Waking up Suddenly

Hello.  I'm a bit of a hypocondriac and have anxiety.  I've been to Cardiologists at the University of Florida have had clear echos and EKG's; only showing a few benign PVC's on a holter.  I'm 34, overweight but in a weight reduction process and working out 5 days a week.  Every since I was young I've snored on and off, but nothing really loud.  My husband says now I've almost stopped snoring completely.  Over the past few weeks I've had a few episodes of sitting up in my sleep feeling that I can't get a breath.  My husband who was up watching television says I'm breathing normally and not gasping or snoring and I just sit up and say this?  I'm awake then, but it is frightening.  I don't have any other classic sleep apnea symptoms, I'm not overly tired during the day (I have three children and keep up with them), I'm not keeping my husband awake with snoring or waking up.  And the episodes occur only once, just after I've drifted off, and out of the past few weeks I've had this happen maybe 3 times?  I have horrible allergies and sinus problems, am currently on antiobiotics for another sinus infection.  Could this be post nasal/allergy symptoms causing this as opposed to sleep apnea?  I have low/normal blood pressure.  I'm scared of this, but since my husband is right there and says I'm breathing quietly I think it could be sinus problems?  Your advice please.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Tough to say without examination.  Sleep apnea can be a consideration, but less likely without the history of snoring.  To be sure, you can consider a sleep study for a more definitive evaluation.

Yes, sinus problems can lead to some of the symptoms.  An ENT evaluation may be warranted - as well as imaging studies like a CT scan.  As for medical treatment, you can consider nasal steroid sprays as an initial treatment.  

If these avenues are not revealing, you can consider a referral to a lung specialist - where tests like pulmonary function tests or lung imaging can be considered.  

I would discuss these options with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[Inanga]

i had YEARS of waking up with a shock stuggling for breath. This is indeed terrifying! i went through the apnea sleep test and passed. i had terrible excess mucous and continual postnasal drip all year round. An allegy sepcialist could only detect a mild pollen reaction but I didn't think this was the major problem. I worked out that it was a food allergy to soy and maybe wheat and gluten. looking back I have always had this but it got worse only after I started eating wheat based breakfast cereals and toast for berakfast about a year ago. I suppose it sensitised real good. Since avoidng soy, wheat and gluten my sinus and nasal problems have totally GONE. They were better on the first day and have got better and better over several weeks. I can breathe totally freely now and the best part is I can sleep uninterrupted for the first time in YEARS. It's fantastic. at it's worst I'd get maybe 3 hours sleep a night. Sometimes I'd be waking up every 15 minutes gasping. I can;t believe something so miserable had such a simple fix. I still run into problems if I break the avoidance diet - one bite of biscuit can set the mucous and coughing off. i am now very careful reading labels. best of luck.