Wellness

[HORSINGMOM]

Good Morning!

I went through a period a couple of years ago where I would go to sleep and wake up every hour or so, and I felt like a zombie. I thought it was just because I was going through some things. Those things subsided, I started taking Melatonin, sleep got better.

Then, 6-8 months ago, I started feeling sleepy all the time and never felt refreshed after sleeping the whole night (or so I thought). My husband complained about my snoring, and always was mentioning how I fell asleep right after dinner, a couple of hours before we would go to bed, and I've been drinking 6-8 cups of coffee to keep awake.

My PCM referred me to an ENT for my snoring. She referred me to a Pulmonologist who did a sleep study. Of the nine hours I was in bed, I was getting maybe four hours of quality sleep. I averaged 40 times an hour that I stopped breathing, and during that night, I moved my legs over 200 times.

The second sleep study was done with full mask (nose and mouth, because I breath mouth open), and the tech titrated the air flow up all night long until she found a level where I could breath and get into REM sleep. My awakenings and breathing issues diminished to eight per hour, and I moved very little.

I've had my CPAP since last Thursday, and it's got a built in humidifier, but, my lips and nose are really dry. Should I put chapstick on before I go to bed, or maybe a little argon oil in my nostrils?

I've done pretty well with it the first three nights, but, last night, I pulled it off sometime in my sleep, and I feel pretty tired and yucky this morning.

Any suggestions out there for someone learning to live with a CPAP?

[jackthebear]

good for you for getting help with this

I think you should contact the tech and ask them, I am sure they have heard this before.

[JackieBlue]

I agree with Jack. Contact the tech. They have always been able to help me with any issue I've had, over the phone. They seem very knowledgable. As far as learning to live with it- you just have to hang in there. It wasn't easy for me. They have come a long way with the actual machine. I know have one my tech referred to as "the ladies" cpap. It's small and not very intrusive. The only part that touches my face is the tubes that go into my nose. Keep asking questions and investigate options for the unit itself. Hang in there. When you do get used to wearing it, I think you will discover improvements in the quality of your life. Good luck - I know it's frustrating at first.

[Nighthawks]

Did anyone else initially look at this thread and think it said CR*P ??

[Firefly3]

Call and discuss with your Dr!

[JackieBlue]

Mine also has a built in humidifier so I don't have allergy problems much anymore. As as far as the drying out issue, again, ask your tech. You may need to adjust the level of your humidifier. I have to have mine on the cooler setting.

[straykatz]

You could try a little vasoline but be careful becase you don't want to use anything that could break the seal of your mask with your face....also...only a tiny dab of vasoline goes a long way...do not put a bunch inside your nose...try a tiny dab on a qtip then swab inside your nostrils...and I agree..talk with your CPAP technician to see if the humidifier setting can be adjusted.

[brewhaha]

LOL. I misread the title.

[Helen852]

There's a nasal gel sold at C.v.s. specifically for c.p.a.p. users. I have used it and it does help.

[151949]

When i started on my CPAP I had difficulty with it really drying out my lips and chapping my face.The doctor said to try it without the humidifier and to put lotion on my face. I have found that moisturizing my lips and face with a few drops of argon oil before I go to bed has made the biggest difference.

Best of luck getting adjusted to your CPAP. Honestly, i felt 10 years younger once I started getting a decent nights sleep. It turned my life around.