[DanishLass]

Hi embarrassed by this dumb question, but if I am dreaming a lot and remembering my dreams...does this mean I am not having any apnea episodes during this time?

[nodding off]

Hi DanishLass,
I'm not a Doctor, but in my opinion it means that you are acheiving REM sleep and your apneas and/or hypopneas are not substantial enough to cause arousals, which is good news. It does not mean that you are absolutely incident free during this time, but if they are not serious enough to get you out of REM sleep they are probably not significant. Isn't it great to be able to dream again!!

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[Sleepless on LI]

I, too, have dreams but am suffering from pretty bad sleep apnea. So I guess that dreaming isn't an indication that you don't suffer from OSA, unfortunately. I would imagine it just means that you sometimes, if you're lucky, get to the REM stage. Good luck.

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Machine: REMstar Auto C-Flex CPAP Machine

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Humidifier: REMstar Heated Humidifier

Software: Encore Pro Smart Card

Additional Comments: Derek\'s My Encore, too

[rested gal]

I'm no doctor either, but I think it depends on which dreams you're remembering. If it's the last dream of the morning that the alarm, or sunlight, or whatever wakes you up from, that's normal. But if you are waking up throughout the night...waking up fully enough to actually remember a dream or at least be aware, "I was dreaming.", then I don't think that's such a good thing.

We are more apt to have apneas and hypopneas during the REM stage (when we do most of our dreaming). So, if the machine isn't keeping those apneic events at bay, we might be getting thrown up out of REM by an apnea. Just my pet theory - I could be quite wrong.

Clickable links to some interesting topics about dreaming:

Dreams - posted November 24, 2004

Three page Topic: REM Rebound Questions - posted March 02, 2004

Dreams and lack thereof - posted June 15, 2004

Used to dream before cpap, now it's rare. Is this a problem? - posted October 16, 2004

Brain damage leads to lack of dreaming, interesting article - posted September 23, 2004

Why am I dreaming (without CPAP) - posted (on talkaboutsleep) Apr 26 2005

Why am I dreaming (without CPAP) - posted (on cpaptalk April 26 2005

[Sleepless on LI]

I swear, the more I read, the more confused I become. My husband keeps telling me to avoid reading all these message board postings because they will drive me nuts, and I'm starting to believe he's right. Some say you dream and that's when you get your rejuvenation. Some say you get most of your attacks when dreaming. I give up. Guess I just have to go by what works for me, or doesn't, and how I feel. But thanks for those links, anyway.

_________________

Machine: REMstar Auto C-Flex CPAP Machine

Mask: Headrest Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear

Humidifier: REMstar Heated Humidifier

Software: Encore Pro Smart Card

Additional Comments: Derek\'s My Encore, too

[ahujudybear]

The dreams I remember most are when I am falling asleep! (especially if something wakes me up, like when taking a nap in my car or at work.)

... no, not while driving!!! I will sometimes take a nap before heading home from some event if it is to be a long (more than 15 minutes) drive home.

[Unfortunately, not half of my tiredness comes from poor quality of sleep (my sleep study showed "48%"!), but from post-polio fatigue, so that my fatigue level is not a good indication of the efficacy of this BiPAP therapy.]

- JB

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[waltmon]

I can't remember the last time I had a dream. I've been on Bi-Pap for two weeks and no dreams yet. How long before you start dreaming?

[IWannaSleep]

I think you should be careful about making connections between dreaming and successful treatment of OSA.

Some are suggesting they started remembering dreams immediately after starting "Successful" xPAP therapy. However, it is widely accepted that you remember a dream only if you are awakened as it is happening.

The requirement of being "awakened" in the middle of your dream in order to remember it might (MIGHT) suggest the opposite.

I have read that if you were not actually dreaming, you would become Psychotic and whether or not you remember dreaming is irrelevant.

We all should also keep in perspective that much of the information passed along here is anectdotal and treat it as such. It is all valuable information and has helped me tremendously but take care in how you use it.


Ron

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Machine: M Series Pro C-Flex CPAP Machine

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Humidifier: REMstar Heated Humidifier

Software: Encore Pro Smart Card