Very odd breathing pattern during sleep

[megdor]

Hi: I'm new to the forum today. I posted a similar question a few minutes ago, but since it was on a very old thread I figured I should also start a new one.

I was diagnosed with OSA and have been using CPAP for 2-3 weeks. I've had a very difficult time with it--I have a long-term problem with anxiety when something covers my face, so I anticipated I'd have to work harder at it than most. I've been wearing the mask while awake & watching tv, etc., trying to desensitize myself to the mask. At this point, I'm falling asleep pretty well with the mask on; the problem is keeping it on. I consistently rip the mask off after 1.5-2 hours, most times without waking up. When I do wake up while ripping off the mask, I have a high panic level & feel like I can't get enough air even with the mask off.

I met with the respiratory therapist who tracks my CPAP data today, and we looked to see if there is some event triggering me to pull the mask off. What we saw was quite strange--I consistently breathe 10-12 bpm while I'm awake/falling asleep, then it abruptly changes to 25-30 bpm and stays there very consistently until I rip the mask off. There was no noticeable device-related event (e.g., major change in pressure) triggering me pulling the mask off.

The sleep doc at the clinic got a quick summary of this from the respiratory therapist but hadn't yet seen the detailed graphs. His only guess was that this breathing pattern is possibly due to panic. I'm sure that's factoring into it, but it's hard for me to imagine that this pattern is happening every single night I have the mask on, and my rapid breathing is so sustained, with panic being the explanation. The doc gave me a prescription for Lunesta and suggested I come back in 8 weeks.

I will of course follow up further with the reps therapist and doc, but in the meantime has anyone else experienced this? What I see online about similar breathing patterns refers to a rare disorder called sleep-related tachypnea. No idea if this is the same thing, or if it's a sustained reaction to being on the CPAP machine. Should I be pushing the sleep doc to take this more seriously?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[Pugsy]

I think I would want to see the actual reports of that sustained high breathing rate for myself...but that's just me.

Exactly which brand and model of machine are you using?

SleeyHead software will show respiration rate if the machine shows it and I would want to see it myself. It's not that I don't trust RTs...but I don't.

Depending on your machine you should be able to use SleepyHead.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

thread with examples that I think show the statistics which include respiration rate numbers
viewtopic/t103468/Need-help-with-screen-shots.html

[avi123]

I am surprised that you were given Lunesta because it is counter indicative if you have Breathing Disorder.

Are you a megdor? If you add gdor to my screen name you'll then have my actual first name.

Chronicle II, chapter 4, sentence 4, has GEDOR.

[megdor]

I think I would want to see the actual reports of that sustained high breathing rate for myself...but that's just me.

Exactly which brand and model of machine are you using?

SleeyHead software will show respiration rate if the machine shows it and I would want to see it myself. It's not that I don't trust RTs...but I don't.

Depending on your machine you should be able to use SleepyHead.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

thread with examples that I think show the statistics which include respiration rate numbers
viewtopic/t103468/Need-help-with-screen-shots.html

Thanks, Pugsy. I did actually see about a week's detailed data on the RT's screen--remarkably similar night after night. Point taken re info sources though.

I'm using a Respironics DreamStation with a Mirage Quattro mask (which I just got today to try). I hadn't heard of SleepyHead and will go look at that now! It would be great if I can see my own data.

[megdor]

I am surprised that you were given Lunesta because it is counter indicative if you have Breathing Disorder.

Are you me-gedor?

Thanks for that info! I'm going to try the new mask I just got for a couple of days and see what that does without adding Lunesta. In the meantime, I'll ask the doc if it's a concern to take sleep meds with a possible respiratory disorder other than OSA.

I'm not sure what a me-gedor is?

[megdor]

I think I would want to see the actual reports of that sustained high breathing rate for myself...but that's just me.

Exactly which brand and model of machine are you using?

SleeyHead software will show respiration rate if the machine shows it and I would want to see it myself. It's not that I don't trust RTs...but I don't.

Depending on your machine you should be able to use SleepyHead.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

thread with examples that I think show the statistics which include respiration rate numbers
viewtopic/t103468/Need-help-with-screen-shots.html

Wanted to say thanks again for suggesting the SleepyHead software. I'm still figuring out how to read all the data, but the respiration data did agree with what the RT showed me. Interesting stuff.

[Julie]

If you post it, we can help with interpretation... did you get the link for posting to Imgur.com?

[megdor]

If you post it, we can help with interpretation... did you get the link for posting to Imgur.com?

Sure, that would be great. I know how to take a screenshot and post it on imgur; is there a particular imgur account people use here to post something on the forum? Also, would I screenshot all of the detailed data from a single night?

Last night I tried Lunesta for the first time, and I also slept on my back since side sleeping (my normal position) seems to trigger panic with the mask. I got 5 hours with the mask on--longest ever! Same weird respiration pattern, though.

[klv329]

Is that an odd breathing pattern? My respiratory rate when I am transitioning to sleep ('sleep wake junk period') is about half of my respiratory rate when I start going through the sleep cycles. I assumed it was normal, but I don't recall seeing a discussion about it.

Tearing off the mask, though, hopefully there is solution to that problem.

Hang in there!