Dreams of not being able to breathe

Missy · Post by **Missy** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:27 am

Just when I thought things were really going well, I have (in the last couple of weeks) started having really vivid dreams of not being able to breathe. I wake up with a start, and feel the need to really suck in air. I would hate to think I am suddenly becoming neurotic about this whole cpap thing. Do any of you have any thoughts on this?

Thanks!
Dawn

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:54 am

Missy,

I used to experience a similar thing before starting xPAP therapy. For me, it was real. Do you monitor your therapy with Encore Pro to see whether you are experiencing apnea at those times? If not that would be the first step. Maybe you need a pressure adjustment. Like the old Memorex commercials - Is it real, or is it imaginary apnea?

Regards,
Bill

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:52 am

Before cpap I had dreams that were all about someone or something not breathing or somehow related to the throat, some serious, some crazy silly. I knew these had to be apnea related. On cpap I was having dying dreams (like out of body experiences). Decided to switch to autopap with ability to check my nightly progress to determine what was happening when I had these episodes - haven't had another since switching to autopap a few months ago. But my first thoughts are either your pressure is insufficient (mine was), or your ramp (or settling) is set too low. I understand this can be very unsettling. Hope you figure it out real soon.
Kathy

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:12 am

I agree with the others that you need to find out if you are really experiencing apnea.

If you are breathing properly, are you becoming neurotic? I doubt it. It is probably just legitimate fears while you are adjusting to our new way of life.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:18 am

dreaming is a good thing, it means you are getting into REM. If you were having apnea events you most likely would not make it to REM.

I would not worry about it unless you are waking up during the night or waking up starving for air (even in a dream).

You have a Pro2, try pulling a report then increase pressure by 1cm.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:28 am

Missy/Dawn,

I agree with the others and that you need to get the software and card reader to find out how well (or not) you therapy is working.

What time of the night did you have these experiences?
Have you been having any nasal congestion? (I see you're using a CL2)

Thoughts of possibliities:
Your pressure may not be right.
You had your head/neck in a position where you actually WERE cutting off your air flow.
A long obstructive apnea.
A possible "central" apnea.

Best wishes,

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:37 am

Snoredog wrote:dreaming is a good thing, it means you are getting into REM. If you were having apnea events you most likely would not make it to REM.

I would not worry about it unless you are waking up during the night or waking up starving for air (even in a dream).

You have a Pro2, try pulling a report then increase pressure by 1cm.

How do you pull a report without software? Her profile doesn't show software, and yours doesn't show anything.

Missy. What pressure are you using, and do you use Ramp, and if so what ramp start pressure.? With the CL2, do you tape.?

tater pie · Post by **tater pie** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:15 am

I did exactly the same thing before I started cpap treatment 2 years ago. You shouldn't wake up gasping for air. At first, when I was having those dreams before cpap, I would wake up and just dismiss it as a weird dream. Then one time when I woke up, I had strugged for breath so hard that my chest ached for days. That's when I first suspected something was really wrong. After going on a trip with my sister and staying in the same hotel room, she confirmed that I was actually choking and struggling for breath. It wasn't just a dream. My hubby had quit sleeping in the same room with me a couple of years before because he said I snored too bad (which I did) and just wasn't trying hard enough to stop (the jerk). Since cpap, I haven't had anymore dreams like that and I am certainly greatful. I agree with everyone else that you probably should have your pressure checked to make sure it's the right pressure for you.

Missy · Post by **Missy** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:42 pm

Thank you all for your input. Actually, Jim, I do have the Encore 1.6 and MyEncore. I have been gathering all this info and I'm not sure how to put it all together and make it useful for myself. I run at 10 for pressure. I switch off between the FP 431 and the Comfortlite 2 with taping. I have gathered stats for the past 3 weeks, Avg. AHI is 2.1 which I think is really good. My snore index is 6.0 per hour. I know that in my sleep study, 72% of my events were centrals. Some nights I know I am snoring because I wake myself up hearing myself(if that makes any sense). I do wake up A LOT at night still except for 1 night this week I woke up in the same spot I fell asleep in (that was sweet). I do not use the ramp any more as I didn't think it was doing any good. The Comfortlite 2 works for a while, then I switch to the FF. I really do not feel the pressure from my machine with the FF like I do the Comfortlite. I was told I didn't have to adjust the pressure on my machine. Sorry this is so long. I'm just struggling a bit.

Dawn

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:54 pm

What was the duration of your longest apnea and longest hypopnea?

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:10 pm

This is a question not an answer, but can someone enlighten me on the 72% centrals? At what percent does one need to consider one of the machines made to address central apneas, like the vpap?

Missy · Post by **Missy** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:11 pm

Rooster-the longest apnea was 190 seconds. I don't know where to find the hypopnea info.

Dawn

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:39 pm

Hi, I would definitely check into a Bipap machine if your centrals are that high. Talk to your MD about it.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:55 pm

Missy, I'm no expert, but 190 seconds is a LONG time to be in apnea! I would be seriously worried about that. I would definitely think that that would be more than enough to cause a "suffocation" dream.

To put things into perspective, my longest time spent in apnea *ever* is 35 seconds. My average time spent in apnea nightly is 8.9 seconds.

Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but that 190 seconds seems to be a big red flag to me.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:03 pm

Also, check out this thread you might find helpful:

viewtopic.php?t=694

It definitely looks like you should be on a BiPAP and not a CPAP if you're experiencing that many central apneas.

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