Just a dream...?

[SleepyRae]

Had a scary night last night. Well, technically this morning. Ive been working hard to keep my mask on all night. Usually I just get annoyed at some point and pull it off. So last night I kept it on all night. (6.7 hours...not so great I know) Woke up at 7:00 feeling HORRIBLE but I had to get up and get ready for an appointment. Almost fell asleep waiting for said appointment several times. Appointment fell through, cool, I can go back to sleep. So around 9:30 I settle back into bed, get my mask on, and fall asleep with no trouble. Had a nice dream. But then suddenly the dream changed, and a doctor was putting these sticks on my mask to 'keep it on' or something. Scary, but not painful. But then I get this terrible pain in my head, it feels like my head is going to explode...pressure in my temples. So I 'wake up.' I look out the window and it's all dark outside even tho the clock says it's noon. So I realize I am still dreaming. I try to relax and breathe (I know I'm in my mask 'in real life') and I can't breathe in. I keep trying but I feel like I'm choking to death. After maybe a minute of trying to force myself to wake up again, I finally do for real. First thought was to check my vents. nope, not obstructed in any way. I feel a little...tingly in my head and face. I get up ok, everything seems ok, except I still feel more tired than ever! I check my data right away, nothing too crazy. One hypopnea around 2:00am and that's it! Right before I woke up it showed my pressure increasing to almost 13 (I'm titrated at 9) but I've had it hit 13 before no problem.

So looong story...long...what happened?? Was it just a dream and all the sensory information was part of the dream? Or might something external actually been happening? Is it somehow related to the CPAP? As far as I can tell I'm ok, but now I'm nervous about next time!! Any insight?

[Julie]

Hi, no it could have been real in the sense that there is a quirky sleep thing called sleep paralysis, nothing to worry about unless you have it all the time and it won't affect your health in any case, but it's basically what you describe - you awaken, but can't move or anything for 1-2 minutes and it can be very scary! If you want to know more, ask a neurologist.

[kempo]

Back 100 years ago when I was in College, I fell asleep on my bed in the middle of the day between classes. I was laying on my stomach with my head and face between the bed and the wall. I awoke but couldn't move. For what seemed a very long time I layed there thinking maybe I am paralyzed. I tried very hard to move my arms and legs but nothing happened. I started shaking my head from side to side. When I realized I was not completely paralyzed I started hitting my head against the wall until I awakened.

It never happened again but for several weeks I was afraid to go to sleep. I had a Doctor tell me that this can happen when a person is under a lot of stress.