I finally got a follow-up call from my recent sleep study. Turns out I stopped breathing 31 times per hour, which means I have to go back this weekend for another study with a CPAP machine. (I’m a tiny bit suspicious, since the insurance cutoff for the CPAP coverage is 30 times an hour, but whatever.)
This doesn’t surprise me as much as it might have a month ago, because that’s when I first started to notice that I frequently stop breathing while I’m awake (your proverbial shallow breather). I figure it’s just as bad when I’m asleep.
I was tested about 20 years ago and found to have sleep apnea. I got a BiPap and it changed my life. I was exhausted all the time and even falling asleep driving, so I could have killed myself (which would have been fine with me because I was so depressed). It also helped retrain my breathing so that I could finally get a deep breath and accomplish some breathing meditation. I would still be on it, but several years ago we had a major power surge which blew up the BiPap and i didn’t have money to get it repaired. But I seem to be doing OK without it now. I hope it will help you. It takes a little getting used to and adjusting so give it some time.
Good luck, Susie! My husband’s been on a C-PAP for over 12 years, and it saved his life. It does take some getting used to, but the masks are quite a bit more comfortable than when he started.
He refused one recent improved mask because he would have had to take the entire mask off when he got up to use the bathroom; he opted to stick w/the one w/the removable tube, so the mask stays on and he pops the tube back in when he gets back to bed.
Useful to know, poly. Thanks!
I am completely exhausted all the time, so hopefully this will help. Wouldn’t your insurance pay for another one?
These things really do help. It does take 2-3 weeks to get the mask thing to fit right. And it does seem that you almost have to retrain your breathing and sleeping, if that makes any sense. Good luck, I hope it works wonders for you.
You’ve suffered needless agony and wasted a shit load of time getting to this point. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? I’m really excited for you.
Exxhaustion is because you never really get to sleep. When you get to a certain point your airway closes, and you body thinks you are dying – which you are. Then you struggle to wake up enough to get your air back, not not really awake enough to realize it. You wrestle with this all night. Do you wake up in the morning all sweaty & with your blankets all twisted up?
Yes.