In the past few months, about once a month I wake up chocking and gasping for air. I am under a great deal of stress due to my mom having a stroke and work stuff.

I have never experianced this before -- from what I have checked on the web it points to sleep apnea, however I have no issues with sleep. Also went to the doctor about this when it first happened and I did poorly on the respiratory test and she prescribed me an inhaler - but I discontinued because I didn't find it helpful.

I know my weight may be a factor -- I have my last 3 month insurance required nutrition meeting this week - finally.

Its really scary to wake up gasping for air and choking like that and was curious if anyone else ever had this?

Thanks

In the past few months, about once a month I wake up chocking and gasping for air. I am under a great deal of stress due to my mom having a stroke and work stuff.

I have never experianced this before -- from what I have checked on the web it points to sleep apnea, however I have no issues with sleep. Also went to the doctor about this when it first happened and I did poorly on the respiratory test and she prescribed me an inhaler - but I discontinued because I didn't find it helpful.

I know my weight may be a factor -- I have my last 3 month insurance required nutrition meeting this week - finally.

Its really scary to wake up gasping for air and choking like that and was curious if anyone else ever had this?

Thanks

I have been thru pre-op hell and cried alot about it, but I have reflected on the issue about why. I was honest about my health which you should always be. I went to a neuro, pulmo, Pysch, and cardio specialist. Due to the helath issue have had alot of test from these doctors so they could clearence me. I still have not got clearence from the neuro doctors because i show some problem in the MRI and now the clearence has to come from stroke doctor. I understand now why the stop, I could have died on the table because I didn't do all I have done and Honesty was the best choice. So by telling you this I think you should see the pulmo spec. and ask for a sleep test. I was told I have sleep apnea and I did not have trouble with my sleep but I did wake up choking or with dry mouth. But I past the breathing test. We are all different so it is better to be safe than sorry Good luck

Have you had a sleep study? It sounds a lot like sleep apnea and losing weight should help you with this too! I know it is very scary to wake up gasping for breath like that. Talk to your doctor pronto and tell them what you told us. Good luck!

Thanks Beading Nurse.

Sounds like sleep apnea to me also. I developed this at 270lbs when I had gained a lot of weight, especially around my neck and chest. I would wake up gasping also. I would often dream I was dying in some way and struggle to wake myself up. As soon as I lost about 30lbs it got better and better and eventually I gave up the CPAP machine altogether. Now I sleep great. Get yourself in for a sleep study just to make sure.

Yes sounds like sleep apnea. I'm a physical therapist and I know many patients who had this as their first sign they had a problem. Most likely you have stopped breathing long enough that you are actually activating your survival instincts!! You choke yourself awake...gasping for breath. Ahh!! Please go get a sleep study. Not worth messing around with. Goodluck!! Joan

Wow that is exactly what happened to me. I thought I was a great sleeper. Slept like a rock most Nights. I'm mostly a side sleeper but as soon as I would rol over on my back I would do this weird chokey thing. I didn't think too much about it but then my work ( school bus driver) to take a sleep study test. turns out i have moderate to sever sleep apnea now i sleep with a c-pap. Hopefully after surgery this will be resolved.