Never heard of this in particular but just my thought as a possibility? Deep breathing is normally done to help someone relax, reduces stress, anxiety, etc. Possible to me that it is relaxing your body including your throat muscles to a point that your breathing is affected which is similar to what happens to many with sleep apnea. Just my 2 cents . I do tend to have gasping for air issues when I take an over the counter sleep aid I have noticed. I'm guessing it may relax me just a little too much so I try and avoid taking these now. It also always happens within 30 to 40 or so minutes of falling asleep which is very odd, seems to be before I enter another sleep cycle. I have been tested for sleep apnea a couple of times and told I don't have it or if I do it's very mild. Best to you!