Amazonian Posted March 23, 2013 Dear Random Thread..... I have just woken with the fright of my life...gasping for air. It was like my lungs had collapsed and just wouldn't inflate. I was making this loud wheezing noise as I tried to get a breath... Scary shit hey?!. It took about maybe 10 seconds to breath. I thought it was the end, lol. I can laugh about it now, because I can breathe again..yay... But what if it happens again . I don't want to go back to sleep incase it does happen again. I consulted google and it could have been sleep apnea or an asthma attack ( though I don't have asthma?). Maybe I have breathed in too much rock dust while carving and have recked my lungs, maybe I swallowed an alien in my sleep, and chocked on it,lol. I dunno, but it wasnt fun. Any one else had this ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted March 23, 2013 Since the upgrade, when i post my post, my paragraphs get all bunched together and look one long rambling.doh! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted March 23, 2013 (edited) Just read up about sleep apnea... I reckon this is what I experienced. I don't snore , but I did read it still effects non snorers. Edited March 23, 2013 by Amazonian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Distracted Posted March 23, 2013 (edited) Sleep paralysis? if you were able to move and such it wouldn't be that though Edited March 23, 2013 by Distracted Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted March 23, 2013 (edited) I read about sleep paralysis . It wasn't that, I shot out if bed in a panic trying to get a breath. I read if I sleep on my side, I should be fine. There are a few types of sleep apnea hey. I think I will go and get it checked out . ( not right now though,lol) Edited March 23, 2013 by Amazonian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bogfrog Posted March 23, 2013 Oh no, scary Amz. Do you remember if you were dreaming before you woke up? Could it have been a nightmare and you breathed in some fluff with a big gasp? Hope u had an alright sleep for the rest of the night and you sort out what happened soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whitewind Posted March 23, 2013 Respiratory things come and go, if you've not had it before it'd probably temporary. Leave off the smokes for a week or two and don't breathe dust or fumes, probably clear up. It could be asthma, that's a bit random too I appear to have developed a bit recently. If it happens again, go to the doc and get it checked out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted March 24, 2013 (edited) Oh no, scary Amz. Do you remember if you were dreaming before you woke up? Could it have been a nightmare and you breathed in some fluff with a big gasp? Hope u had an alright sleep for the rest of the night and you sort out what happened soon. I don't recall dreaming before hand. I dunno...it was ...um... hard to put into words how i felt.. it was like a really bad trip...not that i have tripped, but i can imagine it would be like that...a mix of anxiety and fear and thoughts of death. I did get back to sleep, but i was a bit hesitant hey,lol. Respiratory things come and go, if you've not had it before it'd probably temporary. Leave off the smokes for a week or two and don't breathe dust or fumes, probably clear up. It could be asthma, that's a bit random too I appear to have developed a bit recently. If it happens again, go to the doc and get it checked out. I dont smoke ciggys, but i do a lot of craft work with wood and stone, and i know i have breathed in the dust from this stuff. I have a face mask, but its a cheap shitty disposable thing that just makes you all sweaty,lol. I read that 'Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain periodically fails to activate the breathing muscles in the chest'. It was sort of like that. It was like my lungs had broken, and i did think they were not going to work again. . I hope it never happens again. Edited March 24, 2013 by Amazonian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CβL Posted March 25, 2013 .. As long as they don't use too many big words, that is. What's wrong with big words? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CβL Posted March 25, 2013 Hey Amz - that's absolutely not-nice to hear I have some advice for something you can do to improve this in the medium-long term (I'm just going to assume you don't know already - sorry if you do). It's called diaphragm-breathing, and it will help your body to draw stronger breaths. It's a must for good athletes and vocalists. I'm not very good at describing it, so I will cheat and will just link the wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaphragmatic_breathingIt will feel absolutely weird, and you won't like it for a long time. But you must trust that it will be good for you, and then it will. Secondly, your diaphragm muscles won't be well developed if you don't practice often, so you won't feel like you can do it for very long. So maybe try for a minute every day, and add on 10 seconds each day (at least), and soon you will have this alternative way of breathing that will give you confidence as well as physically letting you breathe better. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kindness Posted March 25, 2013 Its not cool being the old dude at a party 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted March 25, 2013 Its not cool being the old dude at a party try being the shy guy who is unable to talk to people........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) @CBL... Thanks for the advice . I have heard about diaphragm breathing....though I have never really made a proper attempt at doing it. I will make an effort to do it now. . I was thinking if it happened again (gawd forbid)I would try and pay more attention to exactly where the problem is...maybe it was in my throat,like it was constricted.?!, . I just don't know.. I was in such a panic, I didn't pay attention. I was also thinking some time at the beach might help my lungs, you know, since the salty sea air is full of minerals and what not(apparently). Anyway... Here's to unobstructed breathing, and a good nights sleep. Thanks again CBL. Edit: by the way, I did go and see the local quack... He listened to my breathing, and looked in my throat. He said it can't be sleep apnea as I am not overweight and dont snore?? I thought sleep apnea can affect anyone. CT would be the one for me to talk to. Anyway... The doctor said he doesn't know why I stopped breathing and sent me on my way. I never go to the doctors, so the fact that I was there should have made him realise I thought it was serious....stupido doctor. Edited March 25, 2013 by Amazonian 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted March 25, 2013 Its not cool being the old dude at a party try being the shy guy who is unable to talk to people........ Try being the person that is not at the party. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted March 25, 2013 try being the shy guy who is unable to talk to people........ Try being the token red head 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seldom Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) hahahahaha ^ .. token red head. p.s. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqHD5XZUosI Edited March 26, 2013 by self organising systems Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
