"Takin it off"

The last few nights I've really been struggling to leave my mask on. I go to bed, lay there and try to get to sleep for up to 2 hours. If I can't get to sleep by then--I take the mask off and go right to sleep without it. I wear it ok about every other night. What's up with that?? Anyone else have that problem?? Thanks, Larry..

Are you practicing good sleep hygiene? Do you exercise regularly? How close to bedtime are you eating/drinking?

If you have the software, what does the data show for the periods you are sleeping?

I know you have type 2 diabetes, what are your evening and morning bg levels?

Hi Rooster: I'm busy outside with push mower, garden, walking etc. I just came in the house at 3, been outside all day "puttzin". I try not to eat after 7-7:30pm. Night before last my machine said I had 7 hrs. therapy, my leaks were kinda high 9.7, but usually its a little over 5. I just had a physical yesterday, and my PSA, Chloest. blood sugar, thyroid etc. all came back "great". My sugar is usually between 90 & 130. I'm on AmbienCR and I take 2 Mg. of Melatonin with it. It seems if I get a good nights sleep (7 hrs.) then the next couple nights I don't sleep good. I don't drink coffee or caffine in the afternoon, only light coffee in the morning- !/2 caff. Well, I can't think of anything else. Thanks for trying to help...Larry..

Sleepy Boy wrote: ........ I'm on AmbienCR and I take 2 Mg. of Melatonin with it. .......

Larry,

It sounds like you are doing a lot of things right!

Regarding the Ambien CR, I believe the research that shows all sleep medications are helpful for only about 14 to 30 days. After that, if you think it is helping, you are just kidding yourself.

I would propose you discontinue Ambien and concentrate on good sleep hygiene (http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/howto.html). I would add to Dr. Dement's list, get good exercise everyday and be careful about the diet - eat healthy and eat small and frequently and eat a good breakfast as soon as arising.

Transition away from Ambien may be difficult but is definitely worth the trouble.

Eventually, the melatonin should also be discontinued.

You don't mention whether you have the software. Without it, you can't be certain your CPAP therapy is effective. A poor CPAP therapy can cause insomnia.

Good luck,

rooster wrote: Regarding the Ambien CR, I believe the research that shows all sleep medications are helpful for only about 14 to 30 days. After that, if you think it is helping, you are just kidding yourself.

Never knew that, Rooster. Is it true for melatonin as well? I'm still taking that, mostly by habit actually--and have wondered if it was still pretty much responsible for helping me get to sleep more quickly. Obviously I need to just not take it for awhile to see whether I really "need" it any longer, but just curious what you've read about that.

rooster wrote:

Sleepy Boy wrote: ........ I'm on AmbienCR and I take 2 Mg. of Melatonin with it. .......

Larry,

It sounds like you are doing a lot of things right!

Regarding the Ambien CR, I believe the research that shows all sleep medications are helpful for only about 14 to 30 days. After that, if you think it is helping, you are just kidding yourself.

I would propose you discontinue Ambien and concentrate on good sleep hygiene (http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/howto.html). I would add to Dr. Dement's list, get good exercise everyday and be careful about the diet - eat healthy and eat small and frequently and eat a good breakfast as soon as arising.

Transition away from Ambien may be difficult but is definitely worth the trouble.

Eventually, the melatonin should also be discontinued.

You don't mention whether you have the software. Without it, you can't be certain your CPAP therapy is effective. A poor CPAP therapy can cause insomnia.

Good luck,

Thanks Rooster: No I don't have any software, I have dial-up service, and barely get that. Thanks for the Stanford web link, I will refer to it. Larry..

Sleepy Boy wrote: ....... No I don't have any software ....... Larry..

Larry,

Except for sleep apnea, you must be quite healthy. Since sleep apnea is a progressive condition, you should consider budgeting some money down the road to purchase the software and a card reader. This will allow you to make sure your therapy is effective.

Several internet suppliers offer the readers and the card, including the fine sponsors of this forum, https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... e-1.0.html.

Regards,

have you tried Rozerm, it is a sleep med it is supposed to be non addictive and can be taken long term, i took it for awhile and it worked. but had to stop taking it, because of insurance issues. i now take 2mg lorzepam, and i also take seroquel for depression. that has a sadating affect.

Lorezepam is VERY addictive. It's a benzo that will have long-term withdrawls....weeks, not just days.

Seroquel is very sedating. I'm surprised that between the Lorazepam and Seroquel that you're awake during the day.

I found I must rotate between sleep meds every 2 days or I do not sleep well. You may not need to quit one forever, just give it a few day's rest. I rotate between Sonata, Advil PM, Melatonin, and nothing on a night I know I don't "have" to sleep (I seem to anyway).

I looked up the "long term" effectiveness of AmbienCR-they say it's helpful up to 6Mo's. I've probably run the course on it. Last night I took nothing, last time I looked at the clock it was 4 am. and I'm already up at 7am. I don't want to take any more sleep meds. If I'm not going to sleep anyway--might as well do it without any sleep aids. Yes Rooster, I'm pretty healthy for 64. We burn wood in the winter, and my wife and I cut our own, and I split it all with a splitting maul (I get alot of extra heat outa my wood that way!! I know I should get the card reader & software.

Even after taking sleeping medication for ONE night, you are going to get a rebound effect. I have no problems going to sleep but I experimented recently with sleeping pills because I have a hard time sleeping on an airplane and I had a ~22 hours flight coming up. The 2nd night after taking the sleeping pill, I would have a hard time getting to sleep even though I took nothing. It's like the pill creates a need for itself. You take it to get to sleep one night and you NEED to take it to get to sleep the 2nd night.

Sleepy Boy wrote:.......at 7am. I don't want to take any more sleep meds. If I'm not going to sleep anyway--might as well do it without any sleep aids. Yes Rooster, I'm pretty healthy for 64. We burn wood in the winter, and my wife and I cut our own, and I split it all with a splitting maul (I get alot of extra heat outa my wood that way!! ..........

You might appreciate a story my little brother tells. He built a house on the front end of our family farm. He put in a wood stove to supplement an electric heat pump.

One day my little brother, who was about 35 at the time and active in athletics, was splitting wood with a maul behind his house. He had been splitting for about an hour and stopped for a rest.

Uncle Jess, who was 84 at the time, lived on the adjacent farm and only had a wood stove for heat. Uncle Jess walked over and said, "You are tired and taking a break. I have to do the same thing. After four or five hours splitting with the maul, I need a break."

Just goes to show ya--"DON'T MESS WITH OLD PEOPLE"

Here is a nice story about my little brother also. When he turned 40, he decided he needed a change. His waist was 45" and he was taking a large dose of blood pressure medicine. Today he is 55, has a waist of 31", and takes no medications. He runs cross country, sprints and lifts weight regularly.

And he splits firewood with a maul and doesn't take breaks until he finishes!