I hold my breath when I'm really close to falling asleep then I wake up completely because I get a dizzy feeling.  It keeps me up for hours some nights.

My family insists I have sleep apnea.  Doctor scheduled an in-home test but that showed no negative results.  My problem seems to involve the collapse of some area of my throat so that I cannot exhale which means I cannot take another breath until I wake enough to re-open my throat.  I produce absolutely horrible noises during these episodes which occur whether I sleep on my back OR on my side.

I don't remember falling asleep at all during the in-home test because I was extremely bothered by feeling my own pulse with the device on my finger.  Maybe that's why there were no episodes of apnea recorded.

With the problem I have, it doesn't sound like the CPAP equipment would do me any good at all since it seems designed to keep the throat open for inhalation.

Anyone have any advice on what I should do next?  

Note:  I am only in my early sixties, am not overweight, no high blood pressure, etc., but for many years I require a nap in the afternoon for at least an hour.  I have always thought this very abnormal but I just cannot get through the evening hours without an afternoon nap.  I recently heard that sleep apnea, collapsed lungs, and heart problems are symptoms of Marfan syndrome (a genetic condition involving connective tissue).  In the past several years, I have had several episodes of severe chest pain but with normal EKG tests.  Doctor seems to think it is heartburn but it doesn't happen at all surrounding eating.  Marfan syndrome can cause aortic aneurysms which, of course, would not show up on an EKG.  How would I convince my doctor to do further tests, maybe even one for Marfan syndrome?

Not only do I hold my breath at night, but I sometimes do it during the day while awake and then realize "hey you're holding your breath, BREATHE".
Sometimes I make strange noises that wake me up, but usually my Fiancee just tells me "breathe" while I'm sleeping and I do without waking all the way up.  She can sleep through anything so I might be waking her up with noise as I doubt she can actually tell I've started holding my breath.

I know this is strange but I thought I did it subconsciously because I'm a white water kayaker and we often have to hold our breath while flipped over.

Interesting to see others that have this issue.

Oh and for one of the earlier posters I'm 33, in good health, and have had no traumatizing events in my past.

llcoollutz,
Why did you do an at home test?  It is much less distracting and so more accurate to do one at the sleep facility or hospital that has all the monitoring equipment with the staff there watching out for you.  You may want to check into a test at a sleep facility. It is quite common to think that you are getting more sleep than you think you are and to think that you were awake the whole time only to find out that while you were not in a deep sleep you were in a light sleep without realizing it.

clk

  Well the last couple of days have been quite the breath holding. My chest muscles hurt, i know that i am under alot of stress, with all that is going on. Multiple back surgeries and lack of money at the moment. Married 3 children all girls, and i am spending for xmas presents. Happily married at that,(want to make that clear) also waiting for a work comp claim to come to an end . I have held my breath at night since i can remember. My Mom cheated on my Dad when i was in 9th grade, and Dad woke me and my brother up at 3:00 am to tell us, not sure if that has anything to do with it. But i think stress can increase the problem. I have had alot of counseling for the past and just want to get to the bottom of this. Keep the posts coming, we should all get a hold of good morning America and see if they would run some tests. Well i will be back. Merry Christmas and lets remember the reason for the season.

I have the exact same thing...I hold my breath and don't exhale. Girlfriend says I do this every night and I feel like a truck ran over me.  I've been to 2 sleep studies and they said I have very mild apnea.  However, the cpap machine absolutely did not help me.  This machine blows air in - I always inhale, it's the exhalation that I'm not doing.

I bought a $1,000 cpap machine with my own money because had so many problems with the insurance company. This still didn't work.

I'm thinking it's not apnea but something like it.  Did anyone get a resolution?

I wonder if the a high visibility show would be interested in doing a piece on this.  The MD community would possibly get motivated to persue this if it were televised.  

It may not raise enough eyebrows though.  

I have not been all that bad lately.  Stress level has reduced.  Weird though...the holidays are a stressful time.

Ho Ho Ho...

Well, I guess I have the smae problem as the rest of you guys. My roommates tell that they notice me doing it early in the mornings right before I wake up. They say that I voluntarily take in a deep breath and exhale really slowly making that high pitch squeaky noise everyone keeps describing. From what it sound like I don't have any problems taking in a breath it's just the exhale part. I feel fine and normal througout the day whenever this happens. I'm not sure how long I've been doing it for though. I think ever since High School. I'm 28 now and in good physical shape. I do a lot of running and swimming. So, I'm not sure if it's a controlled breathing muscle conditioned thing that my body is doing while I sleep like I read in an earlier post.

