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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 13, 2009 at 10:16am

You were probably having an apnea event during REM/dream sleep, the stage of sleep when a lot of us have most of our apnea events -- during REM dream sleep i believe the muscles in our throat relax to their utmost, making an obstruction more likely to occur.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on April 14, 2009 at 7:56am

I do not have any problem taking the mask off -- as far as I can remember I have never done this. But one night a few weeks ago I woke up in a panic because the machine was off. I don't know if we had a power outage for a very brief time or if I reached up and turned it off. Turned the machine back on and was set for the rest of the night. Hasn't happened since and was only that one time. The difference is that I wasn't dreaming, at least that I can recall.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Pf on April 14, 2009 at 8:00am

I realize I was probably having apnea, and I guess that's bad. But before I had a diagnosis, I used to wake up at night all the time thinking my necklace was choking me or something. Now that I have CPAP that doesn't happen -- except I apparently take it off at night sometimes -- and even in my dreams I knew what was happening.
I was supposed to go to the RT and my DME last week but instead I spent the week dealing with my 6-year-old who was horribly sick with a high fever. So I'll call this week and get in there with the smart card -- I will be interested to see how often I take it off at night.
I know I didn't last night. I woke up in the exact position I went to sleep. I don't think I moved once all night.
Annie

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Permalink Reply by Duane McDade on April 14, 2009 at 9:09am

You are on the right track Mike , but During REM one is Paralized . The apneas Are longer sometimes up to 90-130 seconds. I've seen 3 minutes. So in most cases someone has less.....because of the time. Example NREM apneas last 10- 25 seconds. So in 1 minute one could have 2-4 apneas ......
Some people only have Apnea during REM. Because of the change in breathing. Long deep breaths NREM, and short shallow breaths REM ...due to the paralysis.

Mike said:

You were probably having an apnea event during REM/dream sleep, the stage of sleep when a lot of us have most of our apnea events -- during REM dream sleep i believe the muscles in our throat relax to their utmost, making an obstruction more likely to occur.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 14, 2009 at 11:58am

thanks, Duane. I'm having a hard time understanding why the paralysis of REM sleep would help apneas develop. can anyone explain that?

Duane McDade said:

You are on the right track Mike , but During REM one is Paralized . The apneas Are longer sometimes up to 90-130 seconds. I've seen 3 minutes. So in most cases someone has less.....because of the time. Example NREM apneas last 10- 25 seconds. So in 1 minute one could have 2-4 apneas ......
Some people only have Apnea during REM. Because of the change in breathing. Long deep breaths NREM, and short shallow breaths REM ...due to the paralysis.

Mike said:

You were probably having an apnea event during REM/dream sleep, the stage of sleep when a lot of us have most of our apnea events -- during REM dream sleep i believe the muscles in our throat relax to their utmost, making an obstruction more likely to occur.

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Permalink Reply by Duane McDade on April 15, 2009 at 5:30am

Let's say someone just snores. The Obstruction they have is oscilating creating the snoring sound. O.K. REM comes along and the breathing changes due to the paralysis. Now the obstruction that was oscilating is now blocking the air way. Long Apneas are the result in most cases.

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