still struggling !!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by gina on January 10, 2012 at 18:05

ok kath i will wait till friday  i can manage till then, seen as i am now off sick just been struggling with it all and working has been hard thank you for your help againx

 

Kath Hope said:

Gina, sleeping tablets will make the apnoeas worse.  If it were me I would hang on until Friday.  At least our clinic don't make us wait too long, unlike poor Mike on here who had to wait 6 weeks.  They will do their best for you and hopefully some of the comfort products will help too.  I know this might feel like a nightmare at the moment, but you hang in there as once you've got your treatment going you will feel so much better than before your diagnosis.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on January 10, 2012 at 18:27

At least it's good you're off work, and it would be helpful if you could try a few short daytime naps with the CPAP meanwhile.  3 days to go, and no doubt you're counting :D but feel free to come back on here for any support you need.

gina said:

ok kath i will wait till friday  i can manage till then, seen as i am now off sick just been struggling with it all and working has been hard thank you for your help againx

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Elianna Halsey on January 11, 2012 at 4:38

My heart goes out to you Gina.  I am new to sleep apnea and struggling with adjusting to the treatment also.  One thing you will read over and over is to make sure you have a "comfortable" mask.  Quite frankly I don't think that anything strapped to my face is comfortable, but I have found one that is at least tolerable and becoming a little more so each night.  It's the Mirage FX by ResMed.  I was told it is the lightest weight mask on the market, which since I have to wear it is a good thing.  I also ran across a website that sells products to help with leaks.  The first week or so I had my machine I struggled to stop the leaks.  Now I have the straps adjusted just right and that issue seems to have stopped.  But, the website is www.cpapseal.com  They may have a product that would be helpful to you in stopping the leaks, even when you move.  Also, if your machine has a humidifier you might try turning it up a little to see if that helps with your face feeling dried out.  That's about all I know at this stage of my "journey".  Sorry it isn't more.  The biggest encouragement I've taken from reading posts and having people respond to mine is that I'm not alone.  When you wake up in the night and want to throw the mask against the wall, take a deep breath, get on here and remember that others are in the same boat and many, many of them have been successful in adjusting.  Best wishes! 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by gina on January 11, 2012 at 13:06

thank you Elianna you sound as if you have been struggling to just trying to continue with it all hope to get some help about mask on Friday as going back to the hospital i know i cant expect a good nights sleep just yet till i get used to it but i need more than i am getting to continue with any life all i want to do is sit and i arnt normally lazy cant even get to work . thanks for the link i will go and have a look xx good luck for you getting used to yours toxxx

Elianna Halsey said:

My heart goes out to you Gina.  I am new to sleep apnea and struggling with adjusting to the treatment also.  One thing you will read over and over is to make sure you have a "comfortable" mask.  Quite frankly I don't think that anything strapped to my face is comfortable, but I have found one that is at least tolerable and becoming a little more so each night.  It's the Mirage FX by ResMed.  I was told it is the lightest weight mask on the market, which since I have to wear it is a good thing.  I also ran across a website that sells products to help with leaks.  The first week or so I had my machine I struggled to stop the leaks.  Now I have the straps adjusted just right and that issue seems to have stopped.  But, the website is www.cpapseal.com  They may have a product that would be helpful to you in stopping the leaks, even when you move.  Also, if your machine has a humidifier you might try turning it up a little to see if that helps with your face feeling dried out.  That's about all I know at this stage of my "journey".  Sorry it isn't more.  The biggest encouragement I've taken from reading posts and having people respond to mine is that I'm not alone.  When you wake up in the night and want to throw the mask against the wall, take a deep breath, get on here and remember that others are in the same boat and many, many of them have been successful in adjusting.  Best wishes! 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by gina on January 24, 2012 at 19:35

ive decided to come back to this post i was given sleeping tablets about 3 weeks ago which i did not take but ive  been struggling i go to sleep now with mask on and i acutully like the pressure cos when ive tried the ramp seemed as if not enough air  what i am wanting to know is have any of you had to use sleeping tablets and where you ok with them  ??

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on January 24, 2012 at 21:59

Gina, I used to be on prescription sleeping tablets but they didn't really help me. I will say they didn't hurt me with CPAP. I have changed to Valerian Forte which is a herb to assist sleep and I find it calms me as well. It has no after effects so I wake up with a clear head and can function properly during the day. I didn't like taking the prescription tablets mainly becuase they can become addictive. While no sleeping aid is best sometimes you need to take something for a while to get you settled down.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by gina on January 24, 2012 at 22:22

HI Terry

     Do you get this from the chemist or does it have to be off the net or a harbalist shop ??i will look at getting some worth a try and if i cant getr any tomorrw ive decided i will have to take the sleeping tablets thanks for you help x

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on January 24, 2012 at 22:35

Terry's in Australia Gina, but I know you can get these from Holland & Barrett, and perhaps the chemists might stock it too.

gina said:

HI Terry

     Do you get this from the chemist or does it have to be off the net or a harbalist shop ??i will look at getting some worth a try and if i cant getr any tomorrw ive decided i will have to take the sleeping tablets thanks for you help x

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on January 24, 2012 at 22:46

Gina, In Australia we can get it at either a Chemist or a Supermaket or you could look on the net. It may take a few days to work don't expect a result overnight whatever you take. I'm sure there will be other over the counter sleep aids in the UK, Valerian seems to be used a fair bit and has little or no side effects to most people. I have started going down the herbal track as I think all though some people need prescription meds, Dr's seem to hand them out to easily and try to fix the symptoms rather than the problem. I have also gone off caffine, Tea and Coffee and only drink herbal tea, either Chamomile or Lavender. What works for one person may not work for another and I hate to say it but it is a bit of trial and error.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by gina on January 25, 2012 at 10:58

Thanks to Terry and kath

I am just about to read about Valerian Forte and see if i can get from local chemist if not i hope my hubby comes home early to take me to holland and barrett . I already dont drink coffee or tea - I drink mostly water or fruit juice and gave up smoking about 20 weeks ago,  but i do like chocolate lol but have decided when i get used to this cpap.  ( I am trying to stay positive )to get going to the gym ( but then again maybe i am just dreaming - good job i do not dream ) All i can do is keep on trying.

Thanks again xx

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on January 25, 2012 at 20:17

Gina, the Gym is a great idea, not only for the exercise but the social side, I have been going for a while and only doing weights because I was so exhausted from lack of quality sleep. I now go most days do my weights and have gone back to jogging 5 kilomteres and feel much better because I can breathe. If you do start up at the gym take it easy and start out doing small things you cn achieve then build up over time, similar to CPAP.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page