Re: Nightmares sleeping on my back

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Re: Nightmares sleeping on my back

Posted by sadie on November 20, 2002 at 08:56:24:
In Reply to: Nightmares sleeping on my back posted by Icarus on November 19, 2002 at 08:51:24:
I'm not a doctor, but I'm only suggesting this as a possibility. You might be having apneas and not be aware of them. The apneas, sometimes caused by tissue in the throat that fold over and close off the air passage, might only occur when you are flat on your back. Because they are happening during a dream state and you're probably getting a little panicky about your reduced oxygen intake, the dream gets ugly.
I do have breathing problems and sleep with a non-invasive ventilator (BiPAP). I connect an oxygen concentrator to my machine at night to boost my oxygen intake. A few months ago, I turned off the supplemental oxygen to see if I really felt a difference. I did. I started awakening in the middle of nightmares. Mostly the theme had to do with my being trapped or otherwise compromised. I am convinced the nightmares were related to my breathing difficulties.
For what it's worth. If you want to rule out the apnea theory, you would want to ask your doctor for an overnight sleep study.

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Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.