COPD & Emphysema Support Group

I can only go the the hairdresser after hours when there are fewer chemicals, because I do get reactions.
I use only acceptable 'green'/ kid safe home products. Some cleaners linger enough to cause me a reaction after being in them for a period of time
My guess would be you desaturate during sleep or your breathing rate is greatly slowed or shallow. If you have never had a sleep study, you should check with your doctor immediately. There are so many things to help you which will allow you to feel better and safeguard your heart. Hope this helps. Hugs Ohana

Thank you for your advice. I will talk with the doctor about these episodes with waking up in the early morning... I have been all day let see what happens tonight. I hope it does not happen because it scares the crap of me.

I have found my lings just cannot handle fumes well at all. I now only use vinegar, which kills bacteria, baking soda, lemons and 20 mule team borax for cleaning. So far I have found nothing in my house that cannot be cleaned with these simple products. Lemons are great air fresheners, those spray air fresheners scare the shit out of me !!

Anxiety can make you feel very short of breath but, to wake up in the night not bring able to breath well, time to call the doctor and see what can help you with that. Sleep study probably real good idea
Good Luck,
Leenabean

Thank you all for your great information.. I had told the lung doctor the last time that this was happening he told me to take xanex and spray Combinvent before I go to bed... Now I take Singular at 9:00pm and a xanex. I found that sometimes I do a combebient and it makes it worst. Why is that. I am going to call my doctor on Tuesday. Hopefully I do not have anymore flare ups if bad I will call emt's.. Thank you.

How about the weather? Is it very humid where you live? I also agree with the sleep study suggestion. I had been suffering from sleep apnea for years and didn't even realize it. Cpap really helps with the breathing at night. Hope you feel better.
Donna

Leenabean, how do you use the lemons as an air fresher? Leave out cut lemons, mix a spray with lemon juice? I use the same type of cleaning stuff you do, but I hadn't thought of using lemons as a general air freshner by themselves.

I kept thinking of you after I read your post and I wonder if you don't have a few things going on. First you aren't breathing correctly during sleep which wakes you suddenly. Then instead of being able to recover from your episode, your body begins an anxiety situation on top of it.
When you use the Combivent, it speeds up an already speedy heart and you can't recover. ( This situation still requires your doctor's input.) Instead of grabbing your Combivent immediately, give yourself a minute .... or two of deep breathing with the bulging cheeks similar to pursed lip breathing. A minute of rescue breathing may help to calm the panic feeling and allow your heart to slow down. Once you feel more in control of the situation, then you use your Combivent. I remember sitting on the edge of the bed with the inhaler in my hand, .... forcing myself into rescue breathing, trying to gain calmness and counting the breaths until I could use my inhaler and hold the meds in for a few seconds.
I am sure different things work for each of us. I have my mattress elevated with a rolled blanket under it. Then I don't have to use so many pillows that cause neck problems for me. I think it helps me breathe better during sleep. Let us know how you are doing. Hugs

Interesting. If I use Combivent first- I also tend to have a bout of worse coughing. But if I first use my Albuterol, then go for the Combivent, the episode is less. Could the combivent be a bit more irritating? Is it for others?
Sandi- have you tried sleeping with a fan gently blowing your way at night? One thing that also helps many here is to keep some circulating airflow going. It's worked for me. Seems if the house gets a bit stagnant, I tighten up. It also helps during a episode- some air blowing in my face seems to be of comfort.
Good luck with your Dr. and definitely see if you can at least get a pulse ox sat check during sleep done.
Hugs
Lisa

you know what I like Albutrol better than Combivent. The respitory doctor in the hospital told me to use Albutrol and my lung doctor told me to use compbivent when needed. My MD said to use both..lolol... I had a good night last night. I was scared because I really do not want to wake up to that SOB... I slept on the couch with the cushion leaning against the arm of the couch that seems to work best for me. I did buy a back cushion with arms for the bed but I kept slipping down into the bed that is when I quess I woke up.. I just had started sleeping in the bedroom for a couple days. In answer to the air I have my air conditioning down to 72 degrees at night. Yes it is humid here in Florida and I remember now I had big time problems last summer. Had started to feel better around the winter time... Thank you for all your concerns and input. I am so glad you guys are here for us.. I hope I can help someone too.

Hi Sandi, glad you will be seeing your Dr. tomorrow.
Combivent just might not be the right med for you.
The specialists don't always have the right answer,
I know in my case my pulmonary Dr. really does not know me very well, my PCP knows me well and historically gives me the best care.
Hang in there, sounds like you are figuring some of this scary stuff out, it is a learning process to say the least.
I have heard hair and nail salons have the worst air of any public place...yipes !! I liked Ohana's solution of going after hours.
My hair stylest has salon in her own home and I just schedule when no one is getting a perm or color. I color my own hair tho, and do it outside in the summer !!
Take care, Leenie