Hubby Has Apnea And It's Difficult!

[palerider]

3) I'd like to use wipes to clean the masks but am unsure of which product to buy off Amazon.

Unscented/alcohol free baby wipes from local pharmacy

Silicone is not harmed by alcohol, I use alcohol wipes, because they remove facial oils better.

[palerider]

You put a laughing smiley to my trim the nasal hairs, is that because you don't believe it, if so just ask any forum member about trimming nasal hair.

The way you described it gave me an image of a Viking beard snaking out his nose and blowing in the wind so I couldn't help but to laugh. But he's very good at trimming the nasal hairs.

Not good enough if he's still experiencing itching.

[kteague]

4) And - was curious. Have any of you experienced "crashes" where you might be doing pretty good (feeling okay) but then out of the blue it's like a weight of overwhelming fatigue and weakness slams into you? This is the symptom that's concerned him the most.

People have theorized about such "crashes" and the suspects vary. First is subpar treatment and having a particularly bad night with wakeups from events, maybe from more back sleeping with potentially more events. When early on in treatment some feel when the body is no longer getting surges of stress hormones they feel a sort of downer. I felt there was a sync issue, that my coping mechanisms relaxed before my recovery kicked in. Also had another sleep disorder present that couldn't be fixed by cpap. Hope he feels stronger soon.

[Sheriff Buford]

I don't know whether to "eek" or to "hmm" about needing to try different masks. Especially since we order right now through the DME lady. But Sheriff, since you like that F20 I'll definitely tell the lady to give him that. He can only have new masks every 3 months. Do they generally last that long?

I get resupplied every three months too. I get a full mask, headgear and cushion.... along with two spare cushions. I normally get 8 -10 months on a cushion. I got a bad cushion a few months back. It was killing my nose bridge from the git-go. I started using another cushion and all is good. That's just me.... I think I could get a few more months outta a cushion, but it starts to get flimsy and I have others. If the hubby starts to get sores on his nose bridge, try using a small strip of mole skin on the spot on the nose. You can get moleskin in the foot care section of the pharmacy. It comes in small sheets and is used for corns. I cut them up in little squares so they are ready to go at night. I also place the moleskin over a small strip of sensitive skin medical tape. the moleskin sticks so good, in the morning, it wants to take half the skin off my nose.

Work all your (his) issues here. We are here for you!

Sheriff

[Miss_Miss]

Of course, wash the affected area every night before applying any cream, and wash it again in the morning, along with the parts of the mask that come into direct contact.

Yes, he shaves and washes every night and sometimes has to wipe down with a moist cloth during the night. I tried a couple of liners but he thought they made the mask not seal well. All of these are great suggestions. Thanks so much!

[Miss_Miss]

Work all your (his) issues here. We are here for you!

Sheriff

Thank you! We both really appreciate it!

[D.H.]

Work all your (his) issues here. We are here for you!

Sheriff

Thank you! We both really appreciate it!

Maybe do the shaving in the morning. Perhaps freshly shaved skin is more sensitive.

[Miss_Miss]

A bit of an update if I may.

So he got the ASV Nov. 20 and it's a wee past two months of faithfully using it. He "might" be adapting. Past two nights he's been able to go four or five hours straight without waking up. (cutting back on water a couple of hours before bedtime seems to help too). That's a major improvement. If mask has itched or leaked, he's been able to ignore/sleep through it. He can tell he's got good sleep.

But here's the thing - he still has the overwhelming weight of weakness. Has anyone else experienced this? Is weakness a side effect of apnea?

He's cleared for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia, any brain disorders, heart disease. The only thing they've found is this OSA and central apnea.

Oh. He does have osteoporosis, but does anyone know if weakness might be a symptom of that? I've not read or heard from anyone that it is.

Thanks for any information and I really appreciate all the help and suggestions you've given.

[chunkyfrog]

Sometimes weakness can be addressed by moderate exercise.
Something as simple as walking a bit more than needed can help.
Circulation is that important.

[Miss_Miss]

Sometimes weakness can be addressed by moderate exercise.
Something as simple as walking a bit more than needed can help.
Circulation is that important.

He used to ride miles on his bicycle but gradually he felt so bad that's been cut out. And so he's resorted to walking but again, the weakness drains his strength so some of that's been cut back too. But he does make the effort every day, plus he does exercises with some weights. Nothing real heavy and it's arm exercises, but he is trying to keep as active as much as possible.

[palerider]

But here's the thing - he still has the overwhelming weight of weakness. Has anyone else experienced this? Is weakness a side effect of apnea?

Sleep Disordered Breathing causes people to.... not sleep.

When people don't sleep, they don't get rest, they don't recuperate, they are exhausted.

So, yes.

And for some, it takes a while to recover from years of constant exhaustion.

[Pugsy]

Can you please clarify something.

You keep mentioning "weakness".....is it real weakness as in no strength or ability to do normal daily stuff or is it extreme fatigue bone tired thing? There's a big difference between not being able to do something and simply not wanting to do something from lack of energy.

They are 2 totally different complaints but people often use them thinking they mean the same thing.

If he is really so weak he can't do anything or his normal activities then he needs to be talking to his doctor about it.
If he is just so tired he can't muster up the energy to do something...that's different from a physical weakness.

Extreme fatigue...bone tired fatigue...comes with lack of good quality sleep and we also need a good healthy quantity of those hours of sleep. I get that when I only get 4 or 5 hours of sleep. I am dragging my butt so bone tired I don't feel like I can do anything BUT I am not weak at all. I still have strength in me even though I don't feel like using it.

So is he really so weak he can't do anything or is it he is so tired he just doesn't have the energy to do anything?

[chunkyfrog]

. . .
He used to ride miles on his bicycle but gradually he felt so bad that's been cut out. And so he's resorted to walking but again, the weakness drains his strength so some of that's been cut back too. But he does make the effort every day, plus he does exercises with some weights. Nothing real heavy and it's arm exercises, but he is trying to keep as active as much as possible.

Maybe a recumbent bicycle would be helpful?
Some have 3 wheels, making them usable by people with disabilities.

[Sheriff Buford]

I'd be interested in your response to Pugsie…. also know that though sleep apnea doesn't directly kill you.... it can do damage to your body and that damage to your body can eventually cause you permanent damage and eventually death. Not to be dramatic, but when you treat this disease, what your hubby is experiencing may be a result of some sort of side effect. He doing great.... he needs to keep going! My gut says that it is a sort of side effect and he'll be alright in a few weeks. It takes time.... and maybe his body is sayin' "what the heck"? If the weakness doesn't get better, he definitely needs to see a doctor.

Keep going!!

Sheriff

[Miss_Miss]

He's told about this weakness to every doctor he's seen. In one sense, they blow it off or his primary will ask a bunch of questions to which she should know the answer (since she's sent him to all kinds of specialists). He has hypothyroidism but takes his med faithfully and labs are always good, etc. I know weakness, like fatigue, can accompany so many other diseases so just for one symptom it's difficult to pin down.

He says the weakness isn't plain old fatigue - he knows what that is. The weakness makes it hard for him to stand or to walk. He DOES do that but it's sheer willpower to do so. And the funny thing is, it comes and goes.

I'm HOPING it's a side effect from the apnea, but so far no doctor has ascertained that.

I'm sorry I can't explain better and this is the best that he describes it.

Thank you for your help and suggestions.