[tmf1291]

So when I laid down I noticed that I'm very short of breath and when I was trying to sleep it felt like I was forgetting to breathe I had my tonsils removed and my nostrils expanded for sleep apnea a few years ago could I have it again

[RainyDay107]

That definitely sounds uncomfortable and scary! I hope you feel better soon.

[tmf1291]

Originally Posted by tmf1291

So when I laid down I noticed that I'm very short of breath and when I was trying to sleep it felt like I was forgetting to breathe I had my tonsils removed and my nostrils expanded for sleep apnea a few years ago could I have it again

My parents keep saying it anxiety when it couldn't be and could be

[mote.of.soul]

Hi. No, it shouldn't be the sleep apnea returning as you've already had the surgery. Have you tried sleeping on your side? Maybe that'll help you breath better. Yes, try that.

[Llama_Llama44]

Are you doing "conscious breathing"? Where you pay too much attention to your breathing, so you get anxious about it, and then you start (or continue) to breath wrong / hyperventilate?

That happens to me. Thinking about how I'm breathing makes it worse. Thinking about something else (how my toes feel, for example) helps a bit.

When I saw a T specifically for this issue a while ago, one of the things he said was "don't worry. You will get enough air. If you totally freak out / panic and hyperventilate enough, you'll just pass out. Then you'll get plenty of air"
(basically, assuming it is an anxiety reaction, you can't really hurt yourself-
doesn't make it fun, but...)

[Llama_Llama44]

Also, it seems you are posting a lot about fears of physical symptoms and anxiety. It seems like it might help to really explain to your parents that you might need to see a mental health professional?

I hope the forum helps you- but you're just a kid, and it would also probably be good if someone in your community could be helpful, too. Do you have a guidance counselor at school you could talk to, or a teacher you trust?

I know it's scary, but it really might help you to see a professional / doctor.

There is also a social group on this forum called "teens who need adult support".

[Olanza-what?]

Hi,
I too have sleep apnea. I have Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome which is a combination of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, blocked airway, restricted airway etc, sounds like the type you have and Central Sleep Apnea is when the brain fails to signal the muscles/nerves to take a breath. I did not know you could have both and I now use a bipap machine instead of cpap.

It will force a breath if there is too long of a pause in my breathing and allow you to breath against the forced air which eliminates that feeling of suffocation. I have anxiety as well and believe it's a combination. I believe knowing that I may not breath on my own when sleeping makes me that more anxious when falling asleep and I've often waken up feeling as if I had stopped breathing. I sleep on a hill of pillows cause when laying flat or near flat I can not breathe at all.

My central sleep apnea was discovered when I did a second sleep study after 5 years of cpap therapy and still suffered with severe headaches. I am more compliant with using my bipap machine than I was with cpap. It is so easy to use and I don't have that feeling of sufficating because of the air pressure which is 16/10.

I hope what I shared was helpful to you. Perhaps you can inquire about the type of apnea you have and if you don't use a cpap/bipap perhaps using one may help.

[tmf1291]

Originally Posted by mote.of.soul

Hi. No, it shouldn't be the sleep apnea returning as you've already had the surgery. Have you tried sleeping on your side? Maybe that'll help you breath better. Yes, try that.

Yeah I did lay on my side and eventually I calmed down but as soon as I would almost fall asleep I would gasp for air and get scared happened like 20 times

[tmf1291]

Originally Posted by Llama_Llama44

Also, it seems you are posting a lot about fears of physical symptoms and anxiety. It seems like it might help to really explain to your parents that you might need to see a mental health professional?

I hope the forum helps you- but you're just a kid, and it would also probably be good if someone in your community could be helpful, too. Do you have a guidance counselor at school you could talk to, or a teacher you trust?

I know it's scary, but it really might help you to see a professional / doctor.

There is also a social group on this forum called "teens who need adult support".

I'm homeschooled

[tmf1291]

Originally Posted by Olanza-what?

Hi,
I too have sleep apnea. I have Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome which is a combination of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, blocked airway, restricted airway etc, sounds like the type you have and Central Sleep Apnea is when the brain fails to signal the muscles/nerves to take a breath. I did not know you could have both and I now use a bipap machine instead of cpap.

It will force a breath if there is too long of a pause in my breathing and allow you to breath against the forced air which eliminates that feeling of suffocation. I have anxiety as well and believe it's a combination. I believe knowing that I may not breath on my own when sleeping makes me that more anxious when falling asleep and I've often waken up feeling as if I had stopped breathing. I sleep on a hill of pillows cause when laying flat or near flat I can not breathe at all.

My central sleep apnea was discovered when I did a second sleep study after 5 years of cpap therapy and still suffered with severe headaches. I am more compliant with using my bipap machine than I was with cpap. It is so easy to use and I don't have that feeling of sufficating because of the air pressure which is 16/10.

I hope what I shared was helpful to you. Perhaps you can inquire about the type of apnea you have and if you don't use a cpap/bipap perhaps using one may help.

I had sleep apnea I had my tonsils removed and I got rid of it but I was asking if I could get it again

[Llama_Llama44]

Originally Posted by tmf1291

I'm homeschooled

So then can you insist that your parents get you help?

[tmf1291]

Originally Posted by Llama_Llama44

So then can you insist that your parents get you help?

No ill try to deal with it on my own

[Olanza-what?]

I encourage you to speak to your parents. Ask if you can see a pulminologist and perhaps a neurologist. It could be neuro? Don't give up. It may take sometime and combined thinking, you, your parents and doctors. It took 5 years before they discovered that I had Central Sleep Apnea, which is neuro because my brain is not signaling correctly. This may or may not be the case for you, and if it's anxiety, you can get help for that as well....but please don't give up. Sleep is very important!

I wish you all the best, be well.

[tmf1291]

Originally Posted by Olanza-what?

I encourage you to speak to your parents. Ask if you can see a pulminologist and perhaps a neurologist. It could be neuro? Don't give up. It may take sometime and combined thinking, you, your parents and doctors. It took 5 years before they discovered that I had Central Sleep Apnea, which is neuro because my brain is not signaling correctly. This may or may not be the case for you, and if it's anxiety, you can get help for that as well....but please don't give up. Sleep is very important!

I wish you all the best, be well.

I had an neuro