Hope2SleepGuide

Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient

I need help ---(sorry long and rambling post - I will try and stick to the basics)

 

I was diagnosed with OSA 4 years ago. I was having 35 apneas an hour. Took a while to get used to my cpap machine but eventually was using it most nights with an average usage of 5.7 hours per night. My pressure was set at 9.

 

Had no problems for 3 years - lost 10 stone in weight and life (and sleep) was brilliant! However last august I started having various problems. Firstly my head gear started to rub huge sore patches on my chin and side of face (which it had never done before). They patches have never really healed and really put me off using my machine for months ( I eventually got some chin straps from Cath and this has helped a little). At the same time I started to wake up in the night with not only leaks around my mask but also incredible pains in my chest/tummy which felt like trapped wind! Before that if I ever woke in the night I would just turn the ramp down on my machine and drift back off quite happily but the pain now had me ripping off my mask and rolling round the bed in agony.

 

Went back to GP who didn't have a clue and refereed me back to hospital where I had my sleep study. Saw a doc in the respiratory clinic who really didn't have a clue at all about sleep apnea and just referred me to see the sleep clinic nurse. Whilst this nurse was very willing to try and sort out the problem (gave me different masks to try, reset my pressure to 6, eventually gave me a new cpap machine) nothing has really worked. I haven't used my cpap for the best part of 4 months now. Every time I try I still end up waking up after about 4 hours with leaks coming out of everywhere on my mask, and incredible pains in my chest and tummy. I tried again last night but still the same. Ended up in tears of pain & frustration and awake since 4 am!! I know I need to use my cpap every night as all the signs are my sleep apnea is getting worse again. I don't know if its stress and or something else but I actually got quite frightened when I woke this morning as it took nearly an hour to try and slow my heart beat down to something that felt normal and to get rid of the wind that had built up in my tummy..... this can't be normal??????????

 

Any idea's as to what I can do/try next? I'll try anything!!!!! I'm loathed to go back to the sleep clinic nurse - as good as she is I don't feel she is actually qualified in sorting out this problem. She is great for handing out masks, machines etc but anything technical seems beyond her. I did have a pulse ox text done a couple fo weeks ago which she said was fine - no details given even though I had ripped my mask off half way through the night.  

 

Thanks in advance 

Suzie xxx

Views: 603

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

 

 

Hi Kath

Well I'm glad to say that I don't have any of these symptoms, my head hits that pillow and within about 30 seconds I'm a goner, dead to the world until my hubby switches on the light in the morning after he has had his breakfast. I don't even wake up when he gets up for his shower. He plays in a band and comes in late some nights carrying all this heavy bass gear and if I go to bed before he comes home I don't even hear him coming in. Must admit I do wake up when he comes to bed...but only for a spilt second then I'm gone again.

Anyway going to watch some tv now and relax....away to watch Lord Sugar fire somebody.

Thanks for all your hard work on here Kath, much appreciated.

Julie

xx


Kath Hope said:

So pleased to hear from you Suzie and your first paragraph sounded positive, and once you are over the unfortunate problem abscess, you'll be able to carry on back on the CPAP and start to feel better again.  It would be so beneficial if you could build up from 4 hours on the CPAP to a full 7 or 8.  Just think, there'd be no stopping you LOL.

 

There is a lot of evidence of how a menopausal woman has a far greater chance of developing sleep apnoea, which stands to reason that those of us who are already diagnosed with it, possibly get worse, and need our treatment adjusted.  This is why I'm a great believer of people having software for their machines.  Then at least we have the proof that if we're struggling with tiredness and our AHI is high then we need to address it, but if the AHI is low then we need to look elsewhere for the cause.

 

If you do a quick Google on "menopause and sleep apnoea" lots of info will come up.  Here's a good article I came across which explains why the menopause causes these problems:-

Causes of Sleep Disorders


The primary reason why a woman may develop sleep disorders during menopause relates to the hormonal fluctuations that are taking place within her body. Declining levels of hormones, specifically of estrogen and progesterone, affect a woman in myriad ways, one being sleep disorders.


Estrogen and progesterone´s effects on sleep


As mentioned above, estrogen and progesterone affect sleep. Dropping levels of either hormone can cause sleep disorders, although each one affects in different ways. The information below specifies how estrogen and progesterone affect sleep, so please continue reading to understand better how hormonal fluctuations causes sleep disorders.

How a decline in estrogen affects sleep:


  • Slows down the intake and secondary production of magnesium, a mineral that helps muscles to relax.
  • Linked to hot flashes and night sweats which interrupt sleep cycle.
  • Linked to sleep apnea, disturbing breathing during the night.

It's from this website..... http://www.34-menopause symptoms.com/sleep-disorders.htm

How a decline in progesterone affects sleep:


  • Progesterone has a sleep-inducing effect. When levels decline, the ability to fall asleep soundly does as well.
  • Linked to insomnia, and inability to fall asleep promptly.
Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news Julie, but yesterday I read somewhere that if people fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow, it's a sure sign of sleep deprivation LOL.  Or is it the booze...... yes Big Brother's watching you LOL

Julie said:

 


Hi Kath

Well I'm glad to say that I don't have any of these symptoms, my head hits that pillow and within about 30 seconds I'm a goner, dead to the world until my hubby switches on the light in the morning after he has had his breakfast. I don't even wake up when he gets up for his shower. He plays in a band and comes in late some nights carrying all this heavy bass gear and if I go to bed before he comes home I don't even hear him coming in. Must admit I do wake up when he comes to bed...but only for a spilt second then I'm gone again.

Anyway going to watch some tv now and relax....away to watch Lord Sugar fire somebody.

Thanks for all your hard work on here Kath, much appreciated.

Julie

xx



It can also be a sign of good sleep hygeine. All depends on how you feel in the morning. The average sleep time is between 5 and 15 minutes.

Kath Hope said:
Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news Julie, but yesterday I read somewhere that if people fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow, it's a sure sign of sleep deprivation LOL.  Or is it the booze...... yes Big Brother's watching you LOL

Julie said:

 


Hi Kath

Well I'm glad to say that I don't have any of these symptoms, my head hits that pillow and within about 30 seconds I'm a goner, dead to the world until my hubby switches on the light in the morning after he has had his breakfast. I don't even wake up when he gets up for his shower. He plays in a band and comes in late some nights carrying all this heavy bass gear and if I go to bed before he comes home I don't even hear him coming in. Must admit I do wake up when he comes to bed...but only for a spilt second then I'm gone again.

Anyway going to watch some tv now and relax....away to watch Lord Sugar fire somebody.

Thanks for all your hard work on here Kath, much appreciated.

Julie

xx



Hi Rock, 

 

Now when I read "good sleep hygeine" I started to think...washed my face, brushed my teeth, changed my bed, etc,etc but I know you mean something else LOL   Must admit that I feel tired most mornings but to be honest that may be down to not getting to bed early enough.  I always plan to get there for 10pm but it's normally between 11:30 and midnight getting back up at 7am each morning.   I get to 10pm and I think I'll just watch the rest of this program then off to bed.   Then on the way to bed I stop by the PC to switch it off and think I'll just have a quick look at my emails and facebook and before I know it another hour has passed then I start rushing about like a headless chicken trying to get to bed quickly and get some zzzzs.   I still manage to drop off within about a minute or so and this sort of runs in the family.  My Dad who doesn't have sleep apnoea can do this too. 

Thanks so much for your comments Rock, I'm always interested in reading your posts although I don't always have the energy to read everything on here.

Kind regards

 

Julie

Rock said:

It can also be a sign of good sleep hygeine. All depends on how you feel in the morning. The average sleep time is between 5 and 15 minutes.

Kath Hope said:
Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news Julie, but yesterday I read somewhere that if people fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow, it's a sure sign of sleep deprivation LOL.  Or is it the booze...... yes Big Brother's watching you LOL

Julie said:

 


Hi Kath

Well I'm glad to say that I don't have any of these symptoms, my head hits that pillow and within about 30 seconds I'm a goner, dead to the world until my hubby switches on the light in the morning after he has had his breakfast. I don't even wake up when he gets up for his shower. He plays in a band and comes in late some nights carrying all this heavy bass gear and if I go to bed before he comes home I don't even hear him coming in. Must admit I do wake up when he comes to bed...but only for a spilt second then I'm gone again.

Anyway going to watch some tv now and relax....away to watch Lord Sugar fire somebody.

Thanks for all your hard work on here Kath, much appreciated.

Julie

xx



Just thought I would drop in and catch up on whats been happening and let you know how things are going with my cpap. 

 

I'm half way through my root canal/crown treatment so wearing the cpap has been a bit hit and miss. However, I did pluck up the courage to go back to my GP and REALLY insist on some help with the wind/bloated problem and I also asked to be referred back to the sleep clinic. Think my tears & tantrum worked and the doc finally took my issues seriously. However before referring me back to the sleep clinic she wanted to investigate the wind/bloated. Anyway to cut a long story short it would seem I have acid reflux and since being prescribed  a drug and these has REALLY helped the wind (thankfully)!!  Hopefully this will help get me back on track using my cpap again. 

