If I knew then what I know now

eekerbeeker · Post by **eekerbeeker** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 12:11 pm

Greetings to all out there"

I have learned so much about sleep apnea and the treatment of it from this website. I wish I had known about it before I got all of my equipment. The dme just handed me the stuff and told me very little. I had no idea what to expect and was completely overwhelmed by the whole thing and what to do or where to go to ask questions. The dme didn't have any answers. The doctor was too busy and didn't want to talk to me (I don't think he had very many answers about actually using the equipment. It's one of those things were you actually have to experience it to know what it's like.) I was about to give up on the whole thing when my husband and I found this website. Unfortunatley, the insurance company has already purchased my cpap machine outright. I wish I had known about auto-paps. I would have fought for one. I didn't know what a cpap was much less that there were different kinds to choose from. My husband is switching jobs now so we will temporarily be without insurance for a while until the Cobra kicks in. I look at it this way. The cpap I have now is much better than what I had before which was nothing so I"ll keep working with it. My problem now is that I have a drainage down my throat which doesn't bother me at all as long as I sit up but when I lay down, I have coughing spasms about 2 or 3 times a night. I have very little nasal congestion so that part doesn't bother me much. I was making great progress with taping my mouth to stop mouth breathing but I cough the tape off a couple of times a night. The tape is kind of expensive to put 2 or 3 pieces on a night. Howiever, I'll do it if I can't find anything else. I've tried Allegra, Benadryl, and Coricidin Cough HBP (High blood pressure) to no avail. I have high blood pressure so some OTC's I can't use (if they any decongestant in them, I can't use them). I've used Flonase too. Not much help. I've had this coughing a couple of times and it went away but came back again a week ago. I've tried turning up the humidifier all the way too. Any body have this problem and know of anything that might help. I'd certainly appreciate it if you would share it with me.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:23 pm

Hi eeker,

You wrote, "I've tried turning up the humidifier all the way too."

I've found that if I turn the heat up very far on my humidifier, it makes me more apt to have coughing fits at night and part of the next day. Sometimes more heated humidification is needed, but sometimes not. I'd continue tweaking the heat up and down until you find a happy medium. It may be that you do need as much heated humidification as possible...but maybe not.

I know what you mean about coughing the tape off sometimes....been there, done that.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:41 pm

Thanks for the tip. I'll try using less humidiity. I sure can't hurt anything. It's good to know others out there have had the same problem.

Eekerbeeker

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:55 pm

Oh, I forgot. Has anyone out there used Zicam Throat Spray for coughing? It's supposed to stop coughing for 8 hours. Of course, most OTC drugs aren't half what they claim to be but I thought I might try it if there are no warnings about people with high blood pressure to not use it. It's about $8 or $9 here. We are on a really tight budget now so I generally don't use anything unless I know its worked for other people. Maybe I'll have to be the first. If you have used it, let me know.

Eekerbeeker

SleepyGuy · Post by **SleepyGuy** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 2:13 pm

I find I don't need heat or humidity at all. Where I live the indoor humidity is typically 60% - 70% anyway. There seems to be an assumption that a humidifier is needed, but some of us don't need it.

About the coughing. Could this be due to acid reflux? I had quite a bit before I started the CPAP. I'm still not getting that many hours with it on, but my acid reflux is almost gone. My doc tells me this is often known to be caused by sleep apnea. When the stronger muscles of the lungs engage to start breathing again, it puts pressure on the stomach. It can put pressure on the bladder too causing frequent night time urination.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 7:24 pm

I think Sleepyguy might be on to something. For acid reflux try eating earlier . Also try raising the head of your bed 2-3 inches. This generally helps. I once took 2, 2x4 blocks to europe on holiday. Remembered to place them under the head of the bed for 3 weeks. Left them at the last place i stayed.. The following year I visited again and they were in the closet ! Your pressure may be a bit high and cause it also.
Where I live I start coughing the moment the heat comes on. The ceder blooms, oaks bloom, perfume..Whatever...Try some saline in your nose..Lay your head way back and pour it in..May burn at first...

Cheers,

Chris

margiemarg · Post by **margiemarg** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 7:51 pm

About 1 1/2 years ago I awoke one night, thinking I was having a heart attack. EMS came and said "no it's a panic attack". In my sleep? I went to the doctor and was prescribed Paxil. Took that for a month and the (I call them episodes) attacks continued. Went back to my doctor and was told that I need MRI. Had MRI and found cycst in sinus. Had surgery in June to remove cycst, open sinus cavity and repair deviated semptum and the attacks are still happening, although not as frequent. These attacks are always in my sleep. I jolt awake, my heart is racing, my arms and legs feel tingly, very dizzy and I am short of breath. I think that I am having a heart attack? What is wrong with me?? I am getting very scared to even go to sleep, thinking, what if I dont wake up this time? Can I call any sleep institute? Do I have to have a referral? Does my doctor have to send me? is there anyone else here that has experienced these episodes? Please Advice!
Thanks,
Margie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:08 pm

Sounds like sleep apnea to me.. Wake with headaches in the morning. Realy tired. Jump out of bed gasping for air. Only way to be sure is to be tested at a sleep lab. A pulse oximetry at home would also give a clue and is mush cheaper tho it didn't detect my apnea.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:08 pm

margie, I think you are absolutely right about it probably being sleep apnea. Yes, do get a sleep study as soon as you can. Ask your doctor to give you a referral to a sleep clinic for an overnight PSG (polysomnogram) study. After the appointment is made, call the sleep clinic yourself and ask to be put on the waiting list for the first available cancellation. Even after getting on that list, I'd call them every day to see if there had been a cancellation.

margiemarg · Post by **margiemarg** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:31 pm

It sounds like it's difficult to get an appointment? I didnt realize until recently how serious sleep apnea is! I will be relieved when I am diagnosed with it. Not saying I want it but at least I will have a reason for my "episodes". Thanks to those who replied!

johnhnw · Post by **johnhnw** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 10:08 pm

Margie,
I had the same nightime episodes and went to the ER.
Get a sleep study done. I have been using a CPAP machine over a year now and I have a new life.

Good luck
John

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 10:46 pm

Margie,

These "episodes" your having sound like night terrors. This is a symptom of sleep apnea. My personal theory on these is that as your brain realizes you are not breathing (the apnea) it triggers a horrific event in your dream to shock your body into breathing. I would have these before I was diagnosed and no longer have them now that I'm getting treatment.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 12:00 am

A possible reason for sudden, heart-pounding jolting awakenings was posted by frequenseeker on the TAS message board:
___________________________
The vagus is the fight or flight, adrenaline reaction nerve. It has a cycle that puts one of its peaks at about 2:30am. Many people get reflux or indigestion at this time of night, or just wake up wired..
The vagus supplies all the major organs including the esophagus and stomach so when it is hyperactive, these organs can be too. Pounding heart, difficulty breathing, lowered blood pressure, feeling of impending doom, hyperactive bladder or bowel...are some of the symptoms. Panic attack stuff sometimes.
If you have a deeper apnea than the usual respiratory muscles can take care of, then the adrenaline system kicks in next and gets every riled up and pumping so you will start up breathing again. Then you are left with the other results, jittery, unable to go back to sleep, hyperacidity, need to go to the bathroom etc.
If you have better apnea control with xpap, you have less vagal stimulation therefore less reflux/acidity.

If I knew then what I know now

If I knew then what I know now

If I knew then what I know now

Attacks in my sleep? I think it's sleep apneq? Please help!