Okay, this just started happening

[kenneltech]

I have multiple sleep disorders, including extremely bad apnea, severe insomniac and now I am nodding off in the middle of the day.  He has ruled out narcolepsy, and I don't actually sleep, I just nod off and then come to again.  I do this all day, enough to where he has banned me from driving as I drove off of the INTERSTATE on day, thank God I didn't over correct!  Scared me half to death myself.

Anyway, so now this new thing is happening.  When I actually sleep, I do not remember dreams, never have. But now when i "nod off", I am literally half asleep and half awake (I know what I'm doing, but can't stop), and I start to dream.  I've actually been talking to people when thishappens and what I do is incorporate them into this short little dream, so I am talking to them abou the dream, explaining it, and then when I "come to" I ask them if I was talking about 'so and so" and they say yes, and then they tell me that for a minute there, they thought I had gome nuts.

well, one day I was in the waiting room of a doctors office, and trying to read a magazine (which is embarrassing in itself as I "drift off" and keep dropping the magazine.  Only NOW, I start  "showing" people my dream.  I have awakened and people, once again, are staring at me like I'm totally nuts.  Evidently, I was immitating stirring a pot, and it was hot so I put it way out in front of me so I wouldn't get burned.  All the while, I'm really doing this at thisdoctors office, and then I'm also talking about how this comes to a boil, and be sure jot to touc the pot as it is soooo hot.....!  I'm telling you, I don't want to leave my door!  Now, what is THIS new problem?  It's very embarrassing as people really are looking at me when I "come to" like I am nuts!  I don't know how far this is gonna go, but I don't want to find out!  

Please help!!!

[KatEyes]

I'm glad you are on CPAP, but some questions are still unanswered. Are you using a machine that records your treatment data and lets you (or the doc) see for sure how well the prescribed treatment is doing?Is there anyone who observes your sleep who can tell you if you still move around a lot at night? What med are you taking for the RLS? Did your sleep study show you have central sleep apnea or is the doctor saying the meds could cause central apnea? I'm certainly not a sleep professional, but I'm thinking your nighttime issues are not effectively treated could be why your days are so sleepy, and your meds might be an issue too. What are taking for the RLS and what dose? When I started researching this stuff and found the forum cpaptalk, I was just so relieved to know I wasn't the only one going thru these things and that others understood. It's scary to have things going on that you don't understand or have answers for.

[Resilient_Mimi]

Do you use a cpap machine or bipap machine for sleep apnea? This could improve your waking hours.  Have you been told what type of apnea you have, it could be central sleep apnea, or obstructive sleep apnea.  I would have an in-house sleep study done to see what is going on with your brain (EEG) while you sleep.  your MD can order this type of testing for you. Good luck!

[kenneltech]

I do have RLS, and I am treating it with medication.  My doctor looked at all I was taking and says there isn't a problem with the meds.  I am in CBT, but it seems like I'm not getting anywhere, doesn't it take a long time?  I have some other disorder that makes me nod off during the day, as of right now, I am medically not allowed to drive.  I don't fall asleep and stay asleep, I just nod in and out and in and out, but I ran off of the highway and was almost killed, scared me to death!  I am being treated with CPAP, and yes, I use it regularly.  Fortunately, I am using that canula that has the little pillows on the end to keep it on my nose, I don't wear the full mask.  I have severe, severe, severe sleep apnea.  He watched the meds I take as he says I can fall asleep and not wake up.  Something about there are two kinds of apnea, some are inside deep and some are the normal ones that everyone has.

The only thing that really bothers me is that I didn't have half of these problems until I went to a doctor to get treatment for the sleep problems!!  I was on a much heavier sleep med, but he tells me it's dangerous with my apnea, so now I barely sleep.  The only thing I take at night is Rozeren and Ambien and melatonin.  

I have been this way since the age of about 12, I can't remember ever sleeping without meds, sad, isn't it?

Thanks for writing, I will keep you informed.  I don't mean to sound mean, but I'm glad someone else had this problem and knew what I was talking about, I thought I was going crazy!

[KatEyes]

I used to do exactly what you describe, and yes, it was embarrassing for me too. Once my sleep disorders (OSA, RLS, PLMD) were more effectively treated, these episodes decreased and haven't happend in the last few years. When one doesn't get the sleep they need, things get all out of sync.

First of all, how is your sleep apnea being addressed? Are you consistent in its use? What is being done to confirm that it is indeed effective, and remains so? Are you on any meds known to be detrimental to sleep? Do you have any issues with your legs moving a lot at night or been diagnosed with any other sleep disorders?

CBT can be very useful in retraining a brain to sleep after years of untreated disorders. However, all known sleep disorders need to be therapeutically treated for the CBT to have a chance to work. What are your doctors saying about this, and when was your last sleep study?