Scary woke at 5 am feeling like having breathing problems

[notme]

HI

I didn't read the entire thread, so my apologies if this has been said. Sudden shortness of breath, especially if it woke you up, could have been caused by a clot.

See if your doc can order the blood test that shows if clots are present. Sometimes, they are small enough that they cause issues for a few moments, then make their way through the vein--but it's not a 'cure' unless they are busted up with Heparin.

Good luck to you!

 

[dragonlibra]

At ALS clinic today. 91% on pulmonary so breathing still ok. Maybe if happens again & pulmonary still good sleep apnea.

 

[susanf]

Rita, I have that too sometimes, Breathing today was over 80 at the clinic so it's not an issue. It has to be anxiety.

 

[MArcaya]

I understand the feeling I am sleeping with my "CPAP" even during my regular afternoon nap- Because I do not want to deal with the Breathing issues.... This AM I could not keep it on because I began to cough indiscriminately? why I do not know but this is the only thing that scary me. I do not want to choke to death... I want to go peacefully.. or maybe is a sign that the end is near and I do not like warnings... Lets' live life!

 

[lgelb]

Xanax and other "anti-anxiety drugs" (benzodiazepines) can cause breathing problems all by themselves. When you are lying down and asleep, your body has to work harder to breathe and the Xanax makes it harder still by causing sedation. I doubt this is significant with an FVC in the 90's but why start a drug known to foster dependency unless it is the only answer? As your muscles get weaker, using Xanax during the day could contribute to accidents and falls.

You might consider tapering the dose down, possibly in conjunction with starting an SSRI, if your doc agrees, as others have suggested. The SSRI may take up to several weeks for full effect, though.

A sleep agent like Ambien CR, Rozerem, Silenor or Lunesta might address your anxiety at night better, by helping you sleep with less effect on your breathing/alertness. It might be worth asking for samples.

I'm not clear on whether you associate anxiety with difficulty in falling/staying asleep, but if you can sleep through the night, you are less likely to wake up anxious or face bedtime with anxiety. Your to-do list sounds pretty extensive and possibly another anxiety source? Sometimes checking off progress you've made just before bed can help.

As ALS advances, of course sedatives/opiates are used to suppress air hunger when breathing is compromised. But since you have not reached that stage, at this point Xanax may create more problems than it solves.

 

[Sequoia]

Rita, there is so much good advice here already. Once you see your ALS Clinic, you will find that they will help you know what to do and when to do it. That will take a little of the worry out of things. My breathing is affected now and I use a bipap.....I sleep have the night in bed with elevated head and half the night in my comfy lounge chair. It takes some getting used to, and I am not quite there yet....kinda of restless sleeping. But i take a nap after lunch. anyways, relax....if your breathing is affected the docs will tell you and you can get a bipap which is wonderful once you get used to it. Keeping you in my prayers....you are not alone, we walk with you. Getting into assisted living situation is a good idea....I live in a retirement home that has a nursing floor also...dont need it yet, but nice to know that when I do I will there.

 

[HelenL]

I know nothing about the bipap so forgive me if this is a stupid question... is it possible that the bipap air is just too dry going into your lungs, and if there were more moisture it would alieve the cough?

 

[Miss]

MArcaya, I hope you are not using CPap. You need to be switched to BiPap ASAP. Try to get it with the humidifier.