Wondering about centrals.

NotthatBob · Post by **NotthatBob** » Sun May 18, 2008 11:57 am

I've been on treatment, 99% compliant, for almost 4 months now. No longer snore (per wife), feel more energy, more clear headed, so I would say things are working. The wife couldn't take the "different" noise of the data capable machine, hence the Compact.

I do, however, continue to have one symptom that I had hoped would go away. About once every 6 weeks, I have bad nightmares from which I awaken, *every time*, by yelling at whatever boogie man is hassling me in the dream. When I awaken, I am out of breath and, I suppose "gasping" for air, although I would call it more like breathing deeply to "catch up" on air. I am thinking that these events may be central apnea events.

I am thinking that my OSA's are pretty well taken care of, based on generally feeling better and not snoring. I am wondering if I have very occasional centrals, and how would I "document" this. Since they are so rare, it would be *very* difficult to pick them up on a sleep study. Will a data capable machine pick up and differentiate OSA vs. Central events? If so, I guess I will have to move to the other bedroom since the wife doesn't like the noise.

Your thoughts appreciated.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sun May 18, 2008 12:15 pm

Seems I heard that "nonresponsive apneas" on our reports might be central apnea events. Not sure, though, so hoping one of our wiser users will chime in here.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sun May 18, 2008 2:49 pm

don't think it has anything to do with your machine, you might research "Parasomnias" on the net or vivid dreams.

Take special note to any medications you may be taking, those could influence what is happening.

If it wasn't nightmares I would suggest melatonin for deeper sleep but in this case you are in deep sleep already or REM and melatonin can make that worse by keeping you in REM sleep longer so that may not be what you want.

Before CPAP when you had experiences during sleep they ask if you have ever experienced dreams of falling? I would think your nighmares are a kin to that feeling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasomnia

scroll down to sleep terrors

NotthatBob · Post by **NotthatBob** » Sun May 18, 2008 3:47 pm

Wooo boy! Not sleep terrors...thank goodness! That sounds horrible...more accurately "terrible." I'm on no medications, so I don't know about that. I do think I am in very deep sleep at the time, as The Mrs. indicates I am very difficult to wake up when this happens.