Sleep & Memory issues with CPAP 4 years

[Captain_Midnight]

i never got through the whole night with the mask on

You are destroying your brain and body by not using CPAP the whole night.

I’m also interested in alternative medicine.

Forget that nonsense and the nonsense that a couple of members posted about taking vitamins.

You have sleep apnea. You're not using your CPAP all night. That is the problem that must be addressed first.

Sleepyhead software is the way to start turning yourself around. See Pugsy's tutorial on Sleepyhead software near the top of the index page.

Keep your posts in this thread, so that people helping you can see your history.

Occasional visitor Capt. Midnight here to say that CG's post is entirely correct. Sometimes some very nice and well-meaning folks give advice about medications (Rx and herbal) and it's unlikely that they have the qualifications or knowledge of the patient to do so.
Given information that a patient was not totally able to comply with xpapperical therapy, that is where a physician might begin (and I say this as one who does take nutritional supplements and enjoys a sweet potato now and then).

BTW, my memory has always been pretty good, but after a dozen uninterrupted years on xpap, it's even better. (Of course, I'm only 70, who knows what will happen in 30 years?)

.

[ChicagoGranny]

BTW, my memory has always been pretty good, but after a dozen uninterrupted years on xpap, it's even better. (Of course, I'm only 70, who knows what will happen in 30 years?)

You'll have a chip in your brain running MemoryHead. In the rare case you forget something, you'll post a MemoryHead chart here and Pugsy and PaleRider will recommend adjustments.

[dogsarelife]

Hi I would just like to second Chicago Granny and zonker. focus on sleeping with your machine and getting some sleepyhead graphs posted, focus on finding a better and more comfortable mask.

Perhaps it may be worthwhile to consider if you have UARS or Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome and therefore need much higher pressure than what was initially prescribed to actually make a difference in your sleep. that has been the case for me.

I understand you feel desperate and most likely anxious and scared from dealing with such health issues.

It is anecdotal but getting my pressures increased via looking at my data in sleepyhead and then switching to Bilevel pap was a godsend for me in many ways. My memory and brain functioning are much better.

at the very least, could you center improving your sleep before looking elsewhere for lotions, potions, supplements, vitamins, minerals, homeopathy, etc as of benefit?

[VeeBeeMee]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I’m touched, actually.

I’m also overwhelmed. And, have regret. Why did i wait so long? Insidious denial.

No, i’m Not going to give up allopathic medicine just yet. I sometimes compliment it and i thought i could get some natural remedies to help me sleep. But seems from what i read that i’m Not sleeping because i’m Not getting enough air pressure. Or, something like that.

I live in Switzerland and they warn against participating in online chats about sleep apnea, like this one. They also discourage looking at your own results as you’re suggesting. I could use support. I checked out sleepy head. It would be wonderful to get someone to walk me through it. I need to figure out how to read it on my computer and get it online somehow and learn how to interpret the results.

I’m also nervous about how i can get myself to sleep more. Do you think i’m Waking up from apnea?

I’m going to NYC for a couple of weeks and wondering if i should take advantage of the time there to pick up anything i need.

Anyway, thanks again. These messages are a treasure. I’m terrified but i’m Also hopeful.

Vee

[nicholasjh1]

Took me about 2 years of 8+ hours of restful sleep almost every night to 95% heal my short-term memory problems from when I became a hosehead in 2007. I do have some missing long-term memories that I realize when others are reminiscing about something whose details as they say here in the South are for me "gone with the wind"

That other 5% I blame on ageing in spite of exercise, adaptogens, antioxidants, fish oils, astaxathin, good multiple, D3 to ~70 on tested levels, real food, butter & coconut oil & no veggie oil, minimal grains & low carb

I find that true to. During the "untreated" years I find that my memories are pretty vague and kind of disconnected. that even the stuff I remember almost doesn't feel real.

[Julie]

BTW, to posters who alluded to my talking about alternative meds and sweet potatoes, please re-read my 1st note in answer to the OP's mention of alternatives...

