Hyperventilation and Sleep Apnea etc.

Hi,

My first sleep study with the RedMed was a bit of a disaster as they said that out of 3 nights (one where the battery ran out!) they didn't get enough quality info so I had to re-do it so I'm waiting on the results of that. (She did say that the results I gave her had good enough quality to score, so no idea what happened the first time around!)

I have a problem which is anxiety-induced hyperventilation and aerophagia along with GERD. I don't know yet what my sleep apnea status is, but now I'm getting worried about the whole CPAP thing sending me into hyperventilation orbit. I hyperventilate chronically (for days on end and longer), compulsively swallow air when I'm nervous (often), have diagnosed GERD (had an EGD and barium swallows etc.), have chronically stuffed sinuses so I don't feel like I get enough air through my nose and habitually mouth breathe, air gulp, yawn, and take huge breaths every 5 mins or so. I can take a deep breath and get lightheaded with that one breath. On the Nijmegen Questionnaire I score 40. (Actually it was a cardiologist who first suggested my hyperventilation syndrome because when he asked me to take a deep breath while listening to my heart after the second one I nearly passed out!) Plus I have instanced of isolated T-wave changes on my ECG's which also indicate hyperventilation. My first hyperventilation instance was an acute one when I was 16 years old and I'm 40 now. So I've been having this acutely at times but more often chronically since forever and though I have had tons of symptoms and been to tons of doctors and had tons of tests, I never had anyone look at my breathing or tell me I needed to actively change anything.

I'm looking into Buteyko and I have Dinah Bradley's book on hyperventilation syndrome, but I wanted to ask what the experience has been like for any chronic hyperventilators here who have to use a CPAP. Has it made things worse, and is there some kind of machine or setting that needs to be worked out?

I'm afraid of having sleep apnea now because it's like I'm not getting proper oxygen awake OR asleep and I already have so many symptoms that I don't want any more:(

CPAP can help much of that.

Fixing night-breathing can help to fix day-breathing, even if another condition would be considered the "cause."

CPAP may be one small piece for solving an overall puzzle.

I find it relaxing and calming, myself, now that I've had time to settle into a routine with it.

Sometimes a little airway pressure can help to relieve all the other pressures in our life so that we can begin to address other health concerns more directly.

I think you'll do well with it if you take it slow one step at a time and enjoy solving the normal little problems along the way.

I suspect you've had sleep apnea longer than you realize, maybe from your youth, and it may be causing (wholly or in part) your hyperventilation and dizziness. I'm thinking that by fixing your sleep apnea issues, you will begin to solve some of your daytime hyperventilation... even if it means getting into ASV technology which is designed to address periodic breathing, hyperventilation and complex sleep apnea. Maybe you can view your upcoming challenges with CPAP as a new and better beginning for your life.

Thanks for the replies!:) I just got my initial numbers from my sleep study (ResMed ApneaLink) -- 26 AHI and my saturation fell to 85% a few times. I'm considered moderate. Having my titration study for one week starting Aug 7th and eager to see how this will change things for me!

Hi, it sounds like you and I have very similar conditions. I hyperventilate for the same reasons. I have been on Cpap for 7 years, very compliant. But I have noticed that periodically, I hyperventilate worse on cpap. The air blowing in my face makes me breathe faster, like walking against the wind. (Bob Seger song in my head ) Hyperventilation causes an imbalance in Co2 whch decreases the body's ability to utilize oxygen properly. All that fast inhale/exhale happening leaves me waking up feeling kind of sick, dizzy, foggy and uncoordinated. I don't think my brain is getting enough oxygen. I have had oxymetry tests done that were normal with cpap, worse without, but I tend to think those tests may not be enough. I once had Co2 measured in my blood but that was during the day. It was normal but I still felt sick. Not to bash cpap because I know it is vital for people with OSA. I am studying Buteyko now, and trying not to overbreathe. It is hard to retrain the respiritory center of the brain if you hyperventilate while asleep. It almost hard-wires itself to breathe one way, fast for those with HVS. I do believe breathing less breaths per minute helps better balance the Co2 oxygen synergy. It takes a lot of practise, I am still just a beginner with Buteyko. I hope you find a good balance with your HVS and OSA and breathing. Best wishes to you!

You're talking to a poster who's been gone for 4 yrs... and PS Buteyko is garbage, a scam, and more.

Hi Jhl,
CPAP and hyperventilation is a new thing for me. Sleepyhead indicated that I have some periodic breathing. Hyperventilation then very shallow breathing with a few Central thrown in. I have been trying Buteyko for the last couple of months and believe it is helping me. Whether it is the exercises or something else my periodic breathing has been significantly reduced. Good luck on your treatment.

Hi Mogy and Julie, I noticed that it had been 4 years since that post I responded to
My big oversight after the fact
I think hyperventilating is due to underlying issues, like stress or anxiety and obesity among other possibilities. It is incredibly hard to change the hard-wiring of how the sub-consious brain works. I have heard some say Buteyko helps, I have been trying the VLB (very little breathing) exercises. I feel calmer when breathing small breaths, I think the Co2 levels are more balanced since I can control the volume of air I inhale and exhale. But, while falling asleep I start breathing very short quick breaths, and personally, I think cpap makes me breathe deeper and quicker, with TOO much air/oxygen intake, and it lowers my Co2 in the bloodstream. I wake up tired and my muscles "flutter" which is a sign that they are not getting enough oxygen, not enough Co2 to make that happen. I am self-diagnosing here, but doctors seem to dismiss this and don't often test. Even oximetry is just one night, those results can fluctuate over time. Hyperventilation during sleep is very hard to change. Weight is a big issue for me, I am obese, so I am working to change that.
Julie, please tell me why you feel that way about Buteyko, have you paid for courses and had bad results? I haven't paid for any courses yet but was really considering it. If you had a bad experience, let me know so I don't make a mistake I will regret

Thanks so much, Jen

No personal experience, but the system is old, and long ago proven to not be much more than a money making business for those who purvey it. I'm not going to research for you, but I'm sure you can do lots yourself. Just be careful about who's sponsoring articles.

They say the Internet is forever, I'm afraid our Way Back Machine Database Will outlast it. I also wonder why so many un-logged in, people are surfing the wayback machine and talking to it. Is it because non-logged in people are NOT directed to page 1, where current problems are addressed. Up to date info does exist, plus a lot of needed info is available on page 1 at the top. Jim