Why is my asthma worse at night? breathing hard at night lying down

I have asthma and had that issue. For me it turned out my oxygen levels were dropping. My physician prescribed an oxygen concentrator and a cannula to use while I slept and it helped.

Thank you for responding. My oxygen level is around 98-99, I don’t think that is the problem!

Have you checked it lying down? Mine is great when I’m upright but when I’m lying down it often drops.
The other thing I thought of was sleep apnea

Hi. I hope you are feeling better by the time you read this. Asthma which gets worse at night, especially when lying down, could be signs of another problem. Of course, checking O2 sat is important, evaluation for Sleep Apnea, but also check out cardiac problems. There are increased signs of breathing difficulty when lying down, very often from congestive heart failure, or the beginnings of other cardiac diseases. Look for signs and symptoms such as leg swelling - either one or both, lymphedema, etc. If you do a nebulizer or inhaler, do you find that you can lie down better? If the nebulizer/inhaler are not helping, it could be a host of other issues. Do you have acid reflux or GERD - both of which can cause asthma symptoms, especially when laying down in bed. Do you take a diuretic? How many pillows do you use to sleep? More than 2-3 is considered orthopnea. Something which may help - until you get this further checked out is elevating the head of the bed on blocks, putting large pillows/blankets under the top of your mattress, using more pillows or getting a wedge. Careful with this, as it could cause neck pain. Please check it out and feel better.

I have asthma, and had the same problem you’re describing. I was prescribed Spiriva Resprimat.
(tiotropium bromide inhalation spray)
2.5mcg/actuation.
“This drug changed everything” for me. Before bedtime, I take two puffs. It provides 24 hr relief.
I would check with your doctor as soon as you can regarding this medication. I feel the results from the drug within about 10 to 15 minutes. I’ve been using Spiriva for nearly 8 or 9 yrs with no negative downside.

Thank you for that information. I will talk to my doctor as soon as possible! Thanks again

Thank you for your suggestions. I am making a cardio appointment just to double check things. I am 64 and weigh 130 lbs and last year diagnosed with eosinophil asthma and tested positive for numerous allergies and yet I have no allergy symptoms at all. Inhalers are not much help and they make me loose my voice. Has a Bronchoscopy back in January and showed high eosinophils and Dr unblocked something in my right lung that caused my constant coughing. But, I’m afraid it’s coming back! Have pulmonary appointment in September and another CT scan!

And yes, I do have heart burn and take meds and I sleep on a adjustable bed.

Good luck. After all of your testing, your pulmonary md may suggest one of the biologics specifically for eosinophilic asthma. However, before going to that extreme, see if there are any over the counter allergy medications which may work, along with watching to stay away from your allergic foods. (Even though you may not have symptoms, it does not mean it does not exist.)

Absolutely….thank you!