 

One final question for everyone, does anyone ever faint in the night if they wake up and get up? This has happened to me a couple of times lately. I've woken up and needed a drink, so got out of bed and promptly fainted and ended up on the floor ....scary!  

 

Hope everyone is well and sleeping well --- off to read the other threads now xxx

 

 

Great news that you've been helped re the awful bloated feeling :)  However, not so great on hearing about the fainting episodes, and hope that someone on here can throw some light on this.  My first thoughts are is your blood pressure ok?  So pleased you're being referred back to the sleep clinic too and they'll hopefully give you another sleep study after all that weight loss.


Thanks for keeping us informed, and look forward to the next chapter......... meanwhile, keep well!


suzie Stiles said:

Just thought I would drop in and catch up on whats been happening and let you know how things are going with my cpap. 

 

I'm half way through my root canal/crown treatment so wearing the cpap has been a bit hit and miss. However, I did pluck up the courage to go back to my GP and REALLY insist on some help with the wind/bloated problem and I also asked to be referred back to the sleep clinic. Think my tears & tantrum worked and the doc finally took my issues seriously. However before referring me back to the sleep clinic she wanted to investigate the wind/bloated. Anyway to cut a long story short it would seem I have acid reflux and since being prescribed  a drug and these has REALLY helped the wind (thankfully)!!  Hopefully this will help get me back on track using my cpap again. 

 

One final question for everyone, does anyone ever faint in the night if they wake up and get up? This has happened to me a couple of times lately. I've woken up and needed a drink, so got out of bed and promptly fainted and ended up on the floor ....scary!  

 

Hope everyone is well and sleeping well --- off to read the other threads now xxx

 

 

Hi Suzie

 

Just read this thread with interest and wondered how is your sleep now your reflux is being treated?

The reason I ask is I noticed my 3yr old Travis quality of sleep has improved since upping his omeprazole doze and wondered how you had got on

carol

Hi Carol

 

Im taking 40mgs omeprazole a day and the first few weeks were great sleep wise  but Ive noticed Im burping (and other things)a bit more now and the sleep is not quite so good as at first BUT I am still having a few problems with my cpap so maybe its not related.  How much is Travis taking? xxx

Hi Suzie

 

Travis is on 20mg ...it is weight dependant in children and dose is based on mg/kg not sure if thats also the case for adults and maybe you have room to shift the dose ..... there is other meds omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor it reduces acid production ranitidine or zantac is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist that inhibits stomach acid production...... so maybe you could add something else to the mix if its less effective ...... also with GERD (reflux) certain foods can aggrevate it 

 

Sorry to hear you are still having issues with the CPAP have no noticed any improvements ? xx

Suzie's improvement on CPAP was losing 10 stones - wow!  Can you believe it?  Didn't she do well?

carol murphy said:

Hi Suzie

 

Travis is on 20mg ...it is weight dependant in children and dose is based on mg/kg not sure if thats also the case for adults and maybe you have room to shift the dose ..... there is other meds omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor it reduces acid production ranitidine or zantac is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist that inhibits stomach acid production...... so maybe you could add something else to the mix if its less effective ...... also with GERD (reflux) certain foods can aggrevate it 

 

Sorry to hear you are still having issues with the CPAP have no noticed any improvements ? xx

WOW that truely is an accomplishment well done Suzie :)

Hey Suzie

 

Great that you've sorted out the wind problem sorted but not so good re the fainting.   I can honestly say that if I get up during the night I have never felt faint or dizzy and I've never passed out in my life.  On occassions I have visual disturbance but I'm sure that's not related to sleep apnoea.     I do know that blood pressure can play a part as my mother in law passes out now and again and it's down to her blood pressue dropping quickly.  Did the doc check your blood pressure when you visited?   It is important to have this checked regularly whether you have sleep apnoea or not.  Hope your root canal work is nearly complete.....I would struggle with that as I have a fear of the dentist brought on by brutal school dentist.

 

Take care

 

Julie

xx

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Sleep Apnoea Forum

New to the Sleep Apnoea Forum? 

1. Stop by our Sleep Apnoea Welcome Center to introduce yourself to the SleepGuide community.
2. Start a New Topic of Conversation.
3. Post your photos - of yourself, your old CPAP machine, your new CPAP machine, your pet, something about you!

Interested in advertising, have a problem or need to contact us? Click the Report an Issue page.

 

Latest Activity

Iain Noble posted a discussion

Resmed Airfit F20 Woes

Dear FolksI have been using the Resmed Quattro FX mask ever since I was diagnosed over 7 years ago.…See More
19 minutes ago
Iain Noble replied to Becky Murkin's discussion F20 AirFit small marking bridge of nose
"Hi All I can say is I feel your pain! I got the F20 as a replacement this year and it is very uncomfortable. I have just ordered the new Resmed F40 which is very small and light and so far it has been a lot easier to use for a mouth breather that…"
30 minutes ago
Sarah Martin is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
1 hour ago
jjimjam updated their profile
Apr 17
Kath Hope replied to Becky Murkin's discussion noisy humidifier normal?
"It sounds like you're getting rainout issues (condensation) so here's an article to help with this. www.hope2sleep.co.uk/water-in-the-mask-hose-known-as-rainout"
Apr 16
Becky Murkin posted a discussion

noisy humidifier normal?

Hello,I have an air sense 10 auto.When I have the humidifier and the heated tube plugged in it makes a sort of drumming noise. Like that at the gallows in films.Is this normal? It wakes me up  and I have to give up and switch off  for the night.See More
Apr 16
John posted a discussion

Dentists in Hull that know about Mewing ?

I was wondering if there are any dentists in Hull who know about John & Mike Mew, and changing jaw shape over time?I could add that I saw an ENT consultant recently and she said jaw shape, malocclusion, is genetic, which has become a debatable…See More
Apr 9
Profile IconKaren Mcleod, Fiona Watson, Teresa Hobbs and 5 more joined Hope2SleepGuide
Apr 3
Jonathan replied to John's discussion Airsense 10 -humidifier runs dry
"I did replace the tank in my SleepCube, and had to regularly take the silicone sealing gasket out and give it a goof clean, but not infrequently found it standing in a pool of water in the morning.  The machine sat on a tray because of…"
Mar 26
John posted a discussion

Nasal valve collapse

Does anyone have any experience of nasal valve collapse?Wondering if I have this but I don't know what the norm is.Been trying widgets that hold the nose open and it's like night and day.See More
Mar 24
John replied to John's discussion Airsense 10 -humidifier runs dry
"Wow it's the other way round for me.I found with the Sleepcube I'd often have a good bit of water still there in the morning. Today I woke up with a dry tank on the Resmed again and it's not on full heat or flow. I got it on 6…"
Mar 24
Becky Murkin posted a discussion

F20 AirFit small marking bridge of nose

Please help or give advice all wise people on here.I have had the Resmed F20 AirFit small mask for over a month. Seals yet…See More
Mar 19
Frances Knight replied to Frances Knight's discussion Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings
"A very helpful reply Jonathan. I found the pressure setting for the full face mask to be too high when I changed to a nasal mask, but perhaps I should have persisted? I'll try again and I'll also discuss with the clinic whether an APAP…"
Mar 13
Jonathan replied to Frances Knight's discussion Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings
"Ramble alert!  My history is that I spent part of each week at a different location, so bought a second machine identical to my fixed pressure NHS machine and set it up to match using the clinician menu.  This was a very long time…"
Mar 12
Frances Knight replied to Frances Knight's discussion Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings
"Thanks Jonathan - I had seen the YouTube video. My question is really about the experience of people who have control of their pressure settings, for example those people who have bought their machines directly and not obtained them through an NHS…"
Mar 12
Jonathan replied to Frances Knight's discussion Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings
"This is NOT a recommendation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNUWhd2UgQM"
Mar 11
Frances Knight posted a discussion

Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings

I have been successfully using my air sense 10 since OSA diagnosis, and my AHI is now under 2. I had an appointment with my clinic this week and have been told there is no need for further appointments and just to contact them if I need supplies or…See More
Mar 11
Swen Greve is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Mar 4
Jonathan replied to Sue Reeves's discussion A few questions..
"If you have a helpful GP, I would ask them to re-refer you to the sleep clinic."
Mar 3
Sue Reeves posted a discussion

A few questions..

A quick bit of backgroundDiagnosed with OSA about 7/8 years ago by my local sleep clinic and given a F &P Icon CPAP.  After a couple of follow-up appts to sort out any issues, I was sent on my merry way. I have had no further face to face…See More
Mar 3

© 2024   Created by The SleepGuide Crew.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service