Fear of Sleep --> sleep apnea

[Pouatchee]

About three weeks ago my doctor had an HSAT machine strapped to me overnight to check if I had sleep apnea. I had heard of it but I didn't think I was a candidate. Turns out a have a severe case of it. I had to buy a machine that cost 2200 cdn and I now have to sleep every night with a mask strapped to my face while the monitor compensates if I stop breathing. 

 

Funny thing is, I never even thought I had sleep apnea. Since I have been diagnosed I have become very aware when I stop breathing just before falling asleep and quite honestly it is quite terrifying. It feels as if I am drowning. Anyone who has sleep apnea might concur and those who don't have it will likely scoff at this disease. One thing I found out is that apparently even children can be subject to have it. For those who read this and don't know whether they have it or not, like I did, one of the things to look out for is whether when you wake up in the morning you wake up feeling as though your sleep has not replenished you. This... I had, but I did not know I did. 

 

Sleep apnea is way serious and can be life threatening:

 

Quote

... sleep apnea can be life-threatening if left untreated. While not every case leads directly to death, untreated sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of serious health complications that can be fatal.

 

The result now is that I apprehend going to sleep, but I am glad that I finally have found the cause of my daytime sleepiness. I wish my father, who was a doctor, had actually had the intuition to check whether I had it when I was a child. It might have actually helped make my life less of a daily challenge. Anyways, the takeaway from this is if you have it and leave it untreated it can lead to a multitude of side effects such as heart problems. Also, if your children or loved ones often complain of being tired after waking up maybe you should look into it. 

 

This is my first week with the machine on and my doctor has scheduled another HSAT (Home Sleep Apnea Test) test for next week. I'll have results to compare, and finally an answer to why my life so far has been a continuous waking moment.

[Ben Zioner]

Are you planning to lose weight? For me 5 kilos make a hell of a difference, no more snoring, no more apnea.

[Pouatchee]

6 minutes ago, Ben Zioner said:

Are you planning to lose weight? For me 5 kilos make a hell of a difference, no more snoring, no more apnea.

 

I am trying... but having been in my country for the last 8 months with all the food I have missed for the last 21 years makes it difficult. But you are a 100% right. It is one of the things that helps to bring it down.

[scubascuba3]

25 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

About three weeks ago my doctor had an HSAT machine strapped to me overnight to check if I had sleep apnea. I had heard of it but I didn't think I was a candidate. Turns out a have a severe case of it. I had to buy a machine that cost 2200 cdn and I now have to sleep every night with a mask strapped to my face while the monitor compensates if I stop breathing. 

 

Funny thing is, I never even thought I had sleep apnea. Since I have been diagnosed I have become very aware when I stop breathing just before falling asleep and quite honestly it is quite terrifying. It feels as if I am drowning. Anyone who has sleep apnea might concur and those who don't have it will likely scoff at this disease. One thing I found out is that apparently even children can be subject to have it. For those who read this and don't know whether they have it or not, like I did, one of the things to look out for is whether when you wake up in the morning you wake up feeling as though your sleep has not replenished you. This... I had, but I did not know I did. 

 

Sleep apnea is way serious and can be life threatening:

 

 

The result now is that I apprehend going to sleep, but I am glad that I finally have found the cause of my daytime sleepiness. I wish my father, who was a doctor, had actually had the intuition to check whether I had it when I was a child. It might have actually helped make my life less of a daily challenge. Anyways, the takeaway from this is if you have it and leave it untreated it can lead to a multitude of side effects such as heart problems. Also, if your children or loved ones often complain of being tired after waking up maybe you should look into it. 

 

This is my first week with the machine on and my doctor has scheduled another HSAT (Home Sleep Apnea Test) test for next week. I'll have results to compare, and finally an answer to why my life so far has been a continuous waking moment.

Presumably you can develop it over time, rather than having it since a child?

[Pouatchee]

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Presumably you can develop it over time, rather than having it since a child?

 

yes and yes. some children have it and i believe i had it as a child. I had all the symptoms so this is what leads me to believe this now. also... I now have severe sleep apnea which means i stop breathing several times an hour so I believe that as i aged it just got worse. I used to think i had chronic fatigue... now i know why

[novacova]

Don’t eat 1.5 hours before laying down and walk for 15 minutes before sleeping, bet you sleep like a baby then.

[Pouatchee]

29 minutes ago, novacova said:

Don’t eat 1.5 hours before laying down and walk for 15 minutes before sleeping, bet you sleep like a baby then.

