I recently was sent to a sleep specialist. My father has had sleep apnea for years. Of course I answered the questions and the nurse said she was sure I had sleep apnea and had me come in for a study.
The day of I did everything I could to make me tired and didn’t lay down at all that day. I got there and talked to the tech for a while. He was surprised that i ruptured over 2 years and they just got me in for a study, but no one had mentioned it up until recently.
So of course I hardly slept but they did discover I had apnea.
Last week I went and met with a girl and got my machine and went over everything. I got a mask that just goes over my nose. From what she said and what I read this is the most non obtrusive option they have.
My dad tried it one night before I did and he didn’t like it. But he has a full face mask and mom says he needs something else but I don’t know.
I got the app on my phone it tells me my stats and data and it goes to my dr. Says I have to use it 21 nights in a 30 day period. Says I need it on for 4 hours a night.
I then tried it Friday. I didn’t sleep at all. I kept the mask on until I reached the 4 hour mark according to my phone which was around 5 am. I then took the mask off and slept. I attempted to take a nap Saturday afternoon for 2 hours with the mask on but didn’t sleep again.
Saturday night I did sleep but I don’t remember what time I woke up and found out it processed the 4 hours so I took it off so I could get back to sleep.
Saturday I didn’t do anything all day and night. Sunday I showered took the dog for a walk and went and saw a couple friends.
Sunday night I put it on around 11:30. I slept woke up at 4 am. It said I only used it for 3 hours. So I laid and tried to go back to sleep then at 5:30/5:45 it finally registers my 4th hour. So I took it off. Couldn’t really hardly sleep my alarm went off as I was supposed to go to work today. I got up and couldn’t. I called in and went back and laid back down. When I don’t sleep everything is worse for me. Headaches and I can’t concentrate or anything. Luckily work tells me to not push it. But between appointments and now this I am working closer to 15 hours instead of 20 hours lately.
My mom asked this am what I was doing home and I said I am too tired to get up. Then when I did I heard her and dad talking about me. I’m not sure all the details but i heard them say what is he going to do? He can’t find a different job doing anything else.
They suggested I only try the mask when I don’t have to work the next morning. Like mom said I can’t keep calling in becuase of this.
On top of all this I have my zoom trial next week with the judge for SS/disability. It’s just so stressful. I don’t know how many of my friends I asked to submit a written statement for me actually did it. I just want this over.
I am going to send my sleep nurse and my primary dr a note about not sleeping. I sleep better without the machine. Everyone says I just have to get used to it. Great advice. Luckily I see my mental therapist Wednesday and I can discuss with him all this stuff but he’s not going to have advice either I’m sure.
Interestingly we were having a conversation about masks for sleep apnea just the past Sunday. Odd conversation I guess for we were all visiting in hospital. BH just had another sleep study and our friend in hospital asked how it went.
BH and one of our BF’s both have sleep apnea. BF didn’t care for the doctor BH sees and has a different one. BF has been through numerous masks. She actually recently bought her own machine, after failing with the one that she had to pay Medicare for because it wasn’t used enough. BF has a new mask that she likes, says it’s a clear plastic thing that goes over her nose like a clown nose but different. BF has a mask that has a hose that goes over the head, has never had any other.
BF’s new doctor gave her several choices of different masks and said if one didn’t work, he would give her another but still sent her home with three different types. That doctor apparently gets samples. BH’s doc didn’t do that. BH got used to it within a week or two and has had the same set up for 4 years.
There could be something wrong with the settings on your machine. Don’t wait to see your therapist, reach out to the doctor that’s prescribed it and see if the machine needs set or reset. Also see if they have a different mask you could try. Perhaps your sleep doctor also gets samples he could let you try.
I have messaged with my primary dr who said it’s important for me because of stroke prevention and I need to get used to it but it’s my choice. Sleep dr asked about my anxiety and said try to wear it during the day to get used to it.
My therapist said to forget about the app and checking it all the time, I skipped Monday and tried it last night only registered as 19 minutes! So I’m not giving up on it. Just stressed about SS case next week and sleeping messed up schedule with all this.
I’m going to skip it on work days for right now (which would be tonight and tomorrow) but try it random times during day if I’m home and again this weekend and forget about the app and what it says for now. Check that once a week. Mental dr told me a lot of people take time to get used to it. Don’t stress about it and work on it and I’ll get used to it.
Sounds like solid advice from both your therapist and doctor! BH doesn’t have an app for CPAP so it’s never checked.
. You always have a full plate Rick, hopefully you’re doing some type of relaxation breathing all the time. Fingers crossed for next week.