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sleeping pills or not
I've had my cpap machine for about a year now for the last month or two I've been waking up after three hours of sleep, and don't know why, so I'm on the edge of buying sleeping pills or not will someone advise me what to do for getting close to eight hours of sleep????
Views: 32
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Saz RPSGT on
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Sounds like you may not be on the appropriate pressure.
Communicate that to your physician. If you can get a copy of your sleep report and then let us know what pressure you're on at home, that would be helpful.
What you're saying is consistent with not getting enough pressure. (this could be from the pressure not being right, or a mask or mouth-leak)
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Permalink Reply by Christine C on
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I have read somewhere (maybe even on SG) that some sleeping pills can cause more apnea events. I may be wrong about it, but I think that pills should be your last resort. I would be sure to talk with your doctor. maybe you need some sort of adjustment or something.
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Permalink Reply by gordon on
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I think if you can avoid Ambien or sedatives, ur better off, I think they relax the tissues/tongue/respiration even more,
causing more apnea episodes, like other replies said, work with the machine/mask/doc/humidity, sometimes you go thru phases in the 1st 18 months, where your sleep pattern changes, this could be a change in stress, job, whatever, it's not the end of the world if you wake after 3 hrs, and can't fall asleep for another 1/2 hr, and then have a good 4-6 hrs on CPAP, you will still wake up rested after any 5-6 hrs, in my opinion, any 5-6 hrs after you've got all the equipment flawless, those are restfull 5-6 hrs, regardless of an interruption, good luck and keep us informed Ed.
Christine C said:I have read somewhere (maybe even on SG) that some sleeping pills can cause more apnea events. I may be wrong about it, but I think that pills should be your last resort. I would be sure to talk with your doctor. maybe you need some sort of adjustment or something.
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Permalink Reply by Jerri Lynn on
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I use sleeping aids 3-5 x/wk......either Restoril or Ambien. I didn't use either on the nights my sleep studies were done. Perhaps once I acclimate to my CPAP (I've only had it three nights) I'll be able to trash them completely.
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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on
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This started happening to me about 10 days ago or so. I've been on CPAP x 3 months and had worked up to pretty regularly sleeping 6-7 hours. Still felt tired a lot, but I was fairly pleased with the sleeping. Then I started sleeping 4-5 hours tops, for no reason that I could identify. Reported it on here. Long story short, I kept feeling worse every day and yesterday I went in to see my DME. He ran my card and said, "Well, here's why you're not sleeping--you have a massive leak"
My mask never leaked at all. It was my third one and I loved it. He asked me if I ever woke up with a dry mouth and I said all the time. He said that my mouth is where the leak was, that I was losing probably 75% of the benefit of my CPAP!! The leak was around 65!!!
It's weird 'cause I've heard mouth leaks discussed on SG a zillion times, but since my mask fit so well, I just didn't connect it up. I had noticed my mouth filling up with air that I had to blow out, but didn't consider it a leak, thinking it was just air I'd already breathed anyway. So much for MY assessment!!!
Anyway, DME fitted me with a new full face mask which is surprisingly comfortable. Last night I slept 7 hours on CPAP, took it off thinking that was GREAT, and promptly went back to sleep without CPAP for another 2 hours+!!
I won't be taking the mask off so quickly anymore, but I thought I was awake for the day. Obviously I wasn't.
Also, I told him my water box was empty at the end of 4 hours' sleep--I thought the heating plate was too hot. He said it was emptying out too fast because of the leak, that it should still be half full after a good night's sleep. Sure enough, this a.m.. it was half full after 7+ hours!
It surprises me that I just hadn't made the connection that mouth breathing = leaking.....good grief !
I love my DME. He saved me a trip to the MD. He's always like that. No matter why I call, which isn't that often anymore, he makes time for me and fixes whatever is wrong. After hearing some of the horror stories on SG, I realize how very fortunate I am to have him.....
Susan McCord ( :-P)
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