Dreams

[jimnsc]

I don't recall dreaming much in the last 20 or so years but since I started my treatment for OSA I dream things I can remember almost every night. Did this happen to you? Would you consider this an indication of anything? Just wondering and inviting your comments.

[ameriken]

One of the problems of sleep apnea is you don't get into the REM sleep, which is the deepest sleep and where you dream. The way I understand it, is with sleep apnea, your sleep keeps getting interrupted and you stay in the lesser stages of sleep never reaching the REM stage, or reaching it and spending very little time there.

So if you're dreaming, I think that's a good indicator that you are getting to the REM sleep, spending more time in REM, and as a result you are getting a better and more beneficial sleep. At least, that's my layman explanation.

[Paper_Nanny]

I don't recall dreaming much in the last 20 or so years but since I started my treatment for OSA I dream things I can remember almost every night. Did this happen to you? Would you consider this an indication of anything? Just wondering and inviting your comments.

I have been on several different treatments for my apnea since February (ASV, BiPAP, and Auto BiPAP) and have noted that I recall dreaming more on therapy than before I started. My dreams are also more vivid and easily recalled on the BiPAP as compared to the other machines. I think the dreaming on therapy vs not on therapy might be an indication of better sleep quality. I don't know why there is a difference for me on the different machines. At my most recent consult with a sleep doctor, he didn't have any ideas on that one, either.

Deborah

[Sheriff Buford]

I started dreaming like there was no tomorrow since day one. still do. It's normal with sleep apnea folks. The problem is that you'll get the good dreams and the bad dreams.....

Sheriff

[jimnsc]

Scary ones also, Sheriff Buford. Thanks folks - I'm glad I asked! Come on dreams!

[Slartybartfast]

Yep. Wife woke me last night, said I was kicking her. Funny, but only moments before I was kicking at a white arctic fox that was trying to bite me. BC (Before CPAP) the only dreams I recall were those in which I was suffocating.

Enjoy your dreams, but don't kick your wife.

[jmcanzo]

Had 1st dream in a loooong time the night of my titration, Dreamed that I pulled off all of the wires and broke them and the hose! And since it was in the hospital I work in, I even put employees in my dream repairing the stuff! LOL

[Resister]

I agree!

But I also know that somewhere on this board, someone said that remembering dreams means that your REM sleep is being interrupted--either with apneas or something else. Wish I could remember the conversation/thread.

[ameriken]

I agree!

But I also know that somewhere on this board, someone said that remembering dreams means that your REM sleep is being interrupted--either with apneas or something else. Wish I could remember the conversation/thread.

I saw that too, just not sure if I agree or disagree with it (I just don't know).

[Uncle_Bob]

If you dream and wake feeling rested and refreshed then enjoy your dreams. I know i do

[Captain_Midnight]

Before xpap, my dreams were turbulent, scattered, and often icky. I did not know it, but they were associated with epinepherine surges to throttle me awake so I could gasp for some air. This went on for many decades.

One of the first things I noticed when I began cpap was that my dreams were longer, had more of a plot, and were much more user friendly.

Just a couple of nights ago, I dreamed that I was elected to congress. I've been hoping to re-join that one in progress (and this time, I might even have a few bills to introduce)

.

[AmIawake]

Before xPAP, what "dreams" might have occurred were very disturbing and I wouldn't call that dreaming. That was job stress related. The last few weeks I have been truly dreaming.

During the last week nocturnal penile tumescence has occurred. I can't remember how long that hadn't been happening.

The most important thing is that I feel better. I have been able to resume my life. Now I'm tired because of working on all those long delayed projects. You know this seems to be a classic case of the vicious cycle

[Mike6977]

My one and only regret since starting xPAP. Before xPAP, 90% of my dreams, were incredible. I'd bolt upright in bed, saying: Daaaaaammmmmmmnnn! Now, I can't remember a single one.

My wife says that during those Glorious-Technicolor dreams, my apnea made me I look like I was dying:, choking, gasping and not breathing for what seemed like minutes. She often shook me awake, in genuine fear for my life.

I sometimes wonder if I was half-way heading "into the light" . . . and my Technicolor Dreams were the coming attractions .

[VVV]

I speak from my own personal experience (nearly five years with CPAP) and not from studying the science.

When I remember having several dreams during the night I do not awaken entirely refreshed and do not feel so energetic during the day. I believe this is because you only remember dreams if you awaken while having them. So it follows if you remember dreams you were awakening.

I sleep on my stomach and sides. Some nights I will roll onto my back for part of the night. Then I will remember many dreams. I know the CPAP therapy does not work very well for me if I am backsleeping. My conclusion is I am having many RERAs on my back and therefore remembering the dreams.

Most nights I sleep exclusively on my sides or stomach. These nights I do not remembering dreaming and I am feeling refreshed and energetic the next day.

I disagree with the claim often made here that dreaming (which really means remembering dreams) is a sign of good therapy. To the contrary, waking up in the morning and not remembering anything is a sign of good therapy and good sleep.

[EO_123]

Dreaming was actually what convinced me to seek out a sleep study. I haven't remembered dreams for the last 10+ years. I attributed this to falling asleep dead tired and then waking up dead tired, that was just my life, who has time for dreams. I mentioned this during a discussion with my brother in law (who happens to be a cpap) He responded by telling me "you have sleep apnea" I was taken aback, because the conversation was about dreams, not snoring. I immediately responded that I did not snore because I'd never heard it (a lie I was quite used to telling - one a learned from my father - another cpap) My brother in law pointed out that you have to have enough REM sleep in order to dream, and if your brain keeps waking up to breathe, you aren't getting enough REM and it will mess up your whole body. I could have fought the snoring argument forever, but the lack of dreams made me realize that my body really was suffering. All the way through the study process, I mocked it, and was fairly certain that the machine would just sit under the bed and I'd maybe put it on when hubby complained. I was completely unprepared for that silly hose to change my life.