I was just diagnosed with sleep apnea, can this b fatal? i am affraid to fall asleep!?
535161
It can lead to serious problems, although it is usually treatable.  Among the treatments I received or was recommended are:\n\n1) Lose weight\n2) Tonsillectomy\n3) Uvulopalatoplasty\n4) Reduction of turbinates\n\nI did all four and I no longer suffer from sleep apnea.  Best of luck to you.
841338
I have sleep apnea...ask me anything you want to...send me your email address via IM and I'll send you a note
654675
I think your body is trying to force you to go to sleep.\n\nit's like you can never kill yourself by holding you breath because you body just compensates by passing out, therefore causing you to breath again.
204022
do you have sleep apnea. I can not explain what it is. Sorry.  look it up and see if it sounds like you.
1123478
Yes. You may want to be referred to a sleep clinic. It seems odd I know but you usually go on a couple of sleepovers there and they record every event of apnea. My best friend did it and is now using a Cpap ? machine and seems to be doing much better. \n\nGood luck!
436512
You aren't alone, honey- I started getting similar things at around 18yrs old. (I am very aware, amparalyzed and cannot speak at all)\n\nWe aren't alone, either. There are many informative websites on sleep paralysis and night terrors. \n\nThere is research being done at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.  See website below. Also, some info on wikipedia.\n\nScientists may attribute it to neurological issues. \nSpiritual ppl may attribute it to spiritual/demonic attacks.\nFor me, I speak as a Christian who has experienced many similar episodes: I believe that there is a combination of both science/spirit involved... I have also found relief in praying to Jesus during the attacks.  The attacks are much less frequent now \n\n-You may want to talk to a pastor or somebody that you trust to pray for you. \n-You may also want to keep a sleep-log and see if certain foods, situations, etc may be related to these events. -During the attacks, try to relax and take deep breaths 'fighting it' can sometimes make it last longer. Try not to be afraid of falling asleep.\n-You may also want to mention it to your physician.\n\nGood luck and sweet dreams!\n\n:)
613641
I have sleep apnea. I was diagnosed by going to a regular family medical doctor, and then he wrote an order for me to undergo a sleep study. I went to the local hospital, where everything on my body from breathing, to heart beat, to movements and sighs were monitored. It was an overnight study, then followed by another one two weeks later. I had no real signs of sleep apnea, other than waking up completely exhausted in the mornings. Come to find out, during my sleep study, I stopped breathing thirty times in less than six hours! That is scary!!!! After the sleep study was performed, and it was apparent I had sleep apnea, I was then given a sleep apnea machine that provides oxygen to me at night while I sleep. Just a general doctor can order someone to have a sleep study performed.
260433
you may have sleep apnea. ask your doctor about getting a sleep study.
755617
It sounds like you are suffering from sleep deprevation of what is called REM sleep which is the sixth level of sleep!  It IS caused by RLS and sleep apnea!\n\nYou are falling asleep during the day right!  Tired.\n\nSee our brains need sleep they only get to unwind on the level of sleep called REM for rapid eye movement!  At this level our breathing and other functions are on automatic. They are handled by the lower brain!  Our upper brain is free to unwind!  During this time our eyes dart around!  Now if our legs twitch,  This causes the brain to receive a stimilus and it drops out of REM!  Likewise if our breathing either stops in the case of central apnea or is blocked off in the case of obstructive apnea  the lack of oxygen in the brain causes it to signal the lungs to gasp for air! Now it does this while we are still in level one thru five of sleep!  