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Permalink Reply by Luke Dones on February 19, 2010 at 11:46pm

I've had vertigo occasionally for the past 20 years, and it seems to come on when I forget to breathe, such as when I'm concentrating hard. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea 5 years ago and have mentioned the vertigo to several doctors, but they claim the problems aren't related. I find that hard to believe.

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Permalink Reply by Sonia S. on February 20, 2010 at 12:10am

Hi Luke,

I think you're right about the Vertigo episodes. I had Vertigo a few times when I was around 23 years old, so around 1996, as well as Angina and Insomnia (lasting over 4 months). I was seen by a cardiologist and after doing all the diagnostic tests was told that my symptoms were caused by severe Anxiety and that I should cut down on Stress. I'm betting I had Sleep Apnea at the time but wasn't recognized by myself or the doctor.

If you were diagnosed with Sleep Apnea 5 years ago, are you getting any treatment? I search online and found this site with info on Apnea and Vertigo: http://symptoms.wrongdiagnosis.com/cosymptoms/apnea/vertigo-desc.htm

A friend referred me to the Sleep Apnea Support Forum a couple of days ago, which I joined, which has lots of good info. http://www.apneasupport.org/index.php

Be well,
Sonia

Luke Dones said:

I've had vertigo occasionally for the past 20 years, and it seems to come on when I forget to breathe, such as when I'm concentrating hard. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea 5 years ago and have mentioned the vertigo to several doctors, but they claim the problems aren't related. I find that hard to believe.

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Permalink Reply by Luke Dones on February 20, 2010 at 12:24am

Thanks, Sonia! I've tried on and off to use CPAP, and haven't been able to tolerate it. I just got a new full face mask today, and will try again. A different doctor, a neurologist, treated me within the last year for the vertigo with oxygen at night and a small dose of nortryptyline. The oxygen helped the sleep apnea a bit, too.

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Permalink Reply by Sonia S. on February 20, 2010 at 12:36am

I'm glad the oxygen helps with the sleep apnea a bit, and that you're not giving up on the CPAP machine and got a new mask. I hope the new mask works better for you. I'm hoping to get a new, more comfortable mask to try, too. Probably have to schedule a new sleep test first.

I think I forget to breathe when I'm concentrating to hard on something else, too. When I fainted the other day, I had been talking to both the veterinarian and my mother, then realized I probably had not breathe in a while, when my vision started to fade. Not a pleasant experience and one I don't wish to repeat. I remember how horrible the Vertigo episodes were, too. I hope they go away for you. Let me now if you if they do.

Take good care,
Sonia

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Permalink Reply by Lee Longnecker on February 20, 2010 at 4:46am

I dont have an easy answer for you. I would imagine if you have a low enough Co2 then you would not have the need to breath as much, But I dont think CPAP has any effect on daytime respirations. I have seen "breath holding" on arousals from sleep and also on CPAP. I would like to see other posts though. as I am no expert.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on February 20, 2010 at 9:37am

Sonia S, that's an interesting thing you bring up about not breathing during the day. You know the saying "don't forget to breathe"? I know that I have times during the day when I realize that while concentrating on something I'm not taking a breath for at least 15 seconds. Then I breathe, laugh, and think well at night that would have been scored as an apnea incident. I think it's probably common when we're stressed out, concentrating hard on something (say with a tiny screw and screwdriver or threading a needle).
Mary Z.

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Permalink Reply by RL on February 20, 2010 at 10:18am

Hello Sonia,
I too have experienced pauses in breathing while awake, after which I try to breathe deeply to restore my oxygen intake. I have wondered about this but I think jnk & Mary Z. have a good perspective in regards to people using xPAP therapy. You indicate that you have not been using your AutoPAP for quite a while. Definitely time to consult your doctor again. It sounds like you are overdue for a new mask as well. There are many different styles, so you can explore options on line, on SleepGuide, on manufacturers websites, and with your local RT (respiratory therapist). Let your doctor know about the trouble that you had with the equipment, and that you want to try again. You will both have to decide if you need another sleep study to determine if any changes are needed. You will find many stories on SG regarding the challenges of adjusting to using your equipment. So you will need to think long term, and keep working on it, even if it does not work perfectly at first. Don't delay seeking help. Progressive brain damage from reduced oxygen during sleep can make everything more difficult as time goes by, not to mention stress on your heart. Also, check out Dr. Steven Park's website: doctorstevenpark.com He has a featured article right now on masks, and many other interesting articles. Good luck in your efforts to feel better. BTW - in some cases, anxiety can be related to OSA as well.

