I Can Only Sleep On My Left Side. If I

Posted on Thu, 1 Nov 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 1 Nov 2018 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I can only sleep on my left side. if I sleep on my back I wake up in a panic as I feel cant breath. I tried this last night and the anxiety it causes is unbearable. I am not over weight but I do have shortness of breath at times and feel claustrophobic.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!

I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to a panic disorder.

Anyway, before coming to this conclusion, I would recommend performing some tests in order to exclude a possible lung disorder or sleep apnea.

In this regard, I would recommend performing these tests:

- a chest X ray study and pulmonary function tests
- a polysomnogram for sleep apnea.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.

Hope to have been helpful!

Wishing good health,

Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (36 minutes later)

Thank you so much

I noticed these symptoms several years ago when I was receiving a massage and had trouble breathing lying face down. I frequently have the same feeling when I go to chiropractor and cannot lay face down for any length of time. I continually wake up in a panicked condition when I mistakenly fall asleep on my back

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information!

It seems that anxiety is playing an important role in all this clinical situation.

But, I would recommend performing the above mentioned tests in order to exclude the above mentioned disorders.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

Wishing all the best,

Dr.Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad