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  • #46
    Re: Sleep Apnea

    I was rereading this and the comments about dreams were interesting. A friend who uses the cpap now says that he thinks he doesn't dream anymore when he uses the cpap and he does have dreams when he sleeps without it. There are a couple of comments here that seem to agree with that.

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    • #47
      Re: Sleep Apnea

      Originally posted by Adri View Post
      I was rereading this and the comments about dreams were interesting. A friend who uses the cpap now says that he thinks he doesn't dream anymore when he uses the cpap and he does have dreams when he sleeps without it. There are a couple of comments here that seem to agree with that.

      My experience since '95 is consistent with the others.

      If I do dream now, I know that my mask lost its seal on my face. I simply reset the mask - tightening / adjusting the straps will suffice most of the time - easy fix.

      Remember, though, that you naturally move while sleeping, so losing the seal can't be 100% preventable.
      Born in Hawaii, too - Truss me

      Comment


      • #48
        Re: Sleep Apnea

        Originally posted by Adri View Post
        I was rereading this and the comments about dreams were interesting. A friend who uses the cpap now says that he thinks he doesn't dream anymore when he uses the cpap and he does have dreams when he sleeps without it. There are a couple of comments here that seem to agree with that.
        Interesting. I have always been a vivid dreamer, both before and after using a cpap. I have a generally good recall of many of my dreams, and I've had a cpap for several years now.

        Comment


        • #49
          Re: Sleep Apnea

          Originally posted by Kaonohi View Post
          Also, some people can slip into another state, perhaps Theta, where out-of-body experiences can occur.

          Ever wake up unable to move? Scared? You try to scream or move your little finger to get out of it? Doctors call it "sleep paralysis," but next time it happens, just try to keep your cool and imagine a place you want to go, or a friend you want to visit, and you will suddenly find yourself there. It is out-of-body travel, or remote viewing, it is very natural but not accepted by science. Lots of fun, too. Better than being scared. You don't KNOW freedom until you have left your body behind. Don't worry, you always come back, and no, no one can take over your body - it's just your consciousness that's traveling, not your soul.
          Ugh! Okay, this happens to me all the time. It started when I was 16 and comes and goes in cycles. On a bad night, I can have 5-6 instances. I really, really hate this. I try not to panic, but I can't help it. I feel like I'm trying to RIP myself out of sleep, but it doesn't work.

          One doctor told me this happens b/c when you sleep, your brain produces a mild paralytic so you don't thrash around while in REM or other stages of sleep. It's supposed to be reabsorbed before you wake up, but some people's brains don't clear it fast enough and they wake up and aren't able to move. I get so freaked out, even though I know what's happening, I'm pretty much having a panic attack without being able to move.

          Anti-anxiety drugs have helped somewhat, but it still comes back. The only thing I've found that helps is Lunesta. I have horrible insomnia, and I think part of it is that I'm afraid to go to sleep sometimes because I don't want this to happen. But like Kaonohi said, it's hard to find a doctor that is very sympathetic. I read this is a symptom of sleep apnea. Anyone else get this? What do you do? I really can't help panicking.

          Can't think of anything creative this time

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          • #50
            Re: Sleep Apnea

            Originally posted by surlygirly View Post
            I read this is a symptom of sleep apnea. Anyone else get this? What do you do? I really can't help panicking.
            This has happened to me a lot, but not in recent years, thank heavens. It's a truly terrifying experience, at least it is for me.

            I wake up, but I can't move, can't open my eyes, and I feel that if I don't wake up soon, I'll never wake up. I usually try to wiggle my toes and make a sudden movement to jerk me awake. When I finally wake up, I usually get out of bed (jump out, actually) and begin to exercise, usually push-ups, then walk around, then more push-ups, then splash my face with cold water. Then I'll go back to bed and hope I won't get trapped in that dark zone again.

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            • #51
              Re: Sleep Apnea

              Originally posted by surlygirly View Post
              [...]Anyone else get this? What do you do? I really can't help panicking.
              Yep but not nearly as often as you, SG. I've probably experienced it around 10-15 times total. I hate it because I can't breathe either. The first time it happened was after my then 6 year old daughter had a bad accident and was in the hospital. My doc knew immediately that I experienced sleep paralysis and told me that it's most often brought on by stress. The majority, but not all, of my episodes occurred during a stressful time. And, I've never had more than one episode a night.

