Painful chest when breathing at night

[Beefull8]

I’ve probably had this since I was first diagnosed with mixed lung disease but I still haven’t figured out what to do about it and wondering if anyone has similar symptoms.

Basically, as soon as I start to relax to go to sleep I feel like my breathing almost hiccups and when I inhale it almost feels like the burning you feel from an adrenaline rush. Initially I thought it was my hyperthyroidism acting up at night but my endo said it isn’t related.

My allergist thinks it’s reflux but sleeping on my side seems to make it worse and by early morning it goes away so I can sleep although sometimes I do wake up to hear myself snore.

I don’t have it every night but it is tiring since I’m scared to fall asleep and feel like my chest is on fire and I can’t expand my lungs. It’s a weird feeling that doesn’t happen when I’m awake. Sometimes I do have that weird skipped second breath if that makes sense but not the burning lungs thing.

I have done a sleep test to rule out sleep apnea which was normal but the batteries were also low so one part wasn’t working. The sleep specialist also said he highly doubts I have apnea because I’m not overweight or have any of the normal symptoms.

Anyway I’m curious to know if anyone has experienced this before.

Im wondering if stress or anxiety could be the cause as well. Thanks!

[starveycat]

I have asthma plus reflux. Might I suggest you raise your mattress by at least seven inches and try that. Do not just stick extra pillows to sleep in it you could damage your neck

[Beefull8 in reply to starveycat]

Thank you! I actually bought an incline pillow which isn’t the most comfortable. It doesn’t completely do away with my symptoms. I also have really bad dust allergies and wake up congested so I’m wondering if it’s that too.

[starveycat in reply to Beefull8]

I have tried air purifier but found it too powerful, so I have a salt lamp on all night, which helped me, just a thought

[Beefull8 in reply to starveycat]

That’s great that it helped! I have a salt lamp in my living room and can try moving it in. I had a lot of moments when I stopped breathing last night so I’m willing to try anything.

[starveycat in reply to Beefull8]

If you have stopped breathing a night you need to phone your doc

[Beefull8 in reply to starveycat]

Thanks! I have since it’s an ongoing issue trying to solve what it is. I’ve upped my intake of this natural acid reflux tabs and that seems to take away the burning completely and I notice if I sleep on my side I don’t snore. So it’s definitely better.

[Suerkaplan in reply to Beefull8]

Hi - glad you are finding some relief. I am interested in the 'natural acid reflux tabs'. I have been taking omeprazole for over 20 years and I still have reflux issues.

I too snored, woke my husband mostly but sometimes it woke me. My dentist gave me a snore guard. Mine is called "Silent Night". Holds my bottom jaw forward a bit to keep the airway open. I love it! I am more comfortable sleeping too as my mouth doesn't gape open when using this.

glidewelldental.com/solutio...

There are other devices that do not require a dentist to fit them. My dentist said he has not had a patient find one that works. I tried a couple anyway since they have money back guarantees. The dentist was right. The Silent night was the only only one for me.

Good luck!

[Beefull8 in reply to Suerkaplan]

Glad you found something that helps! I also eat three hours before I go to bed. Borrowed a cookbook with food for people that have reflux and I use the Gaia Herbs reflux tabs and I drink a reflux tea that’s actually really good!

[Rfyglesias47 in reply to Beefull8]

Yes I'm sure it is because the same thing happened to me until I bought a air purifier which makes it better to breathe dust free and mold free air

[Beefull8 in reply to Rfyglesias47]

Which one do you have?

[chrissy226]

I would get a SUPER UNCOMFORTABLE feeling in my chest...almost like the feeling when you sneeze...but super intense...and almost painful, but not "normal" pain...it would always happen when i was falling asleep or in a very light sleep and the feeling would wake me up...it got to the point I was AFRAID to go to sleep cuz I knew the feeling would come...so I went to the doctor crying....turns out i have some form of restless leg syndrome...but the symptoms have migrated to my chest/upper arms...once I started taking the medication, my symptoms went away!!!!

[Beefull8 in reply to chrissy226]

Oh wow! How interesting! Was it from being overtired? I’m glad you figured out what it is and the medication helped. I was wondering if what I have was restless leg because I do jump up sometimes.

[Beefull8 in reply to Beefull8]

And yes to me the weird breathing thing feels like when I’m crying hard and I double breath if that makes sense. Is that what you felt?

[Rfyglesias47]

I have several times throughout the day. The acid reflux is causing allergic asthma in me which causes chest tightness and heaviness which makes it hard to breathe