Small Victories...

I have been on cpap for a few months now still feel terrible almost worse.

However, I have a small victory to share. I must be getting some good out of my treatment despite how I feel.

Like many in this forum, I never new I had sleep apnea. I figured the way I felt was how everyone must feel. But now, looking back, some things I experienced now make sense. I was never able to read more than a page or two in a book before it became impossible to stay awake. If I didn't fall asleep, I couldn't concentrate and would read the same line of text over and over. I went to my eye doctor thinking I needed glasses but that wasn't it and he had no answers so I quit trying to read books years ago.

Shortly after starting my cpap, I was given a book to read from a friend. At first I figured no way I could read it but then figured I'd try. I was amazed to find that I never got tired and was able to concentrate on the book. I finished the book in record time (at least for me) and could read hours on end. The book wasn't even that good . Since then I have read two more.

For those that are struggling, look for small victories and celebrate them. I have concetrating on how bad I felt and then it dawned on me that I was a little better. That revalation has given me more energy to keep trying. Eventually, if you add up the small victories, you will have won the war. So look for those small victories ... look for the silver lining.

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Hoser,

That's no small victory, that is a HUGE victory. It may not be the one you thought you were hoping for, but it is an indication that you have changed for the better.

Thanks for sharing that with us.

Wading,

Thanks for the encourage. I need all I can get. Just trying to find the postitives in a bad situation. It's all I have to keep going.

Hi Hoser,

Perhaps you've said, but have you been back to the doctor? If so, what has he said? Just stick with it? I still struggle (since beginning in November) with the treatment, but it seems to be getting better bit by bit. When I feel bad, I think back to just a short time ago, before November, when I felt horrible. Tired now doesn't feel like tired did before. But I do hope to do better. Good news (if you can call it that) is that I've found I get headaches and feel worse if I DON'T sleep with this thing. So I guess that's good. Are you having other problems with it?

Linda

Someone posted this link a while back. It has a good article on people that do not initially respond to treatment:

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/4752/page3.html

I had (have) a drinking problem and went through treatment in January of 2003 (January 28th was two years of sobriety). When I got out of treatment I couldn't sleep and went to a GP who chalked it up to my quitting drinking and said to give it time. In the months that followed my weight went from 218 to 326 pounds. I still didn't sleep. I went to an internist who in turn sent me to a sleep clinic. In the mean time 11 months passed with less than three hours sleep per night and in 15 to 20 minute increments. The only good thing is that I got my weight down to 265 and it's still dropping.

I was diagnosed with "severe" sleep apnea in December of 2003. After my first sleep study I was put on cpap immediately. I was put on a RemStar Pro with C flex and a heated humidifier set at 6. 13 months later my setting is up to 18 and the longest I've slept without waking up is under 90
minutes.

After the first study I got caught up in my doctor's enthusiasm and was anticipating sleeping like a real person. Apparently that wasn't to be.

I've had a second test and now have been told that I have "busy legs" (856 movements in 5 1/2 hours) and have been put on Mirapex which is what they give people with Parkinsons. I've been taking that for a month and haven't seen any difference in my ability to sleep.

I still only sleep for about three hours a night although it's a better three hours. I go to a reputable sleep clinic in Seattle but my frustration level is just about through the roof.

This is the first time I've ever posted anything on the internet but at this time I'll try anything. Does anyone have any advice?

Sorry to write a book.

Hi Will,

Welcome to the forum. Seems strange to see you posting under the "Small Victories" topic, considering you've had very few yourself, sounds like. So it's been a little over a year you've been on this? And your treatment pressure is 18, right? Same as mine, and I'm told that's hard to adjust to (and I can attest to that). I've only been on this since November.

Aside from your inability to sleep for any length of time, has there been any improvement during your waking hours (i.e., less exhaustion, some new energy) or has it been the same? Do you feel your doctor has been helpful, is he a general practioner or a specialist? Do you think you might be wanting a different doctor? Also, were you given a copy of your sleep test results? And other than the medication for the leg, have you been on any other medication? (some may be masking problems, you never know) Wish I had answers for you, and I'm hoping others here will have some good suggestions for you. Please keep checking in and keep asking if you don't get responses. And don't worry about writing a "book," for the more we know about your situation, the better people can help, I'm sure.

Keep in touch.

Linda

I have been on cpap 2 months,and most nights I sleep only 4 hours.But,it is better sleep,and I am not falling asleep during the day anymore.I fell asleep talking to someone(my sister) and dropped a glass of coke.
I feel asleep driving,thank goodness others were in the car.
I couldn't go anywhere if I knew I had to be driving in the afternoon.Had to have someone with me.
Why didn't I hear the warning bells?I knew about sleep apnea.
I just put it off to not sleeping well,and age(60).

So,I am greatly improved.And have been getting 5-6 hours of sleep some nights.Then, I feel like a new person

Hope you solve all of your problems.Good luck to you.
I am really glad that I have found this forum.
Marie

LDuyer,

I have been back to the doctor and explained my issues. I don't think they have a good understanding of apnea treatments. Anyways, they prescribed for me Trazdone[b/] to help me sleep. That's what they told me anyways. My research shows it used to treat depression which I guess I have felt depressed since starting treatment. It really hasn't helped yet. Does anyone know anything about this drug?

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad it is improving for you "bit by bit". I hope to be joining you soon. To use Wading's screen name, I'm still Waiding through the Muck" looking for those small victories.

LDuyer,

I have been back to the doctor and explained my issues. I don't think they have a good understanding of apnea treatments. Anyways, they prescribed for me Trazdone to help me sleep. That's what they told me anyways. My research shows it used to treat depression which I guess I have felt depressed since starting treatment. It really hasn't helped yet. Does anyone know anything about this drug?

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad it is improving for you "bit by bit". I hope to be joining you soon. To use Wading's screen name, I'm still Waiding through the Muck" looking for those small victories.

oops sorry missed typed the closing tag

hoser wrote:Anyways, they prescribed for me Trazdone to help me sleep. That's what they told me anyways. My research shows it used to treat depression which I guess I have felt depressed since starting treatment. It really hasn't helped yet. Does anyone know anything about this drug?

Quite a few anti depressants have a drowse inducing effect (mostly the old tri-cyclics, such as Elavil). Use of Trazodone as a sleep medication is not uncommon. Trazodone and Ambien are the two most common, as I understand it, although as I said, Elavil (amitriptyline) has been used, as has Valium and it's family of benzodiazepines, and even the active ingredient in Benadryl, diphenhydramine).

Liam, Living PDR.

Trazadone is an antidepressant, but not a very good one. What it is good at, however, is inducing sleep. Valium is NOT a good choice to assist sleep because it is, first and foremost, a muscle relaxant. Those of us with OSA DON'T want to make the OSA worse by taking a muscle relaxant when we go to sleep. I'd consider avoiding Valium or any other drug in the benzodiazapine family (Serax, Xanax, Ativan, etc.) as much as possible. This would include other muscle relaxants like Robaxin, etc.

I too, have been put on Mirapex for leg movements. I have noticed better sleep since being on them. It has only be a couple of weeks.

Usually when I have a little fear of sleeping through the night I take two melatonin. They work sweet for me. If I had to, I would take a benadryl which are very safe according to Dr. Gott in the newspaper.

I also went through my meds and noticed one was discussed as being to blame for night time urination. I moved it to morning, and very seldom get up at night and I am 62.

I am a BiPap user and sleep a lot better than I did when I was on a CPAP.

Everyone is different.

Hang in there, Good Luck.