My boyfriend announced to me the other day that he is INSISTING I see a doctor as soon as possible. I do the same breath holding thing that I've read so many others to. I hate to go to a doctor and waste time and money for nothing. It's been interesting to read this thread and see so many others out there that have nearly the same exact symptoms.

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:16
Age:  (<20yr):3  (20-25yr):4  (26-30yr):6  (31-35yr):4  (36-40yr):3  (41-45yr):3  (46-50yr):0  (51+yr):1

SEVERITY
# years ‘holding breath’ while asleep:  (0-3yrs):2   (3-9yr):9  (10+yrs): 11
Time of night ‘holding breath’ occurs? (9p-1a):1  (1a-4a):0  (4a-7a):9  (don't know): 2 ... I do it all hours of the night
Wake up, unable to physically TAKE (inhale) a breath?  Y:3  N:6
Occurs every night?  Y:5  N:2

SYMPTOMS
Tired in morning/during day?  Y:9  N:7
Tightness/pain in chest (sore lungs)?  Y:7  N:1
Headaches/dizziness?  Y:4  N:2
High Blood Pressure?    Y:3  N:5
Large sighs/exhalations during day?  Y:2  N:3
Teeth grinding?  Y:3  N:4
Snore?  Y:0  N:5
Abdominal gas in morning?  Y:1  N:4
Have awakened yourself from this?  Y:12  N:1
Have dreams of suffocation?  Y:3  N:5
Difficulty waking up in morning?  Y:5  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
I haven't noticed any of the above to lead to it occuring more frequently
Worse when stressed?  Y:15 N:0
Hold breath (forgetting to breathe) during day (when concentrating)?  Y:16  N:2

TESTING / TREATMENT
I have not sought treatment for this as of yet
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: 4
Wear dental appliance/nightguard?  Y:2  N:3
Burping/sighing helps relieve chest pain/aching during day?  Y:1  N:2
Currently taking antidepressants?  Y:1  N:4
Currently taking anti-anxiety medication?  Y:2  N:4

CONTRIBUTING (?) FACTORS
Have asthma?  Y:0  N:5
Have allergies?  Y:2 N:3
Overweight?  Y:1  N:16
Generally healthy otherwise?  Y:10  N:0
Exercise regularly?  Y:8  N:4
Smoke?  Y:0  N:6
Mouthbreather when sleeping?  Y:5  N:2 Not all the time, I'd say about 1/2 & 1/2
Have high stress/anxiety?  Y:8  N:3
# caffeinated drinks per day?  (zero):1   (1-3):4   (4-6):0   (>5):0
# alcoholic drinks per week?  (zero):2  (1-3):1   (4-10):1   (11-20):0   (>20):0
Use recreational drugs?  Y:1  N:5

HISTORY
Practiced breathing control as musician/swimmer/runner/other?  Y:8  N:1
High exposure to chemicals/mold/etc?  Y:2  N:4
Experienced traumatic event?  Y:3  N:6
Family history of holding breath?  Y:5  N:4
Family history of high BP?  Y:3  N:0
Family history of heart problems?  Y:5  N:1

OTHER QUESTIONS
If sleeping partner wakes you, does that stop the symptoms for the rest of night?  Y:0  N:6
Do symptoms seem to increase if too warm when sleeping?  Y:1  N:1  I've found no rhyme nor reason to when I do it.
Do you typically wake up during night?  Y:1  N:4
Do you frequently wake yourself from this?  Y:4  N:4
Worse when dream?  Y:4  N:1  I've found no rhyme nor reason to when I do it.
Thyroid checked and ok?  Y:2  N:1
Have vivid dreams?  Y:45 N:1
Feel like can't get enough air through nose during day?  Y:3  N:1
Deviated septum checked and ok?  Y:0  N:2
Have recorded the sound?  Y:2  N:4

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, ...

My boyfriend announced to me the other day that he is INSISTING I see a doctor as soon as possible. I do the same breath holding thing that I've read so many others to. I hate to go to a doctor and waste time and money for nothing. It's been interesting to read this thread and see so many others out there that have nearly the same exact symptoms.

