Breathing problems

Posted By Jordan on December 21, 1998 at 16:06:23:







I have a question concerning a breathing problem I have had.  years ago I woke up suddenly in the night, I could get air in my lungs.  I had been soundly asleep until I woke up and I gasped trying to get air. After I was able to get air tried to talk to my wife and I had a hard time I slurred my words.  But with the other episdoes I haven't had this problem.  But I have had strangely enough a numb face before the next episode happened. I didn't have another episode of this for about 3 years, then it happened for 4 days in a row,my hand went numb and I had absolutely no feeling in it. Then 2 years later it happened for 2 days,the breathing problem only and then not again for 3 years, and I had 2 nights in a row where it happened.  I am not obese, in fact I am considered in good shape, I don't snore, I wake easily in the morning, I don't jerk in my sleep.  Is this possible sleep apnea? If so why is it I have so few episodes of breathing problems. My medical history is I am a possible with MS, my mri is clear, and so is my spinal tap.  I have had definite attacks that are seperated over time that fit MS.  I also want to add the I was fine healthwise up until 3 years ago when I had surgery . After that I started having MS symptoms. I guess my concern is the breathing problem, if it is apnea?  Or is it related to something else?  Some of the problems I have had with the breathing problem could be related to MS, but if that were true I would have had possible MS for 10 years..I read here that the MRI can't be clear for that long and still be MS?  So is it possible there is soemthing else going on?  I have been checked for everything else and they have been ruled out.  When I have an exacerbation, steroids work and I get my strength back on whatever side has been weakened.  I am trying to figure thing sout and I would greatly appreciate your answer.
Jordan