Watchful - Not Breathing Properly

[tinythen]

Yeah I have a CPAP that I requested back in 2001, even though they said I didn't have apnea. It's not that useful, as it doesn't remind my sleeping brain.

 

[Tinyflame]

I don't know because breathing is involuntary, perhaps see a physician. But lack of oxygen leads to feelings of panic, no matter what you're thinking mentally; possibly a cooler room, sitting up more, when awake deep breathing techniques (in your nose, then out your mouth- a 'belly breath', = x5 times the oxygen- great for chest pains too). Could also have to do with blood pressure, slow spinal reflex, back pain or pain in general (thoracic vertebrae), or your heart, etc. Even anemia. Plus stress.

 

[tinythen]

When I was on various SSRIs for years, I woke in panic several times a nite. The sleep studies showed I didn't make it into REM sleep each time, which is what SSRIs tend to prevent. That adds up over time. Since tapering down Wellbutrin, I can sleep thru 6-7 hours with one bathroom break. If I go back to sleep after I wake up in the morning, I get extremely dizzy and wavy. Very weird.

Everybody I talk to about this--my home helper (I have MS), my doctor, and my visiting nurse (once a week)--say it is anxiety disorder. My therapist adds OCD and depersonalization to the list. I too try to protect myself from the big bad unsafe world by clenching my jaws and diaphragm. Who knows how much I do that during sleep? I'm making myself do kitchen chores after I get up, within minutes the anxiety is all over my back. Then I make myself go outdoors to my little dirt track and walk very fast. Still in a daze of course.

It's like a freeze reaction whenever I'm focusing on tasks where I can't "watch out" at the same time, like when I'm online a lot.
Like if I breathe I'm vulnerable. This is a really primitive habit to turn around.

 

[seedling]

tinythen, you are doing so great knowing yourself and what is going on. Hope that there is progress finding an answer for you.