Sleep Apnea Treatment

Question by the ~maiden~ xanz: Does anyone else suffer from “Sleep paralysis”? Also called Hypnogogic Hallucinations?
I experience this just as I am falling asleep. I also have “lucid dreams” (where I can control the content of my dreams) and have since I was a child and they often happen together, especially when over tired. But the SP is terrifying as I seem to actually be awake, accurately perceiving the conditions around me (who is in the room, time of day, etc.) but also feel extreme terror and cannot wake. I always feel that if I could move, I could wake up, but of course that’s the problem. I’m told by some that this is actually a desired state by many as a step toward an OBE – which I think is garbage. But my question is how do I stop them? Is there some way to end them? I suffer from chronic pain – don’t say get more sleep – quite obvious, I need something else.I’ve tried to remember to BREATHE when it happens, being told that a lack of oxygen may be part of the problem, but was unable to make it work. Did try a new pillow, to keep my neck straight, in case apnea was it. HELP?
OMG…yes, i also have PTSD, but only quite slight, due to a severe childhood assault, but it’s quite far in the past and very well dealt with. Have had every kind of “scan” known to man – all normal and even a psychiatrist is somewhat baffled, tho he has seen it before. i do have sleep meds – i’m on the strongest dose of Chloral hydrate allowed, and i’m opiate dependent due to spinal disease – but the lucid dreams and the SP started as a child – long before any of these other problems. The drugs are on a very strict dosage and never vary (tho i rarely use the sleep meds), but the dream cycles do.

And if you peeked at my 360 page and made a judgment that my life was stressful by what you saw there, you would be quite wrong. A will liked, gentle artist, i enjoy the very limited company i choose very much – they also enjoy me (*wink). Sooooo…anything else?
Oh, and WILD, i also have to get up and move once i do awake or it does happen over and over all night, tho i don’t have the pins and needles but that might confirm what i heard about lack of oxygen (circulation, apnea even?).
And I’m sorry Sun T, but as an educated woman (a BSW) I have bothered to study this condition as well as the basic benefits of sleep. The site you were so kind to point to is about children and sleep and just the very basic information on what sleep is and how one goes about getting it. Your answer is simplistic almost to the point of being insulting. Perhaps you were trying to help, but there is more information in my question than your answer. I am looking for personal experience from someone with the same problem, not an oversimplified insult to my intelligence.

Best answer:

Answer by Mark B
I have sleep paralysis for many years now. Never saw a doctor. But most of the time they come from high stress factors. So and try take a break if can. If you don’t think it is that, see a doctor, for sleep meds. As for I self medicate, with booze. or any CNS depressent helps me.

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Question by StephanieE: Sleep Paralysis, Sleep Apnea, or an Asthma attack or combination?
I know first off – that I should see a doctor for this, but my insurance coverage wont kick back in until next week.

I was just wondering if anyone had ANY idea what this could be. I have had sleep paralysis since I was a child, and as terrifying as it is, I am used to it on occasion. But here lately (it seems to have coincided with me getting Mocha Frappes every day) I have been waking up GASPING for breath, or starting to fall asleep and, kind-of starting to Lucid dream then almost feeling like i was forgetting to breathe then gasping, and the other day I started to fall asleep, realized I wasnt breathing then tried to wake up only to realize I was paralyzed. It lasted only for about 30 seconds I assume. (It felt like 2 minutes but it was terrifying so I’m assuming it was only about 30 seconds because I would have passed out if it had been 2 minutes) but anyway, I tried to wake up, was paralyzed and couldnt control my muscles to breathe in and thus couldnt breathe at all. Slowly i was able to breathe again but it felt like I had tons of weight on my chest. (but my throat wasn’t tight like the asthma attacks I had as a child)

Any input is appreciated – I have already made an appointment but I;m just kind of curious right now.

Best answer:

Answer by Jerry
You already know that you have sleep paralysis. It also seems likely that you may have the other conditions as well. I have sleep apnea and i wake up several times during the night although I don’t feel that I can’t breathe when I awaken. You should see a neurologist about you sleep problems.

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Question by Good: Sleep Apnea or Sleeping Paralysis? which one is it?
I dont know from which 1 im suffering but this is what happens

I close my eyes, i cant breath, i cant move, i cant open my eyes BUT IM AWAKE!
no i do not see demons and all that crap, i dont feel anything touching me its just that i cant open my eyes i cant move or breath FOR ABOUT 10 – 15 SECONDS

is it Sleep Apnea or Sleeping Paralysis?

Best answer:

Answer by Ragan that is Called Ragan
Sounds like sleep paralysis. Hallucinations can occur during sleep paralysis, however they are not always present. What generally happens is you are alert and conscious, but your body continues to act as though you are asleep, and does not respond properly.

Edit: Difficulty breathing is a common effect during sleep paralysis. People who undergo sleep paralysis often describe a “weight on their chest” making it hard to breathe, although I have never experienced this.

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Question by jay: Is there any way to prevent sleep paralysis (not sleep disorder, I sleep well every night)?

Best answer:

Answer by Jennifer J
Stanford has a good page: http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/paralysis.html

They recommend this to help, but not prevent…
- Get enough sleep
- Reduce stress
- Exercise regularly (but not too close to bedtime)
- Keep a regular sleep schedule

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Question by Mr Haun: Is the inability to breathe upon waking up, during sleep paralysis normal? or does this point to Sleep Apnea?
Throughout my life and even nowdays, but especially when I was 8-14, I have sleep paralysis but often times when I get this, I also cannot breathe and It is not until I panic that I wake up. I also note that at about age 19 when I began regularly using marijuana, the occurance, or at least realization, of sleep paralysis and not being able to breath while waking up has dramatically ceased and is very rare now.

Best answer:

Answer by pdl756
I think you got the answers you needed when you asked this question the first time.

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