New York Woman Reports Breathing Problems. Then She Looked Under Her Bed: ‘Something out of a Horror Movie’

A New York City woman says she began experiencing unexplained breathing problems shortly after moving into a new apartment, before finding a mushroom under her bed. Amelia (@ameliaaxel) said in a TikTok video that she moved into her apartment in New York City less than three weeks before the incident.

In her first post, Amelia shared a photo of what she called a mushroom she found on her bedroom floor. She later identified it using a plant identification app as an oyster mushroom. Amelia said she began waking up in the middle of the night, describing chest tightness and difficulty taking deep breaths.

She said she initially believed the issue might be related to air conditioning or environmental conditions in the apartment. She later visited urgent care, where she said doctors prescribed a temporary inhaler after explaining her symptoms.

New York woman finds mushroom under bed: an alarming discovery

After returning home, Amelia said she continued organizing her room when she noticed something on the floor near her bed. She said she initially thought it was debris or a household item before realizing it appeared to be organic growth.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more freaked out in my entire life. It looks like something out of a horror movie,” she said in her TikTok post after discovering the object.

Amelia said she immediately contacted her building management and leasing company, and also reached out to her family. She said she also filed a complaint through New York City’s 311 system.

In a follow-up TikTok video, Amelia said she believed recent storms and humidity may have contributed to moisture issues in the building. She also said she had placed a rug in her room shortly before the discovery and did not notice anything unusual on the floor at that time. The unit includes two bedrooms and patio doors leading outside from each room, she added.

She described recurring nighttime breathing difficulties that stopped during the day, then returned when she went to sleep again. Amelia said she initially hesitated to go to the emergency room but later sought urgent care.

Amelia later said she suspected the growth may have been linked to water damage, possibly originating near the apartment’s patio doors. She said an engineer friend suggested a leak could be present and that mold may also exist beneath floorboards or within the walls. Amelia also said she was informed by the previous tenant that the apartment had experienced mold issues in the past, which she claimed had been addressed by the leasing company.

Amelia took steps to protect her health

In a subsequent update, Amelia said she purchased protective masks and gloves and began staying outside the apartment as much as possible. She also said building maintenance initially scheduled the removal of the growth, but later delayed the visit due to a holiday.

She added that the building superintendent removed the mushroom and cleaned the spores from the floor. Amelia said she kept a piece of the growth for possible inspection. She also said the leasing company planned a formal inspection of the unit and indicated the apartment could be vacated if significant damage is found.

Amelia said she has since stayed with friends and is seeking a new apartment. She also said she plans to undergo further medical evaluation for her lungs.

As she continues documenting the situation online, Amelia said she is still processing the experience and the condition of the apartment. A final post noted the leasing company is working with her, there’s no mold, and she has no apparent health problems. Claims made in Amelia’s post have not been independently verified.

(Featured image: Amelia (@ameliaaxel) via TikTok)

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