stopping breathing when falling asleep

[marykly]

I'm 29yrs. old, and fo the last 2-3months (not every night), just as i'm about to fall deep asleep i wake up not breathing. I know this may sound stupid, but I can actually feel myself stopping breathing, then wake up fully gasping for air. It usually happens again before i finally go off, but sometimes i've actually woken up in the middle of the night struggling to breath. I'm not overweight or anything like that but I am a light smoker. Please can I have some advice about this. Thanks!!

[idesofmarch]

Tell your doctor what has been happening TODAY. Sound like you have a type of sleep apnea and it could be dangerous.  You probably stop breathing more than you realize. I have it and didn't know it until I got married, my husband is the one that noticed the problem all night long.  I didn't know that I stopped breathing 100 x per hr.  Also came out of deep sleep constantly without knowing it. Ask to have a sleep study done ASAP. Until then, sleep on your side or on 2 pillows on your back.  If you chose your side, tape a tennis ball or like item to your back (pj's top) so when you turn over to your back it will hurt enough to turn you back to your side.  Side sleeping lessens the apneas.  Get help now....

[KatEyes]

Agree with idesofmarch - your symptoms merit a sleep study.

Contrary to popular thinking, many people with sleep apnea are young and fit. Throat structure, inset jawbone, tongue size, enlarged tonsils... so many possible contributing factors to obstructive sleep apnea besides weight. And while snoring can be a warning sign, not everyone with OSA snores.

There is also a kind of sleep apnea called central sleep apnea, which is of neurological origin.

Only a sleep study can tell you for sure what is happening while you sleep. There are health hazards associated with untreated sleep apnea. Not the kind of thing it would be wise to ignore.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Since when are you experiencing this problem?
This is quite possibly sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea stop breathing for at least 10-30 seconds at a time during sleep.
There are two kinds of sleep apnea obstructive and central.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the windpipe gets blocked by tongue, tonsils, uvula, fatty tissue in the throat or relaxed throat muscle.
Central apnea is rare and is due to failure of brain signaling mechanism.
I would suggest you to schedule an appointment with your doctor and get a sleep study done. Meanwhile quit smoking, alcohol and try to sleep on your side rather than on your back. Take care! Please keep us posted.

[punkybruce123]

I have had the same thing happen to me almost every night for the past 2 years. The second you tell someone you "gasp for air", they immediately say sleep apnea, and that you should get a sleep study.
I got a sleep study, (even though I have none of the traits), and they said I definitely don't have sleep apnea. They also couldn't tell me what it was, and offered sleeping pills. People have such a hard time grasping that it is not happening all through the night. Just once or twice while going into a deeper sleep. I dont smoke but I feel like mine is anxiety.
Good luck to you and get use to people telling you it's sleep apnea.