09-06-2023, 09:57 AM
Rolling "flutter" sensation on apnea/hypopnea, falling asleep
Hi,
I have posted similar topics elsewhere but i have had few responses over the past six months and would truly appreciate some support.
I've been on CPAP since 2011 and have used a Respironics System One for 9 years (pressure 12.5 - 14) and, since 2020 i have used an Aire10 in APAP mode (9/13 EPR 3). I was diagnosed in 2011 (AHI 23) and 2020 (AHI 7). In 2023 January, a "flutter" sensation came back, which appears to be linked to any apneas/hypopneas. The sensation is frightening and makes me feel i am going to have a heart attack or worse. I have experienced the same or similar sensations before; but i was not aware of what was causing them (many Cardiologists and doctors also have been unable to find anything).
Is there a machine out there (or preferably, some other device or approach) that will prevent apneas/hypopneas? I am looking at an oral appliance next week. I have tried at least 50 different settings on the two machines and consulted with my sleep specialist; but they cannot help.
I was prescribed 120 mg Propranalol in 2007 because, at that time, i was not on CPAP or any medication (I had been tested for sleep apnea in 2005 and was showing AHI of 23 but could not tolerate the idea of being tied to a machine) and was experiencing a very mild "buzzing" sensation in my chest. That was in the UK. I left in 2007 and moved to Singapore. Between 2008 and 2011 i believe i got worse and had significant sleep apnea (enough to fall asleep during conversations, etc), got tested again and again showed an AHI of 23 and bought the Respironics, which i used with few issues until 2020. What i wanted to make clear is that i was on Propranalol 120 mg for about 9 years.
In 2022 I did some major renovations to my house (very heavy labor sanding a floor for about a month) and one morning, after a glass of wine the night before, and a packet of crispy seaweed, i got the "rolling flutter".
When i moved to Canada in 2018, i had tapered down the Propranalol with my doctor's approval and was on 80 mg. I am seeking to resolve the situation; please can anyone who has a similar experience help!? The "flutter" currently prevents me from falling asleep naturally and i wake up with it or a fast heartbeat, on CPAP or off. I believe if i increase the beta blocker, it will treat the symptoms and allow me to fall asleep naturally again, as i was able to do in December 2022. But i do not know what CPAP or APAP settings to use, or if i should get a new machine. The symptoms are affecting me a lot and gave me severe panic attacks in the Spring.
My distress comes from believing the "flutter" is somehow dangerous, when multiple cardiologists in 4 countries have said my heart is strong. The gap seems to be between the sleep doctor (prescribed a new pressure of 9 in March 2023, down from the 13 and 14 i had been using for years) and my family doctor, who believes anxiety is the cause (i believe it's the other way around).
Note: i don't generally get the symptoms during the day but the anxiety is affecting my quality of life. I am seeing a therapist for this and taking CBT. I believe the symptoms will resolve in time with adequate restful sleep and the removal of chronic stress.
Paul
I have posted similar topics elsewhere but i have had few responses over the past six months and would truly appreciate some support.
I've been on CPAP since 2011 and have used a Respironics System One for 9 years (pressure 12.5 - 14) and, since 2020 i have used an Aire10 in APAP mode (9/13 EPR 3). I was diagnosed in 2011 (AHI 23) and 2020 (AHI 7). In 2023 January, a "flutter" sensation came back, which appears to be linked to any apneas/hypopneas. The sensation is frightening and makes me feel i am going to have a heart attack or worse. I have experienced the same or similar sensations before; but i was not aware of what was causing them (many Cardiologists and doctors also have been unable to find anything).
Is there a machine out there (or preferably, some other device or approach) that will prevent apneas/hypopneas? I am looking at an oral appliance next week. I have tried at least 50 different settings on the two machines and consulted with my sleep specialist; but they cannot help.
I was prescribed 120 mg Propranalol in 2007 because, at that time, i was not on CPAP or any medication (I had been tested for sleep apnea in 2005 and was showing AHI of 23 but could not tolerate the idea of being tied to a machine) and was experiencing a very mild "buzzing" sensation in my chest. That was in the UK. I left in 2007 and moved to Singapore. Between 2008 and 2011 i believe i got worse and had significant sleep apnea (enough to fall asleep during conversations, etc), got tested again and again showed an AHI of 23 and bought the Respironics, which i used with few issues until 2020. What i wanted to make clear is that i was on Propranalol 120 mg for about 9 years.
In 2022 I did some major renovations to my house (very heavy labor sanding a floor for about a month) and one morning, after a glass of wine the night before, and a packet of crispy seaweed, i got the "rolling flutter".
When i moved to Canada in 2018, i had tapered down the Propranalol with my doctor's approval and was on 80 mg. I am seeking to resolve the situation; please can anyone who has a similar experience help!? The "flutter" currently prevents me from falling asleep naturally and i wake up with it or a fast heartbeat, on CPAP or off. I believe if i increase the beta blocker, it will treat the symptoms and allow me to fall asleep naturally again, as i was able to do in December 2022. But i do not know what CPAP or APAP settings to use, or if i should get a new machine. The symptoms are affecting me a lot and gave me severe panic attacks in the Spring.
My distress comes from believing the "flutter" is somehow dangerous, when multiple cardiologists in 4 countries have said my heart is strong. The gap seems to be between the sleep doctor (prescribed a new pressure of 9 in March 2023, down from the 13 and 14 i had been using for years) and my family doctor, who believes anxiety is the cause (i believe it's the other way around).
Note: i don't generally get the symptoms during the day but the anxiety is affecting my quality of life. I am seeing a therapist for this and taking CBT. I believe the symptoms will resolve in time with adequate restful sleep and the removal of chronic stress.
Paul
