Question for PT Nurses . . .

I had the wierdest experience early this morning and I was wondering if any of you are nurses, if you have ever heard of this, or know what happened to me.

I woke up at 5 a.m., sat straight up in bed . . . I couldn't breathe AT ALL!!! My throat was completely closed SHUT! It felt like it was below my throat, but I don't know what all of those pipes are called, LOL. Anyway, I'm not talking about just having a hard time breathing, I'm talking NO AIR AT ALL! It was the strangest thing I'd ever felt . . . I struggled to breathe and couldn't so I started swallowing really hard, trying to get those muscles to start working . . . after swallowing and swallowing . . . for what seemed like forever, I felt a small opening and then started gasping for air. I felt like I'd been under water for ever! I did this for awhile and then it opened up and I could breathe normally.

My throat never felt sore, but I've felt like crap all day today.

Ironic thing is, my cat had her first asthma attack on Saturday night. Strange . . .

So my question is . . . was this just a concidence? Any idea what could have caused me to do this?

All I know is that I've never been so scared in my whole life! It was horrible!

I got out of bed, went downstairs & watched TV until hubby got up for work. I was too scared to go back to sleep.

Im not a nurse, but that sounds extremely scary. I would have freaked out! :p

Glad to hear your OK!

My husband does that sometimes..feels like he is strangling and can't swallow or anything. Not sure what it is..I know he is a heavy snorer and always felt it had something to do with that..do you snore?

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Originally posted by GraciesMommy
My husband does that sometimes..feels like he is strangling and can't swallow or anything. Not sure what it is..I know he is a heavy snorer and always felt it had something to do with that..do you snore?

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I snore, but not bad . . . or at least that's what hubby says and he's very honest with me.

This wasn't a strangle . . . I've done that too . . . this was different. No air at all.

Sounds to me like it *could be* a panic attack. Or maybe an allergic reaction or asthma attack.
If you take any prescription medication you might want to read over all the possible side effects noted.

christa, you may want to PM sirrahbed, I know she was/is a nurse. So was/is Sandra (tatsxxx11). They can probably give you some good advice, but I think you should see your Dr.

Sounds like anxiety/panic, like Kate said, to me too.

Sounds like an asthma attack to me! I wouldn't mess around with this .... get to the doctor and find out what it is! Good luck, and please update us!;)

I was thinking sleep apnea.....in any event, I would prolly consult a doctor.

I'd see a doctor.

Andy sat straight up in bed one night, unable to breath....and I think you know the rest.

Not saying you have a collapsed lung, but Andy put off seeing the doctor and he probably could of avoided surgery had he gone in sooner.

No problems last night. I was scared to death to go to sleep, but I slept through the night no problem.

Wierd thing is, I have felt like crap all day! Kind of flu like symptoms. I just hurt & ache all over & have a headache . . . I just don't understand.

I hate going to the doctor . . . I always put it off!

That doesn't sounds good, especially if you feel ill today.

I would at least call your doctor.

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Originally posted by Cataholic
I was thinking sleep apnea.....in any event, I would prolly consult a doctor.

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Mike's uncle has sleep apnea, and that's one of the symptoms. It could be anything though, see a doctor! In fact, if you do have sleep apnea, it's probably a good thing that you woke up. You might actually be doing that often in your sleep, this just happens to be the first time that you caught yourself.

My SIL just discovered she has that. They've been doing tests and I think she's going to have an operation for it pretty soon. I would go to a doctor asap. It's nothing to mess around with.

It doesn't sound like asthma, as no amount of swallowing helps an asthma attack that I know of. I have had asthma since I was 5 years old. Do GO TO THE DOCTOR! Yes, I'm shouting. Do I have to drive to Kentucky, bop you on the head and take you?