I have sleep apnea, they told me I don’t stop breathing, but because when I go into rem state my breathing.?
by Sarah Aniston
Filed under Sleep Apnea Books
Gets shallow they still say it’s sleep apnea. Well they have my cpap machine at the lowest setting it can go to and I still can not get used to it I have had the macince since September I try every night. They say that my breathing gets shallow only when I dream. I wonder why?
There probably is not an answer to this. It is just what your body does. If you have been having trouble since September, you should have already made an appointment with them to re-evaluate either the settings or the fit of the mask because most people get used to their machine in about 2 weeks.
This is normal for some people, but regaurdless, sleep apnea is due to you intermittantly stopping your breathing, or so shallow that the same effects occur. In either case, you do not get proper sleep. Thats why your dragging and falling asleep !
I know quite a few people who have gone on the cpap machine now, They all had a hard time getting used to it. But once they did (and you will to,) it changes their lives.
Keep using the machine !
It is an interesting diagnosis. You aren’t the first, but this isn’t your typical OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). My best theory would be less upper airway muscle tone and response/activity during REM sleep. I would have to base this on a neurological mediated pathology.
I’d be curious to know your O2 Stats during REM. If they prescribed the CPAP then they are likely dropping significantly enough to warrant it.
For alternatives, I might seek out and find the closest neuromuscular and sleep disorder neurologist. There might be some behavioral, diet, exercise, and medicative therapies as an adjunct or replacement to the cpap due to the likely neurological base for this.
Best of luck!
Some people who have sleep apnea are “REM positive” that is, they are worse in REM. During REM sleep your body loses muscle tone, and for some people depending on their physiology this can lead to obstruction in the airway. Keep in mind that only your doctor or the physician who is interpreting your polysomnogram can tell you what is going on with you specifically, though.
PAP therapy is an adjustment process for everyone. It can sometimes take weeks or months to get used to it, but keep trying. Does your mask fit correctly? Make sure that there are no leaks when you put it on and take care not to overtighten the straps and make sure that it is not hurting you. Is the air a comfortable temperature? If you are still having problems adjusting you may want to speak to your homecare provider or your doctor.