"Hi - I can't answer your questions re anyone local for you, but personally I would not think about alternative meds etc. for apnea - it is a structural problem and needs something (Cpap) to address that... though I'm sure there are many homeopaths, naturopaths, grandmothers, etc. that have testimonial reports to back up their claims for 'other' cures."

and my second one re antioxidants that in no way tells anyone to take anything... just posted what I saw as interesting.

"Saw a documentary re people on Okinawa who live longer than anywhere else in the world and have less dementia as well. One thing they pointed to is how much sweet potato - the purple kind, not the orange - they all eat lots of... it's the antioxidant anthocyanin that's the secret, but we don't get much of the purple here, so they suggest at least eating lots of dark purple fruit, e.g. blue and blackberries."

[palerider]

BTW, to posters who alluded to my talking about alternative meds and sweet potatoes,

Yeah, well, if you'd learn to hit the quote button (") like everyone else, people would know what the hell you were talking about.

[Barbee]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I’m touched, actually.

I’m also overwhelmed. And, have regret. Why did i wait so long? Insidious denial.

I live in Switzerland and they warn against participating in online chats about sleep apnea, like this one. They also discourage looking at your own results as you’re suggesting. I could use support. I checked out sleepy head. It would be wonderful to get someone to walk me through it. I need to figure out how to read it on my computer and get it online somehow and learn how to interpret the results.

I’m also nervous about how i can get myself to sleep more. Do you think i’m Waking up from apnea?

I’m going to NYC for a couple of weeks and wondering if i should take advantage of the time there to pick up anything i need.

Anyway, thanks again. These messages are a treasure. I’m terrified but i’m Also hopeful.

Vee

The sticky at the top of the home page titled “newbies please read” will walk you thru how to post your charts and the fine people here will help you learn how to read the charts and teach you how to help yourself take control of your therapy.

My memory was awful prior to cpap. I could not think of common words and my attention span was pretty much gone. Between being totally exhausted and my wicked brain fog, I could barely function. I feel like I have my life back now. Each day I pop out of bed and look forward to planning what to do with myself.

This forum has been a huge part of my recovery. Even tho I dont post much, I read and learn so much. Hopefully, you will, too.

Best of luck!

[chunkyfrog]

They might not want you to get help online--so you don't have to tell them.
What they don't know could SAVE YOUR LIFE.
Their reasons are not in your best interest--only theirs . . .

[VeeBeeMee]

I bought a card reader and installed sleepyhead but data on my card isnt being read. I'm not so good at these IT "doings". Any advice? Any generous soul available by phone who can walk me through it? Should i post this question as a new post with a new heading?

[Steve of Cornubia]

Did you have sleep problems before you started CPAP? By that I mean, apart from issues clearly related to apnea, such as chronic insomnia?

In my experience, CPAP may well 'fix' apnea, but if you have pre-existing insominia which persists after starting CPAP, you really need to address the insomnia, perhaps more so than the apnea.

Apnea is an affliction which damages sleep quality, but (obviously) that only happens if you are asleep! If insomnia (or some other problem) is keeping you awake, CPAP isn't going to help much.

If indeed you have apnea on top of insomnia, you have my sympathy. That will be a difficult knot to untangle, but as I said earlier, the insomnia must be treated first if CPAP is going to offer any real benefit.

[Pugsy]

I bought a card reader and installed sleepyhead but data on my card isnt being read. I'm not so good at these IT "doings". Any advice? Any generous soul available by phone who can walk me through it? Should i post this question as a new post with a new heading?

Yes...please start a new topic all your own and explain your problem. It's going to get lost here and people won't see it unless they happen to be following this thread/topic.

Include which version of SleepyHead you are trying to use, the operating system on your computer and any messages you are seeing or what seems to be the problem.

I could maybe walk you through it via phone call but it depends on what kind of computer you are using.

[Shnorky]

Hey VeeBeeMee, check out englishforum.ch -- there might be people there who could help you