I go through this alot with my anxiety like I just cannot get enough air! That is usually when I do my deep breathing and usually end up taking a xanax to make it go away! Yes it is scary, but with me I know it is my anxiety and I know it will not kill me, even though it feels like it will!

Hugs

Not sure what your feeling. You should perhaps be checked by a resipatory therapists to put your mind at ease. I know these things can drive us crazy if we dwell on them. I know how that is. My mom told me a story when she was young about 13 she was laying in bed and started thinking about dying so she went into tell her mother she said mom I am scared what happens if I die so my grandmother's word of wisdom were, Well if you die you won't know it now go back to bed lol...

I have a similar problems with shortness of breath, chest pain and fast heart beat. My resting heart rate is 104! I have had an EKG and an Echo - my heart is fine. My chest x-ray is normal.

It must be some form of anxiety. I take zoloft 100 mg and Adderall - I am wondering if the Adderall is creating these symptoms. I am going into menopause.

It is scary. Have you tried Xanax? My doc told me to take it as needed. I have never been prescribed Xanax before.

I am considering try a new vitamin regiment. Maybe Magnesium.

it definetly is anxiety. i used to get it at night as well. one night i got so scared that i started crying so much that i passed out. the best thing and probably only thing to do at the moment is deep breathing and try to think of something else, i usually think about decorating my apartment.

to prevent this from happening, try to really exhuast yourself before bed, so that way when you do go to bed, you're too tired to be anxious. i dont know if you smoke or drink but i know that has happened to me on nights that i smoked and drank alot. also like rosepark, i also have a high resting heart rate so check that out! it might not even be something a doctor might tell you because it is quiet common. good luck!

I had that, It feels like you could sit for 2 mins without taking a breath and when you do breath its like you have to forcefully do it, like you wouldnt breath otherwise. I have always put it down to anxiety i also smoke. vonny x

SOMETIMES I FIND MYSELF SITTING WATCHING TV AND NOT BREATHING. I DON'T EVEN REALIZE THAT I'VE STOPPED. I AM USUALLY HAVING A BAD ANXIETY ATTACK. MY BREATHING IS VERY SLOW AS IT IS. AND I HAVE HAD ALL THOSE TESTS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT'S VERY ANNOYING AND VERY SCARY AT THE SAME TIME. I DON'T SMOKE SO I KNOW THAT ISN'T PART OF THE PROBLEM. I JUST THINK IT'S OUR ANXIETY.

The only time that I think I feel this way is when I am listening to my relaxatin tapes and my breathing gets very deep and slow to the point that I can't hardly see my chest move. I just stay focused on my tapes and eventually it goes away.

I have this VERY frequently. I have experienced this off and on for ten years now. I have seen therapists for my anxiety, I currently take a low dose of Lexapro, and I still have this happen.

Distraction is a good technique to begin with. Last December and January (07 and 08), I was battling with my anxiety in the worst way. It was like I was having a constant panic attack that lasted two months or more! I would distract myself by doing jigsaw puzzles online or playing solitaire. My husband and I even started staying at his mom's house because everyone felt I needed to be watched all the time (myself included)! When I felt this ten years ago, I would have to recite plays in my head (I was big in drama in HS) until I fell asleep. I even stooped so low as to drink some Nyquill to knock me out one night when I couldn't fall asleep!

The truth is, you can distract yourself to get through the momentary panic, but it isn't fixing the problem. Since you say it happens at the same time every night, you should examine what you're doing at that time of night. Is there part of your evening routine that is triggering you? Did something traumatic happen to you previously at that time of night? Even if it was many years ago, it could be creeping up now. Some emotion is manifesting in your psyche and emerging at this same time for a reason. Or possibly it emerged once or twice and now your anticipation of it is bringing it on.

Just some things to explore. You've probably already thought about all of those possibilities, but you should also know you are NOT alone in this! We understand!