If you would like to share more about your difficulties with your mask, other members here may have suggestions that could help. There are many new types of masks that may be better for you as well.

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Permalink Reply by Sonia S. on February 20, 2010 at 12:43pm

Hi Jnk,

It's nice to know that I'm not imagining the "forgetting to breathe" and that it's not an uncommon phenomenon among Obstructive Sleep Apnea suffers. I haven't been using the CPAP machine for over a year, only used it occasionally the first couple of months of getting it because the mask was just too uncomfortable to sleep with. The episode of fainting occurred just a few days ago before I decided to use the CPAP machine again, figuring I better use it. Before I fainted I realized that I might have forgotten to breathe and tried to breathe enough to prevent dizziness, but was unable to stop the fainting. When the paramedic checked me and later my doctor, my blood pressure was normal and they couldn't say what may have caused the fainting. I don't have Hypertension and I'm not on any medication at this time.

On many previous occasions I've noticed the forgetting to breathe, while I'm awake and have been concentrating on something, when I would start to get a headache or feel the need to get more air. So I was wondering if there's anything that can be done to prevent that from happening, beside the continual use of the CPAP machine during waking hours.

I started reusing my CPAP on Wednesday night, and thought the mask is torture (I have trouble getting used to the weight of my thin, light-weight glasses), and find it very difficult to sleep with it, I still wake up feeling a little bit better than before I started using it. I know that getting the PAP therapy is necessary and that it will help me feel better. Just need to find the least uncomfortable mask I can tolerate, so that I can sleep well. I might also need a higher air pressure, since the first time I tried using it again after so long I felt the air was too low. So will be scheduling a new sleep study at a sleep clinic soon.

In the future I might look into surgery to correct my lower jaw alignment (needs to be moved forward a little to align lower teeth with upper ones). I think that might help keep my airway open better while I'm laying down. Should ask if anyone here have had such a surgery.

Thanks for your reply, Jnk.
Be well,
Sonia

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Permalink Reply by Sonia S. on February 20, 2010 at 12:59pm

Hi RL,

Thank you for your reply and helpful info. I will let the sleep clinic doctor know about the trouble I've been having with the mask, about the pauses in breathing while awake and that I haven't been sleeping well for a long while. I will definitely check out Dr. Steven Park's website to read the article on the types of masks available. I might also ask other members for their suggestions on the most comfortable mask.

Be well,
Sonia

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 20, 2010 at 2:11pm

Welcome to SG, Sonia. One of the most comfortable masks on the market today is the new Swift FX from ResMed . There's a sweepstakes to win a new one for anyone who writes a review on www.SleepSearch.com of their sleep doctor, sleep clinic or equipment provider. Another mask that's pretty comfortable that I use myself is the ResMed Activa nasal mask. It sort of floats on a cushion of air on your face instead of feeling pressed up against your skin. I've had a lot of luck with it.

Sonia S. said:

Hi RL,

Thank you for your reply and helpful info. I will let the sleep clinic doctor know about the trouble I've been having with the mask, about the pauses in breathing while awake and that I haven't been sleeping well for a long while. I will definitely check out Dr. Steven Park's website to read the article on the types of masks available. I might also ask other members for their suggestions on the most comfortable mask.

Be well,
Sonia

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Permalink Reply by Sonia S. on February 20, 2010 at 2:26pm

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the welcome to SG and the mask suggestions. That new Swift FX from ResMed does sound promising, so I'll definitely look for more info about it and see if Medicare would pay for it. I thought about the nasal mask but not sure I could stand having the nasal pillows in my nostrils since they tend to be sensitive and usually feel swollen or stuffy.

I've been wandering, are there free classes or instructions on learning how to breathe properly?

Thanks,
Sonia

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 20, 2010 at 2:39pm

Actually, the new Swift FX is the one with the nasal pillows that insert into the nostrils. The ResMed activa just sits on top of the nose, without any apparatus entering the nostrils.

With the learning how to breathe properly issue, I think your best bet might be yoga or meditation. I see that you live in NYC -- there have got to be tons of places to go for this kind of thing. If you're interested, i can make some inquiries.

Sonia S. said:

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the welcome to SG and the mask suggestions. That new Swift FX from ResMed does sound promising, so I'll definitely look for more info about it and see if Medicare would pay for it. I thought about the nasal mask but not sure I could stand having the nasal pillows in my nostrils since they tend to be sensitive and usually feel swollen or stuffy.

I've been wandering, are there free classes or instructions on learning how to breathe properly?

Thanks,
Sonia

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