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:16
Age:  (<20yr):3  (20-25yr):4  (26-30yr):6  (31-35yr):4  (36-40yr):3  (41-45yr):3  (46-50yr):0  (51+yr):1

SEVERITY
# years ‘holding breath’ while asleep:  (0-3yrs):2   (3-9yr):9  (10+yrs): 11
Time of night ‘holding breath’ occurs? (9p-1a):1  (1a-4a):0  (4a-7a):9  (don't know): 2 ... I do it all hours of the night
Wake up, unable to physically TAKE (inhale) a breath?  Y:3  N:6
Occurs every night?  Y:5  N:2

SYMPTOMS
Tired in morning/during day?  Y:9  N:7
Tightness/pain in chest (sore lungs)?  Y:7  N:1
Headaches/dizziness?  Y:4  N:2
High Blood Pressure?    Y:3  N:5
Large sighs/exhalations during day?  Y:2  N:3
Teeth grinding?  Y:3  N:4
Snore?  Y:0  N:5
Abdominal gas in morning?  Y:1  N:4
Have awakened yourself from this?  Y:12  N:1
Have dreams of suffocation?  Y:3  N:5
Difficulty waking up in morning?  Y:5  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
I haven't noticed any of the above to lead to it occuring more frequently
Worse when stressed?  Y:15 N:0
Hold breath (forgetting to breathe) during day (when concentrating)?  Y:16  N:2

TESTING / TREATMENT
I have not sought treatment for this as of yet
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: 4
Wear dental appliance/nightguard?  Y:2  N:3
Burping/sighing helps relieve chest pain/aching during day?  Y:1  N:2
Currently taking antidepressants?  Y:1  N:4
Currently taking anti-anxiety medication?  Y:2  N:4

CONTRIBUTING (?) FACTORS
Have asthma?  Y:0  N:5
Have allergies?  Y:2 N:3
Overweight?  Y:1  N:16
Generally healthy otherwise?  Y:10  N:0
Exercise regularly?  Y:8  N:4
Smoke?  Y:0  N:6
Mouthbreather when sleeping?  Y:5  N:2 Not all the time, I'd say about 1/2 & 1/2
Have high stress/anxiety?  Y:8  N:3
# caffeinated drinks per day?  (zero):1   (1-3):4   (4-6):0   (>5):0
# alcoholic drinks per week?  (zero):2  (1-3):1   (4-10):1   (11-20):0   (>20):0
Use recreational drugs?  Y:1  N:5

HISTORY
Practiced breathing control as musician/swimmer/runner/other?  Y:8  N:1
High exposure to chemicals/mold/etc?  Y:2  N:4
Experienced traumatic event?  Y:3  N:6
Family history of holding breath?  Y:5  N:4
Family history of high BP?  Y:3  N:0
Family history of heart problems?  Y:5  N:1

OTHER QUESTIONS
If sleeping partner wakes you, does that stop the symptoms for the rest of night?  Y:0  N:6
Do symptoms seem to increase if too warm when sleeping?  Y:1  N:1  I've found no rhyme nor reason to when I do it.
Do you typically wake up during night?  Y:1  N:4
Do you frequently wake yourself from this?  Y:4  N:4
Worse when dream?  Y:4  N:1  I've found no rhyme nor reason to when I do it.
Thyroid checked and ok?  Y:2  N:1
Have vivid dreams?  Y:45 N:1
Feel like can't get enough air through nose during day?  Y:3  N:1
Deviated septum checked and ok?  Y:0  N:2
Have recorded the sound?  Y:2  N:4

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, ...

Answers to questionnaire:

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:48  N:1

DEMOGRAPHICS
Gender:  M:24  F:17
Age:  (<20yr):3  (20-25yr):4  (26-30yr):6  (31-35yr):4  (36-40yr):4  (41-45yr):3  (46-50yr):0  (51+yr):1

SEVERITY
# years ‘holding breath’ while asleep:  (0-3yrs):2   (3-9yr):9  (10+yrs): 12
Time of night ‘holding breath’ occurs? (9p-1a):1  (1a-4a):0  (4a-7a):10  (don't know): 2 ... I do it all hours of the night
Wake up, unable to physically TAKE (inhale) a breath?  Y:3  N:7
Occurs every night?  Y:5  N:3

SYMPTOMS
Tired in morning/during day?  Y:9  N:8
Tightness/pain in chest (sore lungs)?  Y:7  N:2
Headaches/dizziness?  Y:5  N:2
High Blood Pressure?    Y:3  N:6
Large sighs/exhalations during day?  Y:3  N:3
Teeth grinding?  Y:4  N:4
Snore?  Y:0  N:6
Abdominal gas in morning?  Y:1  N:45
Have awakened yourself from this?  Y:13  N:1
Have dreams of suffocation?  Y:3  N:56
Difficulty waking up in morning?  Y:6  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
I haven't noticed any of the above to lead to it occuring more frequently +1
Worse when stressed?  Y:16 N:0
Hold breath (forgetting to breathe) during day (when concentrating)?  Y:17  N:2

