Survival Techniques when you can't use CPAP

[Fredman]

I don't know if this would be of any use, but what about a device that measures desaturations and beeps a warning when they occur? Ideally there would be someone available to help you out in case the paralysis has set in at that point.

Please let us know how you do. Rooting for you.

Started my night out by sleeping on the recliner. I was able to tolerate my head flopping around for about five hours before toddling off to my bed. Sleeping in the recliner seems to help. I fell asleep rather quickly once in bed despite my fear of my airway collapsing...I am a side sleeper to avoid this. Anyways, I actually had a decent sleep and no sleep paralysis this morning

I hope the rest of the nights are like this. I see my GP on the 15th, hopefully the eardrum will have healed by then. I have to fly for business on the 6th and I can't cancel so hopefully the hole will keep things equalized...I don't think it will be a problem.

[ariana]

One more thought, since you are planning on flying. Warm compresses to the outer ear during take off and landing helped my kids when their ears hurt. We actually had sealable little plastic tubs that fit over the ear that we would ask the cabin attendant to fill with warm water for take off and landing. I can't find those online now, but I do see a product called EarPlanes. I think they are ear plugs that works by sealing the ear, without the use of water, and I have never tried them. But, come to think of it, they may be just the thing for use while sleeping nowadays, even before the flights!

Glad you got a good night's sleep.

[MidnightOwl]

I think even sleeping even slightly elevated, for instance raising the head of your bed a couple of inches, can help.

[Otter]

To quiet my snoring back in the day, I used to gargle with hydrogen peroxide. Yes, the 3% solution in the brown bottle from the drugstore. It's not very pleasant, but it won't hurt you, and it will tighten up the back of your throat a bit. It was first recommended to me by a dentist for an abscess when my molars were coming through. I thought he was insane, but an older friend who knew much about health and home remedies told me it was safe, and I used it off and on for years without any ill effects. Swallowing it would definitely not be healthy, though, so pay attention to what you're doing.

Some say hydrogen peroxide absolutely must be diluted to 1.5% (1/2 from the bottle, 1/2 water or mouthwash), but I never had any trouble using 3% full strength. OTOH, everyone is different, and you may be more sensitive to it than I am. There are probably better astringents, but I had it around and it worked. When it quit working, I learned to sleep only on my side. When that quit working, I wound up here. Hence, H2O2 is couple steps back from what you really need, but it might help a little while you're off the hose.

I haven't thought of this in a long time. I should have picked up a bottle when I was at the drugstore tonight. It might help me get through the next week or so until I've got my equipment and have figured out how to use it.