insomnia

bill · Post by **bill** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:41 am

Insomnia and an addiction to Ambien drove me to the sleep clinic. The doctor suggested that I take a sleep study. I was told that anticipation of apneas can cause pre-sleep agitation or anxiety. I took the test and was found to have about 18 per hr, took the second study and picked up my machine thursday. My goal is to kick the Ambien and experience the great things I hear succuessful CPAP users talk about. My pattern using the machine for the last three nights has been: 10:00 go to bed, restlessness, 11:00 take an Ambien, fall asleep, 1:15 wake up, 3:15 wake up, 4:15 wake up, last night I gave up at 4:15 and slept without the mask for an hour.
I have two questions: has anyone had experience with insomnia and a resolution with CPAP, Is my initial sleep pattern typical??

davidtwotrees · Post by **davidtwotrees** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 4:40 am

Bill, I am on day 8 withThe Thing. I am averaging 4-6 hours of wearing IT, though last night I wore IT only two hours. I must say I thought I was waking up tired before, but now know what it truly means to be exhausted upon awakening. I have a mild apnea. Afternoon sleepiness is overwhelming. From what I gather here, I need to hang in there for up to six more weeks! My mask is fit well, I am breathing fine through my nose, and can tolerate the pressure fine. For me I think just the headgear and hose are really odd. And I thought I wasn't a picky sleeper who could sleep anywhere and through anyTHING! Smiles. I am remaining pessimistically optimistic. The promise of being rested for the first time since I quit smoking in 99 when the fatigue became noticeable is just too great an incentive. David TwoTrees: Signing As-PessiOptimistically Tired

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 6:51 am

David, what machine did they give you, what pressure, what mask? Do you have a heated humidifier? And...if you're using the ramp feature, what pressure does the ramp start at?

davidtwotrees · Post by **davidtwotrees** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:14 am

I have a Fisher Paykel HC221LE with a pressure set at 10. Not sure what the ramp starts at. I don't use it. The air pressure doesn't bother me at all, in fact, it really clears my nose out and helps me breath deeper. So I don't mind starting out at the full pressure. I have a Resperonics Comfort select mask that is sealing fine and not leaking.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:48 pm

David,

I did my sleep study for the same reasons. Ambian and up at 3 or 4 AM. We ought to compare notes. I have been on Cpap for eight weeks and am better but am testing the Golite light therapy light for the first week and am having success!
So far.

53now · Post by **53now** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 10:23 pm

Hey Bill,
I'm so glad I read your post. First.........Buy this Book>>"Desperately Seeking Snoozin" by John Wiedman. Four years ago I was an Insomniac with sleep Apnea and was hooked on Ambien. Hummmmm sound famillar ?? OK first...Never go to bed until you are very sleepy. Regardless of the time. Get up at the same time everyday. If you lose sleep....don't worry about it (hey !! you're not sleeping anyway) This helps reset your sleep clock. It also helps the transition to Cpap. Now ....The Ambien deal... You have to work out a plan and stick with it or you are going to be in deep trouble. (sample plan) >>> take your full dose of Ambien for the next 5 days...then 3/4 of a dose for 3 days, the 1/2 dose for 3 days, then 1/4 for 2 days then throw the bottle away. If you can't sleep...that's too bad. (Disclaimer here) >>I'm not a doctor but that's how I kicked the drug habit and how I beat insomnia. I've also been on Bipap for 5 years. I actually like it !!!
Good luck........let us know how you're doing

Hugh Jass · Post by **Hugh Jass** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 9:51 am

I was able to break my addiction to Imovane (Canadian med similar to Ambien) by imagining I took the pill. I went through the usual routine i.e. I pretended to take the pill, took a sip of water and imagined the bitter metallic taste. Then, while in bed, I wasn't sure whether or not I took the pill. I convinced myself that I had, which eased the anxiety of fearing not being able to fall asleep.

It sounds crazy but I broke the addiction cold turkey this way. Once I realized I could fall asleep without the med, the dependancy was broken.

The mind is a powerful thing...

Try it. It works.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 1:28 pm

Wow, Hugh Jass. You are describing the exact kind of thing I did to stop smoking for 5 months. Cold turkey. Every time I felt the urge for a cigarette, I picked up a pencil, went through all the motions of "lighting" it, held it like a cigarette, "inhaled" on it, did the usual slightly pursed lips exhale...."smoked" for 5 or 6 minutes, "stubbed it out" in a clean ashtray when finished. Worked like a charm....no withdrawal pangs at all.

The mind really is quite amazing.

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:19 pm

I am also taking Ambien to be able to sleep. I have suffered from Insomnia for many years. It seems that you get immune to it and it stops working effectively after a while.
Someone posted that the take couple of Benedryl instead and it works for them.
As for my experience with CPAP, I almost gave up. It was hard to sleep with the mask, noise, air pressure etc., but my doctor told me that I should take this seriously and not treating it could lead to other problems. I am taking it seriously and am having more success. Reading this forum has been very helpful.
I guess after getting used to it and feeling better would make your insomnia get better.
Good luck

insomnia

insomnia

PessiOptimistically Tired

Imsomnia and Ambian

Great news for Bill !!

Re: Great news for Bill !!