Julia,

What you describe sounds a lot like Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). When I was struggling with CSA, it sometime effected me when I was awake. I would suddenly find myself gasping for air. At first, I thought it was an anxiety attack but once I realized I was not breathing, I understood. I first became aware of my CSA during an EEG with a sleep session. I could not fall asleep because as I tried to relax that last bit to fall asleep, I would start gasping for air. I repeated this until I realized I was simply not breathing properly.

I had conditioned myself to breath consciously, rather that automatically. It turns out the hard pillow under my neck that protected the electrodes was holding my neck in a bad position. Once I straightened my neck out and let the inflammation subside, my normal breathing returned. I was able to repeat this head/neck position at home and the CSA returned.

I hope you can find some help. Sleep specialists do not have much experience with CSA. Plus, the treatment is not reliable. I had to learn how to sleep with my neck in a good posture so this did not happen. It took a lot of discipline to get a good night's sleep and to allow my neck to heal and stabilize so it was not so prone to inflammation. Some upper neck therapy can be helpful in the beginning to allow the C-1 and C-2 to find a proper position.

It is important to find a solution to any apnea. There is a cumulative effect that leave the brain with slow deterioration. I could tell you a horror story but I will spare you.

It is a primary cause of daytime fatigue and sleepiness.

My best to you.