Here are my answers to the questionare.


BREATH-HOLDING (AKA "CATATHRENIA"?) QUESTIONNAIRE
Please only complete this if you:  “while asleep, take in deep breath, hold it, then slowly let it out (w/ high-pitched or groaning sound)”:  Y:45  N:1

DEMOGRAPHICS
Gender:  M:24  F:13
Age:  (<20yr):3  (20-25yr):3  (26-30yr):6  (31-35yr):3  (36-40yr):2  (41-45yr):3  (46-50yr):0  (51+yr):1

SEVERITY
# years ‘holding breath’ while asleep:  (0-3yrs):2   (3-9yr):6   (10+yrs): 11
Time of night ‘holding breath’ occurs? (9p-1a):1  (1a-4a):0  (4a-7a):8
Wake up, unable to physically TAKE (inhale) a breath?  Y:2  N:4
Occurs every night?  Y:3  N:1

SYMPTOMS
Tired in morning/during day?  Y:6  N:7
Tightness/pain in chest (sore lungs)?  Y:5  N:1
Headaches/dizziness?  Y:2  N:1
High Blood Pressure?    Y:3  N:3
Large sighs/exhalations during day?  Y:2  N:1
Teeth grinding?  Y:2  N:2
Snore?  Y:0  N:3
Abdominal gas in morning?  Y:1  N:1
Have awakened yourself from this?  Y:10  N:0
Have dreams of suffocation?  Y:2  N:3
Difficulty waking up in morning?  Y:3  N:1

OBSERVATIONS
Worse when sleeping on back?  Y:2  N:3
Worse when sleeping on stomach?  Y:2  N:3
Worse when sleeping on side?  Y:0  N:3
Worse when go to bed late/overtired?  Y:2  N:3
Worse when stressed?  Y:13 N:0
Hold breath (forgetting to breathe) during day (when concentrating)?  Y:15  N:1

TESTING / TREATMENT
Had a sleep study with negative results for apnea?  Y:12  N:2
Stress-test (treadmill with EEG)?  Y:3  N:1
Currently use a CPAP?  Y:6  N: 2
Wear dental appliance/nightguard?  Y:2  N:2
Burping/sighing helps relieve chest pain/aching during day?  Y:1  N:1
Currently taking antidepressants?  Y:1  N:2
Currently taking anti-anxiety medication?  Y:2  N:2

CONTRIBUTING (?) FACTORS
Have asthma?  Y:0  N:2
Have allergies?  Y:1 N:1
Overweight?  Y:1  N:13
Generally healthy otherwise?  Y:7  N:0
Exercise regularly?  Y:7  N:2
Smoke?  Y:0  N:3
Mouthbreather when sleeping?  Y:4  N:0
Have high stress/anxiety?  Y:7  N:1
# caffeinated drinks per day?  (zero):0   (1-3):2   (4-6):0   (>5):0
# alcoholic drinks per week?  (zero):0   (1-3):0   (4-10):1   (11-20):0   (>20):0
Use recreational drugs?  Y:1  N:2

HISTORY
Practiced breathing control as musician/swimmer/runner/other?  Y:6  N:0
High exposure to chemicals/mold/etc?  Y:2  N:1
Experienced traumatic event?  Y:3  N:3
Family history of holding breath?  Y:5  N:2
Family history of high BP?  Y:2  N:0
Family history of heart problems?  Y:3  N:1

OTHER QUESTIONS
If sleeping partner wakes you, does that stop the symptoms for the rest of night?  Y:0  N:3
Do symptoms seem to increase if too warm when sleeping?  Y:1  N:0
Do you typically wake up during night?  Y:0  N:2
Do you frequently wake yourself from this?  Y:3  N:2
Worse when dream?  Y:3  N:1
Thyroid checked and ok?  Y:1  N:1
Have vivid dreams?  Y:2  N:1
Feel like can't get enough air through nose during day?  Y:2  N:0
Deviated septum checked and ok?  Y:0  N:1
Have recorded the sound?  Y:2  N:1

IDEAS (add topics and your suggestions)
What do you do to reduce symptoms? go to bed earlier; yoga/relaxation exercises
What medications have you tried that help?  Xanax (helped some); Celexa (seemed to help);
What medications have you tried that did NOT help?  
What types of medical professionals have you seen for this?  General, cardiology, pulmonary, neurology, ENT, sleep, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, ...