endorfinder Posted March 26, 2013 Was it definitely a breathing thing not sleep paralysis amz? I've had parasomnias my entire life. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted March 26, 2013 Was it definitely a breathing thing not sleep paralysis amz? I've had parasomnias my entire life. I haven't researched sleep paralysis, but the fact that i was able to sit up and move around... i wouldn't call that paralysis... unless the paralysis happens while i sleeping.?!.. I might read about sleep paralysis (parasomnias) now. I am actually a bit hesitant to go to sleep since the episode, and when i wake up in the morning, i am thankful it didn't happen again. I told my family they need to learn CPR, lol. It should be taught at school...something useful hey. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrailBlazer Posted March 26, 2013 That must be some hectic shit Amazonian! Might be wise to seek some professional help hey! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scarecrow Posted March 26, 2013 I haven't researched sleep paralysis, but the fact that i was able to sit up and move around... i wouldn't call that paralysis... unless the paralysis happens while i sleeping.?!.. I might read about sleep paralysis (parasomnias) now. I am actually a bit hesitant to go to sleep since the episode, and when i wake up in the morning, i am thankful it didn't happen again. I told my family they need to learn CPR, lol. It should be taught at school...something useful hey. I could be wrong, but I've heard sleep apnea can be helped by adjusting your pillow positioning to allow easier breathing/better circulation? I might be thinking of something else though. Still, try looking for little adjustments you can make that might help. I'm sure there's a bounty of information on google. ...Just don't make yourself paranoid with medical websites (my girlfriend does this all the time). On a completely unrelated note, I've recently been looking into buying a retort for purifying essential oil tinctures when the time comes. Turns out my dad can provide me one (well, it's several components making up the same device if you want to be technical) for free! He's a geologist/metallurgist so he's got all kinds of science stuff kicking around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
endorfinder Posted March 27, 2013 good that it's not sleep paralysis then, that shit is nasty. keep a ventolin puffer around amz, they're awesome placebos if nothing else ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted March 27, 2013 That must be some hectic shit Amazonian! Might be wise to seek some professional help hey! I did try... the quack pretty much just shrugged his shoulders,lol. I could be wrong, but I've heard sleep apnea can be helped by adjusting your pillow positioning to allow easier breathing/better circulation? If you lay on your side, it helps apparently... and it has been suggested that you sew a tennis ball into the back of you PJ's so you dont roll over onto your back during the night?!...funny hey. I am self diagnosing and calling it Obstructive sleep apnea (As the muscle tone of the body ordinarily relaxes during sleep, and the airway at the throat is composed of walls of soft tissue, which can collapse, it is not surprising that breathing can be obstructed during sleep.) . So ... i figure if i prop my throat open with some tooth picks each night, mt throat shouldn't close up. Who knows, if it works, i might even patent the idea?! Anyway... thanks for the replies and support guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whitewind Posted March 27, 2013 I am self diagnosing and calling it Obstructive sleep apnea (As the muscle tone of the body ordinarily relaxes during sleep, and the airway at the throat is composed of walls of soft tissue, which can collapse, it is not surprising that breathing can be obstructed during sleep.) . So ... i figure if i prop my throat open with some tooth picks each night, mt throat shouldn't close up. Who knows, if it works, i might even patent the idea?! I take it you're joking about the toothpicks thing Amazonian? Please? I can't imagine anything more dangerous! My uncle actually has sleep apnea, I will ask him what he does. I know he has an air (oxygen?) mask by his pillow for emergencies. But it may just be a one off, nothing to worry about. I developed bad breathing / shortnerss of breath once and it was directly related to mould buildup in my house (lived on the north coast and it rained a lot). n I'd check for allergans like that, dust, even pollen, and steer clear for a while. If it happens again, go to a different quack and get a ventilator. But panicking will only make it worse - if it's asthma or related. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whitewind Posted March 27, 2013 Okay I spoke to my uncle, he had it for years before he was officially diagnosed. It came and went; it was only discovered because my aunt thought he was holding his breath in his sleep, and started breathing again with a snort. He is quite overweight and has a bad (previously broken) back so sleeping on his side is difficult, and he says it is strongly exacerbated by high humidity. Having a thin pillow helps, too fluffy and it holds your head in the wrong position. They reckon (and my aunt is a nurse) you should check out asthma first (doc can do an instant test) and then allergies. If these prove inconclusive, then you can get a referral from your doc to see a specialist - and the most effective way to test is have you overnight in a sleep lab wired to machines! But overall, the best thing to do is not panic, even a simple panic attack caused by a nightmare can cause someone to stop breathing - I assume that would be a one off - or trigger asthma. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted March 27, 2013 I take it you're joking about the toothpicks thing Amazonian? Please? I can't imagine anything more dangerous! I am amused you think i would consider jamming tooth pics into my throat whitewind.. LOL.. ( i am blonde(ish) but ..??!!. ).It was just a joke. I didnt add a 'lol' cause i thought it was more amusing if it did sound serious. Thanks for asking your Uncle whitewind. I have taken all you said onboard. There a many things it could be caused by, and there are ways to help. I do need to see a different doctor, the family one we have is useless. When my daughter was 3, she had a spiral fracture on her shin. I cant remember how it all worked out, but i had to ring this doctor to organize a plaster cast for 'miss 3'. The secretary on the phone told me i could just splint my daughters leg with rolled up newspaper until it healed..LOL.. She must have been related to Bear Grills. Anyway.. thanks again to those who gave suggestions.Appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites