Feeling of "electric surge" in chest on CPAP?

phorts · Post by **phorts** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:23 am

I dont really know how to describe it, and this isnt the first time these "surges" have occured, but they are almost gauranteed during CPAP.

What happens is i'll lay down to sleep like normal, put on the mask and turn my machine on. For a few minutes i'm breathing normally and everything is ok. All of a sudden i feel this surge of energy in my chest that brings me to full alertness. In the old days when i suffered from severe anxiety I would have flipped out. Now, i calmly disregard it and try to fall back asleep. It feels like it only happens RIGHT on the verge of entering sleepyland. JUST as i'm about to slip away this surge happens again and I wake up.

I took my mask off and fell asleep within 15 mins.

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before? I've told previous doctors about this and they all disregarded it and/or wrote it off to my anxiety. I havent mentioned this to my current doctor.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated, i can't use my CPAP!

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:59 am

You might do a search for "sleep onset centrals". You will get a few pages of reading to see if that applies to your case.

Seems like I remember another new cpaper about 6 months ago that complained of the same thing.

Others can chime in here and give you more info.

Edit: Here is an interesting link to start you off.

viewtopic.php?t=18117

phorts · Post by **phorts** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 12:30 pm

Thank you... I read those posts and a few others about CSA. Maybe this is what I have? Others describe it as a "JumpStart" feeling...and that's exactly it! It's like i'm falling asleep...falling asleep...and all of a sudden... HEY!!! i can feel myself stop breathing sometimes, that's why i was so confused/concerned when it happened on CPAP. Isnt that what CPAP is supposed to cure?

Currently my pressure is on CPAP 7. I'm going to change it to APAP w/ a range of 7-12 to see if that helps.

I have so many more questions now about CSA. I was told by my sleep doc that I have what's called UARS (Upper Airway Restriction Syndrome). I understand the subtle differences between that and OSA, but not between UARS and CSA.

Do i really need CPAP? Is CSA a problem in the brain and/or nervous system that can be treated some other way? How would my doctor tell the difference between OSA, CSA and UARS in the Sleep Studies I've had? My oxygen levels remain at a good level, hence why he ruled out OSA. I stop breathing many times and for short periods of time. It appears my "jumpstart" feature is working, which is nice, but my "continous breathing" feature seems to be malfunctioning.

How the HECK is anyone suppose to know this stuff w/o going through the extensive research and diligence it's taken me to even get this far? Thank god for you guys and the internet.

Many thanks for your continued assistance and support...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:35 pm

Do a Google on "sleep paralysis" and see if your symptoms might not be similar in some regards.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:49 pm

Okay, I know what your talking about. Have you had your thyroid checked? This was my problem. I thought I was going to quit breathing in my sleep. Have them check your thyroid levels.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:50 pm

I do not have any of those symptoms. I am fully awake and lucid and able to move all of my limbs. I have had a few episodes of sleep paralysis over the years but this is something completely different.

If you've ever felt a "jumpstart" before, you would know what i'm talking about. It's a little electric pulse going through my heart/chest that jerks me awake. I then slowly fall back asleep and i get zapped again on the cusp of awake and sleep. The cycle continues until I take my CPAP machine off. I've had these "jumpstart" episodes a few times before CPAP but they were mostly when i'd had a few drinks before bed. Sometimes i'd even have them the night AFTER a night of partying.

Whatever it is, it is scary and gives me thoughts of going to sleep and not waking up because my body forgets to jumpstart itself. In any event, if this is happening during sleep, no wonder i feel like complete crap.

My question mainly is: Would there be a difference in my sleep studies if I had Central Sleep Apnea versus traditional Obstructive Sleep Apnea (or UARS)?

PS: Yes i've had my thyroid checked several times and all systems are GO

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:09 pm

Here's another thread regarding what you seem to be experiencing. You might contact some of these forum members via a PM if you have more specific questions. Such as "what did/do they do to counter these episodes".

One person wrote that he does better with a straight cpap pressure as opposed to auto. Also, you might try adjusting your pressure to see if you experience the jolts at a lower or higher pressure. I would go 1 lower first.

viewtopic.php?p=155670&highlight=#155670

phorts · Post by **phorts** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:04 pm

Thanks again Laura for your insight. I PM'd a couple members that have experienced similar events as I. I came up w/ another analogy this evening. It's like someone is using a defibulator on me on a low setting. Although i've never been defibbed, i could imagine it would feel quite similar...

If they are Centrals... are they being induced by CPAP. If so, what can/should i do if anything can be done to eliminate these events?

Feeling of "electric surge" in chest on CPAP?

Feeling of "electric surge" in chest on CPAP?

What is going onnn?

Re: Feeling of "electric surge" in chest on CPAP?