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I Am CPAP Compliant. Sleeping And Using My Machine Between

Posted on Fri, 4 Oct 2019

Question: I am CPAP compliant. Sleeping and using my machine between 7 to 9 hours a night. I have spells where I cannot stay awake and just fall asleep. Being in a moving vehicle is 100 times worse. I never know when it's going to happen making driving nearly impossible. Is this normal for sleep apnea or could it be something else? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No, this is not normal with sleep apnea.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
No, these kind of episodes are not common with sleep apnea patients already on treatment.
These kind of episodes are actually life threatening.
There are two possibilities.
1. Other brain pathology like absence seizure.
2. Worsening of CPAP.
So please let me know
1. When did you undergone sleep study lastly?
2. Have you ever undergone MRI brain?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (48 minutes later)

My last sleep study was 6 months ago. Last Brain MRI 2 years ago. Abnormalities in the frontal lobe were found. All eegs I have had came back normal. Last eeg was a 72 hour eeg a year ago.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Get done repeat MRI brain and EEG.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should get done repeat MRI brain and EEG.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj