:eek: I've had asthma since I've been 4 or 5 years old (I'm in my late teens now), and it's gotten worse as time has gone on. It started with just needing the occasional inhailer, then going to nebulizers, which was soon followed by daily inhailed steroids and prednisone treatments a few times a year. I also get CHRONIC sinus infections -- I get them about once a month, and they last a few weeks. I've become immune to ALL antibiotics, and sometimes I'm sick for months on end. When this happens, my asthma usually flares up more than usual, which I understand is to be expected. However, I've been feeling like a sinus infection is starting, and I've been having a new asthma symptom!

For the last few nights, after I'm asleep for a few minutes, I wake up gasping for air, so suddenly that I'm extremely startled. I'm usually really dizzy, struggling to breathe (so much that I nearly called 911 one night), and feel like I stopped breathing for a few seconds. I then do my inhailer/neb (if the inhailer doesn't work), and have to sit for about an hour to consciously think "breathe in, breathe out." I know that I'm not having like a bad dream, or hyperventallating (I've had that before and I know the "tingly hands, feet, and face" feeling... this isn't the same). Also, when I breathe, I notice that my entire chest and abdomen are moving and I can't expend any extra air (i.e. by talking), which I'm assuming means that I'm having to work too hard to breathe. :confused:

What I'm asking is, does this sound like a normal asthma symptom (perhaps just asthma that isn't being managed well enough), or does it sound like something more serious that I need to make an emergency appointment on tomorrow morning (a Sunday) for?

I know this was really long, but I appreciate you taking the time to read this and if you can offer any advice! Thank you!

Melissa,
If you have symptoms that severe and are having trouble breathing then by all means you should call 911. I think you should make sure you are very well propped up with pillows and not lying flat in bed as you sleep--your lungs expand better when you are upright.
You should definately call your doctor on Monday and make an appt. to be seen so he can evaluate your medications. He may want you to have a sleep test to rule out apnea.
Ask your MD if you can start taking vitamin C supplements, it could help your condition.

Melissa765,

For the last few nights, after I'm asleep for a few minutes, I wake up gasping for air, so suddenly that I'm extremely startled. I'm usually really dizzy, struggling to breathe (so much that I nearly called 911 one night), and feel like I stopped breathing for a few seconds. I then do my inhailer/neb (if the inhailer doesn't work), and have to sit for about an hour to consciously think "breathe in, breathe out." I know that I'm not having like a bad dream, or hyperventallating (I've had that before and I know the "tingly hands, feet, and face" feeling... this isn't the same). Also, when I breathe, I notice that my entire chest and abdomen are moving and I can't expend any extra air (i.e. by talking), which I'm assuming means that I'm having to work too hard to breathe.

What I'm asking is, does this sound like a normal asthma symptom (perhaps just asthma that isn't being managed well enough), or does it sound like something more serious that I need to make an emergency appointment on tomorrow morning (a Sunday) for?

Hi Melissa765,

My first impression is that it sounds like sleep apnea.
With sleep apnea you wake up startled and gasp for air.

Your dizziness is probably because your not getting enough oxygen
from perhaps the sleep apnea combined with your already asthma symptoms and nasal problem.

I would see a doctor if I was you.
Going on a sunday? You might want to so you can at least ease your mind. Cant hurt.
I feel anything that stops you from sleeping at night & breathing
warrants seeing a doctor asap. Thats my opinion.

Second thing you might want to look into is maybe a panic attack but I believe you said that was not the case.

I had the same thing for a long time. I had sleep apnea. Since I got on a machine I sleep an easy 8 hours per night. And I was 60 when I got the sleep test done.

By all means, let your doctor know and good luck with it.