OTC temporary relief

[herownsociety]

It will be an uphill battle for me to get testing and a solution, but I will be chipping away at it. I am wondering how you guys coped and dealt with the symptoms while waiting for testings and machines (once you pretty much knew what the problem.) Was there anything that provided any relief or helped your sleep?

Also, has anyone experienced any day time breathing problems, such as feeling like you can't breathe as well or not being able to get deep breathe easily especially when laying down when awake?

Did anyone find an relief using a night time bite guard? I think my chest pain (which has been initially identified as muscular) is related to the jaw clenching.

And please be kind. I know the ideal is to see a doctor and I'm doing the best I can with that. I'm posting here while I'm in the process of trying to do that.

I also do not know a ton about sleep apnea, machines, acronyms, abbreviations etc. I know this is old hat to you, but think back to when you were knew to this. Thanks

[AlabamaAl]

It will be an uphill battle for me to get testing and a solution, but I will be chipping away at it. I am wondering how you guys coped and dealt with the symptoms while waiting for testings and machines (once you pretty much knew what the problem.) Was there anything that provided any relief or helped your sleep?

Personally, I dealt with the symptoms the same way I had for the previous 25 years before diagnosis. After all, I had never been treated for sleep apnea before this time. Getting the diagnosis did not make the symptoms worse... I do admit I was anxious to get the machine, with hopes of it helping me to feel better

Also, has anyone experienced any day time breathing problems, such as feeling like you can't breathe as well or not being able to get deep breathe easily especially when laying down when awake?

Since I do have COPD I had trouble breathing at times, but did not notice it getting worse while laying down. Perhaps you have some other medical issues going on?

Did anyone find an relief using a night time bite guard? I think my chest pain (which has been initially identified as muscular) is related to the jaw clenching.

If your are clenching your jaw, and possibly grinding your teeth at night, a bite guard would be worth trying. If for no other reason than protecting your teeth.

And please be kind. I know the ideal is to see a doctor and I'm doing the best I can with that. I'm posting here while I'm in the process of trying to do that.

I also do not know a ton about sleep apnea, machines, acronyms, abbreviations etc. I know this is old hat to you, but think back to when you were knew to this. Thanks

Good luck in your pursuit of good health, and a longer life. You will face many challenges in your pursuit, but I am confident that you will overcome them with determination, and the help from some of the good people on this forum.

[kteague]

While you are working on seeing a doctor, there's a few things you can try just to see if they mitigate your symptoms. They may or may not help you. A mouthpiece has already been mentioned. Some find elevating the head of their bed a few inches helps. The way I used to do it was to place a folded a quilt or comforter (about pillow width) across the full width of the top of the bed between the mattress and box springs. As opposed to propping up on pillows, which can backfire on you if they shift or allow your neck to crook in compromising positions. That's why I suggested putting your entire body on an incline rather than prop on pillows. Some find supporting their neck so it can't fall forward or backward helps keeps the airway open. Side or stomach sleeping is generally preferred to back sleeping, where apneas are often worse. Avoid alcohol and sedating meds if possible. Home some blend of these tips helps you feel a bit better about sleeping until getting treated.

[ChicagoGranny]

OTC temporary relief

For many people, obstructive sleep apnea is much worse when sleeping on the back. Either sleep on your sides or stomach.

A soft spinal collar worn while sleeping is also of help to many who try it - http://www.amazon.com/Carex-Health-Bran ... eck+collar

I would wear the collar and avoid all backsleeping until I could get set up with CPAP.

[herownsociety]

Is that collar supposed to keep your neck from falling back or forward as mentioned above? I have been only sleeping on my side for months. I've elevated the bed. I've been using nasal sprays for a long time. I've tried using breathe right strips. I still feel like hell. Don't know if there is much else I can do, but I won't be able to get in for a sleep study for at least another month at the earliest.

Does anyone find that the longer you are in bed/asleep the worse it is? I think I may have been subconsciously avoiding sleep, going to bed really late. I'm trying to get to bed earlier in hopes I'll feel a bit better, but I think it might be making it worse.

Thanks for your help. It seems like many of you have been using a machine for a while so I appreciate your thinking back and suggestions from anyone in the same situation.

[herownsociety]

Also, has anyone experienced any day time breathing problems, such as feeling like you can't breathe as well or not being able to get deep breathe easily especially when laying down when awake?

Since I do have COPD I had trouble breathing at times, but did not notice it getting worse while laying down. Perhaps you have some other medical issues going on?

Did anyone find an relief using a night time bite guard? I think my chest pain (which has been initially identified as muscular) is related to the jaw clenching.

If your are clenching your jaw, and possibly grinding your teeth at night, a bite guard would be worth trying. If for no other reason than protecting your teeth.

Some days I wake up with a shaky feeling (not literally shaking) and chest tightness. I don't know if it was just a bad night and I didn't get a lot of oxygen or if the jaw clenching is causing it or maybe my whole body is stiffening from what's going on. I don't notice anything usual during the times I'm aware that I'm awake. Most times this shakiness lasts well into the day.

[Julie]

You may well have a thyroid problem, OSA or no OSA, and I'd get that checked out asap.

[ChicagoGranny]

Is that collar supposed to keep your neck from falling back or forward as mentioned above?

It keeps the chin away from the chest and the airway in the best position for breathing.

[kteague]

Generally speaking one gets more REM sleep as the night progresses, and events are often worse in REM. Have you tried stomach sleeping?

[herownsociety]

Generally speaking one gets more REM sleep as the night progresses, and events are often worse in REM. Have you tried stomach sleeping?

So the less time in bed the better? No it's uncomfortable for me, is that better than side sleeping?

What position should the airway (neck?) be in?

[ChicagoGranny]

No it's uncomfortable for me, is that better than side sleeping?

If sleeping on your stomach is uncomfortable, then continue to sleep on your sides. It is unlikely that stomach sleeping is any better for breathing.

What position should the airway (neck?) be in?

The head should be straight in line with the spine. The chin should be away from the chest. The head should not be tipped back beyond straight in line with the spine. A soft spinal collar helps maintain the best position while you are sleeping.

So the less time in bed the better?

You should try to sleep seven to eight hours per night.

As you may already know, you will not get significant relief from your serious condition until you "get through the system" and start using CPAP.