Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike on April 25, 2009 at 3:08pm

whenever sleep becomes interrupted-fragmented, we'll become forgetful and just plain dumber. that's what lack of sleep does to the brain. how long has it been since you were diagnosed with sleep apnea, and how long have you been trying to treat it with CPAP? sounds like you might be in the early stages of getting used to the treatment, which is a tough place to be, because the brain can be a little jumpy and unable to relax at the beginning, making it tough to get a good night's sleep. goes away with time. how long has it been?

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on April 25, 2009 at 7:09pm

Hello Mike:

Thanks for the information on this and my other question regarding depression, I have been using my CPAP only for little over a month, I was using the nose pillows then went for my second test with the CPAP and they suggested I change to a full face mask, but my cpap rep read my data (I have an autoset cpap) he said if I can sleep witht he chin strap then I should continue on with the nose pillows....I am confused what to do now as my mouth still falls open with the chin strap...Any suggestions???

I thank you for your input it sure does help alot:)

Belinda

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 25, 2009 at 8:24pm

ok, so you're pretty new to all this, and the fogginess absent-mindedness is probably a result of adapting to the mask and not getting very good sleep while you do.

on the mask interface question, do you usually breath through your mouth and not your nose, or is it something that happens just when you're congested/a little stuffed up?

Belinda Haman said:

Hello Mike:

Thanks for the information on this and my other question regarding depression, I have been using my CPAP only for little over a month, I was using the nose pillows then went for my second test with the CPAP and they suggested I change to a full face mask, but my cpap rep read my data (I have an autoset cpap) he said if I can sleep witht he chin strap then I should continue on with the nose pillows....I am confused what to do now as my mouth still falls open with the chin strap...Any suggestions???

I thank you for your input it sure does help alot:)

Belinda

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on April 26, 2009 at 2:52am

I know that being sleep deprived has a huge impact on memory, but we also have to remember that just as our physical bodies need to be excercised so does our brain. You can actually help your memory retention by challenging yourself outside of your normal routine. Puzzles, brain teazers, and even board games are great mental stimulators. I personally do sudoku. Math problems are wonderful for the brain. We have to remember that the brain is one of the few organs that we have that never really stops developing. Yes we are constantly killing and or losing braincells, but our brain is constantly rewiring and remapping itself to compensate. Stimulation helps in this indeaver a great deal.

http://sharpbrains.com/

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on April 26, 2009 at 10:56am

Hello Mike:

During the day I breath through my nose, when I sleep I have a tendancy to open my mouth once I start sleeping....I am really confused as to what mask I should be using after my last sleep test.....I should mention that while I was in the sleep lab I had only 2 hours of sleep that is what they based it on.

Although with the change of season I am suffering alot with allergies. Any input will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Belinda

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 26, 2009 at 4:35pm

i would go to the full face mask only as a last resort. i would stick with the nasal pillows or perhaps move to the ResMed Activa nasal mask before going to a full face mask. seems as if the key with you right now is getting your allergies under control so that you can breathe through your nose. if you can't breathe through your nose, your brain will compensate by opening your mouth to get air. it's much more preferable to breathe through your nose and to use the smaller, more comfortable nasal pillows of nasal mask (Activa, for example). Sooooo..... go to an allergist and have him get you breathing through your nose. that will do wonders for your success with CPAP therapy in my opinion.

Belinda Haman said:

Hello Mike:

During the day I breath through my nose, when I sleep I have a tendancy to open my mouth once I start sleeping....I am really confused as to what mask I should be using after my last sleep test.....I should mention that while I was in the sleep lab I had only 2 hours of sleep that is what they based it on.

Although with the change of season I am suffering alot with allergies. Any input will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Belinda

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Ortiz on April 27, 2009 at 12:10pm

