Mom still doesn't get it...and I keep winding up in tears...

[wombat2u2004]

Catty1, I have both and I have a CPAP for the sleep apnea. Are you taking an SSRI or an SNRI? You don't have to answer that question in a post, but if you are, did you know this class of meds suppresses REM sleep? So that might be contributing to your sleep issues.

Can you get the CPAP any sooner than the 9th? I can tell you from firsthand experience that you will sleep better with it. I don't know about other CPAP users on Pet Talk but I use the humidifier every night, summer and winter. I get dry mouth and nose in the morning from the pressurized air without the humidity. Even my eyes get dry. Gotta have the humidity.

HUGS from me and PURRS from Cassie,
Elyse

The humidifier is a must Elyse........I ran out of water in one night and had to get up in the middle of the night to have a drink of something.

[Catty1]

cassiesmom and Wom - first, the SSRI was seen as one factor in my daytime fatigue in addition to the apnea; it is a sedating one. My doc and I will look at that once we get the CPAP under way.

I will certainly ask the tech about humidifier - apparently I need only the nasal mask, so not sure what difference that will make.

Looking forward to this for sure! It's less than a week away.

How to pay for it?....hmmm...hold a benefit concert and I will play and sing! LOL

[Anikaca77]

Candace-

I'm so sorry to hear about all the troubles you've been going through. I had a sleep test done a few years ago and I didn't like it. They all these wires hooked up into my hair and made my hair all messy. Overall though I passed. There was only one small amt. that I stopped breathing but it wasn't really a big deal. They couldn't hear me snoring I guess or grinding my teeth but I don't think they were really listening because when I woke up and had to pee they couldn't hear me.

I'm glad you got to do yours at home.

I'm not good with any advice on money sorry. I'll be here for support though.

Melissa

[wombat2u2004]

Candace,
Actually the humidifier is an integral part of the small machine that pumps the air into your mask. The machine has a small reservior in it, that needs to be filled with water. What happens is, the air blows over the water, thus creating damp air.....so the air you are breathing isn't dry. There are settings on the machine to adjust the humidity level, you will work that one out and set it to your own particular comfort level.
But always check that reservior, the water lasts a few days, and if the water runs out, you will wake with a parched mouth, and need to get up out of bed for a drink.....so keep the water level topped up.
Also, the machine comes with a very small heating plate that sits underneath the reservior, it will ensure that when you put the mask on, the air that you breathe in is not really cold. So the right thing to do, is switch on the machine a half hour before sleep, the thermostat will cut in, and when you put the mask on, the air will be kind of warm for you.

Now because of all of this great sleep you will be getting, and all this advice you are getting from us, we require more input into PT by you.....hee hee