When I lay on my back and try to sleep, I make a funny noise similar blowing out a candle but with my lips pursed tighter, just as I am falling asleep.  I just started doing it within the last couple of years and cannot find out why or how to stop.  Help anyone?

I have the same symptoms as quite a few other people on here.  I am not overweight and I hold my breath and squeek.  It seems that a lot of people are going to the doctor and doing sleep studies, but has anyone been able to find a solution to the problem?  

I am considering going to the doctor for this and doing the sleep study, but if they can't fix it, I don't want to spend the money.  Has anyone actually gotten help for this?

Ryan

I was just wondering if there would be a possible way to set up an official "survey" . . . like an online one with a "check the correct answer" type setup?
just so that everyone can answer the questions and we can come up with some concrete statistics? I don't know how to do that. . . but it might help to give some more insight. . . I also like the idea of televising the issue

Another thing. . . since another poster mentioned it. . . I'm not sure if I did. . just thought about it. . . . I also tend to hold my breath randomly sometimes during the day. . . . for quite a while sometimes. . . .

I just began episodes of not exhaling during sleep about 6 weeks ago.  Since that time, I have been to two doctors and have been reading as much as I can online.

One thing that I found interesting was a poster on some other site that stated that he was a mouth breather at night (which I am, too).  His ENT suggested that his sinus liquid doesn't evaporate from his nostrils as those do who are nose breathers.  This excess liquid has to go somewhere, so some of it drips onto the vocal cords, thus possibly causing a spasm when exhaling at night.  He suggested a prescription nasal spray.  I'm currently doing the same thing with little change, though I've only had it for 5 days.

Another thought was that some acid reflux may slash upon the vocal cords at night, thereby causing the vocal cords to be stung and obstruct air flow on exhale.  The recommendation was to use a product such as Pepsid AC at night before bed.

Obviously, these aren't tried and proven methods as of yet, just ideas to try out if you think it might apply to you.

My episodes seem to happen when sleeping on my stomach.  When I sleep in the recliner, I have no such incidents as of yet.

I am SO GLAD that I found this site! I've been visiting for a while, looking for info on my crazy night-time sleeping habits (sounds just like this catathrenia you are talking about - wow, can't believe so many others are experiencing the same thing). Going to see my Dr. (again) tomorrow - he's just a general; I'm hoing I can get a reference to a sleep specialist. Will try to point him here, if he's willing and has time to look - I agree with others that it would be good if more medical professionals see this and are aware that this kind of problem is real.

Here are my answers to the questionare (hope the posting works...).


BREATH-HOLDING (AKA "CATATHRENIA"?) QUESTIONNAIRE
Please only complete this if you:  “while asleep, take in deep breath, hold it, then slowly let it out (w/ high-pitched or groaning sound)”:  Y:46  N:1

DEMOGRAPHICS
Gender:  M:24  F:14
Age:  (<20yr):3  (20-25yr):3  (26-30yr):6  (31-35yr):4  (36-40yr):2  (41-45yr):3  (46-50yr):0  (51+yr):1

SEVERITY
# years ‘holding breath’ while asleep:  (0-3yrs):2   (3-9yr):7   (10+yrs): 11
Time of night ‘holding breath’ occurs? (9p-1a):1  (1a-4a):0  (4a-7a):8  (don't know): 1
Wake up, unable to physically TAKE (inhale) a breath?  Y:3  N:4
Occurs every night?  Y:4  N:1

SYMPTOMS
Tired in morning/during day?  Y:7  N:7
Tightness/pain in chest (sore lungs)?  Y:6  N:1
Headaches/dizziness?  Y:2  N:2
High Blood Pressure?    Y:3  N:3
Large sighs/exhalations during day?  Y:2  N:2
Teeth grinding?  Y:3  N:2
Snore?  Y:0  N:4
Abdominal gas in morning?  Y:1  N:2
Have awakened yourself from this?  Y:11  N:0
Have dreams of suffocation?  Y:3  N:3
Difficulty waking up in morning?  Y:3  N:2

