Scary Episode on CPAP

[HoseheadUK]

Hello all, new CPAP user here. Been "on the hose" since May 3, a trial using a machine provided by the NHS. It's been going great, a few initial teething problems aside - feeling rested in the morning, no more headaches, more energy during the day and feeling better generally than I have done for years. However, last night, I had my machine on but still had what might have been a scary apnoea episode: dreamed I was being choked and couldn't breathe, was half-awake, half-asleep and trying to breathe, eventually woke up and was breathing normally through my nose. So I'm not sure if this was an OSA episode or a sleep paralysis thing or an anxiety thing or what. But it has made me worry a bit - anyone else had this?

[zoocrewphoto]

It might be a dream, or it could be that the level of pressure isn't high enough. Mine is set from 11-17, but was originally programmed to ramp up from 5. I found that 5 felt like I was smothering, so I turned off the ramp feature. Depending on what your settings are, it may have the lowest setting too low for you to feel comfortable. You won't smother, even if it is turned off. My third night, my machine actually turned off. I woke up, wondered if it was on and checked. There was an error with the humidifier.

Can you tell us what machine and mask you are using, and what your settings are? There is a profile that you can pick these so that they post automatically. Underneath the search bar at the top is the user control panel. Once you get your new machine, you can update your profile. But that info will help people understand what possible things are happening and how to fix it.

I'm fairly new myself, so I haven't experienced anything like this. I have had a few dreams after taking the mask off. I dreamt I was going to die once, and another time I dreamt that I could not get my machine plugged in, and I really wanted to. My brain was upset that the machine was not on.

[kteague]

Even on cpap most still have some residual events. Hopefully with cpap they are few and less severe. Theoretically one could increase their pressure enough to resolve all events, but with higher pressures can come more problems withs leaks, belly air, tolerance of the treatment, etc. so most keep their pressure as low as they can and still prevent most events. Just think, even a person with an AHI of 1, if you multiply that over an 8 hour night, there's 8 events, and the target is generally an AHI under 5. Those who monitor their overnight data could check it after an episode like you describe to see if an event shows up. Some people were titrated to a pressure in a suboptimal situation in the sleep lab. Although this is not a hard and fast rule, OSA can be worse while on the back and in REM. If a study didn't include that, the pressure may not be adequate for a worst case scenario. Therapy can be challenged by a large mask leak, which data would also show, or by opening the mouth if not using a fuill face mask. Maybe those who have access to your data on your loaner machine could check the date and time in question and see if they see anything, or you can post the exact and full machine name and see if you can check it yourself. In the meantime, you might want to take steps to stay off your back. I understand your concern. Those types of dreams are unsettling. I've only had one in the past several years, and they used to be regular. Hang in there.

[HoseheadUK]

Thanks, both of you. You've put my mind at rest. I did suspect that CPAP wouldn't stop ALL such episodes, but it's good to have it confirmed - I have a slightly anxious, OCD-ish personality that's being triggered by all the stuff that goes with having OSA.

I'm seeing the sleep clinic woman tomorrow, I'll mention it to her but the more I think about it, the more I think there were factors that may have precipitated it. I'd had a poor night's sleep the night before, so I was very tired (actually dropped off in front of the telly for only the second time since starting the treatment). I was also at my dad's over the weekend and he's a smoker, so the smoky atmosphere possibly irritated my airways. The smell of that smoke gets into everything - there was a definite tang of it on my mask! Plus, I seem to breathe easier through my nose on one side than another/on my back.

Thanks again!