Chocking at night - 3 hours sleep...

For the last month I have been waking up gasping for air EVERY NIGHT. I can't fall asleep. As soon as I am about to fall asleep my body jerks me awake and I feel like I am chocking. This is terrifying.. The doctors are all on vacation but I managed to get an appointment on the 11th of August with a ENT. Any ideas? I did a "astma test" and my lung capacity was around 105%. I feel the problem lies around my Adams Apple... I just moved after leaving my family behind. (My father is a aggressive alcoholic and after many years I had to cut the contact with him) Could that be part of the reason this is happening? I am sleeping around 3-4 hours each night. My body just gets to tired after around 4 hours of chocking and I get knocked out. I am counting down the days to my ENT appointment... But I am pretty terrified that I end up suffocating before that appointment Daytime is fine, expect a constant fear of the chocking that tightens my throat.

Hi Schoening and welcome.

I am so sorry that you are currently going through this.:( I have had some similar sensations due to anxiety/sleep issues...and I know that it is miserable.

I am glad to hear that you are pursuing this from a physical standpoint, and getting checked out by a doctor. That is a logical first step.

The ENT can do an evaluation, checking and ruling out anything from a medical perspective. Also he/she may make a recommendation for a sleep study as D.S. mentioned.

If you have an all clear from your physical exams...then you can safely go on to treat this as anxiety issue.

For now, assuming anxiety is at least playing a part in this...here are some excellent coping skills that you can practice before bedtime to help your body and mind to relax. If you are awakened with symptoms, these exercises can also be used to help calm you down and get back to sleep.

Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:

 

http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/73076/34334/breathing-lessons/

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

Let us know how your appointment goes...and if this doew turn out to be anxiety related....keep posting with us for support!

Best wishes.:)

Scaredy Cat