Having issues. Insomnia makes my Bipap not practical?

Was doing really well with my machine, was getting 7-8 hours of sleep, last April to around July and for me, getting under 5 events per night was great and felt so much better. Then in SW Florida, last year, around Aug, Sept and onwards with the various hurricanes, all hell broke loose, and I believe due to stress levels things started to go wrong. First I had some new teeth implants and have to wear an occlusal plastic thing on my teeth(to stop grinding) and then putting the mask over, it's so difficult and uncomfortable but persevered and started to improve again but just will not wear this bridge every night.

But the last several months developed bad insomnia(stress plus I have an auto immune disease called Mysathenia Gravis) and just cannot sleep now without Zolpidem(Ambiem) but feel like crap in the morning, then took the bridge thing off my teeth and just trying with the BiPAP and I give up after an hour or so as just lie awake.

I know that I need my machine, but have to get to sleep. So now trying CBD gummies and half a zolpidem(they are too addictive 5mg and others give me nightmares) so forgive the post if it's a bit off canter, but anyone have sleep issues with a good solution, as when I lie awake hour after hour(3 hours of sleep, if I'm lucky and not all in one go) it defeats the object, using the Bipap machine, end up nightly having to throw out the distilled water and then start again the next night. It's just not working. Any comments and advice appreciated?

Oh and i just dont know why, but my testosterone levels have dropped really low so just no energy and started to take some gel replacement stuff as doc recced this and actually felt even worse after that, so stopped, particularly when it stated that this was not good for sleep apnoea people. Extraordinary really when I think about it. Have this condition as we all have here, that we actually stop breathing, hence the machine, to as I know before, greatly assisted me, but now I can't go to sleep anyway? Phew.

A few quick thoughts.

It's not a good idea to lie in bed for a long time trying to go to sleep. If you can't fall asleep without about half an hour, get up and do something low key (read or listen to music -- no screens) until you feel sleepy.

Testosterone supplementation is not recommended for men with UNTREATED sleep apnea. So you might revisit this topic with your doctor. If the gel isn't working for you, there are many other delivery methods.

As you probably know, myasthenia gravis is associated with insomnia and other sleep disorders. You might talk with your neurologist about your current treatment regimen or any recent changes in your MG symptoms.

In your place, I'd stop using the dental plate. If it's a choice between grinding my teeth down and getting better sleep, I'll choose sleep every time.

A small thing: just leave the water in the chamber. You don't need to throw it out every day.

Thx Miss Emerita,

Excellent replies and agree with all. I tried to tell my Neurologist that Insomnia is connected to MG as confirmed by many MG people on a forum I visit and nice to hear back from a person that understand this condition to start with. My Neuro seems to believe this not to be the case. But, she is one of the best in my area and that's a three hundred mile round trip.

And you are correct, I spend many hours on the computer and normally within 10 mins of going to bed. Lots to change. Thank you again....

If you google “MG and sleep” you’ll get good information from trusted websites and scientific papers. You might ask your neurologist what she thinks about those findings.

Here’s wishing you the best of luck. Keep us posted.