sleep apnea?

morganedge

Does anyone here have this? Is it serious?
I *think* I have it.

Basically, every few nights whilst i'm asleep, I can't breath. I'll be sleeping, i'll be aware that i'm not breathing even as i'm asleep, and i'll try to breath but I can't. At some point as I feel i'm about to die, something 'kicks in' and I have a sudden intake of breath as I awake.

It seems guaranteed to happen if I sleep on my back. Less so if I sleep on my front/side.

I'm concerned that one day my body won't be able to 'recover' and force me awake so that I can breath, and....ya know....die!

Is that sleep apnea?
Anyone here have that?

Humphrey10

morganedge wrote: »

Basically, every few nights whilst i'm asleep, I can't breath. I'll be sleeping, i'll be aware that i'm not breathing even as i'm asleep, and i'll try to breath but I can't.

If you were asleep, you wouldn't know you weren't breathing. But you could be waking up when this happens I guess.
Sleep apnea is something that happens many times a night I think though.

Anyway, make a GP's appointment. They will be able to help find out if it is sleep apenea.

Nile

morganedge wrote: »

Does anyone here have this? Is it serious?
I *think* I have it.

Basically, every few nights whilst i'm asleep, I can't breath. I'll be sleeping, i'll be aware that i'm not breathing even as i'm asleep, and i'll try to breath but I can't. At some point as I feel i'm about to die, something 'kicks in' and I have a sudden intake of breath as I awake.

It seems guaranteed to happen if I sleep on my back. Less so if I sleep on my front/side.

I'm concerned that one day my body won't be able to 'recover' and force me awake so that I can breath, and....ya know....die!

Is that sleep apnea?
Anyone here have that?

We're not supposed to ask for (or give) medical advice, so the safest option is to see your GP.;)

doinkthemonkee

Humphrey10 wrote: »

If you were asleep, you wouldn't know you weren't breathing. But you could be waking up when this happens I guess.
Sleep apnea is something that happens many times a night I think though.

Anyway, make a GP's appointment. They will be able to help find out if it is sleep apenea.

could be night terrors? I'd still advise to seek a dr appointment

morganedge

Humphrey10 wrote: »

If you were asleep, you wouldn't know you weren't breathing.

Hmmm...not sure how else to explain it. Are you sure about that?
I'm aware that i'm not breathing, but i'm unable to open my eyes as I desperately try to gasp for air. (which I'm unable to do until my body forces me awake)

I've also suffered from what I believe is sleep paralysis in the past, and i'm well aware of everything going on around me, but , I can't move.

So are you certain that I wouldn't know I was not breathing if I was asleep??

tattycath

morganedge wrote: »

Hmmm...not sure how else to explain it. Are you sure about that?
I'm aware that i'm not breathing, but i'm unable to open my eyes as I desperately try to gasp for air. (which I'm unable to do until my body forces me awake)

I've also suffered from what I believe is sleep paralysis in the past, and i'm well aware of everything going on around me, but , I can't move.

So are you certain that I wouldn't know I was not breathing if I was asleep??

I suffer from sleep paralysis and night terrors too.
If you have any health issues you are concerned about you should see your GP.

Humphrey10

morganedge wrote: »

So are you certain that I wouldn't know I was not breathing if I was asleep??

Well, yes, because you're asleep.
Anyway go see your GP.

pmduk

It sounds like my experience but with sleep apnoea, but obviously needs to be professionally diagnosed, probably with a sleep study. I understand the availability of these are patchy depending on area.

morganedge

I've made an appointment now
For what it's worth, it would seem that my blood pressure is through the roof, too!
(i'm young, don't smoke, exercise lots. Strange)

Toothsmith

Sleep apnoea is a very serious condition.

The lack of oxygen entering the blood stream can leave the sufferer at extreme risk of many complications including strokes and heart disease.

The sleep disturbance can also make people very prone to nodding off during the day - which also has obvious safety implications especially if the sufferer has to drive a lot or operate heavy machinery.

Risk factors include being overweight and high alcohol consumption and smoking.

The Dr can diagnose sleep apnoea and sleep clinics can help. If you suffer - then your blood will show decreased oxygen levels.

On the other hand most sufferers don't know they do it - they just feel tired and lethargic, and fall asleep a lot etc. What you're describing does sound like night terrors.

BUT - sleep apnoea IS a serious condition, and dangerous to you and those around you if you do do a lot of driving! You really need to go and see the Dr if you think you might have it.

Toothsmith

morganedge wrote: »

I've made an appointment now
For what it's worth, it would seem that my blood pressure is through the roof, too!
(i'm young, don't smoke, exercise lots. Strange)

Good! It's for the best