It feels like a heart palpitation but I'm not too sure

[mio_summijns]

The past couple of nights I've been waking up in my sleep cos I feel like the wind is being knocked right out of my lungs. Its almost like someone has walked up to me and punched me in the stomach and I've taken that long awaited gulp of air after being winded.
I've been noticing that I only ever get these feelings at night when I'm asleep. I'm suddenly jolted out of my slumber because of these "feelings." At first I thought they may have been heart palpitations, but I'm not too sure cos it also feels like I've had the wind knocked right out of my belly as well.
Its only happened twice, but do you think this is something I should be concerned about and perhaps seek further medical advice?

[RNRita]

Hi.  Over the years I have woken from sleep gasping for air.  I truly believed it was sleep apnea.  I had a sleep study and, although I only sleep at 75%, they said I never stopped breathing.  I HAD THAT ATTACK DURING THE STUDY!!!  They thought maybe my post nasal drip stopped my air for a moment.  They really couldn't tell me what it was.  It is extremely scary.  I never felt like anyone punched my lungs, just that I wasn't breathing.  I would sit up and GASP!  Fun.

[lucyluu]

Thats is great info to know Lilmnstr.  I get those same feeling in the night but I think what is happening to me is night time anxiety.  I read a study on it and really identified with the symptoms.  If it persists I will check on what you stated.

[Lilmnstr]

no worries, I understand what its like to put up a question and NEVER get a answer.
Its frustrating!
But anyway I had to wear this oximetery thing on my finger and it showed my blood oxygen saturation was 79! I thought , "oh thats not too bad, and darn I had a great night sleep so theyll never see how I really feel when I have a crappy night sleep. "
Turns out 79 is really bad and I possibly was lower when I did feel more crappy. the machine showed i struggled between 2-4am. I did the sleep study and my oxygen levels were in the 80's which is still not good, and yes i did struggle more between 2-4 am,and I only had 5 episodes a hour, you need 15 to be considered moderate. I had symptoms like heart pounding, and waking up feeling yucky especially in the summer. They werent going to quailify me to get a cpap machine, but i cried and whined and they got me one because i may have "anxiety" who cares, i now have the cpap machine and have had it for 2 days now and can see a big difference on how i feel throughout the day, and this sounds strange but I cant wait to get to sleep at night! I know Im wierd!  After you do the sleep study, you go back a second time to sleep (they give you a sleeping pill) with the machine on to see how you do and measure your pressure of air you need to be programmed in your machine. Good luck to ya and keep in touch if ya want!

[mio_summijns]

Wow! That's an incredibly fast reply! I wasn't expecting someone to reply to my message so soon. yes, what you're saying sounds about right because I find my breathing is MUCH slower and MORE spaced apart when I'm relaxed and tired.

thanks so much for your hasty response!!

mio

[Lilmnstr]

maybe you have sleep apnea , I think you should see your doctor and he or she can have you wear a device to see how much oxygen you are getting at night while you sleep then they can refer you to a sleep study where they hook you up to wires and measure your heart rate ,breathing, oxygen saturation and brain waves while you sleep.Not everybody who has apnea snores either. good luck