Hi. For about three years now, I have been having problems sleeping. Nobody I talk to seems to understand what I am going through, including doctors. I have gone for two sleep studies, but of course, this type of episode hasn't happened while I was there. Here's what happens:

i will fall asleep, and begin to dream (i usually do remember my dreams, and many are vivid). Then, eventually, I start to have trouble breathing. This leads to my entire body, but especially my head, convulsing violently. I am newly married, and my wife has had to wake me up on several occasions. Even when she doesn't, though, I will wake up suddenly, feeling exhausted and gasping for air. Many times, I also wake up with a sore throat and numb/tingly hands. My wife describes it as me "having a seizure" in my sleep. We both doubt that's the case because I wake up and although i'm out of breath and my heart is racing, i'm conscious and alert. What could this possibly be????? My sleep studies revealed only the slightest of apneas, and this happens even when I use a cpap machine. I truly don't think this is anything a cpap could help, though.


I would say this happens once or twice a week (that I remember), but regardless of whether it happens or not, I wake up really tired about 90% of the time. Quality of life is not nearly what i'd like it to be. I walk around most of my days feeling very groggy and not mentally alert.


Any help would be greatly appreciated. Has anyone else experienced these or similar symptoms? Please let me know. Thanks!