that is one thing that sleeping in my chair does: it keeps me able to breathe. I do think I have sleep apnea although I don't know how bad it is. I go to sleep on my side which works to keep my throat from closing, but I often roll over onto my back for some reason and when I do that I wake up with my mouth absolutely parched. sometimes I dream that I cannot catch my breath. and I may be doing the wakeup thing; I definitely wake up when I reach the lightest phase of sleep. it's like my sleep curve bumps up above consciousness at the light apex. one reason I remember all my dreams is that I often wake up right in the middle of one or, I guess, as it "ends" as far as my dreaming body is concerned. but I sometimes wake up with my earplugs pulled out or with my feet put back under the covers if it was warm when I went to bed, so I know I wake up without remembering it.
I don't know if Healthy San Francisco pays for sleep studies. I keep meaning to ask my doc about it although I don't want to have to use one of those machines. I don't even know if I could put one up on my loft but in any case I would take the mask right off in my sleep. anything that is slightly uncomfortable will not last long on my sleeping body. but maybe a mouthpiece would help. or strapping myself in the side-sleeping position. :)
I am going to risk another cup of coffee now. I think I've had enough sleep at this point. we'll see, I guess.