hey Linda,

You might have to prop yourself up with a few pillows behind your back and possibly have to get an Oxygen Concentrator to help you breathe properly while you sleep. You can take all of the sleep aid meds you want but it won't help you breathe any easier. Good luck.

Linda,

I went to my local medical supply store and got a 45 degree wedge to prop myself up when I sleep. It helps a great deal, and for extra support I have a pillow under my head. I do not sleep on my back, and haven't for a million yrs, I sleep on my side this little bit of elevation, helps keep the crap in my lungs settled. I agree totally with Captstt, in that all the sleep meds in the world will not help if your not breathing properly or even close to proper. Once you kinda resolve that issue, the rest should fall in place. -- hopefully this helps. -- Bill

Could be you are having so much anxiety it's affecting your breathing - the more you feel anxious, the harder it is to breath and then you've started the cycle....

Could also be sleep apnea...waking up feeling like you can't breath is a classic symptom. Yea, I know we're ladies and all, but has anyone commented that you snore a lot? That's a good indication of apnea.

And then, too, could be you are desaturating during sleep and as captstt said you may need extra oxygen.

Best bet is to see and talk with your doc to get it figured out.

Hope you sleep better soon.

Yep, I agree with all the advice given. I would definately suggest raising the head of your bed, or useing a wedge or pillows. Also get checked out for sleep apnea. My doctor checked all that for me when I was so tired all day I could hardly work, and he asked how many times I woke up, I said several, just wake up, roll over, ect. He said I may be waking up because my oxygen is going to low and I almost stop breathing. Checked out he was right, and I have been on O2 every since. I did not have sleep apnea, but that is another reason you might for a second stop breathing and wake up. Or you could be also so worried about all this you are afraid to relax. Please go easy on the sleep aids, as they are known to supress breathing. (Some of them) Google what you take, and read side effects. But by all means see your doctor about all this, and I wish you luck and good sleep...
BJ

Thanks everyone for your advise! will be making an appt w/ my dr real soon! I also forgot to mention when i lay down the front part of my chest starts burnning! I think I might need a oxgen concentrator, not looking foward to that but hey if it helps I'll do what ever it takes. I also do believe that if you can't breath no sleep meds will work! thank you all very much!

Linda, if you don't have insurance and the Dr prescribes an O2 concentrator, you can find warranteed used ones online and I bought mine from a personal ad on Craig's List in Cape Canaveral, FL. So please don't think you have to pay full retail for a new one.

Linda, if you check the side effects of Xanax, breathing difficultiy is one of them but then again it is listed as a side effect on lots of prescribed meds. The doctor prescribing this should be able to explain why.
I am assuming that if you are using a nebulizer that you have seen a doctor for your Chronic bronchitis. A lot of mucous can cause the airways to close. Are you taking any other meds for that? As most have mentioned, when you have respiratory problems, you can have difficulty if you don't sleep with some elevation. I use 2 pillows all the time. Under the shoulders not just the head. If I am having more breathing problems, I will sleep in a recliner.

I have an insomnia problem and I discussed the pros and cons of taking an anti anxiety med (Lorazepam) because as you sleep you normally breathe more shallow and the drugs can cause more of a slowing pattern but also the quality of your sleep is probably right up there with the amount of sleep that you get. Both are very important in managing your COPD. I also sleep with 2 liters of supplemental oxygen at night.

Talk to you doctor about some of the other possibilities that have been mentioned and see if you can't find a workable solution.

I wish you well because anxiety causes even more problems breathing.