Dr. OOT, I have breathing problems at night

[JasonK]

Reggie White had a similar problem.

[Inthacup]

I smoke 1-2 cigars per week, but this problem remained constant during the winter, when I didn't have a cigar for 2-3 months. No cigarettes or anything else.

I drink a few times a month, usually a beer or glass of wine w/ dinner. Nothing with any regularity though.

[Skipbidder]

Topping your differential diagnosis is
1) asthma
2) asthma
3) asthma
4) allergy
5) sleep apnea

Ideally, you'd start with a primary care doc here.

Do you notice the problem at any time other than sleep?

How long has this been going on? (Looks like less than 6 months.)

Have any allergies that you do know of? (Extra credit for any zebra-hunting medical student who knows which med I'm most hoping to hear about an allergy to and what the next associated symptom would be.)

Any cough?
Smoking history?
Runny nose or rash?
Get frequent colds?
Is your wheezing sound on inspiration or expiration?

[dizong]

sounds like asthma or allergies to me. as others have said, go see your primary doc who may refer you to an allergist for skin testing and/or maybe some pulmonary function tests/spirometry. regardless of diagnosis, your exposure to allergens is likely to be a significant factor. sleep apnea seems a bit less likely.

[sandycove]

Cup...

I have a great deal of experience (I am sorry to report) on pretty much every aspect of your post.

My recommendation would be to first schedule a sleep study to either rule in or rule out obstructive sleep apnea.

Here's why: The other potential causal factors for your complaints are darn elusive. You can chase them, literally, for a lifetime. And, at the end of the day, some environmental factors are simply unavoidable. And your immune system will react to them differently as you grow older. But sleep apnea is easily diagnosed and CPAP therapy is a relatively simple solution. At the very least, you can check it off your list.

A side note: While obesity is a significant factor in obstructive sleep apnea (lot of fat people in support group meetings), and losing weight is by far the best way to decrease its severity, you can be perfectly fit and still suffer from it.

Missing from your narrative: Anecdotes of sleep deprivation, lapses in concentration, profound fatigue.

[Skipbidder]

[ QUOTE ]
Cup...

I have a great deal of experience (I am sorry to report) on pretty much every aspect of your post.

My recommendation would be to first schedule a sleep study to either rule in or rule out obstructive sleep apnea.


[/ QUOTE ]
This could be a big waste of OP'S money. From what he has described to us, asthma is much more likely. A primary care doc may be able to establish the diagnosis in-office with no equipment other than a stethoscope and a hand-held peak flow meter.