Sleep Apnea Support Group

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.

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Sleep Disorders
/ Sleep Apnea Support Group

i think i may have sleep apnea :(

radyb
radyb

Hi everyone, im new to this forum. but after waking up last night and dreaming about gasping for air, i think i may have sleep apnea? First time this has gotten to me and i couldn't go back to sleep because i was stressed about it. luckily i got enough sleep but im gonna go see a doctor tomorrow if i can. I really really really don't want to have to start using one of those masks. Its weird because im actually really slim and i exercise a lot. I do have other health problems like joints and a weird eye problem that happened to me almost 7 months ago, but other than that im pretty healthy. i think i am anyway. Well now im waking up gasping for air. Im hoping this was just a one off and not something nightly now. Im pretty stressed out about it all day. :((

BeckyJoMcd
BeckyJoMcd
RadyB,

If your doctor thinks you do have sleep apnea, he/she will refer you to a sleep specialist for testing. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea over 20 years ago and the sleep apnea machines and masks have really improved (and gotten smaller) over the years.

If you are diagnosed, it is very important that you wear your mask daily because NOT treating your sleep apnea can cause other health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems.

Keep us up to date on what you learn. If you do have sleep apnea, there are a lot of others here who can help answer your questions about using & adjusting to treatment.

BeckyJo
radyb
radyb
dear beckyjomcd,

i have not been to my dr about it yet..ive only woken up twice gasping for air now, but most of my friends think its a post nasal drip issue due to allergies. ive noticed that i do swallow mucus in the back of my throat quite often even during the day. Do you think this could be causing me to choke at night, i swear it feels like that or my tonsils are swollen. ive been having anxiety about it the past few nights real bad and its causing me insomnia too. If i choke again or wake up gasping i will just go to the ER or doctor i guess. thanks for the reply! take care.
BlackRaven135
BlackRaven135
do you have problems gasping during the day?
I did. Now I have no problem
but I learned I have apnea and am using a CPAP
You NEED a sleep study to define any problem.
Allenn
Allenn
there is a recent interesting news story in Heathcare Asia Daily, if you have not seen it – you might want to forget the new cpap machine and keep the money in your pocket

http://www.healthcareasia.org/2018/when-breathing-too-much-can-kill-you/

When breathing too much can “kill” you
Captain-M
Captain-M
Hi Radyb. Sleep apnea is more common than you think. I have heard it is about 10% of the worlds population. How accurate that is, dont know. However it is a huge number. I thought it was rare, but I was wrong. Yes, I agree with BeckyJo. Get it checked. Your if you trust your doctor is very important as well. I went to my doctor and then was refered to a sleep clinic. They put electrodes on your head and monitor you during the sleep time. The clinic will see the results and send them to your doctor for analysis and recommends treatment that is best for you. I have had my CPAP machine about 8 years now and seems like an eternity. Let us know how you made out.
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