Hi Belinda,
I was referred to this group through Mike and know alot about memory loss. I began with my sleep apnea a while after my last child's birth. I had gottent to the point where I was so cronically fatigued and ready to drop to the floor at a moment's notice. They originally thought it was my thyroid because I was eating well and exercising, but gaining weight. Then there was the memory loss- I had short term memory problems but then began to miss whole chunks of my past and that has been the worst. I did the full night sleep study and found out I stopped breathing 36 times an hour. I got it under control after a while, and my short term memory (after 3 months) began to return to normal. My long term took longer- and I trtied all of the brain teasers and the like, they didn't help. I recovered from my apnea and was fine for a while. Then I got it again last spring (08). I went for the study and they increased my machine and all was fine for a month or so. I lost my insurance and couldn't afford to pay cash to go back and have another study to adjust my machine- so I've been screwed since then. I have gained alot of weight and have severe problems with my short term and long term memory. Apnea and that lack of oxygen getting to your brain each night can deeply affect your mind and body. If you can get it under control, I would never wish what I go through on anyone!
I couldn't use the nasal canula and I have allergy issues too. I'd use the full face mask and when I had a bad night with allergies, I would use it for as long as I could tollerate it. SORRY FOR THE LONG MESSAGE!
Michelle

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on April 27, 2009 at 1:03pm

Hello Michelle:

Yes this is a wonderful site....wow!!!! sleep apnea has completely interfered with your quality of life.... poor you!!!! I can relate to how you feel as I feel like this has robbed me of my quality of life many times....

Do you have an auto set cpap machine???? With this type of machine you can get a data reading as to where your air levels should be.......When I got diagnosed with my apnea I went to a cpap rep he let me rent an autoset cpap machine at $75.00 per month including three different types of masks to try unti I went back for my follow-up test to determine where my air levels should be at......I had a crappy sleep test I only slept 2 hours at the lab, but it was enough to determine I was at a level 10.....so I went back to my cpap rep he downloaded my data on my machine onto the internet with a small computer chip in the machine and he said the same thing I was at a level 10......

I am still renting this cpap machine until I get all the paperwork to purchase one for insurance coverage purposes cause these machines cost alot of money......I asked my rep if I could eventually buy an autoset to keep track of my air levels and he said sure....so even though my levels are set at 10 it continues to record while I sleep to see it they have gone up or down.....this is still pretty new to me.....

I find that I struggle daily with my memory, fatigue and ability to follow through with the smallest tasks depending on how my sleep has been.....I am determined to make this work....as I know if I don't, just how bad it can get....I have seen my mother struggle with this for over 25 years now, she didn't use her mask due to claustiphobia issues and now she has many severe health problems, although she has severe sleep apnea.....I encourage you my dear please don't give up hope there are nights that I get so frustrated I want to throw my machine out, I end up in tears on those nights....this has affected my life so severely that I ended up in the hosptial from fatigue....since then I have been on sick leave from work, and I have been off for eight months now.....I am determined to get this under control before I go back to work, not sure how I survived at work, no memory and making alot of very big mistakes.....I count my blessings that my boss was so patient at the time I hadn't been diagnosed yet it has just been in the last 4 months I been diagnosed.....

PLEASE DON'T LOSE HOPE MY DEAR!!!!! I have been there and I still struggle with that helpless feeling but, I want my life back and I will fight for it.......If you ever need to chat just let me know okay?????You deserve to get back your life don't ever forget that Michelle......My heart goes out to you.......

Belinda :)

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Permalink Reply by Dave Post on April 27, 2009 at 1:13pm

I am no expert, but I think everyone suffers fron it. That is what sleep deprivation does. Of course when I was younger I just figured ," Sleep ,who needs it ". Now that all of the other sides effects of no sleep are ruining my life, I realize I needed it way back when.

Since I have not been cured yet, I can only hope it solves those problems. Based on everyone else it does if cpap works for you.

Dave

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on April 27, 2009 at 7:25pm

Hey Mike:

I took your advice and went back to the nasal pillows last night and guess what I slept 7 hrs with my mask on, and today I don't feel so foggy headed....if this is an indication of well I will get with this cpap machine I am even more determined to get this under control.....I have made an apt with the doc to see an allergist as well I would have never even thought of that option....Thanks again hopefully tonight will be as successfull as last night.

Belinda :)

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 27, 2009 at 11:20pm

Belinda, I feel very gratified that something I said may have had a positive impact so quickly. Keep us in the loop on how things are going. Chances are there will be setbacks from time to time, but with our help, we can help you get through. The benefits are certainly worth working at it!

Belinda Haman said:

Hey Mike:

I took your advice and went back to the nasal pillows last night and guess what I slept 7 hrs with my mask on, and today I don't feel so foggy headed....if this is an indication of well I will get with this cpap machine I am even more determined to get this under control.....I have made an apt with the doc to see an allergist as well I would have never even thought of that option....Thanks again hopefully tonight will be as successfull as last night.

