Waiting to fall asleep

quill · Post by **quill** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:33 pm

I've been using a cpap for 14 months. For about the 10 months I was sleeping pretty good. Then I started having problems falling asleep and waking up 2-3 times a night...which is down to 1 and sometimes 2 times a night now..usually long enough to look at the clock and fall back asleep. At the store it looks like all the aspirin brands are coming out with pain reliever/sleep aids. Does anyone use any of these and if so how often? I don't look forward to going to bed anymore because I'm not sure how long I'll be laying there before I fall asleep. My mind tells me if I stay up later I will be more inclined to fall asleep quicker and that isn't necessarily the case. I try to avoid snacking too much after dinner and rarely drink soft drinks. I use the treadmill 30-45 minutes about 5 nights a week...usually no later than 8pm. Bed time is usually 10 or 10:30. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

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Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:52 pm

I've been taking two aspirin before bed for many years......since the recommendation came out about taking aspirin as a preventative measure for heart/stroke issues. This was not a recommendation from a doctor, just something I've done on my own. I've also had knee and back "issues" for years, and the aspirin helps that, too.
I've never taken any other type of "sleep aid".

There have been times when I've gotten TOO MUCH sleep and then have trouble falling asleep or sleeping soundly. Usually when that happens, I shorten up my sleep time for a night or two and then am more tired the next night so I can sleep better.

Since I'm a side-sleeper, I also wake up during the night to flip over......usually go right back to sleep.

Den

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:50 am

1. Don't look at the clock, ever.
2. Mabye your pressure needs have change. If you can at all afford it, get the Silverlining software https://www.cpap.com/productpage/purita ... ng-36.html and track your data. You pressure needs may have changed - and the data will tell you that.

You've got a great little machine, and its a pity not to use its full capabilities.

By the way, I assume you wash/change the filter (or filters) on your machine as instructed - a clogged filter can wreak havoc with the pressure supplied.

O.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:06 am

quill wrote: ... I was sleeping pretty good. Then I started having problems falling asleep and waking up 2-3 times a night... usually long enough to look at the clock and fall back asleep. ... I use the treadmill 30-45 minutes about 5 nights a week...usually no later than 8pm. Bed time is usually 10 or 10:30. ...

When did you start the 30-45 minutes on the treadmill about 8 PM? You may need to start your exercise earlier. Only 2 hours before bedtime is probably too close to bedtime.

Aspirin and other NSAIDs can be rough on the stomach when taken on a regular basis. Consider taking Tylenol PM. The PM in Tylenol PM is generic Benadryl which is an antihistamine that usually induces sleep as a side effect. Take it about a 1/2 hour before bedtime.

And as Ozij suggested, you have a good CPAP there, make use of its full capabilities by getting the software for it and you will have a better idea of what is going on. Its good that you can fall right back to sleep. When I wake up for any reason I usually have problems falling back to sleep.

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:58 am

I use Naproxen Sodium and Generic Benedryl (homebrew Aleve PM) VERY often.
I go to bed the same time ALMOST every night and allow a minimum of eight hours. Don't be afraid to use minimal sleep aids to help get to and stay asleep. Tying on the blower and laying there awake is not doing you any good.

IMHO of course

TerryB

quill · Post by **quill** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:40 pm

OK. I read the replies and went and looked at my machine. I put the wrong one in my profile. Mine is a 420G...which looks like the low end model without software. I can't believe the insurance company paid so much to rent-to-own this cheap machine for 12 months...they should have just paid cash! To answer slinky's question, we got the treadmill about the first of February. You know, new years resolution to exercise. In the summer we walk outside every evening but in the winter exercise just wasn't happening. I'll try exercising earlier.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:55 pm

Good luck and God bless! Been there, done that, with the laying there TRYING to get to sleep. Once I was able to retire and didn't HAVE to get up and off to work what has worked for me is to just get up if I haven't fallen asleep w/in 15-30 minutes and go do something, usually prowl around w/my 'puter, until I get sleepy and then I go back to bed. Same thing if and when I wake up during the night, if I can't get back to sleep w/in 30 minutes maximum, I get up and putz on the 'puter so I'm not disturbing hubby's sleep. I hope you find what works for you and you can start getting restful sleep again!

ColoradoDreamer · Post by **ColoradoDreamer** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:13 pm

Yes, exercising earlier may help. I do wake briefly when I turn in bed or if I spring an air leak, but I go right back to sleep. I take a couple Benedryl when I suspect I will be awake most of the night with minor allergies. Do you drink coffee in the evening?

Have you started any new medication?

I started taking a non-drowsy allergy med. just before bed time a couple years ago. I never knew that non-drowsy meant "no-doze" After a couple months of little sleep it dawned on me that the med may be the culprit. I slept great the night I stopped taking the med.

quill · Post by **quill** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:07 pm

Thanks for the responses. I don't drink coffee at home. I haven't added any medications recently but that is something I never thought of...and need to keep in mind. I'm going to go to WalMart this weekend and pick up some Tylenol PM and give that a try (per Slinky). Last night I wasn't falling asleep so I got up and read a little bit of a magazine and then came back to bed, strapped on my mask and went to sleep right away. I have read some posting about people buying Pur-Sleep so a couple nights ago I started putting a jar of Vicks next to my CPAP filter. It has been very refreshing.

I have the nose mask that I have worn most of my cpap life and a Mirage Swift II Nasal Pillow that worked for a couple months. But then I started having problem breathing out all the air I would breath in. I sure wish I could handle sleeping with that all the time. It is so liberating not having a mask strapped to my face.

Here's to wishing everyone a wonderful nights rest!!!

Brookbank · Post by **Brookbank** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:05 am

You did not mention the mask but did indicate that you have been on CPAP for 10 months.

I mention the mask life because I have found my comfort gel cushion needs replacement after about 3 months or so of use. The doctor also recommended that the headgear be replaced after six months.

I usually buy two cushion sets so the mask lasts 6 months before replacing. I alternate between the two to lengthen the life and to allow for those mornings when I may not clean the cushion. (Headgear plus cushion exceeds the cost of a new mask so the whole thing goes and is replaced by a mask and an extra set of cushions)

Although you can not feel the leaks I find that I must tighten up the headgear and still do not get good sleep until after I replace the mask and cushions.

Good luck.

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:34 pm

Does anyone else get a rebound effect with otc sleep aids. I have tried them a couple times, but the next night I can not fall asleep for several hours. I found with cpap therapy it is even worse.

Waiting to fall asleep

Waiting to fall asleep

Re: Waiting to fall asleep

HOw old is your mask?

sleep aids and rebound effect

Mask