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Avatar universal

gasping for air

Hi there
I am 38 year old male ,exercise 3 times a week generaly healty,with diagnosed hiatal hernia ,GERD under treatment,and operated from deviated septum last year.

For last 2 years almoast every other night I have big problems falling asleep.
The very same moment I am falling asleep I start gasping for air my heart pounding like crazy and confusion for 15 seconds not knowing where I am this wakes me up violently and turn me in the state of panick.
The feeling is so bad and frightening that I have big problems of falling asleep again sometimes it takes all the night to fall asleep but if I manage to do it I can have decent sleep and once I am asleep this dont wake me up again.
Is this sleep apnea or something similar?
I am not heavy drinker but I have few drinks on friday nights and after night drinking I have more problems falling asleep.

Please could somebody with similar simptoms tell me any kind of solution for this problem???

Thanks
3 Responses
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Avatar universal
Not sleep apnea nor anything similar.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Jerry I am not really overweight this gasping for air attacks happen also when i am sleeping flat on my stomack or sideways ;but yes I want to buy one of this oximeters for sure.
Would be gratefull if somebody can share more information
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
Obstructive sleep apnea could be the problem, have you tried not sleeping on your back?  If there is obstructive tissue that can by gravity drop into you air tube you will suffocate, or more common wake up gasping for air.  

A simple and inexpensive recording oximeter test one night at home would provide a strong indication if you have the problem that night.  You can also buy a personal oximeter for about $25.  I keep one on my night stand and if wake up feeling short of breath and in a panic I check my oxygen saturation level..  takes about 10 seconds.  This approach led me to a full sleep study and diagnosis that I have a case of mild obstructive sleep apnea.  I lost about 25% (10 % of my start body weight) and no longer have the problem.  But, I am a lot older than you, so my experience may not apply to your case.  I never had the problem until I was in my early 70s.
Helpful - 0
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