I stop breathing as much as 45 times every hour according to the Sleep Study

Dallas, Texas
December 16, 2017 9:44am CST
I have what is termed Severe Sleep Apnea. Not only that, it is more Central Sleep Apnea than Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I was not able to finish the sleep study due to the fact that when the technician was using BiPap mode at the final hour, I was unable to sleep, but was aware, acutely aware, of the machine pumping air in my lungs and it was apparent that I was not able to fall asleep at the last hour of the test. I was told I might have to get an Auto-CPAP machine, but that would depend on what the doctor tells me Next Month. So by the time I either take a second test or get an Auto CPAP machine ordered it will have been over 4 months since I stopped using my old broken CPAP machine. The high blood pressure I get is not necessarily caused by not getting enough exercise or being over weight, but rather, a direct result of having Mixed Sleep Apnea, and having to wait another month to find out if a second test is needed and if in fact I will be able to sleep through part of it makes me feel that much more anxious. My blood pressure this morning was 129/78 - Pulse 79. I take it at home once or twice every morning, when I remember to do so. I don't want to have this condition, but there seems to be no real way of stopping Central Sleep Apnea, because it is a condition of the central nervous system. I tried this morning, at an early hour, to consciously control my breathing to a point that it helped me actually get back to sleep and this, I am sure is something I need to try to work on.
10 people like this
9 responses
@NJChicaa (115620)
• United States
16 Dec 17
When I did my sleep study it said I was stopping 30 times an hour or once every 2 minutes on average. No wonder I felt like a zombie in the morning! The CPAP makes a world of difference as you know.
2 people like this
• Dallas, Texas
16 Dec 17
Yes, but I have to go through another Triation or some such test before I can get a machine. I have to wait until middle of January to get another test. bummer.
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
@NJChicaa , If only I had a lot of money to contest it. I have no choice in the matter. I am dirt poor and broke. I have to wait until THEY decide if I live or die. LOL
@NJChicaa (115620)
• United States
16 Dec 17
@lookatdesktop This is ridiculous. If they KNOW you have the issue (which they already knew before all of this anyway), why are they making you wait. This is a super-serious condition! I'd start talking about liability and life-threatening delay of treatment.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
16 Dec 17
Because it is Central Sleep Apnea @lookatdesktop have they determined the cause? Since the brain stem controls breathing is it possible that you have a brain infection or a cervical spine problem?
2 people like this
• Dallas, Texas
16 Dec 17
@nanette64 My first grade teacher used to shake me when she got angry at me for behaving with ADHD that I was treated for with Ritalin for a year and the teacher got fired and I had to get short hair cuts as she would grab my hair and shake me. I don't remember it but I was told it happened and for that reason I suspect I had been injured pretty bad because of that terrible first grade teacher.
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@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
16 Dec 17
@lookatdesktop Absolutely. That could have been the trigger for this.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
16 Dec 17
@lookatdesktop Were your parents or other siblings affected with this? And yeah, you sure wouldn't be on Mylot today if it's been that long ago that the symptoms first started. Can you think of anything from that long ago that would have started this? A car accident or something?
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48321)
• Mojave, California
17 Dec 17
That's crazy and I really need to get one of those. I have been told do all kinds of crazy things in my sleep and actually know I do. Sometimes I half wake up and it is like I am about to be aducted by aliens. It is like one part of your brain is trying to keep you asleep and the other is trying to wake you up. The side that wakes me up wins every time, but like you are paralyzed , but know you can move so you fight the side that is trying to put you back to sleep. I am glad you got that so you can be safe while you sleep and I have been known to scare people where I sound like I am dying to where I walk out side and just start swing a baseball bat. That has not happened since I was younger, but people should know what you are going through is some serious business. I just tell people another reason I never or plan to get married.
1 person likes this
• Mojave, California
17 Dec 17
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
You could still get married, but your better half will have to wear body armor at night. LOL
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
@RasmaSandra (72494)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Dec 17
That sounds kind of scary to me. Hope you can find a way for relief. Here is a link on doing things naturally.
Many people snore, but when your snoring leads to disrupted sleep, obstructed breathing and more, it could be this serious condition.
2 people like this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
I have Central Sleep Apnea. I have used a Nasal CPAP machine on and off for over 2 decades. I might just up and buy me one on Amazon when I am able to save up unless something else comes along and takes up my savings, not much in the bank and if I can get insurance to pay for it, all the better, but the wait is what is killing things. The long waiting.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26163)
• Singapore
17 Dec 17
Sorry to hear about this medical condition of yours. I think your BP and Pulse are just fine. I have been diagnosed a diabetic but no BP. I want to manage without medication but was told not to worry about the medication and with that I can have a near normal diet - siva
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
I calculated that I breath approx. 12 times every minute, when at rest so that is roughly 720 times I breath in and out every 60 minutes. The thing that worries the most is, will they be willing and able to effectively treat my condition with the basic CPAP and how much time will it take to come to a decision to supply me with one. Thanks for your concern. I am managing the best I can under the circumstances.
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
@Shiva49 , I hope an emergency don't happen.
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@Shiva49 (26163)
• Singapore
17 Dec 17
@lookatdesktop I do hope you get this fixed asap. Help should be close at hand too for any emergency - siva
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53601)
16 Dec 17
I think you should follow up on the breathing exercises. Your diet impacts your blood pressure more than anything else. Stress is also very bad for it.
2 people like this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
I will follow up on those breathing exercises. I will start taking those long walks again. I was staying inside, afraid of being run over by a speeding motorist or shot by a drive by shooter. I really will try to find ways to get in some miles on my feet so I can lose the excess weight.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (168421)
• United States
17 Dec 17
Wow, that is a lot. I hope your condition improves!
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
I should. Right now, at this moment, I am trying to get off coffee to the point I don't drink it at least until I get my CPAP machine. And I am trying my best to lay off salt and to lose more weight every day. It all has to help some. I can't just sit back and let it all go to the dogs.
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Dec 17
I'm sorry that you have sleep apnea so bad. =(
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
It bothers my wife mostly. She hates it when I snore.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (61319)
• United States
16 Dec 17
I have one of those “yeah, but” existences. I have sleep apnea, but the CPAP machine plugs my ears up, hurts my sinuses (because it’s drying them out), and gives me panic attacks (the feeling of suffocating with the mask...even the nasal pillow isn’t an improvement). I actually sleep better without it. It’s like my sinuses: if I do the nasal rinse the fluid builds up in my eustacian tubes, which gives me tinnitus, makes me dizzy, and gives me a sore throat (it has to drain somewhere). So that means I need cough drops for my throat, and that aggravates my reflux. I’m trying to convince the VA it would be cheaper for them if they’d just move me to Arizona.
1 person likes this
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
Sounds like you are living the same HELL I am. I got that ringing in my ears 24/7. I got that acid reflux. I got that constant nasal inflamation. I got it all. Welcome to the club. Ain't life wonderful?
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@FourWalls (61319)
• United States
17 Dec 17
@lookatdesktop -- to add to that, I have this "wonderful" Ohio Valley weather to put up with (we call it the Ohio Valley crud here).
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• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 17
@FourWalls , I feel your pain.
1 person likes this