Why am I dreaming (without CPAP)?

[Newsgrouper]

I get my CPAP tomorrow. I have been waiting a few weeks for it. In the last few nights I find myself dreaming for the first time in a vert long time.

The dreams are very vivid and I remember much about the dream when I awaken.

I can't understand why this is happening. The only difference is that I have been sleeping in a recliner (for a few weeks) and have lost approximately 10 pounds over the past few weeks.

[tutuu]

how can you sleep in a recliner all night and day? what angle have you set all night? 45 degree or less?

This "I have a dream phenomenon" is really screwy. people tend to sleep better without cpap if they have mild apnea. the quality (with 'q') is gone with cpap. you lie in a vegetative coma stage and let the pap take care of sweeping o2 in and sweeping co2 out. in other words some people have claimed that they 'suffocated' or 'claustrophobic with cpap' etc.
but what it boils down to is cpap has totally artificial piece of breathing rethymn. it srews up with noise and bombardment from its compresser.

my suggestion to you is if your apnea has gotten better due to weightloss and reclined sleeping then better off trying to avoide cpap. if you have serious apnea then only go with cpap.

[rested gal]

Newgrouper, maybe it's the anticipation excitement. Like a child just before Christmas.

Hope the new machine does a great job for you, as it most likely will. Might take time to get comfortable with everything (especially the mask) and get used to the new disruptions (usually temporary if you take care of comfort issues) inherent in a new way of sleeping. The good results from cpap treatment can be well worth the effort.

[Less Sleepy]

Actually, sleeping with the head elevated does help some people. Having said that, I must say it didn't help me. I took a nap without CPAP in a recliner that lasted less than 30 minutes. I woke up once in a full obstructive apnea and gasping for air. I was really tired (and my CPAP was not close to optimized at that time) and went right back to sleep. I had a vivid dream that I was under water and couldn't breath. I again woke in full apnea mode and gasping for breath. All in less than 30 minutes. I don't nap without my VPAP III. I'm uncomfortable even lying down without it. By the way, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea 10/03. My prescribed pressure is 13/17.

[pinetree]

Here's a theory:

When you lose weight it can help some people's apnea. Also, sleeping in a recliner can help some people, especially if they're overweight, as it takes pressure off your diaphragm allowing you to breath easier. Doing both may possibly be helping your apnea enough that you are getting some REM sleep (the most relaxed stage of sleep, when apnea is at its worst) that you never got before. That usually happens when people first go on CPAP therapy.

If my theory is true, then you may be a candidate for improving your apnea a lot through further weight loss (assuming you are still overweight). Some people -- not all - can actually cure their apnea by losing weight. That would be a good goal to set, if you wanted to, as it is nicer to have your apnea treated naturally that to be on CPAP.

(CAUTION: After you start CPAP, don't stop it if you lose weight unless you first have another sleep study to tell whether the apnea is resolved or not. You might feel OK, but still have it. It affects not just your mood, but your heart, blood pressure, etc.)

Good luck with your new CPAP. If you want to learn more, there are some good books out there on it. Check amazon.

[cpap lover]

"but what it boils down to is cpap has totally artificial piece of breathing rethymn. it srews up with noise and bombardment from its compresser.

my suggestion to you is if your apnea has gotten better due to weightloss and reclined sleeping then better off trying to avoide cpap. if you have serious apnea then only go with cpap."

This is baaaaad advice.

The decision to use or not cpap should be based on results of a PSG and with consultation of a physician.

Even if you decide not to use cpap you should consider altenative treatments.

How many people on here waited too long to start CPAP?

[Pinetree]

I think I know one...

[Remstar]

I found that as soon as I began CPAP, I began having dreams after not having any (or at least any I could remember) for over 20 years. I have been on CPAP for 18 months, and dream every night. I assume this is because I am enjoying the full range of sleep cycles which had been interrupted by apneas, even many years before diagnosis. The dreams are not extremely vivid, terrifying or, I regret, exciting - just a bit muddled like most dreams.

I am puzzled why someone would dream just before starting CPAP treatment - is some other treatment like nose drops or sleeping position producing temporary relief? Or are you very bad and at risk of choking? It would be interesting to see what happens from here on - be prepared for a ripper of a ride!

[rested gal]

Clickable links to some interesting topics about dreaming:

Dreams - posted November 24, 2004

Three page Topic: REM Rebound Questions - posted March 02, 2004

Dreams and lack thereof - posted June 15, 2004

Used to dream before cpap, now it's rare. Is this a problem? - posted October 16, 2004

Brain damage leads to lack of dreaming, interesting article - posted September 23, 2004

Apr 26, 2005 subject: Why am I dreaming (without CPAP)

[dizzy]

I'd say sleeping in the recliner is the reason your dreaming so much, while sleeping there your finally hitting REM sleep;

where sleeping FLAT on your back you have many MORE apnea events that prevent you from actually reaching/staying in REM long enough to dream.

Nothing wrong with sleeping in a recliner if your able to get some sleep there. How many times have you been told or read to elevate the head of your bed by 6" or more by your doctor? There is a reason for it.

This site seems to think it leads to brain edema, congestion and more:
http://www.selfstudycenter.org/topic_flat.htm

[Guest]

Regarding this site, not sure how seriously I want to take the word of someone who lists as one of his qualifications, "two years of medical school." 'Nuff said.

[Less Sleepy]

Oooops!!! Didn't realize I wasn't logged in. That's my post above.