How to improve quality of sleep - what works for you?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
blacknebula
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Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Re: How to improve quality of sleep - what works for you?

Post by blacknebula » Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:38 pm

ChicagoGranny wrote:
blacknebula wrote: I find listening to my breathing quite calming
Me too. It's a pleasant reminder that my sleep apnea will be well treated throughout the night.

But, that list is to cover a broad spectrum of CPAP users who are having problems. Many users experience anxiety about the CPAP process and need to relax. The sound of the machine makes some anxious. Newbies, especially, may try to "time" their breathing with the sound of the machine and pressure of the system. You can see many newbies posting here about having problems synchronizing their breathing with the machine. That's wrong - it's the opposite - the CPAP machine synchronizes with the user's breathing. (ASV is one exception.)
Hmm, guess I'm an atypical newbie then. Thanks for the response!

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Muse-Inc
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Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: How to improve quality of sleep - what works for you?

Post by Muse-Inc » Thu Jan 18, 2018 8:39 am

1 mgm melatonin before bed keep me asleep most nights. The standard dose is 3 mgm but that amt makes me feel like cr#p the next day.

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Berks
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Location: Bay Area, California

Re: How to improve quality of sleep - what works for you?

Post by Berks » Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:15 am

This is a super helpful thread to read as a newbie. I think it's really important to remember that a CPAP isn't a cure all for every sleep issue and that using it needs to be in conjunction with everything else. And just because you're a big groggy in the morning or a little sluggish some days doesn't mean your therapy isn't working. There may be something else going on. I know lots of people who experience that who don't have sleep apnea so why wouldn't I even if I'm being adequately treated for one of my issues? I need to remember that.

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: How to improve quality of sleep - what works for you?

Post by ChicagoGranny » Fri Jan 19, 2018 1:25 pm

Jay Aitchsee wrote:Oh, and don't obsess over wakeups.
Good point. I will add it to my list.

Arlene1963
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Re: How to improve quality of sleep - what works for you?

Post by Arlene1963 » Fri Jan 19, 2018 1:46 pm

I too find the sound of my breathing very relaxing with CPAP. I feel as if I am floating. Delicious.

This has helped me a great deal with anxiety that was a big part of not being able to fall asleep pre cpap days.

Even though I still wake up quite a bit at night I am totally relaxed about it, just don't hassle, revel in being warm and comfortable in my toasty bed. Even if I am awake I keep the mask on, and don't care a hoot about skewing the AHI.

For me, not stressing about wake ups and whether I will go back to sleep again has helped me. I gave insomnia a huge amount of time and energy and now I don't give it the time of day (or is that night?) ... oddly enough when I stopped worrying about sleep my sleep improved greatly. I try not to overthink this for fear of jinxing it!