Anyone over 50?

snoozin' · Post by **snoozin'** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:06 pm

Well, I'm not quite 50 yet, but my sleep has been heavier and longer in the past several years. Ok, some of that might be the apnea, and I'm hoping it will go away as I refine my treatment, but I still get lots of dreams, and I sleep more hours now than I did in my twenties and thirties.
I usually get 8 or a little over now, and I always sued to sleep 6-7.
Debbie

FL andy · Post by **FL andy** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 3:10 pm

Well Meister,

I can testify that, at age 70, I don't fall asleep as quickly as I did at 50, but the dreams that I can remember upon awakening are far more fun than they were at age 50. Maybe that is allowed since I can no longer follow up.

i have no complaints whatsoever these days about dreaming dreams once fulfilled or dreaming dreams of fantasy. i enjoy them either way.

Please look forward to getting older with eager anticipation. I used to dream about that evil boss, the evil drivers who cut me off, etc., etc. Now things are much more pleasant in retirement. Golf, Sunshine, Warm Winters, No Snow to plow, and very pleasnat dreams.

One way of looking at apnea is that it is a blessing. I get to breath again and dream longer at night. I am happy with my bi-pap. I look upon it as my friend. Please take the brighter side of life and enjoy.

Happy at 70, FL andy

Shildene · Post by **Shildene** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:04 pm

I'm just 50 and had my cpap for 2 years, when my head hits the pillow I'm out untll the alarm goes off at 7:30. Usually get between 6 & 8 hours sleep depending on when I go to bed. I'm not usually too tired when I hit the sack but I can just switch off when it's time to sleep.
Just lately been having a little problem with my sleep pattern though, I always intend to go to bed around 11:30, but never seem to get there until 1:00am. Possibly the perils of being self-employed & getting a little bit of extra work in.

Davidmcc · Post by **Davidmcc** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:36 pm

I am 58 and thought I slept quite well, but experienced tiredness during the day. It was primarily because of this that I was referred to a sleep specialist. He advised my inital sleep study indicated I was getting insuffcient rem due to apneas and arranged a further sleep (titration) which led CPAP set at 7 cm h20 being prescribed. Althugh I have only used CAP for a week, trialling a hired machine, I am definitely sleeping more soundly and awaking feeling more alert and less tired during the day.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 7:46 pm

I was 58 in the fall of 2003, when I googled for info on how to stop the terrible snoring I'd done all my life. Found out about apnea, diagnosed myself, researched "cpap" on message boards, borrowed a friend's cpap to see if it made a difference (boy, did it!), asked an old GP for an Rx for autopap, did all my shopping for equipment online. No insurance, no sleep study, no exam, no doctor (except for a faxed Rx)... nothing but the internet and great treatment ever since. I'm 60 now and have not spent a single sleeping moment without machine and mask since that first night with the old borrowed machine. Not a "do it all by yourself" route I'd necessarily recommend, but works fine for me thanks to the great information and great people on the message boards.

click here for a previous topic with more detail about what I did and why.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 8:19 pm

rested gal wrote:I was 58 in the fall of 2003, when I googled for info on how to stop the terrible snoring I'd done all my life. Found out about apnea, diagnosed myself, researched "cpap" on message boards, borrowed a friend's cpap to see if it made a difference (boy, did it!), asked an old GP for an Rx for autopap, did all my shopping for equipment online. No insurance, no sleep study, no exam, no doctor (except for a faxed Rx)... nothing but the internet and great treatment ever since. I'm 60 now and have not spent a single sleeping moment without machine and mask since that first night with the old borrowed machine. Not a "do it all by yourself" route I'd necessarily recommend, but works fine for me thanks to the great information and great people on the message boards.

click here for a previous topic with more detail about what I did and why.

Rested gal,
I enjoyed reading your message detailing your experience. I must tell you that I copied your story into a letter I've been writing to my parents who now live in southern Texas. I like to send them material like this in an effort to show them what we go through. They understand what I have, especially my mother who is a retired nurse, but they don't really know what it's like because they haven't gone through it themselves. So I know they will enjoy reading this, along with others I've sent. It makes them understand me a little better as well. Thanks so much.

Linda

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:29 pm

I recently turned 62 and am happy to be alive and enjoying every moment. FL Andy, you've got a great attitude and one that I hope I have when I'm your age. Since we hopefully will grow older anyway, it's important to make the best and most of it even though our bodies don't always work the way they used to.

