Strange Involuntary Breath

[terrymcc]

I am a 53 year old female, non-smoker and have no weight problems, and no known health problems.

Over the past two years, I've had numerous episodes where my body takes involuntary deep breaths, one every 7-8 minutes, interspersed with my normal breathing.  The intake of breath can be when inhaling or exhaling, and it when it occurs, it disrupts a normal breath.  Often the involuntary breath feels "catchy" as if I'd been crying or sobbing when in fact I have not.  

When the involuntary breaths first started, Sometimes I would go for 3 months without an episode, but then it would come back again, last for a few weeks and go away again.

Within the past 4 months, I had a horrible cold, and then a bad case of bronchitis.  The involuntary breathing has started up with the cold, and it is now contiunous, every 7 to 10 minutes or so.

I recently had an upper endoscopy, and finished a regiment for h pylori bacteria, however this annoying problem remains.

Is it possible this could be related to stess?

I've mentioned it to my doctor, and she doesn't seem to be concerned about it,  Unfortunately, it is of concern to me, and I have no idea what might be causing it.

Any assistance that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.

[sleep_e]

Hi ReadinginEden. It was good to hear you were able to get 2 weeks of sleep. It helps to know it can get better even though you're having a rough time now. No I don't have a Deviated Septum, yet our symptoms are the same. The longest I can go is 2 weeks too with normal sleep, then back to problems. It does seem to be at it's worst in the early mornings. Good Luck with the sleep specialist. It don't think my problem is Apnea related. I don't ever stop breathing or feel like I can't get air. It's just a abnormal sharpe breath that can come in the middle of a normal breath. If it's ok let me know how it went with the specialist. Keep the Faith the answer will come.

   sleep_e

[ReadingInEden]

Hey, Sleep. I agree, our symptoms are very much alike. I tried describing the very same thing to the sleep specialist and, unfortunately, he couldn't wrap his mind around what I was describing. He was less helpful than the ENT, whom I saw and suggested it might be a part of the nose that closes or something something. She spoke, using medical terminology and left before I could ask any questions. So, the sleep specialist was a dead end. He thought it might be allergies and suggested a nose spray, but I don't feel that's the answer. I will still try it, just, ugh. I wish I knew the answer. Thinking that I'll suffer from this for the rest of my life, always tired, doesn't help the morale. I know, I know - have faith.

[sleep_e]

I know the feeling of coming home from the Doc disappointed. I think the answer will come from someone on this thread getting lucky and finds an answer. The bad thing is you and I are the only one's left that post anything. I think in my case it's a type of Hypnic Jerk (limb movement or jerk right as you're about to fall asleep) but instead of a limb it effects my diaphragm. This causes the sniff or snort that wakes us up. I have a Dr. appointment Oct 5. I'll ask some questions. Check back here now and then. I'll keep trying.

Good Luck

    Rick

[sleep_e]

I know the feeling of coming home from the Doc disappointed. I think the answer will come from someone on this thread getting lucky and finds an answer. The bad thing is you and I are the only one's left that post anything. I think in my case it's a type of Hypnic Jerk (limb movement or jerk right as you're about to fall asleep) but instead of a limb it effects my diaphragm. This causes the sniff or snort that wakes us up. I have a Dr. appointment Oct 5. I'll ask some questions. Check back here now and then. I'll keep trying.

Good Luck

    Rick

[ReadingInEden]

It'd be wonderful if someone on this thread found an answer, but I'd love for them to post what they discovered/found/thought it might be. I'm so desperate, I'm clawing at anything at this point. I have a working theory that mine might be the result of an overacting heartbeat, but a theory, nonetheless. The sniffing is mostly random, yet I also noticed that when the "sniff" happens and wakes me up, my heart begins to race and once the racing begins, the sniffing is more incline to happen. It is like an unending circle - one feeds off the other. Good luck with your DR appointment! I always try to have my questions ready, but count on me to think of more the moment I step out of the office. I really hope your Doctor has an inkling of what it might be.

[ReadingInEden]

Hey, sleep_e, I was wondering, how did your Doctor's appointment went?

[sleep_e]

Hi Eden. Sorry I didn't post right away. I told my GP the symptoms so she sent me for a Chest X-Ray. It showed some scarring at the base. She ordered a CT Scan and everything seems to be ok. I have a sleep study (overnight stay) on Nov. 1st. Not sure if that will show anything. How have you been doing. I'm still sleeping bad. Hope you're doing better.

     Rick

[ReadingInEden]

Hopefully your sleep study will wield some results. At least, more than mine did. If you or they find anything, feel free to keep me updated. All these tests and drs appointments and no closer to an answer. One day, hopefully.

[sleep_e]

Hope you've been able to get some sleep ReadingInEden. I'd like to hear how you're doing. Our symptoms are exactly the same (they only happen when I try to sleep not during the day)  My "thing" has been pretty bad since the 4th of July. I'm getting about 3 hrs. of sleep a night if i'm lucky.

