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Sleep apnea and dreams

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ReservedWhiteKangaroo6396 +0 points · almost 7 years ago Original Poster

I was just wondering about this so I wanted to ask.

Before I was having trouble sleeping (before I found out I had sleep apnea), I was having some bad dreams. Once I took some sleeping pills and started sleeping better, they stopped. Then months went by, got diagnosed with sleep apnea and got my oral device. Nothing about dreaming seemed unusual. Then recently I went back to my sleep dentist for a follow-up and he made an adjustment on the device so I can still sleep more because I told him I was still waking up. After that, I noticed that I was dreaming pretty much every night and remembering them. No bad dreams, just good or regular dreams. So I thought the timing was strange. I can't remember anymore whether I'm waking up for no reason or if it had to do with the sleep apnea but I remember I still wake up from dreams since I had the adjustment.

So my question is: is there a connection between dreams and sleep apnea? If I'm remembering them more or having them more does that mean my sleep apnea is worse or getting better or still existing? I can no longer remember clearly waking up for no reason or something like sleep apnea. Just when I dream.

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wiredgeorge +0 points · almost 7 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

I think there is absolutely a connection between remembered dreams and sleep apnea. Before therapy, I didn't hit the deep sleep state for long and most of my sleep was cat-nap type (sorry don't recall technical names for this stuff). Anyway, when I was in shallow sleep I had MANY dreams... one after the other and when I woke in the AM, I was coming out of a dream of some sort. Never anything bad or nightmares just compulsive type dreams. Once I started therapy I now am sure I am in much deeper sleep; perhaps the minute my head hits the pillow and I don't ever recall a dream. Not saying I am not having them but just don't recall any. Not sure what all that means but it more or less fits the narrative you are presenting for yourself.

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ReservedWhiteKangaroo6396 +0 points · almost 7 years ago Original Poster

By therapy, you mean treatment for your sleep apnea?

So you're saying that treatment is making you remember your dreams?

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wiredgeorge +0 points · almost 7 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

No... therapy for me is the Bipap machine and I DO NOT remember my dreams, if I am having them. Usuaully, that is, Before I started Bipap therapy I had constant dreams I remembered vividly.

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