I go through the same thing. Sometimes I feel like I am going to stop breathing, which brings on a panic attack. I try not to worry or think too much about it because I have been to the doctor, got a lung test done and everything is normal. My doctor told me that my lung capacity is a bit low than it should be, however he told me my anxiety may be the cause of this. He said how often when we are anxious we take more shallow breaths than we should, and this can result to us feeling like we can't breath at times....I am going to see a respiratologist later this month, basically they want to teach me how to breath "properly" again.

I've cried and worried about my breathing and dying too, but I know nothing bad can happen as a result, its just another symptom that I need to learn to control.

I get this also with my anxiety.

and it also ONLY comes generally at night.


the past few nights it has actually been affecting me again( after a long time with no trouble )


i will be sleeping and all of a sudden, i jump up, feeling like i cant swallow, and im choking and cant breathe! im like 1 second from ringing for an ambulance..... and then for some strange reason my brain quickly tells me its just this "thing" that i get... and with that, i go get back into bed and fall fast asleep again! LOL

that said, i do take a xanax each night before bed. so i guess that helps.


but i totally relate to the "not feeling like im getting enough air situation" i get this also, i used to smoke. so i quit thinking it was probably that. but do you know what i found more helpful than that? Getting into a good sleep pattern ( and yes i know how frustrating that sounds for people who cant sleep well)

but i have watched my body and i have discovered if im tired..... i,ll start to feel short of breath! :)


But please DONT start flaming me just because i found something that worked for me LOL the last thread i made about this kinda thing ended up in me getting alot of four letter words !!!

hi all, i searched google for some symptoms i've been having of late and have been worrying about and this thread appeared in the top 3. dear blessed19, i'm sorry to hear you're going through that. i'd like to say that if what you're describing is indeed symptoms of stress and anxiety the body sure does work in mysterious ways. i've been having the same thing you speak of the past 2 nights and it happens to me right as i'm about to drift off to sleep. i feel this tightness in my stomach and then it feels like i lose my breath and then i jolt up and start taking deep breaths to recover which triggers panic attack symptoms. it is frightening. what thoughts are going through you head right before bed or during these episodes? remember you're definitely breathing. i wish you well so that you can put your fears and symptoms behind you. i think i need to stop fearing and just let go.

Given your age and medical clearance it seems like it's gotta be the anxiety?
But if your like me your anxiety wants a 100% gaurentee and there ain't no such thing causing more anxiety.
Anyway I'd say try working on your deep breathing and relaxation. If you smoke get some help to quit.

I get this same way, lately I have been afraid to go to bed fearing I wont wake up >.< I have been to the ER and a psychiatrist everything is fine with me and they tell me I am not going to die. I was also told to try dairy products before bed like a glass of milk or some ice cream, they have tryptophan of however you spell it :D in them which helps you relax. Breathing exercises make me more anxious. I find myself staying up late on the computer till I can pass out on my bed. Try milk and just remind yourself that you will be ok :)

Hi..i have this same problem now. I have been waking up at the same time every night with shortness of breath. It is so scary. My head starts hurting and I think I am going to die. I am afraid to wake up my parents because i don't want to make them worry. One time, I started crying and almost drove myself to the emergency room...
The only thing that helps me is turning on my tv and leaving it on all night. It helps me focus on something else besides my breathing. It helps to hear people's voices and see light flashing in a dark room.
I haven't been to the doc but if this keeps happening I will...I am still so scared.

To me, this sounds like anxiety...It means ur worrying too much about ur breathing. When u have that problem, just try to focus on something else..try to watch some funny video or a movie clip or read a joke or sumthing that u love(magazines etc). Also, I heard it becomes a cycle if u keep thinking about ur breathing and then keep cheking to see if ur really breathing or not. So, since all ur tests came out positive, and we all know that ur not the only one w/ this issue, it comes down to just one thing: it must be anxiety and u just have to find ways to cope w/ it. Life is hard and people have different types of problems. Don't think too much, and don't worry too much. Relax and try to do yoga, meditation or exercise. Hope that helps !!!
Take care! Bye