[ReadingInEden]

Hey, Sleep_E. I apologize for disappearing. I genuinely hope you have been getting more sleep. I know all to well the struggle and frustrations and horrendous effects that comes with our infliction.

I've been better. The last few months have had good and bad. It's 4:30 in the morning and I've been trying to going back to sleep and staying sleep for the last 2 and a hour hrs. Obviously, no success.

So, not sure how long this'll be but here it is:

I used to sleep upright in my bed, supported by pillows and pillows, and eventually a wedge. It didn't help, so I moved to the floor with only one pillow to support me and noticed a huge change. And for two weeks or so, I was sleeping beautifully, even if I was sleeping on a thin topper mattress and dog bed - why argue with results? I wasn't dreading going to bed, slept through the entire night, woke up without begging to be put out of my misery - even took long, peaceful naps. It was heaven and I honestly thought I had been cured. Wrong.  

Slowly, but surely, the symptoms started to come back. It wasn't as bad as before, so I kept sleeping in my makeshift bed. It wasn't until I had a Doctor appointment that I feel must have jinxed it. I told him that, while it was still bothering, wasn't as nearly as bad as it once been. Lies!

Even since then, I've been declining into madness. This morning has been the worst in a long time. In the last week or so, I've been able to eventually stay asleep without that "sniffing" thing waking me back up. But not this morning. I must have dozed off about a minimum of 6 or 7 times in the course of 2 1/2 hours, only to be awoke by that "sniff" every time.

It are mornings (or times) like this when I don't get enough sleep that I get unhinged.

I see a sleep specialist next week. Hopefully, I will learn something - anything.

I wonder though, if it might not have something to do with my deviated septum. I was curious if you or anyone else here has one? Mine came out of nowhere. They say it happens when there is trauma to the nose or something, but all I remember was one day I young and sleeping wonderfully and able to breathe - the next, I was struggling to sleep and my nose was always plugged.

Anyway, that's more or less what's been happening. I utterly pray for everyone here to find out why this is happening. Or just to be able to sleep every night without having to fight a war to feel rested. Those two weeks when I slept were absolute glorious. If only it had stayed that way.

[sleep_e]

Hope the Sleep Specialist was able to give you some answers

[sleep_e]

I have the same problem. I've posted about it 2 years  ago under sleep-e. It has been off & on for about 4 years. I just went 2 weeks with no problem and now last 2 days symptoms back (just as you describe) maybe 2 hours of sleep. I'm sure the heart pounding is caused by the anxiety of knowing you won't be able to fall back asleep. I get the same thing. If I didn't get the involuntary inhales I would sleep just fine. I've tried a Benzo (Clonazepam .5 mg) and it helps me get 3 straight hours of sleep. I didn't need for the last 2 weeks,but will take tonight. I'm still trying to figure this thing out too. Stay strong, the answer is out there .

[ReadingInEden]

Has anyone found a solution? Or at least a placebo? The involuntary inhale of breath started for me 6 months ago (January). Sleep used to be so easy for me, but then a few years ago I began to have blocked sinuses. Eventually, I learned I had a deviated septum. So sleep just became semi more difficult to obtain. Then came January. This “thing” came out of nowhere and kept me awake for three days. It eventually lessened, but it came and went the months to follow – only happening when I’m close to sleep. But now it’s doing it every time I try to sleep. I’ll blissfully nod off and *sniff* my nose inhales enough to wake me, and my heart starts pounding. And once my heart starts pounding, it’ll stay that way all night. I know it must be a number of things: stress, my deviated nose.

But why did it start in the first place? And why is it getting worse? Last night I got no sleep at all. I’m scared it’ll be like this for the rest of my life.

I wondered if anyone found anything that helped them control it or at least stay asleep when it happens?

[Panama85]

Panama85,
Sunshine of Michigan,
Well in Michigan they approved the medical marijuana law, but it has created a huge problem in apartment living because the smell is seeping into my apartment at night and I will cover my nose with my blanket and I will try not to breed deep afraid of inhaling the smell and smoke into my system and that's when it all started. But if I am outside in the fresh air, it doesn't happen. I complained to the landlord and she said she's working on the problem. If the problem is not resolved by August, I will be moving. I am 62 and I don't need to be exposed to that.

[Terrytireman]

I have Sleep Apnea, have had it for years and use a CPAP every night. I've never had the sudden breath intake problem before. Since August 26, 2016. I was in a chemical accident where I was doused with gasoline for approximately 45 seconds. Needless to say it burned my eyes, as well as ingesting and breathing both fumes and liquid. I have had chemical pneumonia since then. That is when my sudden breath intake began. I will either be stationary or ambulatory and it will occur, day or night. My belief is it is a pulmonary issue. You might want to check to see if you have come into contact with chemicals, even if you were in a room where someone was using a strong cleaner that was overwhelming. Deffinately see a pulmonologist.