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I can't sleep without using CPAP - Trasto - 09-25-2024
Hello everyone. I was wondering if I could ask the expert users of the forum a question I have.
I’d like to know if any of you have experienced what I have been experiencing lately, in some way related to my Sleep apnea.
I was diagnosed in 2010 with severe obstructive apnoea, and I was prescribed a CPAP at 10 mm pressure. At that time, I did not notice any symptoms (I was not tired, I slept without problems, etc.), but the person who slept with me detected that I had episodes of not breathing. I quickly adapted to the CPAP, although I did not notice that I slept better or worse. My level of rest was good. I even had no problem using the CPAP for naps.
But, over time (years later), I began to realize that if I fell asleep without the CPAP, I would wake up after a few seconds, with a feeling of pressure in my chest and desperately looking for air. Is it possible that I have become so accustomed to using a CPAP that I cannot even close my eyes if I am not connected to the device?
On the other hand, since I was prescribed the CPAP, I have been losing weight, until I have lost almost 110 pounds. At first, my doctor told me that the pressure would have to be adjusted. And that's when the nightmare began. If I lowered the pressure, I couldn't sleep, waking up as soon as I closed my eyes with discomfort in my chest, like terrible fatigue. If I raised it, I also had chest discomfort (in addition to aerophagia) due to excess pressure. I decided to get an A-CPAP, and it seems to have given me some relief from those unpleasant sensations, although even with the A-CPAP, if I try to rest on my back, the "close my eyes-throat closes-chest gets tired-I wake up" pattern begins.
This morning, I had an MRI of my left shoulder. I didn't sleep much last night and I was tired. I fell asleep and woke up in the MRI tube about 15 or 20 times, praying for the torture of sleeping and waking up choked to end. After the test, I spent two or three hours with my chest almost painfully tight and tired, as if I had run a marathon. I think it was due to the effort of my lungs and the strain on my chest trying to get air through a closed throat.
I have a stent in my heart, but I don't have any heart problems now that could cause these symptoms. In fact, I had a thorough check-up of my heart (ekg, X-rays, blood tests and cardiac ultrasound) a week ago and everything is fine .
So, I repeat my questions: It is normal for this to happen after so many years of using CPAP? Have I become so acclimated to CPAP that I can't even close my eyes if I'm not using it? Having lost so much weight, shouldn't I be much better?
I appreciate in advance your answers, advice or experiences you have had in relation to this. And I apologize for my English: I don't know if I can be understood well using Google Translator.
Regards and thank you very much again.
RE: I can't sleep without using CPAP - Deborah K. - 09-25-2024
If you post some Oscar charts we will be much better able to help you. They will show us a great deal about each night's sleep.
Good luck with getting better therapy and comfort!
RE: I can't sleep without using CPAP - staceyburke - 09-25-2024
My weight loss of 100 lbs made no difference in my apnea. I don’t know if that is typical or not but it is my experience.
RE: I can't sleep without using CPAP - eok361 - 09-25-2024
wow, trasto, a lot of your post reads like it could have come from me.
i, too, won't comfortably fall asleep without the CPAP machine. but i can chalk it up to years of knowing i would get elbows in the ribs, etc from whomever the bed partner at the time was. it's kind of a ptsd thing.
i will zonk out watching tv sometimes, but since i'm seated, i don't think the snoring is that much of a problem.
once i'm fully horizontal, i know that the snoring will soon come, and i constantly snap to on my own. even if i'm by myself.
and i've lost 45 pounds in the last year and a half. it makes no difference. i've had apnea since early adolescence, when i was 6'0" and 145 pouinds. . i'm sure of that.
i'd say ignore the Dr and set the pressure where it is comfortable for you. but you can post some charts here for more detailed advice than i can offer.
good luck.
RE: I can't sleep without using CPAP - Dodies - 09-25-2024
How have you guys lost so much weight, just through cpap treatment?
RE: I can't sleep without using CPAP - eok361 - 09-25-2024
(09-25-2024, 11:00 PM)Dodies Wrote: How have you guys lost so much weight, just through cpap treatment?
for me, no.
it was lifestyle changes after having had to get stents a year and a half ago. i basically gave up bad carbs.
RE: I can't sleep without using CPAP - Trasto - 09-26-2024
Thank you for your responses and support.
I posted some charts a few days ago and Old Stevie helped me out.
I sleep with tape over my mouth and a soft collar, ever since I read that some of you were doing it. I try to sleep on my side, but I always end up sleeping on my back (due to my chronic back pain). I wake up several times a night.
I'm attaching a picture from tonight. I know that if you don't go over five apneas per hour it's not considered pathological, but still, I feel like something isn't working as it should.
What I still don't understand is why I wake up within seconds as soon as I close my eyes.
Thank you so much again for everything.
RE: I can't sleep without using CPAP - Dodies - 09-26-2024
What are stents?
RE: I can't sleep without using CPAP - eok361 - 09-26-2024
(09-26-2024, 06:48 AM)Dodies Wrote: What are stents?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/coronary-angioplasty/about/pac-20384761
RE: I can't sleep without using CPAP - AshSF - 09-26-2024
If you lost 110lbs, I would recommend another sleep study. That will tell you if you still need the PAP therapy.