Will I die if I bump my head?

[rodor]

If I sleep on my back, I cannot breathe at all. If I accidentally turn onto my back while sleeping, I wake up in panic, gasping for air, and my heart pounding in my chest.

What will happen if I have a minor accident where I get knocked unconscious? Odds are, I will land on my back. I am worried I will be unable to breathe while unconscious, and suffocate before I regain consciousness.

Am I essentially walking around with a glass skull?

[SarcasticDave94]

Part of the issue you're dealing with on the back sleeping and panic, is that your setting of 4 is too low to deliver enough air, and highly likely too low to supply the air pressure needed to keep your airway open. Also, note that while sleeping on your back, that's where gravity has the most pull on your throat and attempts the hardest to close the airway.

I cannot offer suggestions on "what if" scenarios. There's far too many variables to discuss all of them. I do know that our bodies have built in mechanisms that fight like mad to keep us alive, so I'm pretty sure that if you're in an accident, it's less likely than you think to be fatal.

Let's however focus on what you can control. Change that setting and see if things improve. Get these things: download OSCAR and see your own sleep data. Next, get the CPAP Setup Manual for your exact machine to edit the settings in the clinician mode. Most machines enter this mode when you push the Home button and the control knob for about 5 seconds.

[Sleeprider]

Rodor, I agree you probably need a minimum pressure of 8.0. The sense of being unable to breathe when on your back is also known as positional apnea. This can occur when your head and neck become misaligned in a way that cuts off your airway. You can simulate this while sitting comfortably in a chair, and letting your chin fall to your chest. If you notice a significant increase in effort to breath as your chin tucks, there is an easy way to fix that. Many members here use a soft cervical collar to keep their airway aligned and prevent the problem you are describing Here is a link to a wiki that describes the problem and our preferred solution. http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...cal_Collar

[srlevine1]

It appears that you may be suffering from the added stress of considering "what if" scenarios which are definitely not optimal for your health.

If you are that worried about having an accident and falling unconscious, you may wish to explore the use of one of those senior citizen amulets with the built-in fall sensor. If you do not respond after the device is triggered, the vendor will send help.

Best wishes.