sleep apnea and other sleep disorders

[Kim]

I already typed something in and went back and lost it all- DARN.

Anyway, I am 48 and I have serious sleep problems. When I am just falling asleep I have an issue where it feels that I stop breathing as if my diaphraghm does not rise again. This happens within about 10-15 minutes of lying down/falling asleep. I then wake up and feel as though I will have a heart attack - it is almost like a night terror, but, it seems that I feel that I am sinking and I stop breathing and I only notice the sinking feeling and the stopping breathing after I have been jolted from the light sleep I am in at that time. I was scheduled to have a sleep study by a heart doctor about 8 months ago, but, failed to go as I was afraid of the bill I would eventually receive. I had my heart checked out as I was having chest pains - well, it must have been stress related as I had the stress test with the viewing of all of my arteries etc, the 24 hour heart monitor check - the blood flow check where they strap the blood pressure cuffs all the way up your legs and take readings of your blood flow thru your extremities, a lung x-ray and my blood pressure is typically about 120/80 or 110/70 on occasion. Guess what- all were normal on the tests taken. I have to say though that I am a long term smoker; I drink inordinate amounts of caffeine- mostly tea, I drink occasionally - usually beer or wine, I am under significant amounts of stress- job-related and financial - like most others always need more money and I take 2 meds for back pain- but, take as prescribed- Soma and Tramadol.

someone did tell me they thought it was stress related- I feel like it is a combination of stopping breathing and night terrors. I also have very strange, vivid, crazy, wild - seemingly real nightmares all the time - all night, every night. Sometimes it feels like I have been running or flying or falling all night- I wake up and it feels like I am exhausted and never really went to sleep. Sometimes I sleep and it feels like I am half concious- like I was lucid dreaming if that is the correct term - it feels like the top part of my brain never goes to sleep- sometimes I get a headache or a very hollow feeling in this part of my head- like I can't turn that part of my brain off when I sleep - like I am always awake. It is very disturbing and scary most of the time.

I can only count one day in about 10 years that I think I slept really well and I don't have a clue why I happened to sleep that good that particular day. the difference was that I woke up and I felt really rested- almost blissful- I didn't remember any particularly bad dreams or anything of that nature - I just felt inexplicably good when I woke up. This is the only way I knew that I had had a good night's sleep for a change- it was the only night like it. Sad but true.

I am at my wit's end as to what to do- although that sounds like a stupid question doesn't it- I should quit smoking, quit the caffeine, cut down on stress - etc etc.

Just wondering if anyone else has these types of similar symptoms as I don't see much on the website as pertaining to happening just after trying to go to sleep.

It is terrifying me and I am truly afraid I am going to die in my sleep.

Anyway, I hope you sleep well and I will try. Thanks for your time if you have read thus far.

Kim

[Becky]

It does sound like caffine & stress may have alot to do with your sleeplessness. But have you ever had your hormone levels checked? When I was your age (about 7 yrs ago) I experienced something similar...waking up with a startled, panicky, my heart racing, about an hour after falling asleep, and at other times too. I went through alot of tests & found that I was in full blown menopause. After getting on hormone therapy all that stopped. Another thing...you may have sleep apnea. I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea 2 years ago, and am NOW having GREAT success with my CPAP therapy...thanks to a new product I am using with my mask.

[Kim]

thank you. Yes, I have been in menopause for several years now; however, they have never put me on hormones. I will check that out again. I appreciate your response. I probably do need to be checked for sleep apnea. thanks again.

by the way, what is the new product you are using with the mask?

thx

[Becky]

You are welcome! I heard about a new product from a friend & was able to order it online. It is a very soft absorbent material that fits between the silicone of the mask & the face. I soaks up sweat & oil and feels so comfortable. I don't leak air anymore, my red sore on the nose healed up, and I don't hear anymore noises from air leaks. Pretty much, it has solved all of my mask issues. Oh, it is called RemZzzs, and I think that is the websites address too...(?)