Sleep Apnea?

Last night I was having a dream that I was being held under water. I woke up suddenly and realized that I must have been holding my breath. It took a few seconds for me to try and exhale, and when I tried inhaling I couldn't get any air in. When I finally was able to breathe, and fully awake, I noticed that my heart beat had slowed down a LOT and every time it would beat, it hurt. It took about 5 minutes for my heart beats to quit hurting, and then I realized I had a horrible headache. Lack of oxygen? The rest of the night I had a hard time sleeping because I kept feeling myself holding my breath and was afraid it would happen again. This has never happened to me before, except a few years back I woke up twice because I couldn't inhale. Do you think this could be sleep apnea? What should I do about it? I also get panic attacks, could the two be related? What if I don't wake myself up next time?!?!?!

[National Jewish]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the back flow of stomach contents, including digestive juices, into the esophagus or food tube.  This is most commonly called acid reflux or heartburn.  This reflux can come all the way up into the mouth and nose.  When this happens the material can be aspirated, dribbling into the windpipe and lungs.  Your symptoms could be caused by vocal cord spasm from reflux.  Please check with your doctor about this possibility.

This could also be sleep apnea.  You definitely need a sleep study to know what is causing this.  However you are quite unlikely to die in your sleep from either of these.

[Aruba417]

I forgot to mention I am 24 years old, healthy, female, excercise 4 days a week with no breathing problems.

[redrose123]

I have a similar case but for me it happen when I am awake most of the time just laying down in my bed flat. Suddenly I can not breath and stand up from my bed so fast searching for air, sometimes run thru the house or jump. Is a desperate situation for my family. After a few second I can get complete air and try to relax. I go to the kitchen get a glass of water. When I sleep in my bed reclining position ( I have a position bed ) so I do not have that problem, normally when I am flat in the bed. But do not have every day. I feel that I have some secretion/mocus accumulation in my throat between my nose and mouth section. I do not feel sick, I do not have a sore throat, it just happen. I do not know if I am allergic to something that I am eating or drinking that can be producing that secretion/mocus. I drink coffee every morning, I drink soy milk almost every day. So I really do not know if does things could be the problem, what could be producing that, if someone have a response please let me know. Thanks.

[AB86]

I also had a dream, but for me it was that I was being choked by someone, and when they let go I awoke gasping for air. I am really afraid that next time this happens I will not awake and die. :(

[JED315]

A related discussion, Unable to breathe in recovery room was started.