[ClinicallyClueless]

I'm have been recovering from pneumonia for about a month now. When I am napping, just falling asleep or sleeping, I will wake up suddenly taking a second gasp for air. I don't know if this is part of recovering (I required seven days in the hospital, 6 ltr O2) or part of my PTSD as I was suffocated as a child.

My husband has observed me doing this during each of the situations and says that it isn't that I stop breathing, but it looks as if I'm trying to obtain more air with a second breath.

Anyone, have a clue. I see my doctor next week.

[jbug]

It could be part of your system still used to being on oxygen. Though I'm not a doctor nor do I play one on T.V. . It almost sounds like sleep apnea too though. I would definitely mention it to your doctor when you see him next week though.

Jan

[ClinicallyClueless]

Jbug,

Thank you for your response. I'm pretty sure that it isn't sleep apnea as my husband has observed that I never stop breathing. Yes, I will speak with my physician.

CC

[serafim_etal]

The respiratory rate slows down when sleeping...this is why asthma and other resp. problems are often worse when sleeping. It may be a combo of slowed rate and recovering from pneumonia. Definitely mention it to your doctor...if it gets worse, call your doctor, no waiting for an appointment!

[ClinicallyClueless]

Serafim_etal,

Thank you very much for replying what you wrote makes total sense to me. Yes, I will contact my pulmonologist if it becomes worse before my appointment on Tuesday.

CC

[beutifulxdreamr]

Originally Posted by ClinicallyClueless

Serafim_etal,

Thank you very much for replying what you wrote makes total sense to me. Yes, I will contact my pulmonologist if it becomes worse before my appointment on Tuesday.

CC

You may even want to have a sleep study done to see exactly what goes on while you are sleeping that may cause you to be breathless upon awakening.

Good luck!

BxD

Ps- I have asthma and I often wake up feeling out of breath and it will hurt to try and breathe deeply. As another said above - respiratory rate decreases when sleeping. Also, lying down does not allow you to fully expand your lungs, preventing you from getting a full breath. It could be something at night triggers you too (air conditioning/etc.). Cold air usually does it for me at night time, so if a draft comes in I will just sleep through bronchoconstriction O_o

Asthma like symptoms and syndromes are not uncommon with respiratory illnesses. Your doc may want to see what prescribing you some albuterol will do for you.

[ClinicallyClueless]

beutifulxdreamr,

Thank you for replying. I don't think that at this time that a sleep study is warranted as I am still recovering from pneumonia and I have at least a month left to go with my Prednisone. I have never had asthma, any respiratory problems, heart conditions or sleep problems such as this.

CC