New here would like to share and hear back

[Dreamingofsleep]

Hi everyone,

Well it is so nice to have a place I can go to and not feel so all alone. I appreciate your posts and find them very helpful.

All of my life I have struggled with fatigue, usually being diagnosed with depression. I was thin much of my life, but in my forties started gaining belly weight, and still have it. I began to have other health issues in my forties and from my late fifties on began having horrible sleep issues. It began at perimenopause, I developed insomnia, sleeping about two hours a night. Two years later I began a pattern of sleeping, but constantly waking up. Finally a little over a year ago ( I am now 61) I had a sleep study which diagnosed hypopneas and dx was "mild obstructive sleep apnea". I tried CPAP for six weeks and gave up.

For about thirteen years now I have felt horrible, having all kinds of symptoms and averaging about four hours of night of actual sleep. I learned a technique from CBT which focuses on behavior and sleep, using in part sleep restriction. This did help me a little bit, so that I can function some better during the day. However, I still stuggle horribly many days, feeling so tired and sometimes even sick. I began having frequent heart palpitations and got scared enough to go back to doctor and agree to try CPAP again. Last night was my first night. I am using pillows as I am a side sleeper. The issues I had last night was sinus bothering me - too dry, so I turned up humidity. This morning though my sinuses were terribly plugged and my eyes were watery. Needless to say I didn't feel well and felt like I had a bad cold. My sinuses are getting less clogged now several hours after awakening, and I do have some sinus issues. I really don't want to give up on pillows though. It is the most comfortable mask and I can't sleep on my back.

Last night I did wake a lot as usual and of course was always aware of mask. However, I was surprised that the night didn't last as long as I thought it would and woke with light coming into the room!! I am so hopeful. I have to start feeling better! I have been sick far too long and wish to enjoy life and return to normal social activity rather than just dragging myself to work and then dragging home too tired to do anything else.

Thanks for listening and I would love to hear from you!

Dreamingof sleep

[ChicagoGranny]

All of my life I have struggled with fatigue, usually being diagnosed with depression. I was thin much of my life, but in my forties started gaining belly weight, and still have it. I began to have other health issues in my forties and from my late fifties on began having horrible sleep issues. It began at perimenopause, I developed insomnia, sleeping about two hours a night. Two years later I began a pattern of sleeping, but constantly waking up.

Yours is a common story. Most likely your "depression" was solely the result of sleep-disordered breathing and CPAP will change your life.

The issues I had last night was sinus bothering me - too dry, so I turned up humidity. This morning though my sinuses were terribly plugged and my eyes were watery. Needless to say I didn't feel well and felt like I had a bad cold.

You may have turned the humidity too high. Some people, me included, get congestion unless the humidifier is on a very low level. I don't even use it in the summer. Try some experimenting with different settings to find the one that works for you.

Also about the nasal passage problems, make sure there is no heat or air conditioning blowing in the direction of your machine. Air flow will be sucked straight into the machine and your airway - not good for anyone!

Good luck and I hope you get a great new life!

[kteague]

Sounds like you are at a point of being ready to do what it takes to get your life back. Are your sinus problems something that happens from time to time and this is just one of those times, or is it chronic? It might be helpful to those who deal with sinus issues to know what you are dealing with so they can better target their suggestions. Whatever you run into, there's likely gonna be someone on here who has gone through similar trials and even if their suggestions don't apply to you, at least you'll know you're not alone. This time around try to approach each "issue" as a challenge to overcome and give none the power of being a deal-breaker. Once you get your CPAP treatment stabilized and you begin to feel like taking on more, my guess is you'll starting looking at other areas of your health that can be optimized. Oh, not everyone's heart palpitations are of the same origin so there is no guarantee, but myself and others have seen improvement with CPAP treatment. You have every reason to be hopeful the next years will be better for you than the ones recently past.

[Sheriff Buford]

Nice to hear from you and welcome! Sleep apnea causes a lot of bad health issues and treating will lessen them if not remove them. Glad you are starting to feel good. Work all your issues here. Best of wishes.

Sheriff

[LinkC]

Believe me, you are not alone! I don't think it's possible to come up with a question or problem related to OSA and xPAP that is unique. And the folks here are always willing to help with advice (or, at least, a sympathetic shoulder!)

Welcome. You will find this place addictive!

[Admiral_Schmidlap]

Hi everyone,

Well it is so nice to have a place I can go to and not feel so all alone. I appreciate your posts and find them very helpful.

