REM dreams - good or not?

[laprof]

I've always had lots of dreams and often remember many of them. Until I started CPAP use, I was prone to nightmares or "off" dreams, too. Since I've be on CPAP therapy, I'm still dreaming, but no nightmares! I've always heard that REM sleep is good sleep, but now I wonder if REM sleep is good if the dreams from that time can be recalled. If recalling the dreams isn't good, how do I get out of deep REM sleep? I'm only on month two of CPAP (Resmed AirSense 10), so don't know if there's a weaning process from dream recollection. I do awaken during the night but it's usually b/c I'm trying to keep reposition the nasal pillows or fix the elastic straps that seem to "enjoy" moving! Any ideas about recalling my dreams? Thank you, again, for any help.

[Doug_Nightmare]

Anxiety on waking is what drove me to sleep therapy.

Speaking as a lay person; the dreams that are recalled occur just while one is waking or are recalled for wakening one. Yes, REM sleep is the dreaming state. REM sleep is good and more than good, it is essential to good health.

I am new to CPAP therapy, and it has been about a week now that I have not awakened - or recall waking. I am sleeping seven solid hours, recalling no dreams, and waking at my habitual 0500 needing to relieve myself.

If I had known that nocturia is a sign of SA them I might have sought help years ago.

I am using P10 nasal pillows and duct taping my mouth shut. My demerits are usually mask fit but the pillows are in place when I to to sleep and in place when I waken, so I’m not anxious about that.

I do not believe that I have Obstructive SA, but Central SA, and am putting up with CPAP therapy to eliminate obstruction as a cause. Central SA is diagnosed largely by elimination.

[ChicagoGranny]

Any ideas about recalling my dreams?

You can only recall dreams if you wake up during the dreams. If you are recalling many dreams, it means you are awakening many times.

Are you analyzing the efficacy of your CPAP therapy using Sleepyhead software?

I do awaken during the night but it's usually b/c I'm trying to keep reposition the nasal pillows or fix the elastic straps that seem to "enjoy" moving!

Go to cpap.com and youtube and watch some videos on how to size and adjust the model of pillows you are using.

Please fill out your equipment profile - https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=prof ... pment_info

(There are several models of ResMed AirSense 10, so we don't know which machine you are using.)

[laprof]

Thank you, ChicagoNanny. I just submitted my equipment type (I think b/c the screen kept asking me to edit the info).

[laprof]

Doug-Nightmare, Thank you for your reply. I am not anxious about awakening in the morning, but more so about just trying to get a solid night's sleep. Looks like you're doing well!

[chunkyfrog]

Her name is ChicagoGRANNY, not Nanny.
I understand the confusion, though--
Granny or nanny--she has the right instinct.

[ChicagoGranny]

Her name is ChicagoGRANNY, not Nanny.

Maybe, I'll change it. It makes me feel younger.

(After many years without a nanny in the house for the kids, I'm finally so old that I have a nanny for me. She got a good laugh out of this post. )

[ChicagoGranny]

Thank you, ChicagoNanny. I just submitted my equipment type (I think b/c the screen kept asking me to edit the info).

There are two videos here for you mask - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... l#tips-tab

I'm sure you can find some more fitting and adjusting videos for your mask on youtube.



_________________

Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier

OK, you have one of the best machines. Do you know how to get into the clinical menu to see a daily report of how well your therapy is working? Do you know how to use Sleepyhead software?

[Lucyhere]

(After many years without a nanny in the house for the kids, I'm finally so old that I have a nanny for me. She got a good laugh out of this post. )

For an "old" person, you are amazing. You run circles around most people here.

[CpapWife]

From what I read REM sleep is good, we would go crazy if we didn't get any at all.
However, if there is issues like untreated sleep apnea it can change the quality of the dreams. With not enough oxygen, our body goes into flight or fight state and often the dreams reflect that. DH dreamed of armies and spies and being chased by people with guns before his cpap. Now those dreams are rare.

If you want to remember your dreams (sounds like that is not what you are looking for based on your last post), there are techniques to do so (e.g. pad and pen by your bedside, write down what you remember when you first wake up, over a short time you will remember more and more).

[jnk...]

REM is good. Dreams during REM are often emotionally charged. Dreams in other stages do occur but tend to be less emotional.

It is believed that you can't form a conscious memory of a particular dream unless you have an arousal during it or shortly after it. That is why being able to recall many dreams can be a bad sign.

One technique for remembering dreams is to lie very still when you first awaken, not moving from the position, as you immediately try to remember your last dream.

[laprof]

Thank you for your continued help as I try to get used to using my CPAP machine. And, thanks, ChicagoGranny, for the links to using my nasal pillows mask. I'm still having oodles of issues with it, but just realized that the air coming out from the bottom of the mask is b/c of the vents there - and not b/c of a leak! So, of course, newbie that I am, I now wonder what the heck IS a leak? And how can I tell the difference between the vents "leaking" and a real one? Yegads. I do use the clinical info on my ResMed AirSense 10, but not any apps b/c I own a flip phone and not an Apple type one. I really need to find a nasal pillow mask whose head gear (the stretchy straps of my current one keep slipping overnight) is more stable and whose nasal pillows are a bit different than my current ones (they're very soft and flexible, but I find that I either have a "pig" nose trying to keep them correctly placed or they feel like they're slipping!). I'm comforted to know that many of you on this site have gone through similar problems at the start of CPAP use - and that you haven't quit! Best.

[ChicagoGranny]

So, of course, newbie that I am, I now wonder what the heck IS a leak? And how can I tell the difference between the vents "leaking" and a real one?

I do use the clinical info on my ResMed AirSense 10, but not any apps b/c I own a flip phone and not an Apple type one.

Do you have a PC? You can use the free Sleepyhead software to look at leaks in detail. Most of the regulars here and many others rely heavily on Sleepyhead to manage their CPAP therapy.

[ChicagoGranny]

And, thanks, ChicagoGranny, for the links to using my nasal pillows mask.

I failed to mention that there are good videos here - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... +p10+leaks