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worst night time experience ever!

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Posted 10/23/2015 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
Lastnight, not even sure what time.

I woke up GASPING for air and freaking out. This has happened in the past, but this time it was much worse!

I DID eat late.
I'm sick and having problems breathing well today. Wheezing, coughing bad, etc.

My irrational side wants to tell myself my heart felt like it stopped, but wouldn't I be unconscious if that happened and not gasping for air?

Does anyone else have this happen?

I'm so upset...
Posted 10/23/2015 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Possible panic attack? I experience them almost every morning.
Posted 10/23/2015 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
I've gotten them before, so that's what i'm thinking..
This one just seemed so much worse,
maybe because I've actually been feeling kind of Okay lately?
So my body was like WOAH, what the heck is going on!?

I've been to see a cardiologist and he told me if I got the feeling like my heart stopped ( I did have a few times where I felt like it stopped for a few seconds, while awake and sitting up not doing much ) to not go to the ED, because he could almost guarantee that it wasn't my heart, he agrees with my doctor that its anxiety.

It had just felt I had JUST been awake, then like I was JERKED hard awake, seconds later... but im not so sure that was the case... Maybe that was a while before and my sleep was so thrown off that it just felt like it...
Posted 10/23/2015 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
I had something similar happen when I was first put on medication. Worst panic attack I had ever had. Definitely sounds like it's stemming from the anxiety. Sometimes it just likes to show up and remind you it's still there!
Posted 10/23/2015 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Right!! Well, I'm going to mention it today when I go to urgent care! I've got a nasty head cold think it may be a upper respiratory infection. My husband has one..

I've also got gerd, it's been worse the last two weeks. Maybe it's reflux too?
Posted 10/23/2015 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mel,

Sorry to hear of this experience...
...and that you are still not feeling well.:(

I agree it sounds like a nocturnal panic attack...or possibly an apnea type episode, since you likely are having trouble breathing due to to the illness.

Both could cause sudden waking, with the onset of gasping. ..and subsequent panic.

Do mention it when you go in...but I am sure that you are fine, other than the virus...which hopefully passes soon!

Well wishes!

S.C.
Posted 10/23/2015 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you S.C., I have had about 4 of these episodes in the past, been MONTHS since I had one! This was by far the worst! Maybe because I was dazed because of being exhausted once I laid down?
Posted 10/23/2015 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Have you had a sleep study? I'm wondering about sleep apnea. I know you're sick and stressed, but it's something to look into.

I hope urgent care can get you feeling better soon.
Posted 10/23/2015 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Stacey, I have. but since it didn't happen again for months, I kind of blew it off..
I WAS anxious before bed lastnight, despite taking medication for a panic attack...
which im sure aggravated the situation, and my mind set...

I mean, the cardiologist knows what hes talking about...right?
Posted 10/23/2015 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
That was going to be my suggestion is that it could be the gerd. I have woken up in the middle of the night with the same thing. It is terrifying. Maybe keep some Zantac on hand if you don't already have any just in case you eat late and think you might need that extra pill. I do that and I haven't woken up gasping since I started taking the Zantac.
Posted 10/23/2015 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I have an endoscopy in a few weeks to get to the bottom of my GERD/stomach problems. I see my primary in a few weeks, going to ask her about a referral for a sleep study place. Also get my event monitor finally next friday to "put my mind at ease" which if that doesnt, I don't know what will!
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