All of my life I have struggled with fatigue, usually being diagnosed with depression. I was thin much of my life, but in my forties started gaining belly weight, and still have it. I began to have other health issues in my forties and from my late fifties on began having horrible sleep issues. It began at perimenopause, I developed insomnia, sleeping about two hours a night. Two years later I began a pattern of sleeping, but constantly waking up. Finally a little over a year ago ( I am now 61) I had a sleep study which diagnosed hypopneas and dx was "mild obstructive sleep apnea". I tried CPAP for six weeks and gave up.

For about thirteen years now I have felt horrible, having all kinds of symptoms and averaging about four hours of night of actual sleep. I learned a technique from CBT which focuses on behavior and sleep, using in part sleep restriction. This did help me a little bit, so that I can function some better during the day. However, I still stuggle horribly many days, feeling so tired and sometimes even sick. I began having frequent heart palpitations and got scared enough to go back to doctor and agree to try CPAP again. Last night was my first night. I am using pillows as I am a side sleeper. The issues I had last night was sinus bothering me - too dry, so I turned up humidity. This morning though my sinuses were terribly plugged and my eyes were watery. Needless to say I didn't feel well and felt like I had a bad cold. My sinuses are getting less clogged now several hours after awakening, and I do have some sinus issues. I really don't want to give up on pillows though. It is the most comfortable mask and I can't sleep on my back.

Last night I did wake a lot as usual and of course was always aware of mask. However, I was surprised that the night didn't last as long as I thought it would and woke with light coming into the room!! I am so hopeful. I have to start feeling better! I have been sick far too long and wish to enjoy life and return to normal social activity rather than just dragging myself to work and then dragging home too tired to do anything else.

Thanks for listening and I would love to hear from you!

Dreamingof sleep

Hi,
Your story is somewhat similar to mine. I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea over 10 years ago and tried the CPAP very briefly and gave up on it. Now I have some health issues that am I dealing with and the lack of sleep just makes it worse. I had another sleep study done about three months ago and my AHI was 72. I have struggled with the mask and only within the past 2 1/2 weeks have I finally started to have some success. I slept last night for alomost 6 hours with the mask on while waking up only once that I can remember. My AHI for last night was 5.6, a huge difference from the 72 in the sleep study. I won't say I felt full of energy when I got up but it was a huge difference in how I usually felt. I can attest that all the depression and all the strange feelings you have are directly linked to your lack of sleep. Prior to getting treated, I was having dreams of waking up in a coffin and having anxiety attacks regularly. For these past 2 1/2 weeks not only have I felt physically better but I feel better both mentally and even spiritually and I have had only one disturbing dream that I can remember!
Now, about your sinus problems. I too have sinus issues. I have a very bad deviated septum so I tried the nasal pillows first for a few days, then went to a full face mask, then back to the nasal pillows and have not looked back. Before each night I use a breath right strip and take a small puff of Afrin in each nostril. It opens my sinuses up to where I feel comfortable wearing the pillows. I am sure you will be warned about the Afrin because long term effects can be bad and I am looking for an alternative, but you have to do what you have to do to get some sleep. I have also found it is much easier on the sinuses if I sleep at an inclince. I started out sleeping in my bed with the CPAP and did ok the first 3 nights but the sinus issues were keeping me up so I moved out to my couch. I tried a sleeping wedge in my bed but did not have much luck with. I am now researching the possibility of getting an inclining bed for the bedroom. Don't give up, things will improve as long as you keep trying. It may take a while but every day you wear that mask, you are getting a little bit healthier!

[Dreamingofsleep]

Wow, thanks everybody!! I got tears running down my face now. Thank you so much for all the encouragement!! The past 13 years have been so hard, and the last 10 I have been surviving, not living. I have hope and I have never given up, at least not for long, but it sure helps to have encouragement and to know I actually may have my dreams come true

You see, ten years ago my husband of 28 years left, shocking all of us. I had depended on him financially, emotionally and for security. The only family I have are my grown children who live far away and a very old half uncle back in Arizona. Thank God when my husband left I had love and support from a dear friend and my oldest daughter. As the years have drug on though I have of course had to learn to be independent and actually have less support now. I really have learned to take care of myself and do so as best I can. The health issues though and chronic self deprivation have made life a game of survival and not living as I said before. Thank the good Lord there is hope ahead and it is very possibly beginning with a nuisance machine called a CPAP Thanks again for listening and God Bless you and give you health and happiness!

Dreamingofsleep