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Sleep Apnea or Panic? HELP

Posted , 7 users are following.

morgan9989
morgan9989

I've been suffering from health anxiety for about 2 and a half years now. Recently went to the doctor for a full blood work up, everything looked great, so that made me feel better. This weekend my boyfriend and another couple went out of town for a golf weekend and drank ALOT. Needless to say, it wasn't smart, but it's not an everyday thing. I didn't have a "hangover" yesterday, but had intense anxiety. None of my medication worked and I was on edge from that morning until I finally fell asleep. After being asleep for 2 hours (Had to use Nyquil just to get to sleep) I woke up gasping for air, took a sip of water and went back to sleep with no problem. I'm usually a good sleeper. Has anyone else had this issue before? It was scary and I was convinced that I had sleep apnea. (I'm a chronic self diagnoser... also stupid, I know.)

 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • lena2015
    lena2015 morgan9989

    Posted

    sorry - screen went wonky! i never have been awoken from panic, but i know that can happen. alcohol is not your friend when you have panic/anxiety issues. i would resist the urge to drink to get drunk. being drunk has an effect on your system (obviously) but your system is already on edge. the stress of drink pushes you over. hope you feel better soon! if your the type to try new things, see if a guided meditation poscast helps you at night. i've just started that and find it really helps me feel calmer. whatever you try, good luck!
  • beth79547
    beth79547 morgan9989

    Posted

    Hey im 22 and suffer from anxiety and my hangovers are horrendous so i rarely drink any more only on special occasions. Alcohol is known to make you anxoius as you with draw from it. You gasping for air is probably a bit of aniexty mixed with dehydration from the alcohol. Were all guilty of self diagnosing dont worry but i very much doubt it is sleep apnea. x
  • lynne30411
    lynne30411 morgan9989

    Posted

    Hi I have health anxiety and even if I'm having a relatively good day I still struggle to sleep at night. Can't remember when I last slept through the night
  • gillian81509
    gillian81509 morgan9989

    Posted

    Def not sleep aponea you could have been v deeply asleep and woke with a start causing you struggle for fast consciousness and that may have felt like gasping

    suggest you regulate alcohol better as swoping meds for alcohol is not recommended it is imperative that meds are taken daily at a similar time to allow them to work

    if you don't take meds and excessively drink the fall out of dehydration and chemical imbalance caused you to presume it was anxiety most of us just put that sensation down to alcohol!! Lol

    if you want to get better you deg need to regulate alcohol as its a depressant

    • a18842
      a18842 gillian81509

      Posted

      I don't no why it happens r what it's called but it happened me for 3 weeks every night just as I was drifting off to sleep I would bolt straight upright like I was on springs and gasp for air it's an awful feeling I spoke to the gp and she said it was a symptom of anxiety....it's an awful feeling and the more I was thinking about it the more it made me anxious it really is a vicious circle 🙈
    • a18842
      a18842

      Posted

      Ps I didn't have any alcohol in these occasions
    • gillian81509
      gillian81509 a18842

      Posted

      Be very careful before your anxiety persuades you you have sleep spines as that is a declarable condition for driving and employment

      plus if you are sent for a sleep test and it is sleep spines you have to sleep with a mask on blowing air into your nose and its not nice and deg doesn't do anything for your love life I seriously recommend no more anxiety worry over that issue ensure you have correct pillows and are hydrated

      some sleeping aids pills will also cause this sensation

  • gillian81509
    gillian81509 morgan9989

    Posted

    Morgan read the reply I wrote to the other person by mistake
    • morgan9989
      morgan9989 gillian81509

      Posted

      Thanks, Gillian. I'm sure it was a combination of having severe anxiety all day, and even though I was drinking water I'm sure I was still dehydrated. I have read about people being awakened by anxiety and since it was so bad all day, I'm sure that was it. 
  • sharon22225
    sharon22225 morgan9989

    Posted

    Hi, this has happened to me a few times waking gasping for air then like you had a drink and went straight back to sleep. I've been told it's part of anxiety. I've also woken with full panic attacks too which isn't a pleasant experience. So don't worry your not alone. X but if it continues and you are worried ask them Gp and I'm sure they will say it's down to anxiety. 
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