Daytime naps - old normal and new normal

[golfdawg11]

I just had my six month anniversary with my CPAP and my cardiologist appointment. He's very happy with the numbers, pointing out a 1 on my AHI. I haven't noticed much more energy, but I do have other considerations. I caught Lyme Disease in the mid 90s, and went misdiagnosed for 4-5 years. I finally collapsed, and was correctly diagnosed. After IV antibiotics on and off for 3 years, I got better (the infection in my brain went away). I was left with four main problems: (1) inability to sleep, which I have used Klonopin that has worked (2) a body clock that won't reset (can't go to sleep until 2AM-3AM) (3) fatigue, severe at times (4) allergies and sensitivities, which pretty obviously contribute to #3, fatigue, which is somewhat alleviated by allergy shots, antihistamine spray, steroid spray, and OTC meds (Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, it depends).

Since using the CPAP machine, I have had some encouraging (I think they are encouraging signs):

1. My body clock is getting much better in the morning. Based on the SecureSleep and Sleep Cycle apps, my body is waking up at 7AM and 8AM. I used to sleep to 10AM-11AM.

2. I'm dreaming, and I can't remember the last time I dreamed.

The counterpoint to this is my night time bed time has not changed. I've always been a night owl, and it's been extremely difficult to go to bed earlier. So the fact that my body clock has changed in the AM to a more suitable time is causing me to sleep too little, 6-7 hours.

The final point, and my question (and any other observations or comments or welcome), is that I *always* used to take a nap, about an hour to an hour and a half, every day. It could start at noon to 2PM. I usually awoke with more energy than any other time of day.

The problem is that now, when I use the CPAP to nap (and when I don't), I'm unable to nap. I can rest for 45 minutes for an hour, but I never truly go to sleep.

The question is, is not being able to nap during the day a "good thing"? Is that a sign that my body is healing and my sleep cycle is improving? I realize that I need to go to sleep earlier (and any pointers would be helpful), but not having the nap seems to hurt me.

Thanks for any input! And I plan to put up my SleepyHead graphs at some point for input also.

[ChicagoGranny]

I plan to put up my SleepyHead graphs at some point for input

+1

Is that a sign that my body is healing and my sleep cycle is improving?

You will get some answers, but really, no one knows enough about you and your condition to give a definitive answer.

Here is a basic checklist you should run through and think about. Most people will find some items on the list that they need to work on ------------------>

- Practice good sleep hygiene (Google it and read several sources)
- Eat a good diet
- Have a regular, moderate exercise program
- Try to avoid daytime naps
- Practice total abstinence of caffeine including sources like chocolate (sigh)
- Review all medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking to make sure none are interfering with sleep
- Use the bedroom for sleeping (and sex) only, and make sure the bedroom and bed are comfortable.
- Learn to appropriately handle emotional stress in your life
- Use CPAP software, such as the free SleepyHead, to make sure your therapy is optimized
- If you still don't feel or sleep well, make sure you have regular medical checkups to confirm there are no other medical problems

CG

Klonopin, allergy shots, antihistamine spray, steroid spray, and OTC meds (Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, it depends).

This is quite a collection and would concern me. Some of the items can cause fatigue and other undesirable side effects.

Have you been using Klonopin for a long time? Do you view it as something you will take long term?

If by allergy shots, you mean allergy desensitization shots, I would ask your allergist to recommend one drug to take in addition to the shots. Maybe you can take it only when your symptoms are active. Are your allergens the type that can be at least partially avoided?

[D.H.]

First of all, even if you don't "feel" any better, you have reduced your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, glaucoma, and lots of other problems associated with Sleep Disordered Breathing.

Secondly, you probably would feel worse without CPAP.

Thirdly, some of your problems are from Lyme disease and the medications that you're taking, so CPAP won't address those (although it can reduce any "compound risks"). Please don't change any medications or dosages without consulting a physician.

[Holden4th]

he problem is that now, when I use the CPAP to nap (and when I don't), I'm unable to nap. I can rest for 45 minutes for an hour, but I never truly go to sleep.

Logic says you no longer need to do this so don't worry about it.

[SewTired]

Without seeing your data, it's hard to say whether you need a cpap during a limited nap or not. I don't. I only get apnea during near REM and REM and that doesn't happen for me during naps. In addition, I don't start running an oxygen deficit due to my slow heart rate unless I'm napping beyond 2 hours. I still use my cpap for naps most times, especially when I'm truly tired, which is not even once a week, but my data shows that it's not the end of the world if I don't.

My suggestion is to look at your sleep study and your current data with Sleepyhead. Check out what happens in the first hour of your sleeping. If indeed you have few events in that first hour, then maybe skipping it for your nap and using a timer to wake you up would be helpful.