Sleep Apnea Isn’t Romantic
There’s nothing quite as romantic looking as Lynn and I when we go to bed. We both have sleep apnea. That means when we go to bed we look like this
. It helps us breathe in the night, which comes in real handy if you want to wake up in the morning, but it is far from romantic.
The way we look at night is funny but sleep apnea is no laughing matter. Before I found out what my problem was I thought I was getting Alzheimer’s because I was getting so forgetful. It was beyond normal aging forgetful … It was like … Alzheimer’s forgetful! I had headaches every morning and felt like I had just taken a sleeping pill and I was tired all day long and trying to go to work. It was actually a relief to find out I wasn’t losing my mind, I was just losing too much sleep. My sub conscious actually wouldn’t let me go to sleep because it knew I was going to quit breathing and it would get anxious that I wouldn’t wake up. When I did finally get to sleep I didn’t know I was stopping breathing all night and then I’d kick myself awake enough to breathe. No wonder I was so tired and goofy! Of course … we both snored … although I swear Lynn snored much worse than I did!
The problem now is that to get the darned mask just right takes a bit of time. Once it’s in place I can’t talk or read or drink … If I have to go to the bathroom I have to undress my head first and then hook it back up and get back to sleep. That’s a bummer. I haven’t ever found a mask I really like although I’ve tried about six. I got a new one recently that just goes over the nose like the one above but the plastic has given my face a giant red rash.
So … there ya go … there’s no point to this unless you happen to not be getting enough sleep and don’t know why. You do need your sleep if you want to keep your smarts!
Technorati Tags: Sleep Apnea, Cpap Masks for Sleep Apnea
I agree, apnea and the mask really sux. Sure kills those midnight surprises!
Here’s what I use for a mask and it works for me.
http://www.cpapman.com/mirage.html#anchor399487
Keep experimenting. I know you had to spend the money and have it not be comfortable, but I don’t know what your choices are.
BTW: I buy all my stuff from CPAPman.
I tried to sleep (in a sleep clinic) once with one of those masks on. But the attendant said I could only sleep on my back (I can only seem sleep on my sides) and the strap held my mouth closed. Being a nighttime mouth breather for 50 years or more, I thought I would die, and actually would prefer it to wearing one of those. Plus they never found one to fit; they were all so big it was necessary to tape around the edges to keep it tight. Awful. I’m glad it works for you, though. Do you have to sleep on your back all night?
Sleep apnea is a big deal for me. I have the machine and the face mask and it is taking a while to become accustomed to it. And with this particularly awful allergy season (worse than usual this year), I’ve not been able to wear it and am having consequences – more nightmares, for one.
I think as more baby boomers find they have sleep apnea that they and I will all demand a better designed ‘contraption.’ Where is Steve Jobs when you need him? I am sure that a face mask could be designed that is as sleek and functional as an IPod.
Thanks for adding my blog address to your blogroll.