Thursday 14 November 2013

Return of the CPAP Machine

I am not a healthy individual. For anyone who isn't aware, since the inception of my blog I have discussed my numerous health problems like my lung cysts and sleep apnea, and those posts are from 2011. And while my lungs haven't really bothered me (much) since my fatigue has always been an issue.

I've just kind of powered through it. I had a mouth guard for a while because we thought my sleep apnea was caused by my jaw crushing my throat. But eventually I stopped using it because it was causing jaw soreness and alignment issues as well as hearing problems.

And then I started gasping awake at night.

Well this is unsettling.

It was odd. Waking up up to 3 times a night. It was then I realized that my sleep apnea was getting worse. Much worse. We had suspicions that I was unconsciously waking up at night (which explains why I was always so tired) but now I was aware of it.

Powering through wasn't working. I booked an appointment with a sleep specialist and took another kit home to see how badly I was sleeping at night.

And it was pretty bad.

In 5 hours of sleep I had apparently woke up a total of 44 times.

Now this is horrifying.

Alright, time to get back onto the CPAP machine. For those unaware, it's a little device that hooks into a tube, and the tube is connected to a mask, and the mask connects to your face. The machine pumps moist air into your face and that helps you sleep better.

If your jaw is crushing your throat, the increased air pressure will force things open. If your brain is stupid and forgets to breath, then hopefully this will stimulate breathing.

But that's assuming you can breathe to begin with. Immediately with the CPAP, I was having trouble adjusting to the mask. I was only able to wear it for an hour at a time before tearing it off my face because I was suffocating.

It took 3 weeks before we finally found a mask that worked for me. Up until now, the data collected was kind of skewed, what with 1 hour of sleep recorded. NOW we had 3 to 5 hours of sleep recorded at a time.

Yay?

And guess what we found?

My brain is stupid.

They think that in addition to the possibility that my jaw is crushing my throat, my brain ALSO forgets to breathe. For up to half a minute at a time I stop breathing at night. This would explain why I would start gasping awake in the middle of the night. Lack of oxygen will do that to you.

Scumbag brain.

LET'S ALSO HAVE WEIRD DREAMS ABOUT YOUR EX.

But we're slowing fixing things I think. The rate of my "not-breathing" has dropped to an average of only 5 times an hour.

For now.

29 comments:

  1. Glad to hear that things are fixing themselves a little, I can understand why that must be seriously scary for you dude. Take it easy for a while, seriously man.

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  2. I hope the rate of not breathing keeps getting smaller and smaller and you start breathing on a continuous basis. Good to hear you finally got a good CPAP machine. The results aren't the best but with them you should be able to do something.

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  3. Oh lord. I had heard of this but this is the first time I've read a first-person account. I hope that eventually it drops to zero "not breathing" times per night.

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  4. And I thought my health sucked. Hope you get it sorted!

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  5. Glad to hear you're using a CPAP machine. Sleep apnea can cause things like falling asleep while driving. Don't want that!

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  6. Scary condition. Hope it gets better soon!

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  7. sorry to know about sleeping problem
    nice post explaining about CPAP and your problem
    hope soon you will find a solution

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  8. wow 44 is a ton, glad it is getting better

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  9. I am so sorry that you have to go through that.

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  10. Eek! Experiencing the flu this past week just doesn't seem to suck as bad now :/

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  11. Oh gosh, that's terrible :/ But glad to know the sleeping issues are getting better.

    P.S I like the way you explain things :P

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  12. My goodness. That sounds like such a drag. I use to have real trouble getting to sleep, but through many years of trial and error, I was able to correct my sleep problems. Hopefully, things will work out for you as well.

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  13. I'm glad you're making progress, I hope that continues and only keeps getting better.

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  14. Yikes. I'm glad you're searching for solutions...and that you have a CPAP mask that's working better for you.

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  15. It must have been very scary for you. CPAP machines are supposed to be of help. Hopefully you will get better and better.

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  16. Geez! I hope you find something that works. I have had friends do this and you're right, it takes awhile to find the right one.

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  17. I've started following your blog since 2011 think we started at about the same time. I'm glad to hear the CPAP machine is starting to work

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  18. My sister had something similar - she had to sleep with an apparatus to help her breathe. She's off it now but only after a couple of years using this machine. I guess it trained her brain to allow breathing while asleep! Oh dear! But it worked!

    You take care now
    x

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  19. That must have been scary. I hope you get better and better, and that eventually you will be great! Lots of feel better hugs to you :)

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  20. well that all sounds mildly terrifying

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  21. My father in law has one of those things. His brain is stupid too. So does my cousin. Just remember that you're not the only one with a stupid scumbag brain.

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  22. Now that does not sound like fun. I know a few people using the cpap machine (one an infant) and as much as it might help with the oxygen flow, it is that much more annoying. I hope they get to the bottom of your troubles soon. Getting a good night sleep can mean all the difference.

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  23. Glad you found a better mask, would be hard for me too t get used to it. We want to pump you with as much oxygen as possible now! Scary about the brain.

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  24. Sheesh, I'd be afraid to go to sleep.
    But, then that would probably bring up a whole new set of issues.

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  25. Good job for turning a somewhat sad story into something enjoyable and funny to read. I really do hopes you get your sleep apnea fixed. At one point I had sleep issues too, but turned out to be restless leg syndrome which I got used to over time.

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  26. I'm wondering if I may have the same sleep issues as you. I don't wake up as much as you, but I do have issues staying asleep, and seem to last about 4 hours. I have woken up needing to breath too, but not often, unless I'm unaware that that is what is waking me up.

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