Scary thing happened last night

[kteague]

Went to bed quite late, thanks to a quick visit in chat that wasn't quick (as usual). Had recently recovered from a cold or virus, and there was no more congestion, just a slight lingering cough. Been back on the machine for several nights. About 15 minutes after going to sleep I awoke unable to breathe, bolted upright and opened my mouth desperately trying to get air in. Realized no air was coming thru my nose so lifted the mask, but air was coming out normally. It was odd. I was not congested, but my sinuses were totally closed. Jumping out of bed I struggled to get air in, but it felt like everything was clamped down tight. Finally a wheeze. Then several minutes of struggling to breathe and violent coughing. Looked in the bathroom mirror and I was an odd red and looked almost edematous, like my skin was puffy, and it covered my face, neck and middle of my chest. I had seen that look once on my mother when she had CHF and I arrived in her hospital room where had slid down in the bed and was lying flat and she was a purplish red color and struggling to breathe.

Years ago I had a few times of waking up coughing and feeling like something went down the wrong pipe, but nothing to this degree, to where I was ready to call 911. In retrospect I had just attributed those precpap times to apnea events. When I checked my data this morning there were no events in the few minutes I was asleep - nothing except the leak rate spiking when I took the mask off.

Don't know if I aspirated something, had an allergic reaction, or what happened, but I spent the rest of the night in the chair and don't know when I'll get the nerve to get back into bed. Today I have a really ugly sounding cough and I'm hoarse. Wondering if my GERD could have returned even though I don't have symptoms of it. Or if it could have been vocal cord spasms. But the upper airway closing off with no congestion sounds more like swelling from an allergic reaction. No new meds last night, although I just got my meds refilled with the same things I'd been using. Anyone else have episodes like this and have a diagnosis?

[hyperjma]

KTeague, I wouldn't claim to have the exact same problem, but I have woken up before in the middle of the night, heart racing unable to breathe. Of course it was before my OSA diagnosis, but sometimes I still wake up in the middle of the night unable to get a full breath. I have a ton of allergies which in turn causes me to swell up (throat closed up and had to go to ER twice), so I know the fear you felt. Luckily mine have been far and few in between. Did your meds switch from name-brand to generic? (i have problems with that). Did you start new vitamins? I have also heard a great suggestion, taking your bed and putting the head of the bed on top of brings or a few 2x4s. Put a small slant into your bed. At least you wouldn't have to be in the chair.
Also, another thought... is it possible your hose kinked? If you shot up out of bed gasping for air, the tubing for your machine would not be in the same position as if you were sleeping laying down. Where do you keep your hose? I know it sounds wierd, but I keep mine on my chest and I sort of snuggle it, so that when I move it moves.
Hope this helps and best of luck!

[BleepingBeauty]

Yikes, Kathy. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I regret that I have no advice for you, as I've never experienced anything like it. (Hopefully, you'll never experience it again, either.)

Maybe someone else here will have some solid info for you. Sending good wishes your way...

[fuzzy96]

reminds me of the cockroach in the hose story..

since i read that i ALWAYS turn on the machine for a minite before puting my mask on.

possible a spider or something got in there? alleregic reaction to something?

definitely scary!!!

[robertmarilyn]

reminds me of the cockroach in the hose story..
since i read that i ALWAYS turn on the machine for a minite before puting my mask on.
possible a spider or something got in there?

Oh yikes I'd take almost anything but THAT...the ick factor is just too high for my tolerance

Kathy, I can understand your anxiety about going to bed with the machine. I hope someone can help you figure out what might have happened and that your mind can be relieved that it probably won't happen again.

mar

[fuzzy96]

OK here it is. I must warn you. Its not very nice, its disgusting. Please don't read it if you are prone to nightmares.

As some of you know I work 2 jobs. Yesterday was my long day . 7 AM -11PM. I was tired . My feet hurt. All I wanted to do was go to bed .

So, I get home , Feed the chickens and collect the eggs and head for the shower to wash the days grime away. 11:37 PM is my magic time. Its just a time that I use to determine if I'm on schedule. If I'm in bed before 11:37 its like extra points. After 11:37 I feel like I failed my mission.

The eggs are collected, I've showered. 11:36 Hurry. Time to fill the humidifier of my 420E. I pull off the hose and notice its still warm. X#$% I forgot to switch it off. I quickly fill it , switch on the cpap and glance over the bed to locate the mask so I don't crush it when I jump in. , There it is, covered by sheets of my unmade bed.

11:37 I reach up to pull the chain on the ceiling fan light and fall into bed.

I fumble around in the dark for a moment locating the Activa . It seems to be making a different noise. Oh well. I place it over my face and slip on the straps . It starts whistleing wildly. Never heard that before . I adjust it again. No luck. Now I'm thinking about all those posts I've read about noisey masks. What would Gailzee or Janelle do about this ? Where is RG when you need her ?

