I stop breathing in the middle of the night

[abducted]

This has gone on for many years.  I just stop breathing when I'm sleeping.  I will wake up and realize i'm not breathing and panic.  The only thing I can do to start breathing again is swallowing.  It's not all the time, but certainly has happened enough to scare me.  Maybe 1x per month or more for the last 10 years.  I also have supraventricular tachycardia but not sure they're related.

[Ihatepalps2]

I would bet just about anything that its OSA..Obstructed Sleep Apnea. Ive had it for about 12 years. Thats how I remember feeling...waking up gasping, choking...knowing that I wasnt breathing. Mine was pretty severe--more than yours--but its pretty simple to treat..I went in for a sleep study, they found yes, I was found to have stopped breathing HUNDREDS of times. I was fitted with a CPAP machine (not attractive,and not particularily comfortable--but I would NEVER sleep without mine now) which gently blows air INto your nose or nose and mouth, which keeps steady pressure blowing IN and keeps your airway open. I also sleep like a baby, and NEVER ever have those breathless episodes. You really should have a sleep study, though, and not just let it go--it can cause all sorts of issues if you ignore. Yours might just be mild enough that they might let it go...but it should be investigated. Good luck!

[Darlingorla]

I agree with Brooke.  It sounds like sleep apnea;  get a sleep study done as soon as possible.

I had the same symptoms for the last year or so - would wake up thinking I was taking my last breath, just awful.  Had the sleep study done, and yep I have mild to moderate apnea.  Now sleep like a baby with the aid of CPAP and feel much more refreshed.  Didn't like the machine at first but ended up loving it.

I had a successful ablation 3 weeks ago for AVNRT (SVT) and the cessation of breathing during the night was causing a strain on my heart.

Best of luck!

[Brooke_38]

Have you been through a sleep study to determine, if you in fact you are experiencing sleep apnea? My husband had similar symptoms and after the study was found to have sleep obstructive apnea. He now sleeps with the aid of a CPAP machine and is doing well.

As for your SVT being related, that would be tough for me to say. However, people who do have sleep apnea can develop heart related issues down the road. If you haven't already seen your Dr for this, I suggest making an appt. to get to the bottom of it. Good luck to you.