Asthma? Sleep Apnea? or just Obese?

I've been sick going on 3 weeks now. Had my third visit to my PCP yesterday and I was sent to the hospital for an x-ray to make sure no pneumonia and they paged a lung specialist at the local hospital I finished a round of Prednisone(hate it) and antibiotics with no relief. So..... anyway, no pneumonia but the Lung guy told me I have a respiratory infection but also severe asthma. I now have to go thru more antibiotics also he has me on another round of Prednisone. This time a stronger dose. This brings me to my question. I have been waking up out of a sound sleep gasping for air and choking. Coughing up a storm. I don't know if this is because of my Asthma, if my airway is getting blocked somehow from being obese or if it can be Sleep apnea. The Dr. didn't seem too concerned about it but I am so afraid of going to sleep and not waking up. Maybe I'm being stupid but it's troubling me. Has anyone ever experienced this? Now I can't sleep well because I am jumping out of my own skin. Anyone have any input? I would appreciate it. By the way. Happy Thanksgiving. I admire all of you on the other side. You are all so strong. Can't wait to join you. My prayers are with all of you going in for surgery

Hi Julie, I'm not sure which it is - although it is probably asthma since the doctor said it was. With sleep apnea - you will wake up if you stop breathing - so don't worry. I don't think your body would allow you to sleep through if you stopped breathing - at least with sleep apnea. Hope you feel better soon, Kathy LAP RNY 12/3/03

Hi Julie, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a short while ago and I have to tell you that my symptoms were not as overt as what you are describing. My test revealed that I had 28 occurrences in an hour and that was considered mild apnea. My body would wake me to force me to get more oxygen but I was never physically waking up (alert to the fact I was not breathing). At the same time I was always feeling tired in the morning. I say get more information and press your doctors about what the problem is. Also if you are concerned that it might be apnea then ask your doctor to see a specialist. While the people at the site can give you advice and share our opinions, if you feel that you are having a problem push harder on your doctor and get to the bottom of it. Lynn

I agree with most of the previous posts but I have sleep apnea and before I was diagnosed I used to wake up out of a sound sleep gasping for air and choking and coughing. Are you tired all of the time (unable to keep your eyes open)? That is another symptom. In any event I would make an appt with a pulminary specialist and share your symptoms with him/her. A sleep study can make all of the difference in the world. It will ease your mind or get you the treatment you need. I use a CPAP machine and you can't imagine how it has changed my life. I am actually experiencing it awake now! good luck!

Thank You Thank You Thank You all for your input. My Dr.'s office called to see if I was feeling better and actually I'm not. So the nurse told me to give it a couple more days and if no improvement by Friday back to the Dr,'s I go. And they said they will send me for a sleep study. Another appointment out of the way before Surgery consult. Yahooooo. My spirits are better. I'm taking all my meds and praying for my pre-op appointments to run smoothly. Four days off of work will do my body good. Thanks again and Happy Turkey Day!