I roll on my back like an overturned turtle reaching for the lamp . I finally get it switched on .

I figure it must be the swivil snap that connects the hose to the mask so I press the buttons on the side to remove it. ........................................................................................................................................As the connecter departed the mask a GIANT, Humungous , ....................................................................................................COCKROACH was blown out and hit me in the face

He disappears into the shadows with me in pursuit. He escapes to haunt me for the remainder of the night.

I went to bed and had nightmares of Aliens carrying me off to the mother ship....... They looked like cockroaches .

Whats your story ?

Cockroaches like Warm, Humid, Dark places . Don't leave your humidifier on !


http://insects.tamu.edu/images/insects/ ... img23.html

:twis ted:

[DyannaK]

Don't know if I aspirated something, had an allergic reaction, or what happened, but I spent the rest of the night in the chair and don't know when I'll get the nerve to get back into bed. Today I have a really ugly sounding cough and I'm hoarse. Wondering if my GERD could have returned even though I don't have symptoms of it. Or if it could have been vocal cord spasms. But the upper airway closing off with no congestion sounds more like swelling from an allergic reaction. No new meds last night, although I just got my meds refilled with the same things I'd been using. Anyone else have episodes like this and have a diagnosis?

How scary! I hope you are doing better now... Were you able to get to sleep in your bed the next night?

[robertmarilyn]

OK here it is. I must warn you. Its not very nice, its disgusting. Please don't read it if you are prone to nightmares.

I had to read this with my eyes closed

http://insects.tamu.edu/images/insects/ ... img23.html

Sorry, I can't look

:twis ted:

Yes you are Seriously, I'm sorry that happened to you...nightmares should NOT come true

And do you really have chickens?...What do they think of you clomping around at 11 something PM?...I know the chickens are probably in bed even if you aren't.

mar

[-SWS]

Kathy... hope that doesn't happen again!

A vocal chord spasm sure does sound possible:
http://www.voicedoctor.net/therapy/laryngospasm.html

Excessive post-nasal drip can trigger those. So can acid reflux. Please get well soon!

[kteague]

Thank you all for your well wishes and things to consider. The link about spasms gave some practical tips for how to handle an episode if that's the problem. If it is, in my panic I did everything wrong. Not ready to get back in the bed yet. I'll be in the chair again tonight. I know I can't sleep there forever, but for now...

Thanks again.
Kathy

[Juliebove]

That does sound scary.

I do have GERD and wouldn't have known it had I not seen a Gastroenterologist for something else. I had no symptoms whatever prior to being put on the GERD meds. But I do have Barrett's Esophogus so I have had the GERD for a while. I have friends and family members with it and know the suffering they have. But I had none of that! Since going on the GERD meds (had to stop them because of migraines and bizarre dreams) I get occasional symptoms.

I did have symptoms such as you decribe (although maybe not exactly the same) on two different occasions. Both times happened several years ago and both times I was drinking green tea. All of a sudden, I felt like I had swallowed somehthing and it was stuck in my throat, although I had eaten nothing. I tried to take a breath in. Couldn't. Tried to take a breath out. Couldn't. I wound up standing up and flailing my arms, then eventually was able to wheeze. I remained wheezing for several minutes. Then I could finally get a breath but it was almost like the breath was overwhelming. I then had chest pain (like sore muscles or bruising) for several days after.

I know I am not allergic to green tea. I have had it many times prior and after those events. I have no clue what it was. I did suspect asthma because of the wheezing. My mom has been diagnosed with asthma. So it does run in the family.

[TerryB]

Sorry you're having problems Kathy. With the bunch of variables in in our health and attempts to deal with there is always something new going on.
I hope you can get back to the more routine soon.

TerryB

[robertmarilyn]

Thank you all for your well wishes and things to consider. The link about spasms gave some practical tips for how to handle an episode if that's the problem. If it is, in my panic I did everything wrong. Not ready to get back in the bed yet. I'll be in the chair again tonight. I know I can't sleep there forever, but for now...
Thanks again.
Kathy

Kathy,

Just recently you were telling me about your cataplexy-like experiences. Could something like that be anyway involved in what happened to you last night?
mar

[ozij]

That's very scary, Kathy. I hope it never happens again, and that you feel safe enouth to sleep in bed soon.
O.

[SaltLakeJan]

Kathy, I was frightened for you, just reading your description. I have occasional esophgeal spasms, and I can't breathe or swollow. They occur in the daytime, usually when I have taken too large of a drink of water. My Gastro doctor used to give me Nitroglycerine pills to put under my tongue. But, yours was more violent. You have my best thoughts and prayers for you tonight. You have come to my aid before, and I am sorry I cannot help you.

Jan