TESTING / TREATMENT
I have not sought treatment for this as of yet +1
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: 4
Wear dental appliance/nightguard?  Y:3  N:3
Burping/sighing helps relieve chest pain/aching during day?  Y:1  N:2
Currently taking antidepressants?  Y:2  N:4
Currently taking anti-anxiety medication?  Y:3  N:4

CONTRIBUTING (?) FACTORS
Have asthma?  Y:0  N:6
Have allergies?  Y:3 N:3
Overweight?  Y:1  N:17
Generally healthy otherwise?  Y:1`  N:0
Exercise regularly?  Y:9  N:4
Smoke?  Y:0  N:7
Mouthbreather when sleeping?  Y:6  N:2 Not all the time, I'd say about 1/2 & 1/2
Have high stress/anxiety?  Y:9  N:3
# caffeinated drinks per day?  (zero):1   (1-3):5   (4-6):0   (>5):0
# alcoholic drinks per week?  (zero):2  (1-3):1   (4-10):2   (11-20):0   (>20):0
Use recreational drugs?  Y:1  N:6

HISTORY
Practiced breathing control as musician/swimmer/runner/other?  Y:9  N:1
High exposure to chemicals/mold/etc?  Y:2  N:5
Experienced traumatic event?  Y:3  N:7
Family history of holding breath?  Y:5  N:5
Family history of high BP?  Y:4  N:0
Family history of heart problems?  Y:6 N:1

OTHER QUESTIONS
If sleeping partner wakes you, does that stop the symptoms for the rest of night?  Y:0  N:7
Do symptoms seem to increase if too warm when sleeping?  Y:1  N:1  I've found no rhyme nor reason to when I do it. +1
Do you typically wake up during night?  Y:2  N:4
Do you frequently wake yourself from this?  Y:5  N:4
Worse when dream?  Y:4  N:1  I've found no rhyme nor reason to when I do it. +1
Thyroid checked and ok?  Y:2  N:1
Have vivid dreams?  Y:45 N:1
Feel like can't get enough air through nose during day?  Y:3  N:1
Deviated septum checked and ok?  Y:0  N:2
Have recorded the sound?  Y:2  N:5

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

Answers to questionnaire:

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:48  N:1

DEMOGRAPHICS
Gender:  M:25  F:17
Age:  (<20yr):3  (20-25yr):4  (26-30yr):6  (31-35yr):5  (36-40yr):4  (41-45yr):3  (46-50yr):0  (51+yr):1

SEVERITY
# years ‘holding breath’ while asleep:  (0-3yrs):2   (3-9yr):10  (10+yrs): 12
Time of night ‘holding breath’ occurs? (9p-1a):1  (1a-4a):0  (4a-7a):10  (don't know): 3 ... I do it all hours of the night
Wake up, unable to physically TAKE (inhale) a breath?  Y:3  N:8
Occurs every night?  Y:5  N:4

SYMPTOMS
Tired in morning/during day?  Y:10  N:8
Tightness/pain in chest (sore lungs)?  Y:7  N:3
Headaches/dizziness?  Y:6  N:2
High Blood Pressure?    Y:3  N:7
Large sighs/exhalations during day?  Y:4  N:3
Teeth grinding?  Y:4  N:5
Snore?  Y:0  N:7
Abdominal gas in morning?  Y:1  N:47
Have awakened yourself from this?  Y:14  N:1
Have dreams of suffocation?  Y:3  N:57
Difficulty waking up in morning?  Y:7  N:2

OBSERVATIONS
Worse when sleeping on back?  Y:3  N:4
Worse when sleeping on stomach?  Y:3  N:4
Worse when sleeping on side?  Y:0  N:5
Worse when go to bed late/overtired?  Y:2  N:5
I haven't noticed any of the above to lead to it occuring more frequently +1
Worse when stressed?  Y:17 N:0
Hold breath (forgetting to breathe) during day (when concentrating)?  Y:17  N:3

TESTING / TREATMENT
I have not sought treatment for this as of yet +2
Had a sleep study with negative results for apnea?  Y:12  N:4
Stress-test (treadmill with EEG)?  Y:3  N:3
Currently use a CPAP?  Y:6  N: 5
Wear dental appliance/nightguard?  Y:3  N:4
Burping/sighing helps relieve chest pain/aching during day?  Y:1  N:3
Currently taking antidepressants?  Y:2  N:5
Currently taking anti-anxiety medication?  Y:3  N:5