Belinda :)

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Ortiz on April 28, 2009 at 12:29am

Thx so much for your heartfelt words. It is a struggle. My big problem is that I have rented this machine and finally stopped paying for it because I couldn't get it adjusted. That sucks, knowing there can be a way out but can't afford it!

The last time I beat it, I was doing rigorous exercise, although I can't tell u how I had the motivation to do so. My metabolism is at a crawl now. I wake up at random times in the morning (like I've slept at night, or something ((lol)). One week I'll awaken every day at 6 AM, the next week at 7:30. The problem is, no matter when I wake up, I have to go back to sleep because I cannot get the energy to get up that early. I end up falling back to sleep and waking up again between 8:30 and 9! Granted, I'm not a morning person, but my normal time to jump out of bed has always been 7 or 7:30 AM.

The memory thing is the worst. The short term memory thing has become a running joke in my family. Especially when the kids start a sentence to me with " You remember..." But I am extremely bothered by the loss of long term memory. I can't remember sections of my childhood or raising my children, precious moments in my history. I'm on Facebook with many of my highschool friends, and I don't remember people who I shared classes with 16 years ago! It's draining. And the mistakes...Oh, lets not go there! Iwish I had the moeny to get an autoset. I was so frustrated with having to go make an appt. with my neurologist to get another sleep study, then waiting a month for the study, then waiting a week or two for them to read the results, then the follow up with my doctor before they approve the adjustment at DME.

My husband and I have a small business that is deeply affected by the market and we can't pay for all of this. Even worse, when we were able to, after we had to cancel our last insurance, I now had a pre-existing condition that they could not allow services for for one year. That's the main reason that I need insurance.

Anyway, enough of my sob story. I am glad to be alive, as when I had apnea before, I had days when I was too fatigued to drive. I am not like that this time. I just wish I had my health. I feel like a 60 year old woman sometimes, and I am only 34. The next time I am down, I will certainly call you.

Michelle

Belinda Haman said:

Hello Michelle:

Yes this is a wonderful site....wow!!!! sleep apnea has completely interfered with your quality of life.... poor you!!!! I can relate to how you feel as I feel like this has robbed me of my quality of life many times....

Do you have an auto set cpap machine???? With this type of machine you can get a data reading as to where your air levels should be.......When I got diagnosed with my apnea I went to a cpap rep he let me rent an autoset cpap machine at $75.00 per month including three different types of masks to try unti I went back for my follow-up test to determine where my air levels should be at......I had a crappy sleep test I only slept 2 hours at the lab, but it was enough to determine I was at a level 10.....so I went back to my cpap rep he downloaded my data on my machine onto the internet with a small computer chip in the machine and he said the same thing I was at a level 10......

I am still renting this cpap machine until I get all the paperwork to purchase one for insurance coverage purposes cause these machines cost alot of money......I asked my rep if I could eventually buy an autoset to keep track of my air levels and he said sure....so even though my levels are set at 10 it continues to record while I sleep to see it they have gone up or down.....this is still pretty new to me.....

I find that I struggle daily with my memory, fatigue and ability to follow through with the smallest tasks depending on how my sleep has been.....I am determined to make this work....as I know if I don't, just how bad it can get....I have seen my mother struggle with this for over 25 years now, she didn't use her mask due to claustiphobia issues and now she has many severe health problems, although she has severe sleep apnea.....I encourage you my dear please don't give up hope there are nights that I get so frustrated I want to throw my machine out, I end up in tears on those nights....this has affected my life so severely that I ended up in the hosptial from fatigue....since then I have been on sick leave from work, and I have been off for eight months now.....I am determined to get this under control before I go back to work, not sure how I survived at work, no memory and making alot of very big mistakes.....I count my blessings that my boss was so patient at the time I hadn't been diagnosed yet it has just been in the last 4 months I been diagnosed.....

PLEASE DON'T LOSE HOPE MY DEAR!!!!! I have been there and I still struggle with that helpless feeling but, I want my life back and I will fight for it.......If you ever need to chat just let me know okay?????You deserve to get back your life don't ever forget that Michelle......My heart goes out to you.......

Belinda :)

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