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Apnea doesn't exist in a vacuum and neither does sleep generally.  Stress, other conditions we have, medications we take, and many other factors play roles in our treatment of Sleep Apnea.  Would it be a good thing to broaden this forum to Sleep Health generally and not just Sleep Apnea?  Or does everyone like the laser focus on Sleep Apnea?  I worry about losing focus and getting into discussions that are "watered down." But what do you guys think?  I'd really appreciate feedback on this issue.

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Mary, thank you for your concern. In my last sleep study I only had apnea on my back, not on my side, so I am not concerned about sleeping on my side without a machine. But I do use it while on my back. And I cannot sleep on my side all night. I trained myself to sleep on my back since my shoulders become too painful when I sleep on my side all night.



Mary Z said:

Mary, perhaps you need to see a GI doc (yes, I know, another doctor).  GERD may be part of your problem and if you're not being treated for acid reflux that's something to consider.  You can try OTC meds- even use them at prescription doses to see it they help.  Give it a good trial.

Going off the machine, while I know you're miserable, is not the answer. If you haven't already, Google "gastric insuflation and sleep apnea" and you may come up with some positional or other remedies.
Good luck, keep us posted.


Mary -Yes when I was talking about the respiratory therapist I meant the DME provider. They should have one. If you don’t like the one you have, I would ask your insurance company if they would provide you a list of providers in your area, then call them, and check them out on google. Another option is if there is an AWAKE group near you try and attend the meeting or if they have list the group leader call them and ask if they know a good provider-then check your insurance list.

It sounds like to me that your pressure is too high for you to tolerate when on your side. It may need to be lower when you are on your side. Do you want to sleep on your side? Is that better than sleep on the back? I know you have shoulder problems.

The suggestion about see a GI doctor (one when is knowledgeable about sleep apnea) is a good one. It sounds like part of the problem is GERD (and of course lack of sleep) but something else might be going on.

Keep me posted.

Blessings-


 


Mary Callahan said:
Scout, thanks for the info. I have tried talking to both my doctor and the DME provider about the gastric insuflation, however, none of them know what to do. So that is why I just take off the machine, and sleep on my side without it. I don't know that I have a respiratory therapist, because if you mean the DME provider, they have been totally useless. All they ever say is for me to call the doctor. The doctor tells me he can't help me. I feel like I've done all this on my own for the most part. If it wasn't for all the help I have gotten on this website, I would have given up a long time ago.

Scout, after I meet with my new sleep doctor in about 2 weeks, and just around that time I believe my insurance will have paid off the cost of the apap machine -- then I will check out new DME providers. I may ask the new doctor if they know of any good providers. 

I don't like sleeping on my back for more than the 4-5 hours that I do. And as I said my shoulders are not great either. So I try to alternate between my back and my side.

With my insomnia, I could never change the pressure when I go to lay on my side. If I were to put on my glasses and look into the LED of the machine. That would finish my sleep for the night. I actually have to cover the LED displays on my machine so my room is dark. After sleeping in the dark, those LED lights might was well look like Times Square in the middle of the night when I need to take off the mask and stop the machine.

I would also wonder that since I have an auto pap, wouldn't the machine automatically adjust for the pressure needed? Or perhaps having an auto pap might actually not be what I need for my particular concerns.

Thanks for all your thoughts. Much appreciated.


Scout Bennet said:


Mary -Yes when I was talking about the respiratory therapist I meant the DME provider. They should have one. If you don’t like the one you have, I would ask your insurance company if they would provide you a list of providers in your area, then call them, and check them out on google. Another option is if there is an AWAKE group near you try and attend the meeting or if they have list the group leader call them and ask if they know a good provider-then check your insurance list.

It sounds like to me that your pressure is too high for you to tolerate when on your side. It may need to be lower when you are on your side. Do you want to sleep on your side? Is that better than sleep on the back? I know you have shoulder problems.

The suggestion about see a GI doctor (one when is knowledgeable about sleep apnea) is a good one. It sounds like part of the problem is GERD (and of course lack of sleep) but something else might be going on.

Keep me posted.

Blessings-


Mary-

As far as the Auto Pap is concerned from what I understand it works within a range and it has to adjust to your breathing needs, so it is always a step behind. That’s why it’s important to deal with the GERD and allergies. These two issues produce inflammation of the tissues that constantly change the airway size.

As far as the Auto PAP meeting your needs, they are usually prescribed to patients who need higher pressure and are unable to tolerate the constant pressure. I have an auto PAP/bi-level for this reason. My ENT wants to do sinus surgery on me because I am getting sinus infections from the bi-pap and he wants to see the pressure lowered.

Too bad, you are not able to change your pressure at night. I went thru a phase where I was doing that. Not a great way to sleep but for me I can’t even sleep with out the machine. My apnea is too severe.

I hope things go well with the new doctor. Keep me posted.

Blessings-


Scout, just a quick update. I spoke today with my DME provider, and the RT said that it does happen that some people get gastric problems when on their side as the trachea changes shape when one turns over. He suggested I try sleeping with my head tilted back instead of down (as I tend to be in the fetal position) and that I might not get as much gas that way. He also suggested I speak with my doctor.

Scout Bennet said:

Mary-

As far as the Auto Pap is concerned from what I understand it works within a range and it has to adjust to your breathing needs, so it is always a step behind. That’s why it’s important to deal with the GERD and allergies. These two issues produce inflammation of the tissues that constantly change the airway size.

As far as the Auto PAP meeting your needs, they are usually prescribed to patients who need higher pressure and are unable to tolerate the constant pressure. I have an auto PAP/bi-level for this reason. My ENT wants to do sinus surgery on me because I am getting sinus infections from the bi-pap and he wants to see the pressure lowered.

Too bad, you are not able to change your pressure at night. I went thru a phase where I was doing that. Not a great way to sleep but for me I can’t even sleep with out the machine. My apnea is too severe.

I hope things go well with the new doctor. Keep me posted.

Blessings-

Mary-

Glad to hear you got in contact with your RT and are getting some possible solutions that you can explore. Let me know what happens. I'll keep you in my thoughts-

Blessings 

Mary Callahan said:

Scout, just a quick update. I spoke today with my DME provider, and the RT said that it does happen that some people get gastric problems when on their side as the trachea changes shape when one turns over. He suggested I try sleeping with my head tilted back instead of down (as I tend to be in the fetal position) and that I might not get as much gas that way. He also suggested I speak with my doctor.

Scout Bennet said:

Mary-

As far as the Auto Pap is concerned from what I understand it works within a range and it has to adjust to your breathing needs, so it is always a step behind. That’s why it’s important to deal with the GERD and allergies. These two issues produce inflammation of the tissues that constantly change the airway size.

As far as the Auto PAP meeting your needs, they are usually prescribed to patients who need higher pressure and are unable to tolerate the constant pressure. I have an auto PAP/bi-level for this reason. My ENT wants to do sinus surgery on me because I am getting sinus infections from the bi-pap and he wants to see the pressure lowered.

Too bad, you are not able to change your pressure at night. I went thru a phase where I was doing that. Not a great way to sleep but for me I can’t even sleep with out the machine. My apnea is too severe.

I hope things go well with the new doctor. Keep me posted.

Blessings-

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