CONTRIBUTING (?) FACTORS
Have asthma?  Y:0  N:7
Have allergies?  Y:3 N:4
Overweight?  Y:1  N:18
Generally healthy otherwise?  Y:2  N:0
Exercise regularly?  Y:10  N:4
Smoke?  Y:0  N:8
Mouthbreather when sleeping?  Y:6  N:3 Not all the time, I'd say about 1/2 & 1/2
Have high stress/anxiety?  Y:9  N:4
# caffeinated drinks per day?  (zero):1   (1-3):5   (4-6):0   (>5):1
# alcoholic drinks per week?  (zero):2  (1-3):2   (4-10):2   (11-20):0   (>20):0
Use recreational drugs?  Y:1  N:7

HISTORY
Practiced breathing control as musician/swimmer/runner/other?  Y:9  N:2
High exposure to chemicals/mold/etc?  Y:3  N:5
Experienced traumatic event?  Y:3  N:8
Family history of holding breath?  Y:5  N:6
Family history of high BP?  Y:5  N:0
Family history of heart problems?  Y:6 N:2

OTHER QUESTIONS
If sleeping partner wakes you, does that stop the symptoms for the rest of night?  Y:1  N:7
Do symptoms seem to increase if too warm when sleeping?  Y:1  N:2  I've found no rhyme nor reason to when I do it. +1
Do you typically wake up during night?  Y:3  N:4
Do you frequently wake yourself from this?  Y:6  N:4
Worse when dream?  Y:4  N:2  I've found no rhyme nor reason to when I do it. +1
Thyroid checked and ok?  Y:2  N:2
Have vivid dreams?  Y:45 N:2
Feel like can't get enough air through nose during day?  Y:4  N:1
Deviated septum checked and ok?  Y:0  N:2
Have recorded the sound?  Y:2  N:6

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

For a few years I have occasionally stopped breathing at night and woken up gasping or panicking for breath.  Others who have slept in the same room with me have seen me stop breathing momentarily and later said they were quite alarmed by it, having never seen anything like it before.  Most of those times I hadn't particularly noticed, save for when I awoke because of it, struggling for air.  Recently I've begun having a similar experience when awake, usually sitting, reclined, or lying on my back.  Airplane seats, for example, are one place where I've noticed it most.  I no longer lay on my back, whether awake or asleep, because it feels as if the weight of my chest or abdomen will prevent me from breathing in.  (I weigh 165 lbs, at 5'10", so it's not an issue with obesity).  I am starting to get really scared by this.  I don't think I'm a hypochondriac (then again, who does).  If anyone else is suffering the same and has any info, please pass it on.  This is seriously starting to freak me out.

It is interesting that someone seems to have the same as I do with sleeping arrangements. I also avoid sleeping on my back sometimes because it feels like I will not be able to breathe. I even end up "gasping" for breath and feel like I have to fight to get it in. For me it is also not an issue of obesity as I weigh 150lbs at 6'2". If anything, a problem of being too skinny. . .

What you are describing sounds characteristic of sleep apnea, because sleep-disorderd breathing (SDB) is often worse in supine position (sleeping on one's back). There are several types of SDB including UARS, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Central Sleep Apnea, etc., and the symptoms can differ from person to person.

There is a stereotype that patients are middle-aged, overwight males who snore loudly. However people who are young, slender, female, and who don't snore can have SDB. In young people, symptoms may be notably different. Learning and behavioral disorders such as ADD/ADHD are associated with sleep apnea.

Catathrenia: parasomnia or uncommon feature of sleep disordered breathing?
Sleep  2008; 31 (1): 132-9
Guilleminault C, Hagen CC, Khaja

OBJECTIVE: We report a series of seven consecutive cases of catathrenia (sleep related groaning) that differ from limited previous reports in the literature with regard to sleep stage and response to treatment. BACKGROUND: Catathrenia was recently defined as a parasomnia in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders Diagnostic and Coding Manual (ICSD-2), but there is debate about its classification, and its response to CPAP is unknown. METHODS: We present 7 consecutive patients presenting with catathrenia over a 5-year period. They were all young women, ranging in age from 20 to 34 years with a body mass index (BMI) <25. They underwent standard clinical evaluation, questionnaires, physical exam, craniofacial evaluations, and nocturnal polysomnography. All seven were titrated on continuous passive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for sleep disordered breathing then offered surgical treatment if unable to tolerate or adhere to CPAP recommendations. RESULTS: Groaning was present throughout all stages of sleep. The mean (SD) AHI and RDI were 3.2 (0.56) and 13.1 (2.4) respectively. CPAP resolved groaning in all cases. 5 patients (71%) elected subsequent surgical intervention. Three of the 4 that followed up after surgery required adjuvant oral appliance treatment, but all four ultimately had resolution of groaning. CONCLUSIONS: Catathrenia may have subtypes related to sleep stage specificity or presence of sleep disordered breathing. In our heterogeneous group of non-obese women with a normal AHI and elevated RDI, CPAP and select soft tissue surgeries of the upper airway (often augmented with an oral appliance) successfully treated nocturnal groaning.

