Ask:
Why is my Sleep Apnea Events Sounding Like Respiratory Failure?
Is it normal to sound like your in respiratory failure when waking up from an apnea event instead of gasping? It sounds exactly like resp. failure. If it's not normal, what type of problems would cause that? I don't completely stop breathing, but my breathing decreases in my sleep w) hypoxemia, oxygen level drops down to 84% (RDI 9 x hr in non-rem sleep & 32 x hr in rem sleep). I had an x-ray about 2 yrs ago showing mild scarring on my lungs so it was nothing bad, but I've smoked for 20 yrs so I am wondering if such a problem could worsen, considering the way I breathe during an apnea event. I know people typically gasp, choke, or snort themselves awake but I don't do that.
Answer:
Why is my Sleep Apnea Events Sounding Like Respiratory Failure?
Hi justthinking132,
What do you mean sounding like respiratory failure? Do you mean congestion etc.? I'm not the Dr. but if you were in respiratory failure you would be having severe sypmtoms on going. However I would think with a history of smoking at night congestion could build up some ( depending on the status of your lung condition) and if your having apnea episodes along with congestion it could sound very serious. Indeed it could be serious if sleep apnea is not treated esp. with a history of smoking. Even if your breathing does not stop but slows you can still have a drop in oxygen levels.
It sounds like you may have had a sleep study done at some point? If your apnea episodes are increasing or you notice more severe symptoms or sounds it may be a good idea to be seen by your dr. and even a new sleep study.
Scarring in the lung can be caused by several different things and your Dr. can make that judgement.
Good Luck,
Purple98Lady:smile: