1. < Sleep Health

Does Sleep Apnea cause weird dreams?

Posted by jjspokane61 @jjspokane61, Dec 17, 2018

I'm wondering if anyone else has dreams about drowning due to sleep apnea? These dreams are part of the reason I went ahead and starting CPAP usage. After 2 weeks on the machine I skipped one night and had that same horrible dream... I'm jumping into the water, I'm under the water and desperately trying to get to the surface... my lungs are screaming for air... I can't make it to the surface but I have to breath and take in a huge breath... that's when I wake up in a terrified state... anyone else experience something like this??

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loribroda | @loribroda | Dec 28, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @loribroda, I've been using a CPAP regularly for about 3 years. I had what you..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @loribroda, I've been using a CPAP regularly for about 3 years. I had what you might call vivid dreams or nightmares off and on even before using a CPAP. I still might have one once in awhile but they aren't as regular and often. Here are a couple of articles on using CPAPs and dreams that I thought you might find interesting and maybe helpful.

— Changes in dreaming induced by CPAP in severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17118100/
— The Mind Revealed: Learn More About Sleep Apnea Dreams and Nightmares: https://www.cpap.com/blog/sleep-apnea-dreams-and-nightmares/

Here's an article that has a few things to try that might be helpful.
-- What causes vivid dreams? - Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325396

One of the things mentioned that really has helped me is setting a regular time for going to bed and waking up. Also avoiding coffee and exercise just before going to bed.

Jump to this post

Yes, I try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day. I actually had a good night last night......first one in many days!

REPLY
gcranor | @gcranor | Dec 28, 2021

No, it’s like being tucked in

REPLY
screwylewy | @screwylewy | Mar 7, 2022
In reply to @mygrain316 "I too had nightmares from sleep apnea and I think the CPAP contributed as well.I often..." + (show)
@mygrain316

I too had nightmares from sleep apnea and I think the CPAP contributed as well.I often woke up out of breath and shaking all over....even with the CPAP.
Knowing the CPAP was needed to live, I tried to wear as much as I could. I dealt with severe sleep apnea for 13 years. I hated it and always was researching another treatments, which many I paid out of pocket without success. Last year, the FDA approved a surgical implant I had been reading about the past several years. It TRULY has saved my life. PLEASE research Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation. It is surgically implanted and is in tune with your breathing NOT apneas. It is so new, many doctors do not even know about it. I share the information with everyone I can. It is only performed now at the countries top hospitals, Emory, Vanderbilt, etc. I had mine done at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC. They were incredible and my life has been changed. I sleep, my color is better, depression better...a true miracle!!!!! Inspire is the only company I know that makes the implant but are there at the hospital every step of the way. Their website has a wealth of information. They fight for their patients too in obtaining approval from insurance companies.Please check it out!! Good luck!

Jump to this post

if ur body bmi is over 35% u cannot get inspire

REPLY
screwylewy | @screwylewy | Mar 7, 2022
In reply to @mygrain316 "I too had nightmares from sleep apnea and I think the CPAP contributed as well.I often..." + (show)
@mygrain316

I too had nightmares from sleep apnea and I think the CPAP contributed as well.I often woke up out of breath and shaking all over....even with the CPAP.
Knowing the CPAP was needed to live, I tried to wear as much as I could. I dealt with severe sleep apnea for 13 years. I hated it and always was researching another treatments, which many I paid out of pocket without success. Last year, the FDA approved a surgical implant I had been reading about the past several years. It TRULY has saved my life. PLEASE research Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation. It is surgically implanted and is in tune with your breathing NOT apneas. It is so new, many doctors do not even know about it. I share the information with everyone I can. It is only performed now at the countries top hospitals, Emory, Vanderbilt, etc. I had mine done at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC. They were incredible and my life has been changed. I sleep, my color is better, depression better...a true miracle!!!!! Inspire is the only company I know that makes the implant but are there at the hospital every step of the way. Their website has a wealth of information. They fight for their patients too in obtaining approval from insurance companies.Please check it out!! Good luck!

Jump to this post

i have had the exact same thing i believe we are not breathing and its our bodies way of waking us up right at the moment that the dream seems horrible or im going to die its outrageous.

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