Sounds like hes drowning?

My boyfriend was diagnosed with sleep apnea around 14. I met him when I was 17 and began living with him when I was 18. I noticed the usual stuff- he would stop breathing, gasp for air then continue on. The loud snores, being extra tired throughout the day ect. Today the scariest thing happened. About 2 hours ago I was laying in bed texting some friends when my boyfriend fully stood up on the bed and started gasping for air, horribly. And i mean he sounded like he was being choked. I kept yelling his name and put my phone light on him and he was almost staring right through me and i noticed his skin color was changing. He somehow stepped off the bed I turned on the light still calling for his name he was able to catch his breath and started coughing alot. Then he looked up at me and asked what happened. He had no memory of what had happened and was confused and scared. He sounded horrible when he was choking, and it happened for about 15 seconds. In the 3 years of sleeping with him almost everyday hes never done this before. Any help?

Hello anahid1

It must have been a terrible experience for you, and for him.

Can he talk to his doctor about it?

What do you think is the cause?

Do you think it will happen again?

Has he spoken to anyone recently about his Apnea?

Was he receiving any treatment for Apnea or any other sleep disorders?

If he was standing and still couldn't breathe there is a serious problem

Normal Obstructive Sleep Apnea shouldn't do that.

Central Apnea probably shouldn't have him making choking sounds.

Neither Apneas should cause him to stand up whilst still essentially asleep.

Sometimes when we are really shocked and confused the sequence of events and details get all mixed up and endless replays don't really help get it sorted.

Not sure what the relevance of that is or what you could or should do about it but anyone he approaches will need to run tests or find some way to verify things somehow.

Is he being treated for the sleep apnea? If he is then he should see his doctor and discuss what could be happening, and why the treatment is not working. If he is not being treated, then he should be making an appointment to see a sleep doctor.

I don’t think they gave him anything, I do remember they did say he sleep in the hospital overnight. Hes also been waking up still asleep with his eye open, will talk to then fall right back into deep sleep. Will be taking him to the doctors in a week or two

I move around and talk in my sleep too anahid1 but it's usually related to action or conflict or panic and if I wake shortly afterwards I do remember the events that were running in my dream/nightmare at the time.

In my case it is all related to REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder but I suspect there are a cluster of sleep disorders involving similar issues.

I was reading an article this morning about research into the use of Melatonin for Sleep Behaviour Disorder

Mayo Clinic Study

It doesn't seem to help me but it is generally considered 'safe'

I certainly hope you can get some answers and better yet some solutions because you certainly don't need health issues when you are still young.

Could I suggest that you video the next event if it is not too traumatic or dangerous to do so because it could be very helpful to his doctor.

How awful for you both! He needs to see a doctor who might set up an in-lab sleep study. I would call the doctor to see if you can get him in NOW instead of waiting. Please let us know how it goes.