Waking up gasping for breath

[Triumph Man]

A few months ago, and last night, I suddenly woke up hardly able to breathe and was gasping. It felt like my throat was full of fluid, and all I could taste afterwards was some kind of fluid. Luckily when I sat bolt upright after 10 seconds (although it felt longer!) I was able to breathe. If it makes any difference I was on my front.

Any ideas? As usual the general internet search says I must be dying or something, so I thought I'd try here for a less morbid view!

[Brave Fart]

I had this a year ago - although it was every night, and I was feeling short of breath during the daytime as well. Turned out to be heart failure, because an impaired heart allows fluid to collect in the lungs. You might want to get your GP practice to run an ECG.
Sorry that's not very uplifting!

[Tri_Doc]

Could be anything from anxiety or reflux, right through to heart/lung related. If it doesn't reoccur, don't worry, if it does, make a mental note of triggers etc and book a routine slot with practice nurse or GP.

[Triumph Man]

Thanks chaps, I don't feel particularly anxious, I'm trying to remember what triggered it the last time. In fact I don't think anything in particular did. Hopefully it doesn't happen again!

[RacerMDR]

I have had the same.........a few times over a few years.

I've been old my doctor probably , almost certainly Reflux related (I do suffer from that sometimes if I drink too much)

the waking up choking was on non drinking nights though to be clear.

The Heart failure thing is scary - I hadn't remotely considered that - although I have ECGs for race licence and nothing has been picked up.

I also had an ECG for non racing when I was getting pain from the reflux - but didn't at the time connect it to the waking up not able to breath.

It is proper scary when it happens!

[liner33]

Are you overweight at all if you dont mind me asking?

My doc thinks i might have sleep apnea as I have poor sleep , wake up a fair bit and I've noticed that my heart rate is often high when I do , like 110bpm high but i'm not out of breath

That choking sensation is often (but not always) associated with sleep apnea

Either way a trip to the GP is in order

[Triumph Man]

RacerMDR said:

It is proper scary when it happens!

Oh yes! I found it scary, but I think it frightened my Girlfriend more than me!!

I've had an ECG before, but that was a couple of years ago. I do get the odd what feels like a "missfire" at times though, very rarely though.

[liner33]

Triumph Man said:

I do get the odd what feels like a "missfire" at times though, very rarely though.

Ectopic heart beats are normal, most people get them

[Yipper]

How fat and old are you?

Gasping for breath and lung / throat fluid is not a good sign.

[alfie2244]

Had it a few times..............scary is an understatement........... I did think it may be sinus fluid draining but GP convinced it is reflux ...... But nice to know I am not the only one.

[Triumph Man]

liner33 said:

Are you overweight at all if you dont mind me asking?

My doc thinks i might have sleep apnea as I have poor sleep , wake up a fair bit and I've noticed that my heart rate is often high when I do , like 110bpm high but i'm not out of breath

That choking sensation is often (but not always) associated with sleep apnea

Either way a trip to the GP is in order

I am overweight, I generally sleep very well though, heart rate seems normal when I wake up.

[WCZ]

I have this often, had an ecg and it was fine. think it's sleep apena

[anonymous-user]

It's because of your weight - read up on obstructive sleep apnea. Options are a CPAP mask to keep your airway open or to lose some weight.

HF is more shortness of breath alleviated by lying more upright and allowing any fluid in the lungs to drain back down.

[Triumph Man]

I had a conversation with a nurse on Friday evening (sorry to only update now) and she told me it was just really bad reflux, which I suppose would explain the really weird acidy taste sensation!

[NDA]

It's definitely worth having a heart check.... could be sleep apnea too, but that wouldn't give the reflux symptoms.

Get your heart checked.