My 2 year struggle.. OA to CSA.. Cpap to ASV.

[traveling Utz]

Well..

I am past my 2 years of dealing, I'll call it struggle..

Nothing is easy.. Everything is complex with me..

I cannot get past 4 hours on the machine.. Once in a while, I will get 6.. But that is rare..

I have access to my data, with help from Pugsy.. The numbers look good.. leaks are low..

I have to take Lunesta to fall asleep with the mask.. Its that middle of the night, bathroom break, that I cannot get past..

I also have Low-T, so I am in the process of dealing with that as well.. I have tried AndroGel-Insurance stopped covering it.. Axilron- Burnt my underarms up..

I am fortunate to live near Baltimore, so went to Hopkins and am gonna work with their Urology Clinic..I went in already for the initila appointment.. Very, Very detailed.. Had blood drawn, just waiting for the test results and next steps..

My sleep Dr, a neurologist connected with the sleep lab is awesome.. I took my numbers from my CPAP to her and showed her.. She went back to my sleep studies and saw where they missed the CSA diagnosis..

She wants me to try CBT.. A little resistant.. But will call and make the appointment and see what comes about..

This forum has been wonderful..

I am lucky to also have found a wonderful DME (Baystate Medical) that is very responsive.. Much better than the first one I had..

[bwexler]

The secret with the Wisp is to just release the spring clips at the end of the hose for bathroom breaks. Then you don't need to remove the mask at all. I often keep my eyes closed to and from the bathroom, so I never fully wake up. I have the same ASV that you do. I have been seeing a lot of IPAP pressures over 24 cm. I still get at least 8 hours most nights. I take some calcium and magnesium at bed time. It is supposed to help you relax.

[JDS74]

How are you doing with sleep hygiene?
Going to bed at the same time each night,
Only doing sleep in bed - no reading, no TV, etc., Developing the habit: "I'm in bed and masked up therefore I'm going to sleep"
No snacks after dinner,
No fluids after dinner,
No spicy foods or caffeinated beverages after breakfast or even then,
No lying in bed awake, masked up hoping to go to sleep for more than 20 minutes, Developing the secondary habit: "I'm in bed, masked up and I've been awake for more than 20 minutes, therefore I have to get up and go read in another room until I'm sleepy again."
Bedroom dark - no night light, etc.,

[Sir NoddinOff]

Well.. I am past my 2 years of dealing, I'll call it struggle..

You didn't mention it specifically, but sometimes a racing mind/nervous system stems from adrenal gland problems. I've found that a supplement called SeriPhos (a phosphorus diet aid) helps mute the racing symptoms and lets me relax in the middle of the night. Talk to your neurologist or an endocrinologist about it if you think it might be of some benefit (ie. if your symptoms match mine). I also take a commonly available Magnesium and Potassium supplement to support a healthy nervous system. Here's a link for SeriPhos - please note there are some caveats, so read them carefully:

http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/s ... 4263957591

[traveling Utz]

How are you doing with sleep hygiene?
Going to bed at the same time each night,
Only doing sleep in bed - no reading, no TV, etc., Developing the habit: "I'm in bed and masked up therefore I'm going to sleep"
No snacks after dinner,
No fluids after dinner,
No spicy foods or caffeinated beverages after breakfast or even then,
No lying in bed awake, masked up hoping to go to sleep for more than 20 minutes, Developing the secondary habit: "I'm in bed, masked up and I've been awake for more than 20 minutes, therefore I have to get up and go read in another room until I'm sleepy again."
Bedroom dark - no night light, etc.,

I have definately changed my pre-bed routine..

I am a very thirsty person.. So I have limited my fluids after dinner.. But I cant cut them out completely.. I used to drink Iced Tea all day long.. Now only have it for lunch, no more.. One cup of coffee in the am, water when i get to work..

Always had the tv on in the bedroom.. BUT, I only get in bed after taking my pill..

I usually get in bed.. Mask up.. The mistake I make is.. Well Im not quite tired yet.. I am working on that..

[robysue]

She wants me to try CBT.. A little resistant.. But will call and make the appointment and see what comes about..

CBT for insomnia combined with the current Lunesta sounds like a good idea to me. By working with a qualified CBT-I therapist, you'll be able to focus on changing the behaviors that are most likely causing the problems with getting back to sleep after your middle of the night bathroom break.

One heads-up about the CBT: You may be asked to slightly restrict your time in bed. The idea is to help force your body to learn how to make the most of that time in bed window. This is NOT an easy thing to do for many people, but can make a big difference in helping teach your body how to get back to sleep in a timely fashion.

You will also probably be asked to keep a sleep log of some sort. If you are asked to track middle of the night wakes and total sleep time, it's important to remember to estimate these things rather than relying on looking at a clock while you are in bed trying to sleep.

I cannot get past 4 hours on the machine.. Once in a while, I will get 6.. But that is rare..

Do you just give in to your baser instincts and consciously take the mask off after you wake up? And then go back to sleep without the mask? Or do you toss and turn for the rest of the night fighting unsuccessfully to get back to sleep while wearing the mask?

Ideas on what to try next really depend on what you are doing while you are awake after that bathroom break ...