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How Can Panic Symptoms And Sleep Apnea Be Treated?
Question: 1. Lately when I go to sleep I wake up in a brief sense of panic & it feels like I can't breathe & that I am suffocating. Then I return to sleep & it can happen again several times in the same sleep session. This happens to me a few times per week but not every night.
2. I'm trying to determine if these symptoms are related to sleep apnea or are they just panic symptoms?
3. A few years ago I was 172 lbs & my red blood cell count was high. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Back then & I would have the panic symptoms while sleeping on some occasions.
4. Then a few months later I lost about 10 pounds and was retested. At the retest I used a specially firm pillow & slept on my side. Under these conditions I was not diagnosed with apnea.
5. Now these panic symptoms seem to have returned with some intensity. I do notice that I have these panic symptoms usually when I am psychologically overburdened & when I am under work stress or family stress.
6. That us what leads me to think that that these symptoms are panic related & not related to sleep apnea- but I need a professional opinion. Thank you very much.
2. I'm trying to determine if these symptoms are related to sleep apnea or are they just panic symptoms?
3. A few years ago I was 172 lbs & my red blood cell count was high. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Back then & I would have the panic symptoms while sleeping on some occasions.
4. Then a few months later I lost about 10 pounds and was retested. At the retest I used a specially firm pillow & slept on my side. Under these conditions I was not diagnosed with apnea.
5. Now these panic symptoms seem to have returned with some intensity. I do notice that I have these panic symptoms usually when I am psychologically overburdened & when I am under work stress or family stress.
6. That us what leads me to think that that these symptoms are panic related & not related to sleep apnea- but I need a professional opinion. Thank you very much.
Brief Answer:
I need more information to answer this.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
By your history and description, possibility of stress and panic attacks related symptoms is more likely. But I need more information to solve your query.
So please let me know
1. What is your height and weight at present?
2. Do you snore at night?
3. Do you have excessive day time sleepiness?
4. Do you have Unrefreshed mornings?
5. Do you have constant morning headache?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
I need more information to answer this.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
By your history and description, possibility of stress and panic attacks related symptoms is more likely. But I need more information to solve your query.
So please let me know
1. What is your height and weight at present?
2. Do you snore at night?
3. Do you have excessive day time sleepiness?
4. Do you have Unrefreshed mornings?
5. Do you have constant morning headache?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
1. Currently I am 5'7" & weigh 162 lbs
2. I believe I do snore when I sleep on my back because sometimes I can hear myself snore then I adjust to my side & my snoring ceases. But on most occasions I sleep on my side & when I do sleep on my side I don't snore. Also when I had the symptoms yesterday I believe I was sleeping on the side.
3. I don't have excessive daytime sleepiness. In fact when I was 172 lbs I used to always be sleepy. But after I dropped down to 162 I stopped being sleepy during the day. Although I do tend to take naps in the afternoon on weekends. In fact my symptoms yesterday actually occurred while I was napping in the after noon.
4. No I do not have unrefreshed sleep as long as I get approximately 7 hours of sleep.
5. No I do not have constant morning headaches
Thank you !
2. I believe I do snore when I sleep on my back because sometimes I can hear myself snore then I adjust to my side & my snoring ceases. But on most occasions I sleep on my side & when I do sleep on my side I don't snore. Also when I had the symptoms yesterday I believe I was sleeping on the side.
3. I don't have excessive daytime sleepiness. In fact when I was 172 lbs I used to always be sleepy. But after I dropped down to 162 I stopped being sleepy during the day. Although I do tend to take naps in the afternoon on weekends. In fact my symptoms yesterday actually occurred while I was napping in the after noon.
4. No I do not have unrefreshed sleep as long as I get approximately 7 hours of sleep.
5. No I do not have constant morning headaches
Thank you !
Brief Answer:
Possibility of sleep apnea is less likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have calculated your BMI (body mass index).
It comes to around 26.5.
So you are slightly overweight.
Try to reduce 5-6 kgs more.
Your all other answers suggest that possibility of sleep apnea is less likely.
Possibly of stress, anxiety and panic disorder related sleeping difficulty is more.
So consult psychiatrist for this.
Please let me know if you have already consulted psychiatrist.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Possibility of sleep apnea is less likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have calculated your BMI (body mass index).
It comes to around 26.5.
So you are slightly overweight.
Try to reduce 5-6 kgs more.
Your all other answers suggest that possibility of sleep apnea is less likely.
Possibly of stress, anxiety and panic disorder related sleeping difficulty is more.
So consult psychiatrist for this.
Please let me know if you have already consulted psychiatrist.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Dr- you believe that a psychiatrist is the right specialist for me to consult? Should I do it in person? Or on this Internet forum? What types of treatment do you think he will suggest? Thanks -
Brief Answer:
Better to visit in person.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, I think you need psychiatrist for your problem.
Better to visit him in person.
He needs to listen to you, your problems, behavior etc.
All these are very important in making diagnosis.
Personal consultation is also useful in terms of counselling.
Psychiatrist can also give you counseling sessions which help you in dealing with stress and panic.
He may also prescribe you anxiolytic drugs to reduce stress and anxiety.
So better to consult psychiatrist in person.
Where do you live?
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Better to visit in person.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes, I think you need psychiatrist for your problem.
Better to visit him in person.
He needs to listen to you, your problems, behavior etc.
All these are very important in making diagnosis.
Personal consultation is also useful in terms of counselling.
Psychiatrist can also give you counseling sessions which help you in dealing with stress and panic.
He may also prescribe you anxiolytic drugs to reduce stress and anxiety.
So better to consult psychiatrist in person.
Where do you live?
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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