[LiveThroughThis]

I'm using an APAP machine (until my sleep dr gets a month's worth of info from the machine and can fully diagnose what I have, which he believes is Sleep Apnea).

Anyway, prior to starting the machine, I had woken myself up 3 times not breathing...as in, waking up and realizing my diaphragm was doing nothing.

I've been on the machine two weeks, and have not woken up to that happening (the machine automatically kicks in when my throat constricts, I rarely wake up to the added pressure in my mask).

Well about 30 minutes ago, I awoke from a long nap, and I wasn't breathing, again. It must have just happened, otherwise the machine would've kicked in (if you remain like that for a period of time, it will). I got up realizing I'd slept plenty. But now I feel worn out, fatigued.

I realize that I won't die from apnea episodes (people die from the side illnesses that result: high blood pressure, etc.), but they are terrifying. And that's saying a lot for someone who's had dozens of severe Panic Attacks.

I also know that this is not an instant fix. My dr told me that it can take a long time to feel the long-lasting results. I have already begun feeling less anxious, a little more refreshed, with a little more energy. I know this is just a tiny setback. But it's still so scary. My boyfriend's not home, so I'm just kind of here, trying to stay calm, feeling like my heart's racing even though it's not.

Sigh. I feel like bursting into tears.

[layla11]

Hi Livethroughthis,

I have sleep apnea also, just wanted you to know your not alone.

[LiveThroughThis]

Thank you, layla. This (most-likely) diagnosis is very new to me. I just want to shout to the Universe, "Can you just stop giving me new ***** to deal with/take meds/use machine for?? This is getting REALLY old."

[unaluna]

so what are you saying, you were using your machine, but you had an apnea episode?

I think this is what was happening to me, I felt like I was stopping breathing, it was very weird. I lost a little weight my first few months on the machine, and since I think my mask was kinda big to begin with, "the guy" said my mask might have been coming loose, ie it was not completely suctioned to my face the way it should be.

what kind of mask or device are you using? do you think something like that might be happening? I live alone, so yeah I get how scary it is!

[LiveThroughThis]

Originally Posted by hankster

so what are you saying, you were using your machine, but you had an apnea episode?

I think this is what was happening to me, I felt like I was stopping breathing, it was very weird. I lost a little weight my first few months on the machine, and since I think my mask was kinda big to begin with, "the guy" said my mask might have been coming loose, ie it was not completely suctioned to my face the way it should be.

what kind of mask or device are you using? do you think something like that might be happening? I live alone, so yeah I get how scary it is!

Yes, I was using my mask/machine when the apnea took place. It's a long story, but for now I'm using an APAP (as opposed to a CPAP, because my Sleep Dr. needs a full 30days of me using this to determine what exactly is going on--I did a Sleep Study which was a waste of time and money, inconclusive).

I have had to change masks. The first mask I tried was a "full" face mask, like this: http://www.healthcare.philips.com/ma...l2/default.wpd Soon I would wake up in the middle of the night with air blow out of my mask, causing fart noises (best way to explain it). Nothing I did would stop it/tried adjusting the straps.....sometimes the air came out of one side, sometimes both sides. The pressure was intense because I was having an apnea episode, hence the machine cranking up the air. The mask should have been containing the pressure/air but it just wasn't right for me.

I called the pharmacy and they said to bring it in and they'd try another one. I now use one like this: http://www.healthcare.philips.com/ma...ue/default.wpd (I say like cause I'm not sure what brand the masks I've used are.)

With the new mask (which only goes over my nose, not nose and mouth) I sleep much more soundly--I don't wake up in the night with the leaks, plus it's less cumbersome. I'm a nose breather, so it works for me. The mask that didn't work for me may work for someone else.

If you've tried adjusting the straps so the mask fits tighter and it's still happening, it's very possible the culprit is the mask. I've read that some people have to go through many masks to find the right one. I'm pretty happy with this one so far.

I hope that helps! As far as the apnea episode, my dr told me that if I indeed have Sleep Apnea (which we're both 90% certain of), it can take a long time to get the cumulative effects of using a machine. Before I started using this one (the APAP), he told me, "If you feel no difference after 2 weeks, stop it.. However I've had patients tell me they don't know a difference the first few days, then when they don't use it they can tell in retrospect it was working." I have had that exact experience. I'd not been using my machine long when one day I was worn out and didn't feel like putting on the mask, so I fell asleep. I woke up 4 hours later feeling like a Mach truck hit me; it was AWful. I've since learned my lesson.

Good luck, I hope you get your situation resolved!

P.S.--Gives me hope that you've lost weight. I have lost a little, but it's hard with all the meds I'm on. I'm hoping once I get my sleep right that a lot of this fluid retention will finally be released by my body.

[unaluna]

thanks, that explains it.

[LiveThroughThis]

Originally Posted by hankster

thanks, that explains it.

Oh good!! Good luck on the mask issue,