Breath holding

[donna21]

Hi everyone was just wondering if anyone else experiences this. I have noticed that sometimes I am holding my breath, and I can't breathe out no matter how hard I try until my lungs release the air. If that makes sense, this also happens if I happen to nod off (which is very rare) without CPAP. Just asking if anyone else notices this as it is very uncomfortable and hard not to panic sometimes.

[archangle]

Can you inhale a little when this happens, and does that help?

[MaxDarkside]

Hi everyone was just wondering if anyone else experiences this. I have noticed that sometimes I am holding my breath, and I can't breathe out no matter how hard I try until my lungs release the air. If that makes sense, this also happens if I happen to nod off (which is very rare) without CPAP. Just asking if anyone else notices this as it is very uncomfortable and hard not to panic sometimes.

I had to think about this a while, but then, YES, if I understand correctly. When I first started on my APAP, when it went to high pressure, I remember waking up... either because I was having apneas or just because I was not used to having my lungs inflated like that. I could not breath! I could not exhale! It was like I was frozen. I had to make a real effort to breath out. I don't know why. It could be 1) I was just not used to the pressure, or 2) maybe because I was in REM and somewhat paralyzed (as happens purposely during REM).

It was a REALLY STRANGE feeling.

It went away after a while.

[chunkyfrog]

This dounds frightening.
You might want to talk to your sleep doc--a doctor, not a tech.
Mention your symptoms. It sounds like a form of sleep paralysis.
They might have some suggestions.

[MaxDarkside]

I think chunkyfrog is right, you should talk to your doctor. Mine only occurred for a couple days in the beginning when on APAP and not otherwise. In my case, I think I was just getting used to being "inflated" by the machine.

[donna21]

Thank you all, I will definitely talk to the resp doctor about it. The thing is it only mainly happens when I am awake and not on CPAP and even when trying not to sleep. I will have to find out, because the episodes will keep recurring until I put CPAP on and sometimes I will have to do that just so that it will stop itself repeating. I may not be making much sense but I don't think it's related to my sleep. I have had sleep paralysis before but again this was something that was an altogether different experience and was directly related to my sleep. Where as this seems to have nothing to do with my sleep. A strange one but thank you for taking the time to read and try to shed some light on it ! First thing Monday will contact my hospital thanks again guys x