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Waking up unable to exhale
#1
Waking up unable to exhale
Hello,

I'm 39 female and for the past several months have been waking up a few times a night with the feeling of being unable to exhale.   It usually is always in the morning hours.  I did a sleep apnea home study and the findings came back borderline.  But I'm still experiencing waking up not breathing because I can't force air out.  
I've done sleep apnea studies in house in the past too because I snore and I'm always tired, but they came back borderline as well.  
I'm overweight but not majorly so.  An ENT once told me I have a very large tongue and a tiny epiglottis.  
Anyway, I was wondering if it's worth it for me to pursue getting more sleep apnea testing done.  Would a CPAP machine even help me, since I'm not gasping to breathe in, I'm struggling to breathe out? 
Anyone have experience with something similar?
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#2
RE: Waking up unable to exhale
I had exactly that, and it is terrifying.  Some nights I was sure that I was going to die.  Getting on CPAP made it entirely go away.  It is wonderful knowing that you can go to sleep and won't wake up in terror.  I think that a real sleep study in a sleep lab is worth pursuing.  If nothing else, you could rule out sleep apnea.  Whatever is happening to you, it is not normal and not OK.
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#3
RE: Waking up unable to exhale
Sounds like something i had, got better after UPPP, the part of the surgery where they removed the tonsils under the tongue, you dont have to have a full surgery, just ask for removal of those two under the tongue.
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#4
RE: Waking up unable to exhale
BlueRabbit,
Not being able to breath out sounds like you should see a Pulmonologist first. He/she will probably do some lung function tests. Rule out stuff like COPD.

And definitely agree that you should have an overnight sleep test.
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

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#5
RE: Waking up unable to exhale
If you have a copy of your studies it would help us understand your apnea.
Another option would be to trial a ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet our slightly better, a AutoSet for Her.
The ResMed brand is important because their implementation of EPR has the advantage of better management of the subtle forms of breathing disorder we have. The For Her algorithm may be the best one for you.
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#6
RE: Waking up unable to exhale
Yes to another polysomnography overnight.  If done correctly, it will not only show which problems you have, but they'll take steps to correct the problem with a view to a prescription which will make your treatment better and make it more sensible, and supportable (insurers?), to get new equipment that actually works for you.  You need evidence, and so do the people whose job it is to ensure you get treated correctly. That comes via the sleep lab.

And a visit to a pulmonologist is a good idea as well.
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#7
RE: Waking up unable to exhale
Before CPAP If I was lying on my back and managing to breath out my nose, my exhale could be blocked. Apparently I have loose tissue in my throat area that does this. It is only on my back. Haven't had a problem wince using CPAP--I have felt I couldn't breath but it was because my nose was plugged. Instead of opening my mouth I took off the mask. Can you mouth breath when this happens?
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