 

that won't fix sleep apnea. it is a serious disease that affects many and of all ages

 

Quote

• Adults Aged 30–70: Approximately 26% of adults in this age group are estimated to have sleep apnea. AASM

• Gender Differences: Among middle-aged adults, OSA affects about 24% of men and 9% of women. Wikipedia

• Undiagnosed Cases: It's noteworthy that a significant number of individuals with sleep apnea remain undiagnosed. In the U.S., it's estimated that 22 million Americans have sleep apnea, with 80% of moderate and severe OSA cases going undiagnosed. Wikipedia

🧒 Children and Adolescents

Sleep apnea is not limited to adults. In children, the prevalence is estimated to be between 1% and 4%, with higher rates observed in those who snore.

 

[scoutman360]

For most of my career, I used to work for a company that manufactured a critical component for the CPAP machines. We sold to the 3 biggest CPAP manufacturers, puting our component in 90% of the worlds CPAP machines. 

 

One year, I was invited to attend the annual supplier workshop day from the largest CPAP manufacterer in the world.  In one of the workshops, an expert in brain patterns and sleeping cycles gave a presentation. She went into detail on our brain's behavior when we sleep and how sleep apnia throws off the brain's normal healthy sleep cycle. Our brains are actually more awake when we sleep that it is when we are awake. It was eye opening. Before the lecture, most of us in the room thought sleep apnia was just not so serious.

[Pouatchee]

1 hour ago, scoutman360 said:

For most of my career, I used to work for a company that manufactured a critical component for the CPAP machines. We sold to the 3 biggest CPAP manufacturers, puting our component in 90% of the worlds CPAP machines. 

 

One year, I was invited to attend the annual supplier workshop day from the largest CPAP manufacterer in the world.  In one of the workshops, an expert in brain patterns and sleeping cycles gave a presentation. She went into detail on our brain's behavior when we sleep and how sleep apnia throws off the brain's normal healthy sleep cycle. Our brains are actually more awake when we sleep that it is when we are awake. It was eye opening. Before the lecture, most of us in the room thought sleep apnia was just not so serious.

 

thanks for sharing that. I felt the same way when an old friend of mine told me he had it. Until you walk five miles... you dont get to understand what others are going through

[FolkGuitar]

I slept with a CPAP machine for about 3 years. It helped tremendously, and I was finally getting a restful night's sleep.

 

Then someone suggested I lose weight. Hey, I WAS obese. No question about it, I was carrying around an extra 25 kilo. 

 

I did some research and decided to try the Keto Diet. It worked. It worked quickly. I dropped that extra 25 kilo in less than a year, and stopped needing and sold the CPAP machine.

 

That was six years ago. I kept the weight off and haven't needed any sleep-aids since.

[GammaGlobulin]

On 4/28/2025 at 9:20 AM, Pouatchee said:

I now have to sleep every night with a mask strapped to my face

 

Very sorry to hear this, Man.

 

Yes. This would be one of my fears.

 

Not sure how to sleep with one of those machines.

 

However, the human brain adapts, and we know this.

 

Still, something to be fearful of.

 

Life provides us all, every one, with a cross to bear, and most like more than one.

 

Hopefully, technology will get better.

 

[Pouatchee]

33 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Yes. This would be one of my fears.

 

Not sure how to sleep with one of those machines.

 

i have claustrophobia and as soon as the mask doesnt allow me to breathe freely i go into panic mode. I cannot use the nasal model because i breathe through the mouth. The fear factor is increased considerably with claustrophobia. when i talked to the sales rep she asked me if i was claustrophobic... seems i am no alone that has this problem

[GammaGlobulin]

13 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

i have claustrophobia and as soon as the mask doesnt allow me to breathe freely i go into panic mode. I cannot use the nasal model because i breathe through the mouth. The fear factor is increased considerably with claustrophobia. when i talked to the sales rep she asked me if i was claustrophobic... seems i am no alone that has this problem

 

No, of course you are not alone.

 

Maybe the best approach would be to talk to your doctor.

And, if the first doctor cannot help you with this, then find a doctor who can help you more.

 

Also, it might be helpful for you to do as much research as you can about how others cope with this.....

 

For example:

 

 

 

Do more research until you get the help you need....

 

 

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/in-depth/cpap/art-20044164#:~:text=Feeling claustrophobic&text=First%2C just hold it up,the ramp feature turned on.

 

Do more research.

 

Find a good and experienced therapist to help you adjust.

 

 

This cannot be easy.

Persevere and you will succeed.

 

 

[bunnydrops]

A friend of mine's son died 2 years ago. He was a big, strong guy in his 30s. He knew he had it, but didn't think it was a problem. He didn't wake up one morning.

I don't think I have it, but many years ago, I woke up feeling that something was wrong, and then I noticed I wasn't breathing.

