sleep apnoea - should i worry?

[lloydjam]

Ive had a few episodes of sleep apnoea over the last few months and have a particularly scary one last night. Is this something I should trouble the doctor about or is it something to not worry about? Is there the possibility that one day it may not wake me up ? Sorry its a bit dramatic but really spooked me last night. thanks

By an episode of sleep apnoea do you mean you woke being unable to breathe? OSA does need treating but you need to have an overnight sleep study. Contact your GP. Most apnoea episodes do not wake you from sleep so the fact you are waking from sleep indicates you are holding your breath for a prolonged time. Look at resources on the British lung foundation about sleep apnoea.

Thank you - I wake up desperately trying to breathe and its like I'm taking a massive gasp of air. i wake with a massive jolt.

Get to the GP

Go and be referred to sleep clinic, they'll set you up with a machine to help you sleep better. I couldn't take to it but helps s lot of people.

Thanks everyone

I never woke up not being able to breathe despite having sever sleep apnoea. But yes get to GP - they will most likely ask you to fill in an Epworth test and only refer you if you score at risk on it.

If you have severe sleep apnoea it's really important you persevere with the CPAP machine - sleep apnoea can cause high blood pressure and increases the risk of weight gain but in fact I beleive the highest cause of death in people with sleep apnoea is car accidents.

Yes, you need to see the GP. OH has sleep apnoea and has a CPAP machine. It is wonderful because he no longer snores.

He is an anomaly because he is not over weight and usually it is caused by being overweight.