OBSERVATIONS
Worse when sleeping on back?  Y:2  N:4
Worse when sleeping on stomach?  Y:3  N:3
Worse when sleeping on side?  Y:0  N:4
Worse when go to bed late/overtired?  Y:2  N:4
Worse when stressed?  Y:14 N:0
Hold breath (forgetting to breathe) during day (when concentrating)?  Y:15  N:2

TESTING / TREATMENT
Had a sleep study with negative results for apnea?  Y:12  N:3
Stress-test (treadmill with EEG)?  Y:3  N:2
Currently use a CPAP?  Y:6  N: 3
Wear dental appliance/nightguard?  Y:2  N:3
Burping/sighing helps relieve chest pain/aching during day?  Y:1  N:1
Currently taking antidepressants?  Y:1  N:3
Currently taking anti-anxiety medication?  Y:2  N:3

CONTRIBUTING (?) FACTORS
Have asthma?  Y:0  N:3
Have allergies?  Y:1 N:2
Overweight?  Y:1  N:14
Generally healthy otherwise?  Y:8  N:0
Exercise regularly?  Y:8  N:2
Smoke?  Y:0  N:4
Mouthbreather when sleeping?  Y:4  N:1
Have high stress/anxiety?  Y:7  N:2
# caffeinated drinks per day?  (zero):0   (1-3):3   (4-6):0   (>5):0
# alcoholic drinks per week?  (zero):1  (1-3):0   (4-10):1   (11-20):0   (>20):0
Use recreational drugs?  Y:1  N:3

HISTORY
Practiced breathing control as musician/swimmer/runner/other?  Y:7  N:0
High exposure to chemicals/mold/etc?  Y:2  N:2
Experienced traumatic event?  Y:3  N:4
Family history of holding breath?  Y:5  N:3
Family history of high BP?  Y:2  N:0
Family history of heart problems?  Y:4  N:1

OTHER QUESTIONS
If sleeping partner wakes you, does that stop the symptoms for the rest of night?  Y:0  N:4
Do symptoms seem to increase if too warm when sleeping?  Y:1  N:1
Do you typically wake up during night?  Y:0  N:3
Do you frequently wake yourself from this?  Y:3  N:3
Worse when dream?  Y:3  N:1
Thyroid checked and ok?  Y:1  N:1
Have vivid dreams?  Y:3  N:1
Feel like can't get enough air through nose during day?  Y:2  N:1
Deviated septum checked and ok?  Y:0  N:1
Have recorded the sound?  Y:2  N:2

IDEAS (add topics and your suggestions)
What do you do to reduce symptoms? go to bed earlier; yoga/relaxation exercises
What medications have you tried that help?  Xanax (helped some); Celexa (seemed to help);
What medications have you tried that did NOT help?  
What types of medical professionals have you seen for this?  General, cardiology, pulmonary, neurology, ENT, sleep, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, ...

CrohnieToo wrote:

Another thought that occurs: what meds do you take? Anything, even if just the same class if not the same brand, that you've been taking for the last 10 years?

I ask because it occurred to me: after surgery requiring general anesthesia it takes several months for my blood pressure to raise back to "normal" levels and during that time I've found myself "forgetting" to inhale. I've had to CONSCIOUSLY force myself to inhale. The really odd part is that I don't experience the "protective" short of breath feeling that would cause one to automatically inhale. This has always occurred when I was sitting quietly reading, working a crossword, etc. It sometimes drove my husband to distraction and he would yell at me to 'BREATHE'!

Totally me too.  It's very weird.

I have pretty much exactly the same thing as most of these people...
-been told I hold my breath and let it out while groaning LOUDLY
-difficultly waking up
-occurs in the morning before waking up
-have very vivid dreams very often and especially in the morning. I usually can continue a dream after "waking up" to hit the snooze button.

however no one has mentioned these things...
-excessive amounts of sleep (probably due to daytime sleepiness) but I'm talking like 12-14 hours a night sometimes where it is almost impossible to wake up
-I wouldn't say that I'm stressed at all. I'm probably one of the least stressed people I know
-have very vivid dreams very often and especially in the morning. I usually can continue a dream (knowing that it is a dream) after "waking up" to hit the snooze button.
-I sometimes dream during 5-10 minute doze off times.


