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Saw Doctor.. Got Chewed Out. Have Sleep Apnea
Posted by Charles:
I just saw my Doctor again last week. I got chewed out in a loving way. I have sleep apnea of course, but she says I also have a mild case of narcolepsy. Pathetic, can't breath when I'm asleep, and can't stay awake. Lol The reason for the chewing? I have not been maintaining a regular sleep pattern. I sleep when ever the urge gets too strong. I wake up in the night and get up. On top of sleep apnea, and narcolepsy, I have restless leg syndrome. I take Mirapex, which has controlled the leg jerking problem. The sleep apnea has been solved with a cpap machine. I did have a problem with my nose plugging up which rendered the cpap useless. That was solved with an operation on the inside of my nose. Now I am on Nuvigil to keep me awake in the day. She stated the medication wasn't going to help if I did not train my brain when it was time to sleep. I must go to bed at the same time, and stay there until I have been there for 8 hours. No naps except for one 25 minute snooze. She won't be able to determine the dosage of my Nuvigil until I form a regular sleep routine. I guess it all makes sense. I am wondering how often do I need to change my mask and tubing. Is there any need to do that as long as it is not developing holes etc.? When I fall asleep accidentally during the day I am setting up and have no problem breathing. My problem breathing comes when I am laying down. So, I never lay down for any reason without my mask just in case I fall asleep. Sleeping without my mask ,I wake up desperate for air, with my arms and legs feeling weird and miserable. Does anyone else have a scenario like this? Am I the only weird old man in this manner?
Views: 35
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Charles, I've heard a lot of people who wake up miserable after falling asleep without their mask on. I don't think that's unusual. Your Doc is talking about sleep hygiene and she's right. It's important to go to bed and get up at the same times daily. Avoiding a nap during the day (and I used to love those naps before I got on Provigil then I couldn't nap) is important so you are sleepy at night. There are a lot of issues with sleep hygiene- no strenuous exercise within a certain number of hours before bed (forgot how many hours), no caffeinated beverages after a certain time of the day. Doing something relaxing, not stimulating before bed, using the bedroom only for sleeping. Someone else will hopefully elaborate, or do a google search or a search here on "sleep hygiene". Using a full face mask will negate the problems with your nose stopping up if that comes up again, glad your surgery fixed it. Some folks that have trouble sleeping laying down sleep in a recliner, elevate the head of the bed slightly, or use more pillows. The narcolepsy is what makes you fall sleep when you're just sitting during the day, not trying to sleep. The Nuvigil should help that when you get on a regular sleep /wake schedule. Probably will be difficult at first.
Depending on your insurance- I have Medicare- change your mask every three months if needed, I can also get a new cushion monthly if I need one, change the hose every six months. Some folks seem to have their equipment last a lot longer than I do. It's always good to have a spare. Keep the old hose and mask if they're servicable when you get new ones.
That's good you don't lay down without your mask on.
Good luck, keep posting.
Mary Z.
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