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Woke up last night unable to breath in. Felt as if my airway was blocked. A new scary affect of COPD? I don’t like it!

Artist44 profile image
8 Replies

COPD. BREATHING.

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Artist44
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8 Replies
2greys profile image
2greys

Yes extremely scary, I have been there myself and empathise. In fact the first night it happened I actually said goodbye to my partner, convinced my number was up. Followed by 5 consecutive nights of it.

The real cause of this is that with COPD you have problems breathing out and what happens is that you breathe in more than you breathe out. This has the affect of pumping up your lungs until they are full and then panic sets in because you cannot breathe in with full lungs. You need to relax and concentrate on breathing out not in, the in breathe will take care of itself.

Artist44 profile image
Artist44 in reply to 2greys

Thank you, I hope I remember that if it happens again. Makes perfect sense and I’m grateful for your advice.

JJ

iceoteck profile image
iceoteck in reply to 2greys

I am going for an Exray tomorrow Wednesday 23rd R/O Pulmonary Lesions

Only having trouble breathing walking around for awhile or walking to the shops

Like today so asked for an Exray

Will wait and see what the results say

This what my Doctor is looking for

MusicalBreath profile image
MusicalBreath in reply to 2greys

Love this reply - it’s why gently singing or humming helps as the long phrases mean the exhale longer than the inhale

Candyred profile image
Candyred

I get this all the time .. I feel as if no air is going in and no air is coming out!.. I choke a lot .. cough, become dizzy, see stars then pee.. I find it exhausting .. my pillows are stacked high in my bed to keep me in an up right position .. I won’t say you’ll get use to it cause you won’t however you will learn how to cope .. as 2greys says try to relax xx

Help_61 profile image
Help_61

This happened to me also found out phlegm was blocking my airway

Artist44 profile image
Artist44

Thanks for your replies. No I don’t think it sleep apnea but it’s a possibility I guess.

Candy red, yes, I’ve experienced those symptoms too and they are horrible but this was different and I think 2greys hit it on the head. That reminded me of the “paper bag” cure for a panic attack. Similar idea.

Now, has anyone got a cure for waking up every 2 hours? Not a great habit to get into and I need my sleep. Don’t we all.

TTFN.

Whitechinchilla profile image
Whitechinchilla

That is so very scary. Do speak to your gp ASAP to get the answer and hopefully fix it quickly.

Good wishes.