The Daily Blowdown

I have a theory...

When we settle in to a somewhat normal days activities, we sleep at a certain level of depth. During that level of sleep, we become adjusted to our comfort and do what we need to do to keep the mask in place and to deal with the hose and machine.

There are times when we exert ourselves beyond the normal amounts, like on a trip, and this extra exertion causes increased fatigue. When sleeping after this, the body is interested in rebuilding itself, so you end up in a little deeper depth of sleep.

Now this isn't actually true because we bounce up and down through the various levels of sleep each night, but the time spent in each level may vary.

At any rate, when we are at a level where the body is rebuilding, our attention to what is needed to keep the mask in place takes second place to rebuilding the body. This is when you see higher index numbers and higher leak rates.

This is just a theory, but I have noticed a pattern like this several times.

Yeah, I was down below 2.5 on the 5 nights prior to travel, so this theory makes a lot of sense!

5/6/2011

AHI 4.6
Leak 0.0

I think I figured it out. on the two days this week I went over 3, the pollen count was red-lined (according to pollen.com). So apparently my allergies are impacting my apnea. Still, under 5, so I'm going to just hold off on doing anything and see what happens.

What I learned: I can't feel the pressure when I'm waking up anymore. I actually had to put my hand in front of the vent this AM to confirm it was still running =)

5/7/2011

AHI 2.5
Leak 0.0

Slowly going back down again - under 3 anyway =) I think my sinuses are just getting acclimated to the pollen onslaught.

What I learned: Not changing anything for a few days is a good idea, just to see if the jump in AHI is an anomaly instead of a problem.

5/8/2011

AHI 3.8
Leak 0.0

Hmm, back up a bit, but still under 5, so chalking it up to allergies.

What I learned: I do indeed just stop breathing for a few seconds while turning, especially if my back is hurting. Sometimes it goes over 5-10 seconds, and so it will trigger "events." Interesting to experience it while I was waking up this AM - half asleep and turning over =) The second I stop moving, I start breathing again.

Mike
Different or extra activity really does impact your sleep. I have had 4 nights in the past week of 00's, then Friday I had to do a ton of stuff for our hospital luncheon. My stats on Sat. morning where all over the map and I was at a 1.8 YIKES. I know I didn't sleep as well as I was all over my bed and tossing & turning alot. A regular routine obviously is best but when we have a bunch of activity during the day and are extra tired it will impact your sleep. I have been reading your thread every few days and I must say, you are doing very well, you are proactive and that is the way to tackle what life throws at you.
Cheers
Nan

thanks Nan!

Yes, lots of activity during the week, then NOTHING this weekend, so there was indeed a sudden change in activity. As for my tossing and turning, it's worse when my back acts up, which thankfully is not very often. I take a couple of advil or tylenol before bed, but of course that wears off around 6 hours later, so for the last 1-2 hours it can get bad.

Anyway, DEFINITELY better than the AHI of 30-50 I was getting while untreated, so I'll take 3.8 =)

5/9/2011

AHI 1.9
Leak 0.0

Looks like Nan was right (as usual =) Yesterday there was a network hiccup which had me using my brain a ton to figure it out. The result was me being very (mentally anyway) active. As Nan predicted, my AHI went back down again.

What I learned: the neoprene headgear dries in about 6 hours, the cheek pads take significantly longer.

5/10/2011

AHI 2.2
Leak 1.2

Strange, tiny leak last night. Must have tossed and turned more than usual.

What I learned: Definitely looks like somewhere between 6.5 and 7.5 hours is my sweet-spot for sleep time. Any less and I feel horrible all day, any more and my back hurts like mad and I have a really rough time getting going in the AM.

5/11/2011

AHI 1.9
Leak 0.0

Pretty good night. Lots of deep dreaming, which for me used to indicate really deep sleep.

5/12/2011

AHi 2.4
Leak 0.0

Short night, only 6 hours sleep due to a schedule mix-up. Woke up tired and groggy, but that wasn't unexpected.

What I learned: I'm falling asleep faster now, which is a great thing.

5/13/2011

AHI 2.0
Leak 0.0

First night with the Air Conditioner running the whole time (second part of testing the new unit out). All went well.

What I learned: the FFM was a good choice for me, since my allergies went ballistic right around bedtime (prompting me to shut the windows and turn on the AC instead). Even the eucalyptus oil didn't get my nose open last night LOL.

5/14/2011

AHI 3.2
Leak 13.1

Experiment to night with the ONYIX eye-shields. They do work quite well, minimal discomfort. The leak is still within the safe zone, so if I need them on the road they're good to go.

What I learned: I need to fiddle with the position of the eye shield headband to keep the nose bridge piece above the top of the mask.

5/15/2011

AHI 3.3
Leak 0.0

I'm not a great flyer, so the night before a plane trip is usually rough. Still under 4, so I'm very happy.

Just a note, I'll be attending an industry conference this week, and manning the booth with the company I work for. I won't have much time on my hands, so the blowdown might be on hiatus for a short time. No worries, it'll be back on the weekend =)

5/21/2011

AHi 1.4
Leak 0.0

Back from the trade show in Atlanta. Had some aerophagia this AM, a couple of minutes of belching took care of it. I'm noticing that when my GERD is acting up (a week of bad food and a rough schedule will do that) I get bouts of the aerophagia. Not painful, just interesting to wake up belching =)

What I learned: The little o-ring seal on the PRI ProBasics machines (like my travel device) has to go on the humidifier inlet, NOT on the machine outlet. Otherwise, it becomes a great way to aerate the beside table, but not so good at providing therapy!