I Can Only Sleep On My Left Side. If I

Posted on Thu, 22 Nov 2018

Question: I can only sleep on my left side. if I sleep on my back I wake up in a panic as I feel cant breath. I tried this last night and the anxiety it causes is unbearable. I am not over weight but I do have shortness of breath at times and feel claustrophobic.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!

I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to a panic disorder.

Anyway, before coming to this conclusion, I would recommend performing some tests in order to exclude a possible lung disorder or sleep apnea.

In this regard, I would recommend performing these tests:

- a chest X ray study and pulmonary function tests
- a polysomnogram for sleep apnea.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.

Hope to have been helpful!

Wishing good health,

Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (36 minutes later)

Thank you so much

I noticed these symptoms several years ago when I was receiving a massage and had trouble breathing lying face down. I frequently have the same feeling when I go to chiropractor and cannot lay face down for any length of time. I continually wake up in a panicked condition when I mistakenly fall asleep on my back

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information!

It seems that anxiety is playing an important role in all this clinical situation.

But, I would recommend performing the above mentioned tests in order to exclude the above mentioned disorders.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

Wishing all the best,

Dr.Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad