Stopping your breath while falling asleep ?

Tarkan · 11-07-2009, 04:18 AM

Last night I couldn't sleep because everytime I tried I had a strange sensation of suffocation, like if I forgot to breath. It doesn't happen on regular base but it wasn't the first time either. Seriously, I was so afraid to go to sleep because it really felt like dying !

Is this a bad sign for anything else ? How can you prevent this ?

gsxr104 · 11-07-2009, 04:51 AM

If I don't stand to be corrected, this is called sleep apnea. You could either rent an uncomfortable mask for, anywhere from a few days to who knows when, have surgery to correct the issue or you could lose some weight- about ten pounds, which would probably correct the problem on it's own.

MrWallFlower · 11-07-2009, 06:42 AM

Anxiety can cause this symptom too.

15 Storeys High · 11-07-2009, 07:25 AM

Sleep apnea occurs when you are already asleep. If you're not asleep and are getting these feelings whilst trying to fall asleep it's likely to be stress or anxiety related. You cannot "forget" to breathe. You brain won't let you unless it is severely injured. The brain will automatically wake a person suffering with sleep apnea once it detects carbon dioxide levels getting to high. If this continues and you find this anxiety increasing you will need to go and see a doctor. A lack of sleep is incredibly debilitating.

Tarkan · 11-07-2009, 03:31 PM

Ok thanks alot, no surgery for me then

I was indeed awake. And it's probably anxiety since I was worrying to much that night. What's the best way to relax then ? Because I really felt like dying

15 Storeys High · 11-07-2009, 03:44 PM

There are lots of techniques around to help a person relax. Breathing and visualisation techniques are the easiest.....try having a look at this web page....

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Victoria66 · 11-08-2009, 12:24 PM

This happens to me every night as I fall asleep. It feels like your breath catches in your throat and you are suffocating and gasping to catch your breath. I agree it is stress or anxiety. I know for me it is panic. I know it is not apnea because I breath perfectly fine when I am asleep. I also get this when I am awake. I just close my eyes and breath deeply and imagine something that I enjoy and remind myself that there is no way I am going to die and it is only anxiety and that I can control that.

11-07-2009, 04:18 AM	#1
Tarkan Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Somewhere in Europe Gender: Male Age: 24 Posts: 414	Stopping your breath while falling asleep ? Last night I couldn't sleep because everytime I tried I had a strange sensation of suffocation, like if I forgot to breath. It doesn't happen on regular base but it wasn't the first time either. Seriously, I was so afraid to go to sleep because it really felt like dying ! Is this a bad sign for anything else ? How can you prevent this ? __________________ I have never found anything perfect in life but sometimes we have to put up with the sxxt...the best roses grow in the rottenist sxxt. just dont breathe in too deeply. - Trezz

11-07-2009, 07:25 AM	#4
15 Storeys High Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Gender: Male Age: 30 Posts: 1,291	Sleep apnea occurs when you are already asleep. If you're not asleep and are getting these feelings whilst trying to fall asleep it's likely to be stress or anxiety related. You cannot "forget" to breathe. You brain won't let you unless it is severely injured. The brain will automatically wake a person suffering with sleep apnea once it detects carbon dioxide levels getting to high. If this continues and you find this anxiety increasing you will need to go and see a doctor. A lack of sleep is incredibly debilitating. __________________ You cannot do a kindness too soon for you'll never know how soon it will be too late. - Emerson

11-07-2009, 03:31 PM	#5
Tarkan Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Somewhere in Europe Gender: Male Age: 24 Posts: 414	Ok thanks alot, no surgery for me then I was indeed awake. And it's probably anxiety since I was worrying to much that night. What's the best way to relax then ? Because I really felt like dying __________________ I have never found anything perfect in life but sometimes we have to put up with the sxxt...the best roses grow in the rottenist sxxt. just dont breathe in too deeply. - Trezz

11-07-2009, 03:44 PM	#6
15 Storeys High Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Gender: Male Age: 30 Posts: 1,291	There are lots of techniques around to help a person relax. Breathing and visualisation techniques are the easiest.....try having a look at this web page.... [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] __________________ You cannot do a kindness too soon for you'll never know how soon it will be too late. - Emerson

11-08-2009, 12:24 PM	#7
Victoria66 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: for now where the CF sends us Gender: Female Age: 43 Posts: 4,601	This happens to me every night as I fall asleep. It feels like your breath catches in your throat and you are suffocating and gasping to catch your breath. I agree it is stress or anxiety. I know for me it is panic. I know it is not apnea because I breath perfectly fine when I am asleep. I also get this when I am awake. I just close my eyes and breath deeply and imagine something that I enjoy and remind myself that there is no way I am going to die and it is only anxiety and that I can control that. __________________ ADHD= Attention Dialed into a Higher Dimension. For my Indigo son. Know how to suffer and how to laugh. Mother Teresa If you judge people you have no time to love them. Mother Teresa Run amok empath= the end of little miss nice girl. Tomorrow IS another day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EM7FaOc3Zk What Child Is This.

11-07-2009, 04:51 AM	#2
gsxr104 Offline Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Gender: Male Posts: 650	If I don't stand to be corrected, this is called sleep apnea. You could either rent an uncomfortable mask for, anywhere from a few days to who knows when, have surgery to correct the issue or you could lose some weight- about ten pounds, which would probably correct the problem on it's own.

11-07-2009, 06:42 AM	#3
MrWallFlower Offline Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ohio, USA Gender: Male Age: 44 Posts: 46	Anxiety can cause this symptom too.