Sleep Apnea

**fishmeat** · 28-03-11, 06:05 AM

I suffer from sleep apnea as well. Mine comes and goes...there is a time where I will get it a few times a month and then it would be months even years before I would have another case of it. It scares the shit outta me. Sleep apnea usually happens when the person is asleep, mine happens when I am subconsciously awake and asleep at the same time. I lay there knowing that I have stopped breathing but due to being asleep am unable to do anything about it. I have learned to rock myself back and forth until I do wake up, or my dog notices and licks my face or my girlfriend wakes me up. My theory is it is from smoking cigarettes, when I used to smoke I would get it fairly often. Now that I have quit, I rarely get it.

If it is getting bad to the point your quality of life is suffering I suggest you speak with a doctor, possibly have a sleep study done. Sleep Apnea can cause a host of other bad things like heart pauses, bradycardia and oxygen desaturation.

**russki** · 28-03-11, 06:13 AM

Got quite a bit of anxiety don't you? Always seems like some medical thing with you haha. Actually I'm quite a hypochondriac myself... and I have the occasional anxiety bout as well.

I have had a similar experience to you before though... although I was clueless as to what caused it. It has only happened maybe 3 or 4 times before, probably within the past year or two. I would lay down and pass out, only to wake up about 5-10 minutes later (just as I am falling asleep), jumping up gasping for air. Right before I wake up it was almost like I was dreaming I was awake with my eyes closed and needed to breathe badly (almost suffocating), but I couldn't move, like I was paralyzed. If I had to guess, I would say they weren't dreams and I was actually awake, paralyzed for a moment, and it just seemed like a dream since I was woken up so abruptly. I would end up gasping for air just as I was able to move and get up, as if I had stopped breathing for a bit longer than what would be normal. Pretty crazy stuff though.

**russki** · 28-03-11, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by fishmeat View Post

I suffer from sleep apnea as well. Mine comes and goes...there is a time where I will get it a few times a month and then it would be months even years before I would have another case of it. It scares the shit outta me. Sleep apnea usually happens when the person is asleep, mine happens when I am subconsciously awake and asleep at the same time. I lay there knowing that I have stopped breathing but due to being asleep am unable to do anything about it. I have learned to rock myself back and forth until I do wake up, or my dog notices and licks my face or my girlfriend wakes me up. My theory is it is from smoking cigarettes, when I used to smoke I would get it fairly often. Now that I have quit, I rarely get it.

If it is getting bad to the point your quality of life is suffering I suggest you speak with a doctor, possibly have a sleep study done. Sleep Apnea can cause a host of other bad things like heart pauses, bradycardia and oxygen desaturation.

It's nice to have a residential Dr./health care professional on snuson

Your disclaimer at the end of all your posts makes you sound like someone off a pharmaceutical commercial haha.

I would guess that smoking has something to do with it as well... since I quit smoking it hasn't happened to me, then again it had only happened to me maybe 4-5 times in total, and probably a year or so ago.

**fishmeat** · 28-03-11, 07:15 AM

Originally posted by russki View Post

Your disclaimer at the end of all your posts makes you sound like someone off a pharmaceutical commercial haha.

True story though, and for HIPPA reasons no names or identifying information will be given.

I had a patient about a year ago on cardiac monitoring...would run a normal heart rate and rhythm throughout the day and was a former smoker of 30 years. I started to notice at nights (when we all assume they are sleeping as we cannot physically see them, just their vitals, etc etc.) that he would pause and or miss beats. At the same time I observed a 10% oxygen desaturation from the 100% to 90%. Now thats a decent little drop and can start to bring on other bad things. At the same time his heart rate would "brady" down into the lower 30's...which is getting borderline critical especially when they normally resting run around th 50-60 some odd bpm. I made the call the to nurse, whom in return notified our pulmonary doctor and the patient was placed on bi-pap breathing at night when asleep. He in turn the next two nights had no cases of sleep apnea.

**precious007** · 28-03-11, 08:08 AM

Thanks for the replies guys :^)

So it can aslo be ocassional, thanks good that I know what it is at least.................... I'm not sure what causing it but at least I know it's sleep apnea .....
It doesn't bother me too often, but definitely it is scarry.

**Premium Parrots** · 28-03-11, 08:12 AM

From what I know, and I'm not a doctor, you wouldn't know if you had sleep apnea. Your sleeping mate may know tho. It sounds more like anxiety attacks to me. I've been using a breathing machine for about 10 years now.....every night. Yes, you do stop breathing for a moment but you probably wouldn't even notice even tho it can happen many times a night. There is always the chance that you won't start breathing again tho. If I were you I would have a sleep study done to find out what your problem is. As was said before sleep apnea can cause other health problems.

