I'm suspecting I have had episodes of central sleep apnea. I've actually woken up a couple of times and wasn't breathing and had difficulty initiating breathing. I believe it was the fact that I stopped breathing that woke me up. It was absolutely terrifying and I was scared to go back to sleep.
Has this happened to anyone else, that you were woken up by the fact that you stopped breathing? This hasn't happened to me in quite awhile but I wonder if it's happening when I'm not aware.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Laura there are a lot of things that cause sleep
apnea. We have had several threads on the
subject. Low thyroid is a place to start.
C pap machines have helped a lot and I have seen
people able to wean off of them with hormone
replacement. My husband slept in a chair for 2
years elevated because he refused to go to Dr.
for such a ridiculous cause. It did not matter
that I had to wake him 15 times a nite to tell
him to breath. He only got mad because "I just
got to sleep and you woke me UP". He is fine now.
And even quit snoring.
Posted by laura j (Member # 14257) on :
It's the possible central sleep apnea that worries me, caused by damage to our nervous systems/our nervous systems failing to tell us to breathe. I get the impression not much can be done if damage to the nervous system is the cause and that we just have to pray we will wake up.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
i use a cpap; started again jan. 09; have seen much progress from where i'd been earlier! good luck Posted by ugagal (Member # 18471) on :
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea after an overnight sleep study. I was prescribed a CPAP but was unable to tolerate it due to being claustrophobic. My husband says I snore very loudly. Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Ugagal, it takes a LOT of time and patience..months for me to do it. You must keep trying as it's a life saver if truly needed. When I first used the machine in Mar-08, I had horrendous smothering feelings and nightmares when using the mask.
I used a Liberty Mirage 'hybrid mark' that helped me overcome it. I now use a full-face mask. Talk to you sleep doctor. There are options. Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I have a cousin that has central sleep apnea and he uses a cpap and it seems to work fine for him. They can put you on oxygen and I think some medications can help. That said, I have obstructive sleep apnea and I don't know a lot about central sleep apnea.
Your chances of having a stroke are 400% higher with untreated sleep apena according to my sleep doctor.
Untreated, it is very damaging to your health. Weight gain, high blood sugars/diabetes, you can have edema caused by it, strokes, damage to your heart and death!!
It is nothing to fool around with. I used to go to sleep thinking I wouldn't wake up. I didn't know I had sleep apnea. I was waking up 50+ times an hour. I didn't know I was waking up that much. You don't get much REM sleep which means your body doesn't heal optimally.
Mainly, it is life threatening. If you think you have it, please take it seriously and get a sleep study right away.
Terry
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I have mild sleep apnea, but unfortunaly appears to be of the central form from thw polysomnogram. One year of BiPAP compliance has made no difference in fatigue. I think there's more to this and my sleep doctor may not be using all the right treatments. I wake up totally unrefreshed and it's disheartening after complying.
Posted by laura j (Member # 14257) on :
Thanks all for replying. I know that obstructive sleep apnea can be helped by CPAP and some forms of central sleep apnea. Worried about the central form that doesn't respond to anything. I haven't had episodes that I'm aware of in a long while. I always fear going back to where I was though. I am actually starting to wake up refreshed (knock on wood!!!)
seekhelp, sounds like it's time to consult w/a new sleep doc.
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