Talking a Nap---must I use my CPAP?

[lovecollies]

I don't take naps as much as I used to since using CPAP. But when I do, is it a good idea to use my CPAP? Sometimes it just feels good to rest a little while withou that "thing" on my face. Can you tell I am a newbie? It is really dangerous to take short naps without it?

Thanks all for your help, this really is a great forum.

[khemicals]

I just started treatment myself, but here's a nice thread with info that you may find interesting:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44264&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=nap

[GumbyCT]

I don't take naps as much as I used to since using CPAP. But when I do, is it a good idea to use my CPAP? Sometimes it just feels good to rest a little while withou that "thing" on my face. Can you tell I am a newbie? It is really dangerous to take short naps without it?

Thanks all for your help, this really is a great forum.

I would say as long as you stop breathing when you sleep, you should wear the cpap, YES.

It may help you to form a complete thought and even type it.

*Talking* a nap is only part of the problem.

Just how long can you hold your breath anyway?

[DreamStalker]

I don't take naps as much as I used to since using CPAP. But when I do, is it a good idea to use my CPAP? Sometimes it just feels good to rest a little while withou that "thing" on my face. Can you tell I am a newbie? It is really dangerous to take short naps without it?

Thanks all for your help, this really is a great forum.

I would say as long as you stop breathing when you sleep, you should wear the cpap, YES.

It may help you to form a complete thought and even type it.

*Talking* a nap is only part of the problem.

Just how long can you hold your breath anyway?

Yes, what Gumby says.

[SeaPappy]

is it a good idea to use my CPAP?

Only if you want to breathe while you sleep

[alnhwrd]

Please do! If you have OSA and are sleeping, you should be cpapping. You will feel better and last longer. And the world needs all the collie lovers it can get!

[rosiefrosie]

Yes, What they all said. Use your cpap.

Rosie

[BeanMeScot]

Some who take frequent naps keep a 2nd machine by their chair, or wherever they take naps. People have been known to sit down to take a nap and never wake up. Don't let that be you. Besides, the nap will be more refreshing if you actually breath the whole time.

[lovecollies]

Thanks for all your replys. I did a search and did not find that link, but it was great just from a few days ago.

[ScrappinMom]

I'm still very new (about 2 weeks) and we all love taking Sunday afternoon naps around here. However, I have yet to be able to fall asleep with my mask on. I'm having to take lunesta at night. Any suggestions for nap time??

[Bluewater]

Don't wear the mask to tight, just enough to keep it from leaking. Have you had REM yet?

[GumbyCT]

I'm still very new (about 2 weeks) and we all love taking Sunday afternoon naps around here. However, I have yet to be able to fall asleep with my mask on. I'm having to take lunesta at night. Any suggestions for nap time??

Actually I think that would be the perfect opportunity to get used to wearing the mask without medications. Give yourself time and it will certainly help.

Also, Try wearing the mask without the hose & machine (sometime before sleep) to help getting used to having something on your face.

Good Luck

[BlueSky72]

I find that if I fall asleep without my CPAP for even 30 mins I wake up with a splitting 'apnea headache' as bad as the ones I used to wake up with every day. This may not be happening now, but it might in future, so it's a good habit to get into if you can.

If you haven't already tried this, try holding your breath while awake, and see how long you can do it for. Compare that to your sleep study results. My average apnea was about 15 seconds, and my maximum was 30 seconds. While awake, I can only hold my breath for 15 seconds before gasping for air. It helped me to understand what my body goes through while asleep.

Welcome, and all the best with your CPAP journey. I hope you find all the answers you need here, I certainly have.

[Jason S.]

Yes, if you don't the CPAP police will take your machine away.

Seriously, you should if you are taking a "dedicated nap". Otherwise you might be just getting "negative sleep", i.e. more time spent depriving your body of oxygen and not resting, thereby defeating the purpose of the nap. Having said that my naps tend to be spontaneous (in TV chair) so I usually awake with a dry mouth feeling worse than I did before I dozed.

[mars]

Hi Lovecollies

The simple answer is no, you do not have to use your cpap machine if you use an oximeter with the alarm set to wake you up should desaturation start.

Quoting from a previous post -

So I have set my oximeter to sound an alarm if the SpO2 goes below 90%, and wear it when I nap. So this allows me to relax, daydream, whatever, and possibly go to sleep.

According to my sleep study there were periods of sleep when no events occurred, not for very long - maybe for 5 to 10 minutes, and this during a very uncomfortable night. On the machine there can sometimes be one or two hours without events, and maybe this is the machine doing its job, and maybe I am simply breathing normally during that period. Or both.

So if I feel like a nap, I put the oximeter on my finger, turn it on, move the cable out of Dusty's way (Dusty is my cat), and close my eyes. Sometimes the alarm will go off, and I wake up. No damage done. At other times I have slept for up to an hour before waking up. And here is the coup de grace, I feel refreshed after the nap, even a short one, instead of feeling terrible and worse than before I took the nap, as I used to do.

You may ask - why not use the machine. Well, sitting in my arm chair, and just drifting off, doesn't happen with the mask on. Logistically it is difficult, and the whole process of relaxing and closing my eyes would not be possible; whereas I keep my oximeter next to the armchair, and it only takes a few seconds to put it on.

So there it is for what it's worth. Not of world shattering importance in the world of sleep apnea recovery, but just a little thing that adds to the joy of living, and may do the same for you, if you want to try it.

End Quote

The oximeter I use is the CMS-60D, but as long as you have an oximeter on which you can set the alarm you are ready to go.

No oxygen desaturation and a refreshing nap. Napping without cpap and without an alarmed oximeter ( ) usually produces the pretty awful feeling of being washed out, and worse than before.

There are probably conditions which would make this unworkable for some individuals, so it is probably not for everyone; but it works well for me, and eventually I am hoping to hear from others who have tried this.

cheers

Mars

PS The link mentioned by khemicals is - viewtopic/t44264/For-Those-Who-Like-To-Nap.html
and there is further information on using the oximeter.