The bi-pap machine mentioned to to help breathe in and to breathe out. A regular cpap machine only helps you breathe in. To use it you put the mask on and close off your throat and HAVE to breathe in thru your nose. Sounds like not such a great thing but after you get used to the mask and the air its very easy and eventually you get the mindset that as soon as you put on the mask you fall asleep very quickly. Not a big deal IMO. A lot better than stopping breathing and not starting again in your sleep.

just my unprofessional opinion.

edit; I really don't think that sleep apnea is an occasional affliction. You either have it or you don't. I pretty dam sure that it will happen every night. Otherwise sleep studies wouldn't work. It can be from heridity also. My mom, 2 borthers and 2 sister have it also.
You need to get it checked. I hope all turns out well for you tho.

**precious007** · 28-03-11, 08:19 AM

Originally posted by Premium Parrots View Post

From what I know, and I'm not a doctor, you wouldn't know if you had sleep apnea. Your sleeping mate may know tho. It sounds more like anxiety attacks to me. I've been using a breathing machine for about 10 years now.....every night. Yes, you do stop breathing for a moment but you probably wouldn't even notice even tho it can happen many times a night. There is always the chance that you won't start breathing again tho. If I were you I would have a sleep study done to find out what your problem is. As was said before sleep apnea can cause other health problems.

The bi-pap machine mentioned to to help breathe in and to breathe out. A regular cpap machine only helps you breathe in. To use it you put the mask on and close off your throat and HAVE to breathe in thru your nose. Sounds like not such a great thing but after you get used to the mask and the air its very easy and eventually you get the mindset that as soon as you put on the mask you fall asleep very quickly. Not a big deal IMO. A lot better than stopping breathing and not starting again in your sleep.

just my unprofessional opinion.

Thanks PP.

I am sure they're not anxiety attacks (I've had anxiety attacks a couple of times and they far worse) The only reason they're not panic attacks is that my heart rate/pulse doesn't go up in fact it goes down.... and in anxiety attacks you basically can't gasp air.............. not a bit of it.... and you feel like dying for real lol ............................

In my "Sleep Apnea" if that's what it is....... I only have the sensation of suffocation but as soon as I wake up and realize what's going on I can inhale air right away

not that scarred ... since I've had these in the past....... but thanks for the opinions.............

Checking a doctor here is the worst thing you can do in such sensible situations ..............lol.....they're very unprofessiona and would probably prescribe xanax right of the bat again ...... :^)

I am pretty sure that the caffeine withdrawl started to manifest .......... I am somehow also eating more vegetables and drinking more water in this period to flush the toxins............ I think the cold tukey from caffeine is causing this and my heaches as well.

**Premium Parrots** · 28-03-11, 08:37 AM

The headaches can be from the caffine withdrawls I suppose. And yea, as I was typing that last post I was rethinking what you posted and was going to edit my post about the panic attacks. Don't think thats what it is either.

I know when we were trying to get my blood pressure medicine regulated I would be just about a sleep but not have my mask on yet and apparently my BP would go so low that I would quit breathing. I would jolt and wake up a tad and start breathing again. Yea it is kind of scary. Heres the thing....upon going to bed to watch tv and fall a sleep I would use snus, very strong snuff and herb sometimes all at the same time. Either way it was all recently put in my system, say within the last 15 minutes or so. I'd lay here and zone out with my eyes barely open at the TV and just before I would fall a sleep it would happen. Like someone said you forget to breathe. I would always take my BP when that happened and it was always way low. Get it checked. Sounds like your BP is dropping to dangerous levels.

**precious007** · 28-03-11, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by Premium Parrots View Post

The headaches can be from the caffine withdrawls I suppose. And yea, as I was typing that last post I was rethinking what you posted and was going to edit my post about the panic attacks. Don't think thats what it is either.

I know when we were trying to get my blood pressure medicine regulated I would be just about a sleep but not have my mask on yet and apparently my BP would go so low that I would quit breathing. I would jolt and wake up a tad and start breathing again. Yea it is kind of scary. Heres the thing....upon going to bed to watch tv and fall a sleep I would use snus, very strong snuff and herb sometimes all at the same time. Either way it was all recently put in my system, say within the last 15 minutes or so. I'd lay here and zone out with my eyes barely open at the TV and just before I would fall a sleep it would happen. Like someone said you forget to breathe. I would always take my BP when that happened and it was always way low. Get it checked. Sounds like your BP is dropping to dangerous levels.

I have the BP machine right next to me..... I have taken it a couple of times.... and it's all normal.....

I mean it's even funny that I always get 111/79 .... only the pulse differs from 60 - 85 sometimes......... that's the only change..................

It's not a heart issue...... but apart from the "suffocating" sensation which is only a false impression anyway, I feel weak and panicky sort of ....... and as something is pressing on my chest and holding my neck with both hands...... I've read some articles/posts online the other night .... and people have too many theories...... I kinda' have all my tests done...... blood... RMN scan... tomograph ....... urine.... and all that... lungs scan...... they told me they're completely clean ........ (which intrigued me after all those years of smoking) I even had the thiroid checked a couple of months ago.......

Weird.