              I've never heard the theory about the "mild paralytic" that the brain produces but that might explain why I've rarely had sleep paralysis in the last dozen or so years. I was diagnosed with periodic limb movement disorder which is a sleep disorder where my arms and legs move constantly preventing me from sleeping long enough to get down to stage 3 and 4 sleep. Kinda hard to have all that movement when the brain's producing a paralytic!

              As I've stated a number of times on HT, I'm a big advocate of of seeing a sleep specialist and getting a sleep study. SG, if you have horrible insomnia and multiple episodes of sleep paralysis I say get thee to a sleep specialist wiki wiki! You might be dealing with a disorder that's easy to treat. Good sleep is one of THE most important things you can do for your health.

              Comment


              • #52
                Re: Sleep Apnea

                Originally posted by Leo Lakio View Post
                Interesting. I have always been a vivid dreamer, both before and after using a cpap. I have a generally good recall of many of my dreams, and I've had a cpap for several years now.
                I, too, am a vivid dreamer. I've been writing down most of my dreams each night for over 40 years - that's a STACK o0f books I'll never read - I offered them to an institution that studies dreams and sleep, but they said 'only if I put them on disk...' Hah!

                Some good points have come up:

                alcohol - reduces dreams, generally, and deepens physical relaxation which will make apnea worse. Don't drink to help you sleep - it has the opposite effect. And the disturbance created by a CPAP can, possibly, keep you from achieving the proper level of Alpha for dreaming, as well.

                Some health plans will pay for the study but not the equipment (which i$ expen$ive). Veterans: the V.A. will help!

                I like the nasal pillows better, easier to on/off, and less claustro...

                If you are NOT dreaming, you are (somehow) missing your Alpha-REM sleep, which is the most refreshing and rejuvenating. Delta is for physical/body rest - see how you feel in the morning to see what you are missing. Spacey but relaxed? not enough Alpha. Clear but aches and stiff, not enough Delta. Theta seems like an 'extra,' not necessary for mental or physical rest, but very useful for pain control, OOB, and similar stuff.

                If we lost weight, got proper and adequate exercise we would have less sleep apnea. In my case, my apnea sets in in my delta (deep) sleep, and doesn't affect my dreams. I was fine with it, but my spouse got scared when I wasn't breathing, and couldn't sleep when I was snoring. - what we do for love, no?

                I'm not sure if there's a rise in sleep apnea or it's just recognized more these days. Likely the latter.

                Yes, sometimes the 'appliance' gets dislodged and makes more noise than snoring, even, - don't be afraid to experiment - tighter, looser, trim the face hair, whatever.

                The putative goal is to get as normal a night's sleep as possible - with a five pound machine plugged in next to your bed and an ALIEN egg implant attached to your face....

                right.

                Now, to get a CPAP for my spouse.....

                Last edited by Kaonohi; October 3, 2009, 11:25 PM.
                Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!
                ~ ~
                Kaʻonohiʻulaʻokahōkūmiomioʻehiku
                Spreading the virus of ALOHA.
                Oh Chu. If only you could have seen what I've seen, with your eyes.

                Comment


                • #53
                  Re: Sleep Apnea

                  Originally posted by tutusue View Post
                  I hate it because I can't breathe either. (...)

                  As I've stated a number of times on HT, I'm a big advocate of of seeing a sleep specialist and getting a sleep study. SG, if you have horrible insomnia and multiple episodes of sleep paralysis I say get thee to a sleep specialist wiki wiki! You might be dealing with a disorder that's easy to treat. Good sleep is one of THE most important things you can do for your health.
                  No argument there, TTS, we all need to remember that there are a variety of people to help us, and doctors are educated to recognize and assist in helping you overcome medical problems. My MD ID'd my apnea and at least my spouse is happy about it.

                  As far as "sleep paralysis" goes, doctors and researchers have little physical evidence to explain the phenomenon, and most of what they expound is guesswork. Medical professionals are reluctant to say, "I just don't know."

