Connection between high apnea events and REM sleep

[Josiah]

I'm following a therapy intended to increase my REM sleep. I believe it is working because I'm conscious of increased dreaming. I have also noticed a marked increase in my CPAC monitored apnea events since I started the therapy. I seem to be sleeping very well except for the steep increase in apnea events.

[LSAT]

Can you define "steep increase"? Can you post an Oscar chart?

[Josiah]

For years my Resmed Autosense 10 gave me apnea events under 5, very seldom I might get a 6 or 7. For the past 5 nights my event score has been above 10 and last night it was 18. Four years ago when I first started using my CPAP I learned how to use Oscar but I haven't used it or felt that I needed using for years and I'm afraid it would take me good while to get back up to speed. I'm now 88 years old.

[Rubicon]

I believe it is working because I'm conscious of increased dreaming.

Probably not a good sign. If you're recalling dreams it's more often that you've gone to Wake from REM (not great) or REM has been interrupted by something and caused you to wake, cutting REM short (really not great).

[ChicagoGranny]

I'm following a therapy intended to increase my REM sleep.

Which type of therapy? Do you have a link for us to read?

For the past 5 nights my event score has been above 10 and last night it was 18.

What's the breakdown of your AHI? AI? CA?

[ChicagoGranny]

I'm following a therapy intended to increase my REM sleep. I believe it is working because I'm conscious of increased dreaming.

Is the therapy melatonin supplements? Melatonin supplements are known to increase vivid dreaming and/or nightmares in many people.

[Miss Emerita]

Lots of good posts above. Just two additional thoughts:

* We actually can dream in all sleep stages, not just REM.

* There is such a thing as obstructive apnea that is worse during REM sleep than during non-REM sleep. People who have this condition need to optimize their settings to deal with the REM events.

Now if most of your events are central apneas, it's a different story. On the screen of your machine, do you have access to the breakdown of your events? (The break down would tell you total AHI, AI, and Central AI.)

[palerider]

For years my Resmed Autosense 10 gave me apnea events under 5, very seldom I might get a 6 or 7. For the past 5 nights my event score has been above 10 and last night it was 18. Four years ago when I first started using my CPAP I learned how to use Oscar but I haven't used it or felt that I needed using for years and I'm afraid it would take me good while to get back up to speed. I'm now 88 years old.

You're remembering dreams more because your therapy is getting worse and your sleep is being interrupted more.