So we do not know what is happening!  But our poor brain is not sleeping!!  Our body can get 10 hours of sleep and yet we are TIRED!\n\nI really think you should inquire about a sleep study!  That I think Apnea is the cause of your Hypersomnia!  I ABSOLUTELY KNOW ONE HUNDRED PERCENT THAT RLS ALONE WILL DISTURB YOUR SLEEP AT REM LEVEL!!!!!\n\nYOU NEED AN OVERNIGHT SLEEP STUDY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG!  I DO NOT THINK MEDICATION IS NECESSARY EXCEPT FOR THE RLS!  THERE ARE SEVERAL DRUGS AVAILABLE FOR IT!  IF YOU GO TO A SLEEP CLINIC THEY WILL FIND OUT THE SPECIFICS!\n\nI GO TO A NEUROLOGIST AND A SLEEP DOCTOR BOTH!\n\nYOU NEED TO GO TO A SLEEP SPECIALIST !\n\nI am 61 and I feel like I am 30 I am using a CPAP device nightly and I wish I had gotten it earlier!  See I did not go until I actually DIED for a few minutes on the operating table in a simple operation! Within a month I was at one of those Sleep Clinics and I met my best new buddy my CPAP machine which I use nightly!  God only knows how my life would of come out if I would of had it earlier!  I have so much more energy than I ever did!\n\nI am telling you you really need to get checked out!  It makes all the difference in the world!  The RLS is one pill just before bed!\n\nGo to a clinic please! It will take care of BOTH YOUR PROBLEMS\n\n\nAPS\n\nTHIS IS FROM MERK MANUALS:\n"Hypersomnia may also be a symptom of sleep apnea or a psychologic disorder (such as severe anxiety or depression). Chronic hypersomnia that begins during adolescence may be a symptom of narcolepsy. Hypersomnia may also result from overuse of sleep aids.\n\n\nWhen evaluating a person who has become excessively sleepy, doctors ask about the person's mood, sleep-wake schedule, and use of drugs. Often, a sleep partner can describe the person's sleep abnormalities best. These abnormalities may include snoring and breathing pauses (which suggest obstructive sleep apnea) as well as grinding of teeth, kicking, and sleepwalking. Doctors "
554184
You need to participate in a sleep-study or sleep-diagnostic counseling.  The doctor/counselor should be able to recommend things you can do or take to help with your sleep apnea.
847494
sounds like either a panic attack or sleep apnea (holding your breath while sleeping) both of which are very common\n\nsleep apnea tends to happen more frequently than once a year but can be very dangerous if it continues or gets worse in a person that isn't treated for it.\n\npanic attacks are common as well-nightmares can sometimes trigger them during sleep.\n\nsymptoms of a panic attack are:\n\n-palpitations (racing heart)\n-overwhelming feeling of panic or feeling like you are going to die\n-shortness of breath\n-chest pain or tightness\n-sweating\n-dizziness or faintness\n\nif you have any of those symptoms-best thing to do is lie down in a comfortable,dark,quiet room. place a cool washcloth on your forehead and focus on taking slow, deep breaths (this will help slow your heartrate down). get something cool to drink and take small,frequent sips. remain lying down until you fall asleep or feel calm enough to get back up.\n\nif this happens again in the near future-make an appt with your family dr. there are medications that can be given at night to help you sleep and ward off the panic attacks and there are also medications and methods to treat sleep apnea if you have it.\n\ngood luck
163185
Hey i'm worried about that too! \n\nI'm want to go get checked out this summer while i'm not taking classes!\n\nI had my adnoids and tonsils removed spring 2004..to stop my snoring!\n\nJan. 2005 Others around me said not only am I snoring again but it sounds like i'm gasping for air in my sleep.\n\nI'm not overweight, \nsleep on my side at night,\ntried saline, otc products..\nnothing help..\nMaybe I should have posted a question about this!\n\nI FEEL YOUR PAIN!
