickly , ,and even my Nebuliser machine could'nt solve the problem .....so an Ambulance had to be called , and on arrival at Hospital, Steroid injections , x ray of lungs - both ok ( allowing for copd , ), further Nebulisers etc took place to get my breathing BACK down to an acceptable level .-after about six hours .... ...ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS SOMEWHAT FRIGHTENING COPD PHENOMENOM FOLKS ? ....and any suggestions on how to avoid it . endless thanklies ! ..

[sassy59]

Pete’s not had that problem vittorio. I’m glad the hospital could help you anyway. Just want to wish you well.

Take care xxxx

[Ergendl]

I've not come across that one, vittorio - how frightening that must have been for you. Before I was diagnosed, I used to stop breathing for a long pause after exhaling. That seems to have stopped since I was prescribed inhalers and did the Pulmonary Rehab course where I learned to stop hyperventillating.

[CDPO16]

Hi vittorio. Such a frightening experience for you. I can only say that on occasion I wake up and immediately start feeling anxious for an unknown reason, and this causes increased breathlessness, often severe, which my reliever inhaler doesn't help at all. It eases when I eventually manage to calm myself down which is no easy feat. I'm not saying that this is what has affected you, just offering some sympathy. I hope you don't have a repeat of the events but do call the ambulance again if so. Best wishes.

[Hidden]

I wonder if you brocho dilate before bed if this may help avoid airways closing through the night. This is part of my routine, I use a 12 hour bronchodilater before bed. Chat with your doctor vittorio about anything that could help avoid a repeat of this experience.

Look after yourself.

[Alberta56]

Not being able to breathe is really frightening. I hope you don't experience this again.

[Gary56]

If I wake up suddenly in the middle of the night or early in the morning I get similar symptoms.Possibly it’s due to the difference between the “auto” breathing done while asleep and the sudden change to deeper daytime breathing.

This is only my opinion. The brain goes into panic mode, the way I try to cope is try to not panic then breathe in as much as possible in one go, don’t know if it tricks the brain into thinking the lungs have become more elastic. Then steadily my breathing turns to my normal breathing.

Works for me, might work for you?

[vittorio in reply to Gary56]

...Thanks Gary56, ... never thought of that ! I 'LL HAVE A GO !👍

[Mavary]

I was the same after a bout of pneumonia. I would keep saying I couldn’t breathe first thing in the morning. I ended up one morning passing out so had to go back to hospital for tests. They discovered I was suffering from Aspergillosis. I was put on anti fungals and steroids. It did eventually improve. Yours may not be the same though. Apparently my Eosinophils read very high suggesting Aspergillosis. I hope they can find out what it is causing it.

[Amakura]

So sorry to read what happened to you.Not being able to breathe is frightening and makes you hyper-vigilant afterwards. Hope you are on the mend.

What might be helpful is to be asked to referred to a chest physio, perhaps? Could be wrong, nevertheless.

Get better soon

[KaraKim]

Have it now so relieved to see your post. I'm waking up in the early hours unable to catch my breath. Trying the breathing tips on here but still experiencing difficulty. On steroids and just finished a course of antibiotics. Had a CT two months ago where COPD was present but nothing else. I dread going into hospital and hope to avoid that & manage this at home for now. As ever very useful advice on this site so hope it's helping you too.

[CDPO16 in reply to KaraKim]

Just wondering if it may be worth speaking to your doctor or nurse. The problem you are having is possibly a sign of asthma. Could be wrong of course but may be worth checking.

[Angloirish]

Symptoms sound like it may be plugged mucus in the lungs (ie build up of mucus). I have this problem - nebuliser does not always work). Speak to your GP about prescribing Carbocisteine (as a preventative to thin out the mucus).

[SORRELHIPPO]

May not be helpful for you, as I only have severe asthma, not COPD. But, I sometimes wake up in this state, grab for my inhaler, like it was a magic wand, and then do something I was taught in a chest hospital as a child. I always wake on my back, when this happens, so I slowly roll onto my left side, and slowly roll as far as I can onto my front. All the while counting breaths in and out, to slow it all down. This does help me. I was fascinated, when they said (as if it was new) that covid19 patients did better, when put into the prone lying position, for part of each day, as if it was something new. Apparently gravity moves the organs in the torso so that the lungs get more space in this position, I wonder what your consultant would think.

[vittorio in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Hmm - very interesting ! .... what amazes me is = How can anyone WAKE UP BREATHLESS ! AFTER BEING ASLEEP FOR SIX HOURS !!! .... I only thought we get breathless after rushing around !! ... its all very contradictory !! - will try what you say , and see what happens !.., and see what my Consultant has to say about this mystery !!!..- lots of thanklies Sorrelhippo ! .. and good luck to you also ..👍