PubMedID: 18220087

http://med.stanford.edu/profiles/frdActionServlet?choiceId=showPublication&pubid=283313&fid=3994

Me too. I am  male, middle age in good shape and have run 18 marathons. I work out frequnetly and  have just noticed that I have been holding my breath both at night and during the day. This has been making me feel tired and I appear run down . I was diagnosed with Hypothyoidism about ten years ago. I maintain with Synthoid.  I was feeling great  until a  few months ago when I noticed I was not getting restful sleep. Since then I have been very aware of my breath holding. I have to remind my sellf to exhale and take a beath during the day when i am concentrating on something, like replying to this post. I am going for a bloodwork check up this Friday to check all my levels and see what my doctor can determine. I have been stressed at work lately and maybe that is the  root cause. I hope I figure this out soon because I have another narathon coming up  at the end of March. At least when I run I know i am breathing ! good luck to all of you

I have it too...

Vaguely recall having it since being a child, now 36 yrs old, recall holding my breath as a child and having dreams of drowning.

Wife discovered it 3 times in one night, after I did NOT get much sleep 2 days  in row. That week, she woke me up almost every night. I had chest pains that week, almost every day. The following Sat. I could not get up and about to do much, exhausted.

Since then (2 weeks ago) I have been keenly aware of my condition, and have woken myself up several times as I gasp for breath.

Doctor referred me to sleep clinic....still waiting to discuss this/set up appointment...and looking for information.

H E L P.

I, too, wake up holding my breath.  I too have had a sleep test and apnea was ruled out.  Apparently we're not alone.  Hope someone figures this out.

The one thing people seem to miss when they say this problem is apnea, is what the treatment for apnea is.  CPAP forces air into your lungs, which since our lungs (I do this btw) are already full of air is totally useless!  Apnea treatments are the exact opposite of what is required.  We need assistance exhaleing not inhaleing... exactally what that assistance may be I dont know.

Been doing this for years. Holding breath, letting it out very slowly in short little bursts. It's to the point that it constantly annoys my wife. It's not snoring (jeez - what is the lesser of 2 annoying evils) it's not apnea (yes been through 3 sleep studies as well - no problems, of course) Sometimes I find myself doing this during the day while awake! I wonder if this is turning into a stress coping tick, or in fact something more serious like the neuro stuff - which sounds pretty bad. Anyone get any feedback from a medical professional yet?

I m a 36yo male and also suffer. I think it may well have something to do with vocations/exercise etc involving breath control. It was interesting to see the above survey with 9 out of ten answering in the affirmative on this question. I am a professional saxophonist, playing 6-8 hours a day taking into account gigs, teaching and practice.  I am also a competitive cyclist and marathon runner, and am in very, very good shape physically. I ve only started getting this in the past four or five years and I don't think I m getting the same quality of sleep (plus it drives my girlfriend mad - she suffers insomnia - great combination!!!) I hope there is someone doing some serious study in this area...   In the meantime, its good be able to read this forum - good luck to all of you.

What a relief, finally finding a site that proves I am not the only one in the world with this problem. My doctor is no good at listening and tells me that I'm just snoring. He did get me checked out for Apnea but of course the result was negative. I've been holding my breath when asleep and also when awake for almost 20 years that I know of. I have made a device that wakes me up if I make too much noise (the neighbours used to bang on the wall) and I can say that I am always dreaming when it happens. I make the most amount of noise when my dream is intense, that is to say when I am dreaming of running, shouting or doing something that would require consentration in a wakened state. Sometimes I sleep for a couple of minutes through the buzzer that should wake me up and I am certain that it's because I am so well engrossed in my dream. I also have a digital recorder running at night so I can hear the amount of noise that I make and how long I hold my breath for. My theory is that holding my breath during times of stress or concentration is for me a natural but unwanted event, much like some people stick the tip of their tongue out when concentrating.
My breath holding events do increase with stress. At one point I woke with a painfull chest through holding my breath for so long and so many times during one night. At that time in my life I was under a great deal of stress. I'm sorry I can't offer a remidy, I'm just another sufferer.