This is one of the best descriptions of this condition. For me, I’m convinced it’s a pulmonary issue. It typically happens when I’m congested or wheezing. Most of the times it’s accompanied by dyspnea throughout the day or especially at night.
Hi Abc123,
To answer your question, I was on Ambien for only six months during my initial onset of TSA (8 years ago). One day I decided not to take it and I've been symptom-free up until the beginning of this past March when everything started to happen again. My theory is that Ambien can be used as a treatment for TSA because it helps you fall asleep quicker and keeps you asleep. This, in some sort of way, trained my brain and lungs to basically get back on schedule. There are also studies that demonstrate how Ambien reduces the number of apnea events in patients. Once these symptoms started again, I decided not to go back on Ambien. For one, I felt as if my doctor wouldn't continue to prescribe it and I didn't want to start depending it (not in the addiction way). I've been pretty good for the past two months and only have had a few rough nights with falling asleep and waking up feeling out of breath. The odd thing is that I've begun tracking my SpO2 for a little over a month now and my overnight levels are pretty incredible. With sleep apnea, patients usually see their numbers drop well below 88, but mine have never dipped below 90. My average level for 29 days was 96.3 and my overall score 9.7/10. Although I felt like I had a few apnea events last night, my O2 ring didn't report any drops in oxygen, my overnight average was 97% (96% on Fitbit), and score was 10/10. I actually started doing Co2 table last week for a couple of nights. What time of day do you do yours?
Joe - you still there? How are you now?
ReggieN - how are you doing now? Any updates? That goes for anyone else who was struggling with TSA.
ABC123 - any updates? How is your TSA now? I had it 8 years ago, went away, now dealing with it all over again. I’m convinced six months on Ambien knocked my breathing back on schedule. It seemed my brain and lungs were just out of wack for some time. Wondering if you, or anyone else, also experience sleep paralysis. That sort of reminds me of TSA since your brain and lungs sort of become out of wack in that sense too. Also, the dream you had about choking is somewhat of a classic sign of apnea. Often people dream that they are drowning and wake up gasping. Just some food for thought.
I get hypnic jerks where I kick my legs or jerk my torso forward. I actually love them because I know I’m falling asleep. This feels like a warm sensation that fills my head and wakes me up just as I start falling asleep. Sometimes I feel it come from my stomach into my chest and throat and it leaves my heart pounding.
8 years ago, when this initially occurred, I had an in-lab sleep study and the results said I had complex sleep apnea. I only slept for three hours, so I’m not sure if that’s even long enough to draw a conclusion. I was put on CPAP but I was still having those issues falling asleep and then I even woke up gasping for air while on it. Then they tried a BiPaP study but I only slept for a couple hours. I had a BiPAP at home but that didn’t help either. I just stayed in that cycle of drifting then waking. I was barely getting any sleep so my sleep doctor ended up putting me on Ambien which helped immensely. I had no sleep issues while on Ambien and then 7 months later, I decided not to take it and haven’t had an episode since until a month ago. I had an appointment with my sleep doctor who seems to be sticking with apnea, but I don’t understand how I could be symptom-free for nearly a decade and all of a sudden I’m having the same issues (no gasping for air this time). It’s just that sleep onset. Two days this week I had no transitional issues at all and fell right to sleep. I bought an oximeter and my scores for the past two nights have been a 10/10 with zero drops. I’ve also stayed in the 95-100% range 100% of the night. I’ve had a couple odd episodes the past three days during the day that I think are mini-panic attacks. I’m feeling that same wave of what feels like adrenaline pass through my body and it leaves my hands, arms, legs, and head tingly. Also makes me a bit lightheaded. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m convinced it isn’t sleep apnea.
Any updates from the previous users re: TSA? I dealt with the eight years ago and suddenly the symptoms are starting up again. I'm so frustrated and completely consumed by this.