                  All I have to go on is my experiences, the experiences of my students, and a research project at UCONN back in the 1970's (which died due to lack of funding).

                  So-called sleep paralysis is NEVER life threatening, no matter how frightening it is. If i9t occurs concurrent with sleep apnea cessation of breathing, see your doctor about sleep apnea. If it happens to you and (like Sue) you don't have sleep apnea, stress may be a contributing factor, or you may just be one of us who is more in touch with your spiritual side.

                  Check if you have sleep Apnea, but don't let the 'unknown' frighten you! You ALWAYS wake up again in the morning... so, remind yourself (use a post-it-note by your bed or something) that if you awaken unable to move, leave your body behind - it'll wait till you get back, fly up through the ceiling and go visit someone you love. You'll never be afraid again.
                  Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!
                  ~ ~
                  Kaʻonohiʻulaʻokahōkūmiomioʻehiku
                  Spreading the virus of ALOHA.
                  Oh Chu. If only you could have seen what I've seen, with your eyes.

                  Comment


                  • #54
                    Re: Sleep Apnea

                    Originally posted by Kaonohi View Post
                    [...]
                    alcohol - reduces dreams, generally, and deepens physical relaxation which will make apnea worse. Don't drink to help you sleep - it has the opposite effect.[...]
                    So true. If in doubt, give it a try. Stop all alcohol for a couple of weeks. My guess is, you'll feel the difference.
                    Originally posted by Kaonohi View Post
                    Some health plans will pay for the study but not the equipment (which i$ expen$ive). Veterans: the V.A. will help!
                    For those health plans that pay, be sure to determine how much! My old HMSA insurance plan paid 50%...of what they determined to be the appropriate charge. That equaled about 20% of the actual fee. Still it was some of the best money I ever spent. I don't have apnea, thank goodness, so have no experience with the equipment.
                    Originally posted by Kaonohi View Post
                    [...] If you are NOT dreaming, you are (somehow) missing your Alpha-REM sleep, which is the most refreshing and rejuvenating. Delta is for physical/body rest - see how you feel in the morning to see what you are missing. Spacey but relaxed? not enough Alpha.
                    Interesting...I'd not heard that.
                    Originally posted by Kaonohi View Post
                    Clear but aches and stiff, not enough Delta.
                    Not heard that either.
                    Sometimes I do, indeed, wake up spacey but relaxed and other times I wake up achy and stiff. I've even mentioned this to my primary doctor. I have fibromyalgia and when my doc asks me about the pain I always tell him that I feel it's related to my quality of sleep. Fibro messes with sleep; still, there are mornings I wake up with no pain. Your explanation was very helpful, Kaonohi.
                    Originally posted by Kaonohi View Post
                    Theta seems like an 'extra,' not necessary for mental or physical rest, but very useful for pain control, OOB, and similar stuff.
                    Does "OOB" = out of body?
                    Originally posted by Kaonohi View Post
                    If we lost weight, got proper and adequate exercise we would have less sleep apnea. In my case, my apnea sets in in my delta (deep) sleep, and doesn't affect my dreams. I was fine with it, but my spouse got scared when I wasn't breathing, and couldn't sleep when I was snoring. - what we do for love, no? [...]
                    My ex, who was lean and had a regular exercise routine, had horrible sleep apnea. I got to the point that I could sleep during his snoring but his silence is what woke me up. I'd elbow him, he'd gasp and start breathing again and I would go back to sleep. Eventually, after we split up, his untreated apnea took a toll on his health and he ended up with heart problems.

                    At the risk of redundancy, quality sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our health. If you're sensitive to morning light and wake up too early because of it, a memory foam sleep mask from Brookstone is a Godsend! Expensive for a sleep mask, at $35., but well worth it. No light leaks and very comfortable!

                    Comment


                    • #55
                      Re: Sleep Apnea

                      When I can't sleep it's because I'm MANIC.

                      It's part of being Bi-Polar.

                      Auntie Lynn
                      Be AKAMAI ~ KOKUA Hawai`i!
                      Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

                      Comment


                      • #56
                        Re: Sleep Apnea

                        Originally posted by tutusue View Post
                        Interesting...I'd not heard that.