298123
Why don't you want to use the device?  Was it prescribed for you or just you supposing that you may possibly need it?\n\nThis makes a difference.  MY SPECIFICATIONS I AM 61 YEARS OLD HARD HEADED FOOL BACK TO THE SUBJECT...\n\nFirst if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea did you go to a sleep lab? Usually if you did the technician would tell you about it. And all of the options available I will eventually answer your question.\n\nSleep apnea simply means stopping breathing more than so many times, for a specific length of time, during a given period of time.\n\nWe go to sleep but never really go into what is called REM sleep where our brain really gets its rest! REM means rapid eye movement - don't be freaked out by phrased and initials, your eyes "dart" about when your brain is in a very specific state of sleep, a very desirable state! For probably the past 40+ years, I really was not truly sleeping! I denied that I had a problem, I really wasn't all that tired. But, my wife finally convinced me. She deserves a gold Star, Probably a Congressional Medal of Honor! I am a Hard Headed 61 year-old I'm afraid that I was extremely hard on her! She no doubt has saved my life and no words will ever be able to thank her enough. After all I WAS ASLEEP. ALL WAS OK AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED!!! How do I know what quality sleep I encounter, when I am asleep!\n\nIn the "usual" cases apnea is caused by blockage of the airway. This blockage is caused frequently by the collapse of the airway thus a positive air pressure is applied to "inflate" this airway. A Constant Pressure Air device CPAP is usually prescribed as the least intrusive measure, but, sometimes minor surgery is required. The device will furnish air at a specific pressure measured in inches of water that will be / or has been prescribed from the sleep lab session. The pressure in inches of water, where your brain goes into REM pattern on the EEG. This is the ideal pressure!\n\nThey will set up the machine for you. Don't worry it will all go smooth. I promise that soon you will get use to the CPAP machine maybe even love it! If you live up North, you can always bundle yourself underneath tons of blankets and breath. Kinda like breathing underwater!\n\nThis will be a good adventure for you, although the machine at first feels anything but teriffic at first, nothing like comfortable!  WITH EVERY OUNCE OF TRUTH IN ME ===>>> You will feel better overall I promise regardless of any other conditions!\n\nIF YOU HAVE SLEEP APNEA, IT CAN CAUSE DEATH, WHICH KINDA LIKE TERMINATES POSSIBILITIES OF FUTURE ALTERNATIVES !\n\nBUT ON THE OTHER HAND TREATED I PROMISE YOUR YOU WILL BE A NEW YOU! YOU WILL BE WON OVER TO THE SAVED, IF YOU FOLLOW THE DOCTORS ORDERS!! NOT MY ORDERS.. EXCEPT TO SEE A SLEEP DOCTOR AND SUBJECT YOURSELF TO A COUPLE OF NIGHTS OF MONITORED "NOT SO RESTFUL" SLEEP CLINIC VISITS (IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY DONE SO). IT IS TRULY WORTH IT. IF THE DOCTOR SAYS GET A PILLOW GET A PILLOW! IF HE SAYS GET A CPAP GET A CPAP! DO WHAT HE SAYS! THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.  BUT IT HAS TO BE THE "SLEEP" DOCTOR!\n\nTHE BEST OF LUCK AND ALWAYS ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SEEK HELP IF THEY NEED IT. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN EVEN THE BEST OF US NEED HELP.\n\nWHATEVER IS PRESCRIBED IN A SLEEP CLINIC, IS WHAT EXACTLY YOU SHOULD DO, FOR ME NOTHING ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH IS BETTER THAN A CPAP!  AT FIRST I WISHED IT DID NOT WORK AT ALL, BUT IT DID, BEAUTIFULLY, AND I HAD EAT CROW AND ADMIT IT!\n\nIN THE CLINIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY RIGHT KNEE JUMPED ALSO DURING THE NIGHT!  THAT WAS FIXED WITH ONE SIMPLE PILL BEFORE BED.\n\nI SWEAR TO GOD I FEEL YOUNGER THAN 40, ASK MY WIFE!!!\n\nHAVE A GOOD DAY, I GOTTA GET BACK TO HURRICANE KATRINA RECOVERY!\n\n\n\nAPS \nSource(s):\nMY LIFE
1129711
the fact that your doctor just dismissed it as weird means that you need a new doctor. but you should also try to go to a sleep clinic.
116673
Sleep Apnea is the most dangerous cause of this problem.  It can lead to lung and heart problems (hypertension and heart attacks).  Also, car accidents while dozing off at the wheel.  It is diagnosed with a 2 part sleep study.  The first to prove it occurs.  The second to prove that a CPAP machine reverses it.  Very expensive but worth it.  Sometimes weight reduction; sleeping on your side; or nasal/tonsil surgery can help.  Most often it is due to being overweight.
691308
my uncle has sleep apnia, (however you spell it) and just so you know, he has been to iraq and back and is doing just fine, it shouldnt hold you back from going, but it is always a possibility.... hopefully all goes well and you will be able to go though.
320381
It could be that your husband suffers from sleep apnea.  Untreated, this can cause heart attacks but most commonly causes fatigue.  I knew my husband had it for years but was surprised to learn that I have a more severe case than he does.  My life is totallly different now that I am using a CPAP machine.  I can stay away during movies and classes and long drives and my energy level is way up.  I hope this helps.