Stop breathing as I'm nodding off...

[KarmanMonkey]

Hi, First post,

I was diagnosed with a form of sleep apnea a couple years ago, and was prescribed a CPAP machine, using nasal pillows. At first, after an adjustment period, it seemed to be going quite well. Then, for some unknown reason, I'd find myself suddenly stopping my breathing just as I'm drifting off to sleep.

I spoke to the techs about the problem, and they gave me a full face mask to try, which never worked for me; it would always start to leak as I drifted off, no matter how I adjusted it, and it'd eventually get so tight it was painful, and still leak. Tried troubleshooting with the techs, but ultimately returned that mask.

So any ideas what could be causing the sudden stop of breathing with the nasal pillows? I feel I'd benefit from the use of the CPAP, but needless to say, I stopped using it when I couldn't get a solution to the problem, as that moment where I'd stop breathing would wake me up exceptionally well!

[Pugsy]

What brand and model machine? Be specific please.

Do you not have this problem when not using the mask and machine?
This problem happened with both the nasal pillow mask and the full face mask?

[KarmanMonkey]

I'm posting from work, so I'll have to post later with the make and model.

With the face mask, the leak issues would happen before I'd get as close to sleep as I would when I'd experience the breathing issue with the nasal pillow.

And no, it's not something that happens when I sleep without the CPAP.

[chunkyfrog]

Panic? If the machine is OK, I would try wearing it while awake--TV, etc.
To regain your trust of the machine.

[KarmanMonkey]

Not sure if it's panic, but when I stop breathing it certainly does result in a panic like jolt.

I have a diagnosed anxiety disorder with "Panic features", but if what I'm experiencing with the CPAP is panic, it's different than what I've experienced with non-cpap panic attacks.

(note; I have progressed in my recovery, so my "normal" full blown panic attacks are now rare (about 1/yr))

I'll try wearing the machine at times other than sleep, as you've suggested... A bit tough with an 18mo old at home though; when he goes to sleep there's usually housework to be done, so little time on the couch for me, I'm afraid!

Edit: To clarify, I don't feel the panic-like jolt until after I've stopped breathing for a few seconds. Took me a number of attempts to realise my breathing was stopping.

[chunkyfrog]

Stress. So sorry you are going through this.
Remember, in order to take care of others, you must first take care of yourself.
If you fall, you pull down everyone around you.
YOU are important! Put yourself first before it is too late.

[KarmanMonkey]

Thanks for the supportive comments; anxiety and depression are still part of my life, but they no longer rules my life. It took me a long time to recover from my crisis, and for the last four years my job has been to offer support to people with mental illness and be part of the medical team and sort of an advocate/intermediary between team and patient. It's an incredibly rewarding job!

[Julie]

Google 'hypnic jerk' - it's a real thing and while you may not have the movement part of it, you may still be having a version of it. It won't hurt you and is not progressive... what you could try is a white noise machine/player to concentrate on and stop being so conscious of your breathing. It's quite common to have that kind of thing happen.

[BlackSpinner]

There is something often referred to as transitional centrals. This is where when you move from one sleep stage to another, often right when you are falling asleep and your brain forgets to tell you to breathe. I get them sometimes. They are annoying. Until I found out what they were I thought I was having panic attacks and I was afraid I was coming down with some anxiety disorder....which of course made me feel really anxious....

Hopefully you have a data capable machine which will tell you what exactly is happening.

[Hang Fire]

I spoke to the techs about the problem, and they gave me a full face mask to try

Sounds like the techs didn't have a clue, and rather than admit it, they just did the stupid thing and gave you a FFM. The problem you described does not call for switching to a FFM.

Work with these guys on the forum, and they probably can help get you on the right track.

[ChicagoGranny]

I'm posting from work, so I'll have to post later with the make and model.

Put the info in your equipment profile, and it will appear handily every time you post - https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=prof ... pment_info

anxiety and depression

a diagnosed anxiety disorder with "Panic features"

This could very well be a result of undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnea. Successful treatment with CPAP might cure this problem. Lots of good reading here - http://doctorstevenpark.com/?s=depressi ... mit=Search

[Goofproof]

Besides filling in your equiptment profile in TEXT not ICOONY, You need to tell us your Pressure and ramp settings.

If I was using the ramp, I'd quit it, if I had a APAP, I'd run it in a narrow pressure range of not more than a 4 cm spread.

I'd get and use the software, so I'd know how my treatment was going. Going into sleep mode could be the trigger, but your settings could be a factor, as could your state of mind. Good luck with your treatment, just some ideas to try. Jim

[70sSanO]

I would have to agree with BlackSpinner on this one. I get central apneas. My understanding is that they occur when your brain decides it just doesn't want to breathe at the moment. Occasionally it will happen to me when I am first falling asleep, with my machine running, and will get a wake-up jolt. At those times my AHI numbers are horrible, but things seem to be fine by the end of the night. Running data is a good thing because you can see what is happening. If is a obstructive that is one thing... centrals are another.

Can't help you with the interaction of any medication and how it impacts the brain to send out the.. "Okay, time to breathe" messages. If they get bad enough there are BiPAP (?) machines that help with central apneas.

John

[KarmanMonkey]

Looked up hypnic jerks, and I've had them without the CPAP; in those instances it felt like I was in freefall for a moment, and that would cause me to have a "jerk" like one does when they tip their chair out of balance; I always thought that's why it was called FALLING asleep.

I've never installed the software; I got frustrated early on, especially with the lack of support from the "professionals". It's odd that for someone who is a big fan of peer support for my mental health, it never occurred to me to seek it out for the CPAP. So glad I did!

The apnea is likely a contributor to my anxiety and depression, but definitely not the only thing. I'm hopeful that resolving these issues will improve my quality of life, though, as I've got a little one at home and I haven't felt well rested in quite a long while.

I also need to stop eating every cookie, muffin, cake etc. that my coworkers bring into work! I've lost a bit of weight, but haven't put a dent in the 50 pounds I gained since I started working here. Don't let anyone tell you a hospital is a healthy place to work!

[Julie]

But you can eat all those lovely mystery salads they put out!