Post
by SaltLakeJan » Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:23 pm
Hi B.B.
It was nice to come "back" and find a greeting from a Buddy - Thank Beauty
The Cpap Sleep Study wasn't what I anticipated. I think from my previous experiences I expected something more dramatic - In my 2008 December Sleep Study, I hadn't had the guidiance from SWS & Muffy as to medications and sleep architecture, I had this time. Then, I was exhausted from lack of sleep, and had apparently fallen into a deep sleep. I was startled awaked by two technicians appearing in the room shouting Jan, Jan WAKE UP, what's the matter? The mattress was terrible, the material had separated, only held together by a sheet, and my back had become wedged in the crack and it was very painful. I imagine because I had over twice the amount of Lyrica and Mirapex I now take, and the fact I was overly tired, I didn't immediately awaken, but I was moaning like I was experiencing deep pain, (which I was) but had not yet awakened.
Like you Beauty, I was at the mercy of my PCP's prescribing wisdom??? He had me on Ritalin which temporarily boosted my energy frenetically, for a few hours in the morning. Then by early afternoon, I crashed so hard I must have bounced a dozen times. It left me exhausted, but not sleepy - I had a very hard time sleeping. I was also taking pills for High Blood Pressure and Diabetes. When I decided to take myself off Ritalin, I think it was shortly after that sleep test, I found the FDA had issued a Black Box warning against prescribing Ritalin for anyone using Diabetic & HBP meds.
Plussss. . . I had no way of knowing I was on at least twice the amount of Lyrica and Mirapex I might have needed. I was prescribed (2) 150 Mg Lyric to control the nerve pain in my back. And, (2) 1.5 mg of Mirapex for either RSL or PLM's, he mentioned both names.
It was around Christmas 2008, that I read Mirapex could cause compulsive behaviors. Christmas time is a difficult time to evaluate your spending behaviours. but after I read about compulsive spending, I wondered if I had been compulsive or generous with my gifts. I cut my Mirapex to (1), 1.5 pill. And I also cut my Lunesta from 3 mg to 1.5 mg.
And, after I was fortunate enough to have two analytical whizzes, SWS & Muffy, come into my life, & Muffy made comments like, "It is a good thing she doesn't like to take meds." Then, I wondered what my PCP was trying to do to me. I cut the Mirapex to 1/2 of a 1.5 pill and reduced the Lyrica to (1) 150 MG. I have lost confidence in my PCP, but since starting Medicare, Doctors are hard to find. So again, like you, I am stuck with what is available.
So, down to the preparation for my June 9th 2009 CPAP Sleep Test. With many words of of Muffy's & SWS's wisdom abounding on the triplets sites, I gleaned every drop, I thought could apply to me. Muffy posted a list of sleep changes on your thread, which I took to be the supreme manual, "for "Momma's with Sleep Problems 101) That became my How to go to Sleep & stay to Sleep Bible.
DJH couldn't believe me of all people, was going to bed at 8:30 to 9:00. I went to bed a lot at 10:00 to 10:30, but concetrated on the earlier hours to coincide with the Sleep Apnea Test schedule.
With more apprehension than I needed, I entered the door of the Sleep testing site. at 7:30 June 9th, 2009. Jill, the friendly Tech. took me to a clean, very attractive room. She told me to get in my "jammies" and she would for wire me up for bedtime about 9:00p.m. Jill was diagnosed with sleep apnea 4 years ago. She told me there were several doctors who operate out of the sleep center, all accredited. She considered the Dr. I am seeing and one other, the superior doctors there. This sleep center is a branch of the hospital, but it is also accredited. When I get my test records back, Muffy will be able to know if they follow current protocol.
The bed was comfy, my body was tired from a harder exercise today, it was ready for sleep. All was good - except my darn mind. It kept going off on a tangent, "I'll never go to sleep." I told my mind to be quiet, then followed the breath into sleep - Wrong. I went through this routine far longer than I wanted. I estimate I was awake for at least an hour. Later JiLL came in to adjust a loose leg wire, I asked if I had been asleep. She said yes,. There was a clock on the bedside table, but I had turned it so I wouldn't see it.
I did awaken for brief periods during the night, but was able to go back to sleep immediately. For this. I give full CREDIT to MUFFY for the tips on SLEEP CONSOLIDSATION. Before I knew it, Jill's voice came over the intercom, I think she awakened me about a quarter to 6:00 a.m. We will see . . . what we will see . . . when I get the test reports back.
At the time of the 6-9-2009 sleep test I was taking the following medications:
(1) Lyrica, 150 mg.
(1/2) Mirapex, of a 1.5 mg tablet
(1) Metiformin, 1000 mg
(1)Avalide, 300/12.4 mg
1/2 of a Lunesta 3 mg
(1/2) Vytorin 10/40 of a 10 mg
OTC, I had stopped everything but
(1) Loratadine 10 mg - From Eric Falconer's Web Site
(2)Ibuproffen 400 mg, in A.M & P.M on 6-9-2009. . I have exercised harder than usual, and my back was yelling "HELP" i I didn't want back pain to distract me at the sleep center, so used the Ibuproffen for 6-9- only. I had a recent ulcer the Gastro Dr. attributed to use of Ibuproffen. I'll resume the supplements I usually take. and beginning today. I am decreasing Lyrica to 75 Mg. I can't find the quote, but I think somewhere Muffy said, changing the dose of Lyrica so close to the Sleep test, might skew the test results. 75 Milligrams of Lyrica was my original amount. The Dr changed my prescription to two 2 150 mg so abruptly, I had a full bottle of 75 Mg left. I notice on the 75 mg bottle, I should take 2 per day. I believe one will be sufficient. 1 1/2 mg of Lunesta is the next on the chopping block
I did try the Falcon position at the sleep study - owee, those wires were everywhere, & I moved the chest belt, so I left it until I came home this morning. After showering the "gunk out of my hair, I went back to bed when it worked well.
I do appreciate B.B's, SWSs Muffy's, & Mar's most recent encouragement and wishes for me to do well. Plus the many P.M.'s I got, Thanks lots. Plus, I believe everyone one of the over 7000 visitors to this thread were rooting for me, to do as well as I could. CPAPtalk.com is a unique place - One where everyone one of the participating members wants all the others to succeed. I have had help, suggestions, considerations from everyone from the Stars of this show, to those who are still newbies, like me. I remember every helpful suggestion and thoughts that you all have so generously given me. - I hope to be as the Stars of this show say, I want to be able to pay it forward, 'till . . .
Jan
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