In terms of sleep, sometimes it takes me a little while longer to get to sleep. In the old days, my head would hit the pillow and I'd be out. Mask issues sometimes delay sleep for me, but not for long and not always. Since CPAP, I do notice that I sleep much more deeply, dream often and usually remember them, and feel much more satisfied and refreshed when I wake up.

One issue that bothers me is that people want to categorize me because of my age. I feel like I'm 50 and I think and act that way, maybe even younger. I'm very young at heart and see myself as being middle-aged. One example of this consternation recently came from my doctor: In response to a question I asked him, he said that I need to accept the fact that I needed a certain medication(I hate to take pills) because I was 62 and basically that when you get old, this is what happens. That line of reasoning bothers me, but it seems to be the way doctors view the world. I still don't buy into it( but I am taking the pill which is for PLMD).

Then again, maybe I'm being stubborn and unrealistic.

Paul, who thinks that maybe he's ranting and taking this discussion where it never was meant to go.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:44 pm

Paul B wrote: ....Then again, maybe I'm being stubborn and unrealistic.

Paul, who thinks that maybe he's ranting and taking this discussion where it never was meant to go.

Paul,
I think NOT to both of these statements. What a great positive attitude. I hate the idea of taking drugs too, and I more than a little resent all of those drug ads on television, sort of in your face hoopla by drug companies wasting alot of money on ads, the cost of which they pass on to us. But unfortunately we do have to take some medication. But it's good to always question it. ...... I don't have the right to be posting to this topic, for I hit 50 in September. Or shall I say, it will hit me! But I do like reading these messages and some, like yours encourage me to not fear September. Thanks, you youngster you!

Linda

Suserbec · Post by **Suserbec** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 6:59 am

I am 52 and have been on CPAP for six months. I usually get a good night's sleep in six hours and since CPAP am now dreaming. Sometimes I do remember my dreams. I still get up once in the night most nights to use potty. Occasionally can make it through the whole night though.

I used to take an excedrin PM every night before bed but not anymore.

These stories sure are interesting.

Georgia Hosehead · Post by **Georgia Hosehead** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 9:15 am

All you young whippersnappers take notice! There's at least one of us here that's not only over 50, but (all to fast) approaching the mid 70's. I've been on [url=https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart/CPAP]CPAP[/url] for over 2years now, sleep 8-10 hours a night with one potty break, dream like crazy, and enjoy life in general. Retirement is wonderful. My [url=https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart/CPAP]CPAP[/url] pressure is 13 and the sleep doc has given me a script for an APAP to see if I really need that high of a pressure all night long. APAP and new [url=https://www.cpap.com/productSearch.php?query=humidifier]humidifier[/url] are coming soon, and I'm looking forward to even better times. Georgia Hosehead

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:15 pm

I am 59 use a CPAP I go to the toilet a 7am every morning, as regular as clockwork. I went to my doctor with this problem. He said it wasn't a problem. I said it was as I don't wake up and get up untill till 8am!!!

Edgar

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:27 pm

Anonymous wrote:I am 59 use a CPAP I go to the toilet a 7am every morning, as regular as clockwork. I went to my doctor with this problem. He said it wasn't a problem. I said it was as I don't wake up and get up untill till 8am!!!

Edgar

Edgar, what happens if you go to bed an hour later? Does that alter the schedule? Or is it 7am no matter what?

sthnreb · Post by **sthnreb** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:39 pm

Guest, it appears it doesn't matter what time he goes to bed as he goes to the toilet every morning at 7 regardless of whether he gets up or not. As a matter of fact, he said that was the whole problem, he don't get up until 8 am!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:44 pm

sthnreb wrote:Guest, it appears it doesn't matter what time he goes to bed as he goes to the toilet every morning at 7 regardless of whether he gets up or not. As a matter of fact, he said that was the whole problem, he don't get up until 8 am!!

Sorry. Guess I'm pretty stupid.

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:19 pm

Hi Guest,

I had the same problem you have and found a very simple solution. I had a timer installed on my pap unit that reversed the direction of the air flow one hour before I got up. Solved the problem immediatly!! The only side effect seems to be that I slobber a lot in the morning and have a horrible taste in my mouth.

Bob F

Anyone over 50?

Over 50

regular as clockwork.

Re: regular as clockwork.

Machine

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