Hello, new member here.
I have severe, untreated obstructive sleep apnea. I was first diagnosed as a college sophomore close to ten years ago. I used a CPAP machine for about a year, and then lost 80 pounds with Weight Watchers. The sleep apnea completely disappeared and I felt like a new person. Unfortunately, I’ve gained 100 pounds since that time. It’s painful for me to write that, but it’s true.
I find myself now, at 28 years old, in the worst state of health of my life. I haven’t been eating well...my diet contains far too much dairy, carbs, and fatty food and although I’m embarrassed to write this, I started smoking earlier this year. I feel like I’m on the fast track to an early death.
More than a week ago, I suffered a severe panic attack at work and have been in a state of sheer terror, nerves, digestive issues, chest pain and scary heart palpitations, and extremely foggy brain “walking around in a haze” type feeling. I know that’s another topic entirely, but this is the worst anxiety I’ve experienced in my entire life. It’s becoming debilitating at this point and I feel like I’m in hell. I ended up in the ER earlier this week but they found nothing abnormal, so I have no peace of mind.
Anyways, last night I believe I had the worst apnea episode yet. I was up until almost 4 in the morning with raging, horrifying anxiety...experiencing muscle cramps, facial, neck and head numbness and tingliness, chest pain, racing heartbeat, the list goes on. You get the picture. My throat felt like it was closing, and at one point I think I was starting to doze off but shot up gasping and choking for air. It felt like I had a trapped burp stuck in my chest that I could not relieve. It was so awful. I must have drifted off to sleep but when I woke up this morning, my throat was extremely sore and felt swollen, my jaws and face hurt, my chest and heart area hurt, I felt pressure behind my eyes and stiff neck, and again, crippling anxiety. It’s the worst I’ve ever felt. My chest feels like it’s burning.
I can’t tell if this is the anxiety wreaking havoc on my body, but I do feel like it’s making my sleep apnea much worse. I am absolutely exhausted. I’m afraid to go to sleep because I’m convinced I’m going to die.
I KNOW I need to get to my PCP ASAP, I’m overdue for a physical. I’ll admit I’ve been irresponsible up to this point, but I feel this is a life or death matter now. I’m so scared. It’s Saturday, and I’m going to call first thing Monday morning.
I know this is long, but could someone please advise me of some safety measures I can take until I have access to a CPAP machine. I should add that for more than a week, it has been difficult to breathe, not just at night but now during the day! I feel like I’m not getting enough oxygen. Should I sleep upright, like on the recliner in my living room? Is that safer? I’m so desperate and willing to do anything because I’m so terrified something bad will happen to me. Are there any over the counter aids I can get this weekend, do those nose strips work? I’ve never tried them. I’m sure there’s not much I can do, but I will do anything just to make sure I’m safe while I’m sleep, even if it only helps a tiny bit.
Also, I’m not prescribed any anxiety medication but my close friend gave me a .5 mg Ativan as a last resort, in case I have a severe panic attack or can’t sleep. Yes, I know it’s not safe to take any medication not prescribed by a doctor. But In general, can someone tell me if Ativan is safe to take for sleep apnea sufferers?
I know I need to lose weight and quit smoking, and make some lifestyle changes. And I intend to, because I can’t live like this anymore. I just want to know what I can do right now until I visit my PCP, I am so afraid to sleep but my brain can’t function and I feel like I’m going out of my mind as I’ve been enduring this hell for 9 days.
Thank you!!!!!
