Could not breath

[SyedJamilAhmed]

I am a male aged 45 years and over-weight 230 lbs with height of 05 ft 10 in.

Last night was not the first time it ever happened. I have experienced the following ailment many times during the last few years. So last night exactly 11:45 PM (about 1 hour after I fell asleep)  I woke up completely unable to breathe.  My air passages were completely blocked.  I sat up and then struggled to the other room where my family was still awake. I was gasping for air and was not probably getting it and I was making throaty sounds so that the breathing is restored. It took around a full minute that I managed to breath and until that time I was convinced that it was end of road for me and I was really panicked. I could also feel the taste of some sour food reflux which took a long time to clear. By the way I was sleeping on my stomach which is my habit if I could not go to sleep right away. If I remember correctly whenever this sort of thing has happened I was sleeping on my stomach.

I am scared and confused. Please help. Thanks.

[caregiver222]

Air hunger is a life-threatening situation.

In the event of a sudden inexplicable onset, an IMMEDIATE visit to an emergency room is indicated.

Think about the World War Two movies where the aircraft carrier is being attacked and the loudspeaker blares:

"General quarters. Battle stations! All pilots man your planes! This is no drill!"

The problem could be a clot, for example, that blocks the main blood vessel to the lungs. This could be caused by simple dehydration and inactivity. Or, the problem might be of cardiogenic etiology. A lay person cannot assume "asthma", which in itself may be life threatening.

Differential diagnosis is not always easy and best left to the person with an "M.D." next to their name.

And the problem should be addressed "as of yesterday". In a modern ER.  Not by "making an appointment".

[caregiver222]

The problem is not characteristic of "bloating".

It is of sudden onset and had periodicity, subject to a circadian rhythym.

It is characterized by sudden onset of air hunger, usually at the same time each night and over a short period things go downhill until the person may have cold sweating and feel they are "going to die". They are "on the floor" and feel they may die.

Usually there is a co-factor, such as COPD (Chronic Obstructional Pulmonary Disorder) or asthma. An asthmatic problem can also be a co-factor.

It is a problem that demands a telephone call to 911, if you are in the United States.

It is potentially life-threatening.

A differential diagnosis can only be made by a physician and this person needs to see one as of yesterday.

[maggymaggy]

I believe that you have bloating in your stomach,  even when there is no pain, the bloating will compress the lungs, and it will be difficult to grasp for air,   untill you can get an appointment at a doctor to get your stomach checked for mabee small ulcer witch will cause reflux,  you can try ENO  to make you burp, and liberate the stomach from all the air,    I take prescription NEXIUM,  but before I got the prescription I was taking ENO  half an hour before bedtime, so I was then able to sleep all night.    give me feedback.  good luck
By the way, the weight is not the main issue here,  I only weight 110 lbs, and eat very healthy foods, and I still got the bloating, and very bad one to..

[caregiver222]

Needless to state, you need a complete physical examination to include a cardiac stress test.

Your symptoms are typical of cor pulmonale, which is due to right heart failure, and not asthma.

This does NOT mean that this is the diagnosis.

It means that number one on your list of priorities is to find your way to an M.D.