                        Not heard that either.
                        Re: Alpha sleep for mental rest and Delta sleep for physical rest:

                        Most doctors, even sleep specialists, don't have training in psycho-neurology - though it would be helpful for them. My information is a few years old, from a research doctor at the University of Connecticut, and may even need updating - they were still learning new things when I worked with them.
                        One thing for sure: you need to have both levels of sleep to get 'healthy' sleep. Frequent nighttime interruptions in the middle of your approx 90 min. sleep cycle can be disturbing, as well.

                        Originally posted by tutusue View Post
                        Sometimes I do, indeed, wake up spacey but relaxed and other times I wake up achy and stiff. I've even mentioned this to my primary doctor. I have fibromyalgia and when my doc asks me about the pain I always tell him that I feel it's related to my quality of sleep. Fibro messes with sleep; still, there are mornings I wake up with no pain. Your explanation was very helpful, Kaonohi.
                        Please don't look upon this as other than supplemental information; your doctor or health caretaker should be your first source of information.
                        I know nothing about fibromyalgia, but if it wakes you during or even disturbs your normal sleep cycle, it may cause problems with wakefulness or relaxation in the morning.

                        Originally posted by tutusue View Post
                        Does "OOB" = out of body?
                        Yes. Also called 'astral' projection and/or remote viewing, last I heard it was not fully understood and supported mostly by anecdotal data.

                        EDIT: Checking around on the Internet, I've found a wealth of information on the subject of brainwaves, some of it conflicting, some speculative, some well-researched. There's a lot of opinions out there, so take care what you accept as fact. One comprehensive site I discovered was http://health.howstuffworks.com/dream2.htm, which also has pages of related subjects, including one on sleep apnea.
                        Last edited by Kaonohi; October 6, 2009, 02:39 PM. Reason: Update
                        Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!
                        ~ ~
                        Kaʻonohiʻulaʻokahōkūmiomioʻehiku
                        Spreading the virus of ALOHA.
                        Oh Chu. If only you could have seen what I've seen, with your eyes.

                        Comment


                        • #57
                          Re: Sleep Apnea

                          For those who snore or whose partners snore ~ new injection may stop snoring (but it doesn't sound very appealing to me)

                          http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,570538,00.html

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                          • #58
                            Re: Sleep Apnea

                            As an update, I went to a different dr. and he changed some
                            meds around. I'm on a different anti-anxiety and that seems to be helping, along with switching another med and trying Ambien again. The Ambien is actually working this time. I need to go to bed earlier so I'm not so sleepy in the morning, but it's the CW's fault for playing Friends reruns so late!

                            Can't think of anything creative this time

                            Comment


                            • #59
                              Re: Sleep Apnea

                              Originally posted by surlygirly View Post
                              As an update, I went to a different dr. and he changed some
                              meds around. I'm on a different anti-anxiety and that seems to be helping, along with switching another med and trying Ambien again. The Ambien is actually working this time. I need to go to bed earlier so I'm not so sleepy in the morning, but it's the CW's fault for playing Friends reruns so late!
                              I"ve been on meds you wouldn't believe, and looking back, I don't believe them either.

                              "They" said I was 'depressed,' so they put me on "Paxcil," which increased my latent violence. So much so I got arrested! Luckily, by some accident (I guess) they put me on clonazepam for what I described as "jittery," and not only did it solve my anxiety, it also suppressed my N-E seizures.

                              I have never found an antidepressant that didn't have bad side-effects while it did nothing else (because I don't have depression? Duh!)

                              Anti-0anxiety (except buspar) have worked to help me.

                              Sleep Apnea? I'm overweight and should trim down. In the meantime, the CPAP helps my Love sleep, and aids in my sleep.

                              For awhile I was OD'd on pain meds, which caused Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, but we have that just about fixed.

                              ONE day at a TIME!
                              Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!
                              ~ ~
                              Kaʻonohiʻulaʻokahōkūmiomioʻehiku
                              Spreading the virus of ALOHA.
                              Oh Chu. If only you could have seen what I've seen, with your eyes.

                              Comment

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