Have not had a good night's sleep for several years. Getting worse. Am going in next week for a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea. All signs indicate I might need a CPAP.

Any words of wisdome on this process?

Computer decided to work tonight.

We missed you!

I have used one for the last 8 years. It will make a lot of difference in the way you feel the next day. Would hate to lose mine. It will take some will power for the first week or two. Stay with it. The machine works. Assuming you have the problem.

Yes, JWaller - find a sleep clinic that will make you a little plastic mouth appliance. Holds your lower jaw out a bit so your airway doesn't collapse. Works a treat and you don't need that machine.

Barb

Jwaller great to see you back. Get the sleep study and follow whatever plan they come up with. If it involves one of the machines there is definitely a learning curve but it is worth it in the end, I have over 16,000 hours on mine and couldn't imagine going with out it.

Barb Lee,

I greatly respect your answers and opinions when it comes to animals and driving but lets let whomever JWaller is seeing determine what is the best treatment for his condition.

Todd

I don't know from experience about sleep apnea, but sleep deprivation and I have a history. The best advice I took was to have a nap during the day whenever practical, if I felt whipped enough. For me, this works like a charm to get normal sleep patterns back on track.

Sleep apnea is a different kettle of fish, and nothing to fool around about, from stories one hears. Good luck with it John. It's good you are getting looked after on it.

Waller!! So good to see you again!

Quite a few years ago my husband went in for a sleep study. He had apnea issues. He lost a few pounds and that made a big difference.

I know 3 people who use the CPAP machine and are thankful for it! They feel so much better now that they breathe while they sleep (no more stopping breathing) no more interrupted sleep. The only complaint they had was that it took a week or 2 to get used to it.

It can be a lifesaver.......literally. The heart get so strained from all the episodes where the breathing stops, even briefly, and restful sleep is interrupted.

Yup, what Barb said. Like a boxers mouth guard, kind of.

I have had a machine for years. Wouldn't even think of taking nap without it. There is a lot of selection of face masks. I use one with just a couple of nose pillows. Stay with it for a few weeks and you will soon say how did I live without it!!!

Hi jwaller
I have sleep apnea and also claustrophbia (spelling?). After several tries using a mask, and not being able to sleep, the sleep Doc. had me try an oxygen generator. Just two little tubes that fit in the noise. Sleep like a baby.

Hi Rod,
How are YOU doing?

Mike

Still among the living. Have good days and bad ones. Taking on too much water lately. Visiting nurse is contacting the cardeologist to see what is up and can be done. As long as i keep a good attitude I do better! Thanks for asking!

I have had one for 8 years. Recently replaced the machine. The machines have gotten better over the years. I won't take a nap without mine. Been known to haul a battery and inverter 35 miles into the back country to have my mask at night. Best thing I ever did for my health.

my son has one says it really helps I know he acts better.

I had a daughter in law who died of sleep apnea. Nurse Practitioner who saw me (I used to work with her) said her first husband died of sleep apnea. So is NOT something to mess with at any time. I have an overnight sleep study on 12/9/14. Nurse Practioner said she was will to bet that I would be awakened and put on a machine during the study.

I take a nap virtually every day after dinner. Have for about 40 years. Still tired after getting up and after nap.

There is a research place in Fargo for new medicatioins. I was in a gout study all summer and fall. Really great. Experimental meds worked great. And they pay mileage and fair visit compensation. So I signed up and was accepted for a high blood pressure study (hypertension). Some new meds to replace my lasix and Norvasc to control BP.

So last Wednesday, I went off my lasix and Norvasc and was to start experimental BP meds today. Yesterday I couldn't breath (fluid in lungs) and swelled up like everything. Took double lasix and I think I lost several pounds. Now breathing o.k. again.

Called the research place and they took me off the study. Not appropriate for me. Did enjoy the research/meds/free health assessments/reimbursement for time and mileage for gout study. But didn't enjoy the effects of stopping lasix, etc.

p.s.-for some reason my computer is working tonight. Tried to get 'on line' to find information on neutral safety switch on '77 Ford pickup we use for snow plowing. Cursed computer froze up or something just as I was getting to the information I needed.

Plywood under pickup and small step ladder and I did find the stupid thing. So should be able to plow snow-or rather, son will be able to plow snow =)

It is better to die in your sleep like grandpa and not screaming like grandpas passengers.

I have a problem with sleep. Had to train myself to wake up to turn over so I wouldn't throw my back out. So now I wake and can't get back to sleep. Make up for by taking lots of naps now. Can't watch TV without going to sleep.

Looking foreward to the sleep study. Tired of being tired.

JWaller; Remember that many cat's and dog's hear the words put him to sleep Doc!!

I have ben sleeping on the couch since march. Neck screws up the left arm. I sleep on my right side and hook my arm over the back of the couch. I also fall asleep watching TV and when I am not working hard I tell my wife to wake me at a certain time for a noon hour nap.

My 40 year old son in law uses a CPAP' my wife did also until she had surgery on a Hiatel hernia. Not even sure how to spell it! Find a nurse to sit with you through the night, they will hear when you quit breathing. I made Eve go to the DR because even being hard of hearing that 20 seconds between breaths is something else. Get tested and wear it!!

I go to Perham next Tuesday for overnight study. Hope they can move the bed so my feet are to the east. That's the only way I can sleep. Don't know why but that is the way folks are buried.

Had supper with a widower friend/neighbor the other night. Ribs were great. He related that when married couples are buried, the wife is always on the north side. Says he visited several area cemeteries and found that to be true. I have been thinking of family plots and that is true as far as I can recall. Will do some more checking in the spring with warmer weather.

Is this just a regional/Scandinavian thing?

Sleeping the same way you're to be disposed of is rather poetic. I guess it doesn't hold up if you're going to be cremated.

For some reason I took to always pointing myself head first to magnetic North. Seems to me to be working ok, but there will always be those who challenge that it is.

Did the sleep study last night. Was wired up all over my body. Will get results in 1-2 weeks.

Hope the results aren't that I'm old, fat and have high blood pressure. And need to get used to these facts.

I spent years not sleeping good. Since I worked shift work that changed every week it was even tougher. I finally tried an OTC sleep med, great improvement. Went to a 4" memory foam mattress topper, an even bigger improvement. Retired from shift work...now I get a good nights sleep.

I have used a CPCP machine for many years. Sometimes I go without for several weeks (various reasons - none good) and I can feel the difference. Depending upon your circumstances various masks and configurations will be suggested. I have a beard and I need the full fighter pilot look. It takes a couple of weeks to get used to, especially if you're claustrophobic but in time you will almost enjoy it. I would recommend using it a few minutes a day before you go to bed - just to get the feel. Now I just swing the tubing around and make it my own.

If you are a shifter, as I am, the mask can make some interesting sounds and sometimes it's a little cool in the winter, but all in all great. You won't wake up tired. Good Luck
Walter