BREATH-HOLDING (AKA "CATATHRENIA"?) QUESTIONNAIRE
Please only complete this if you:  “while asleep, take in deep breath, hold it, then slowly let it out (w/ high-pitched or groaning sound)”:  Y:47  N:1

DEMOGRAPHICS
Gender:  M:24  F:15
Age:  (<20yr):3  (20-25yr):4  (26-30yr):6  (31-35yr):4  (36-40yr):2  (41-45yr):3  (46-50yr):0  (51+yr):1

SEVERITY
# years ‘holding breath’ while asleep:  (0-3yrs):2   (3-9yr):8   (10+yrs): 11
Time of night ‘holding breath’ occurs? (9p-1a):1  (1a-4a):0  (4a-7a):9  (don't know): 1
Wake up, unable to physically TAKE (inhale) a breath?  Y:3  N:5
Occurs every night?  Y:5  N:1

SYMPTOMS
Tired in morning/during day?  Y:8  N:7
Tightness/pain in chest (sore lungs)?  Y:6  N:1
Headaches/dizziness?  Y:3  N:2
High Blood Pressure?    Y:3  N:4
Large sighs/exhalations during day?  Y:2  N:3
Teeth grinding?  Y:3  N:3
Snore?  Y:0  N:5
Abdominal gas in morning?  Y:1  N:3
Have awakened yourself from this?  Y:11  N:1
Have dreams of suffocation?  Y:3  N:4
Difficulty waking up in morning?  Y:4  N:2

OBSERVATIONS
Worse when sleeping on back?  Y:2  N:4
Worse when sleeping on stomach?  Y:3  N:3
Worse when sleeping on side?  Y:0  N:4
Worse when go to bed late/overtired?  Y:2  N:4
Worse when stressed?  Y:14 N:0
Hold breath (forgetting to breathe) during day (when concentrating)?  Y:15  N:2

TESTING / TREATMENT
Had a sleep study with negative results for apnea?  Y:12  N:3
Stress-test (treadmill with EEG)?  Y:3  N:2
Currently use a CPAP?  Y:6  N: 3
Wear dental appliance/nightguard?  Y:2  N:3
Burping/sighing helps relieve chest pain/aching during day?  Y:1  N:1
Currently taking antidepressants?  Y:1  N:3
Currently taking anti-anxiety medication?  Y:2  N:3

CONTRIBUTING (?) FACTORS
Have asthma?  Y:0  N:4
Have allergies?  Y:1 N:3
Overweight?  Y:1  N:15
Generally healthy otherwise?  Y:9  N:0
Exercise regularly?  Y:8  N:3
Smoke?  Y:0  N:5
Mouthbreather when sleeping?  Y:4  N:2
Have high stress/anxiety?  Y:7  N:3
# caffeinated drinks per day?  (zero):0   (1-3):4   (4-6):0   (>5):0
# alcoholic drinks per week?  (zero):2  (1-3):0   (4-10):1   (11-20):0   (>20):0
Use recreational drugs?  Y:1  N:4

HISTORY
Practiced breathing control as musician/swimmer/runner/other?  Y:7  N:1
High exposure to chemicals/mold/etc?  Y:2  N:3
Experienced traumatic event?  Y:3  N:5
Family history of holding breath?  Y:5  N:3
Family history of high BP?  Y:2  N:0
Family history of heart problems?  Y:4  N:1

OTHER QUESTIONS
If sleeping partner wakes you, does that stop the symptoms for the rest of night?  Y:0  N:5
Do symptoms seem to increase if too warm when sleeping?  Y:1  N:1
Do you typically wake up during night?  Y:0  N:4
Do you frequently wake yourself from this?  Y:3  N:4
Worse when dream?  Y:4  N:1
Thyroid checked and ok?  Y:1  N:1
Have vivid dreams?  Y:4  N:1
Feel like can't get enough air through nose during day?  Y:2  N:1
Deviated septum checked and ok?  Y:0  N:1
Have recorded the sound?  Y:2  N:3

IDEAS (add topics and your suggestions)
What do you do to reduce symptoms? go to bed earlier; yoga/relaxation exercises
What medications have you tried that help?  Xanax (helped some); Celexa (seemed to help);
What medications have you tried that did NOT help?  
What types of medical professionals have you seen for this?  General, cardiology, pulmonary, neurology, ENT, sleep, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, ...