**precious007** · 28-03-11, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by danielan

My personal 2 cents - if you want to know if you have apnea - 3 choices:

1. Find someone willing to sleep with you - every girlfriend I ever had mentioned it

2. Buy a logging pulse oxymeter and check yourself
3. Take out a loan and have a sleep study done.

I have awesome insurance, but the way they bill the sleep studies in the US = $3000 out of pocket.

For $3k you can buy a logging pulse oxymeter, hire a hooker, buy a cpap and still have a couple grand left over.

But, if you have it - once you take care of it - life gets a LOT better.

(It's HIPAA - not that it matters)

So what is that my girl has to look at ?

How can she see if I have sleep apneea?

I'm am not willing to spend $3K on tests.....................can't afford that much

**Premium Parrots** · 28-03-11, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by precious007 View Post

I have the BP machine right next to me..... I have taken it a couple of times.... and it's all normal.....

I mean it's even funny that I always get 111/79 .... only the pulse differs from 60 - 85 sometimes......... that's the only change..................

It's not a heart issue...... but apart from the "suffocating" sensation which is only a false impression anyway, I feel weak and panicky sort of ....... and as something is pressing on my chest and holding my neck with both hands...... I've read some articles/posts online the other night .... and people have too many theories...... I kinda' have all my tests done...... blood... RMN scan... tomograph ....... urine.... and all that... lungs scan...... they told me they're completely clean ........ (which intrigued me after all those years of smoking) I even had the thiroid checked a couple of months ago.......

Weird.

now that does sound like a classic panic attack. Tho they can affect people in different ways. I just had one medically induce last thrusday. I was haveing a heart stress test done. My meds works so well that I couldn't get my BP up high enough on the treadmill. So they had me sit down and 2 nurses were pretty much on top of me, they told me not to worry that everything is fine but that I will experiance some anziety. The nurse injected the tiniest bit of whatever it was into the vein in my hand. Before she even got the syringe out I was jumping up telling them to get this wide belt, with a machine attached, the **** off of me I can't breathe. Man it was instant. About 10 seconds later I got another shot and was fine in a few more seconds. Then it was time for the xrays. Apparently my heart was going like crazy and they wanted xrasy of the heart while under stress. They were quite successfull. That was a freakin classic panic attack.

You can experiance any kind of synthoms really.

**Premium Parrots** · 28-03-11, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by precious007 View Post

So what is that my girl has to look at ?

How can she see if I have sleep apneea?

I'm am not willing to spend $3K on tests.....................can't afford that much

lmao Dan!

Precious, the most basic synthom of sleep apnea is loud snoreing. Have you ever been bitched at while you were sleeping?

**precious007** · 28-03-11, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by Premium Parrots View Post

now that does sound like a classic panic attack. Tho they can affect people in different ways. I just had one medically induce last thrusday. I was haveing a heart stress test done. My meds works so well that I couldn't get my BP up high enough on the treadmill. So they had me sit down and 2 nurses were pretty much on top of me, they told me not to worry that everything is fine but that I will experiance some anziety. The nurse injected the tiniest bit of whatever it was into the vein in my hand. Before she even got the syringe out I was jumping up telling them to get this wide belt, with a machine attached, the **** off of me I can't breathe. Man it was instant. About 10 seconds later I got another shot and was fine in a few more seconds. Then it was time for the xrays. Apparently my heart was going like crazy and they wanted xrasy of the heart while under stress. They were quite successfull. That was a freakin classic panic attack.

You can experiance any kind of synthoms really.

LMAO!!! That is hilarious!! What did they inject into the vein, do you know?

I though my situation has something to do with anxiety...... but it wasn't a real panic attack for sure, those are much worse and you literally feel like dying ...............
I hope I don;t get them again, they're annoying as shit, I couldn't sleep more than 2 hours last night because of it.

@danielan thanks, I will have someone monitor me for a whole night but I am sure I don't wake up more times thant am I am aware of.......... I don't snore either that much....... even if I have sinusitis I don't snore...... The only thing I am afraid of is my lungs.... and my heart ... which after several tests came out ok............ My dad used to get the same sensations when he was overly stressed and smoked a lot and my twin brother gets the exact suffocating sensations every now and then.............. so it must be some kind of connection........ I guess it's the withdrawal..

I'll be reading a bit more today to find out exactly what it is ... :^)

lmao Dan!

Precious, the most basic synthom of sleep apnea is loud snoreing. Have you ever been bitched at while you were sleeping

No. never.... I don't snore that much.

**Premium Parrots** · 28-03-11, 09:33 AM

panic attacks can manifest itself in many ways and intensities.

Here my insurance Co bought me a hot lil hooker, got us a classy hotel room at a hilton, furnished a minibar [but I couldnt drink liquor], we hung out for a while then I popped a couple of vallium and laid down. I woke up in the morning to a real sweet smile and coffee. We chatted for a while, I left and got a bill for $1250 that the insurance paid.

apparently my insurance co uses cheaper hookers

@ Dan...yea I forgot about the snorting. lol. that too

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

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