[Pouatchee]

Just now, bunnydrops said:

I woke up feeling that something was wrong, and then I noticed I wasn't breathing.

 

then you have it. sometimes I take naps and just before I fall asleep i realise i am not breathing. it feels like drowning is the best i can describe it. i use to wonder why they had sleep clinics and now i understand. you dont need to spend a night in a sleep clinic. hospitals can hook you up to an HSAT machine then someone analyses the results painless and can save your life

 

https://sweetsleepstudio.com/home-sleep-apnea-test-hsat-uses-indications-and-reasons/

[bunnydrops]

I'm over 3/4s of a century old. At this point, it would be the lesser of the evils, and not really a bad way to go.

[Pouatchee]

25 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

I'm over 3/4s of a century old. At this point, it would be the lesser of the evils, and not really a bad way to go.

 

my old man's 95. You might still have quite a few years left... ya dont know.

Anyways i been using my sleep apnea machine less than a week. By all reports it apparently really improves daily life. I will report if and when i see improvements

[Thingamabob]

Since childhood I have never slept well, usually a maximum 3 disturbed hours per night. Just teach yourself not to worry about it. Now 83 years old and no ill effects so far. 

[rudi49jr]

On 4/28/2025 at 4:27 AM, Ben Zioner said:

Are you planning to lose weight? For me 5 kilos make a hell of a difference, no more snoring, no more apnea.

Same for me. I lost almost 15 kilos, also stopped drinking and smoking. Used to wear one of those MRA mouth guards for years, but don’t need it anymore.

[Andyfez]

9 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

i have claustrophobia and as soon as the mask doesnt allow me to breathe freely i go into panic mode. I cannot use the nasal model because i breathe through the mouth. The fear factor is increased considerably with claustrophobia. when i talked to the sales rep she asked me if i was claustrophobic... seems i am no alone that has this problem

Try a nasal mask. I breathe through my mouth, but as soon as I wear this mask, my mouth automatically shuts due to the slight air pressure.

It works for me, and much easier.

I go to the Bangkok Sleep Centre near Sutthisan.

[1FinickyOne]

On 4/28/2025 at 9:20 AM, Pouatchee said:

my doctor had an HSAT machine strapped to me overnight to check if I had sleep apnea.

How does this test work? Do you need to stay in bed for 8 hours? I am up and down and cannot stay in bed for long periods - I tend to sleep best early in the morning, maybe 4 a.m. - 10 a.m. - - but I am up nd down constantly - usually have to get up to pee at night as well. Thanks,

[still kicking]

On 4/28/2025 at 10:57 AM, novacova said:

Don’t eat 1.5 hours before laying down and walk for 15 minutes before sleeping, bet you sleep like a baby then.

Babies don't sleep.

[Celsius]

Did you check yourself for reflux? How are your sinuses at night in canada?

[Pouatchee]

22 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Did you check yourself for reflux? How are your sinuses at night in canada?

 

no reflux and I wear a mask because I breathe mainly from the mouth. My sinuses are not that great

[Celsius]

24 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

no reflux and I wear a mask because I breathe mainly from the mouth. My sinuses are not that great

 

Your sinuses may be contributing to your breathing problems and if you are in Canada the cold weather is making it much worse. Have you tried using Rhinocort. It is so cheap in Thailand, in Canada they charge you over 100 bucks for it. 

[Pouatchee]

8 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

Your sinuses may be contributing to your breathing problems and if you are in Canada the cold weather is making it much worse. Have you tried using Rhinocort. It is so cheap in Thailand, in Canada they charge you over 100 bucks for it. 

 

I am being followed by a pneumonologist who is quite good and I am on a lot of medication. I have nasal spray but I just don't breathe so well from the nose. I have the very bad habit of breathing from my mouth. I have tried to change it, but it is still a work in progress.

[3NUMBAS]

Smokers I know have it and my dad had it ,he used to jump up yelling in the night when he could not breath,but machines were not available back in the 60s

[rudi49jr]

I didn’t read all the posts in this thread, but here’s my two cents.

* If you sleep on your back a lot: that usually aggravates the sleep apnea. There is a device that you can wear at night which wakes you up when you roll over on your back, so that you can roll over on your side again.

* I’m not sure if an MRA (mandibular repositioning appliance) would be something for you, that’s just for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. I’ve had one for years and it helped me tremendously: it improved my sleep quality and I never woke up once anymore feeling as if I was breathing my last. So no more fear of going to sleep. Or of never waking up again.

* Obvious lifestyle changes can be losing weight, no more alcohol and no more smoking. More exercise is always a good idea.

* Also, a regular lifestyle helps: three meals a day at (more or less) set times, and going to bed at night and getting up in the morning at (more or less) set times.