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Sleep Problems

kmps
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I have just been reading about CPAPS. After 21 years on Estrogen patch....cardio guy recommended that I get off it it....that was a year ago. Have not been able to sleep without some type of help....from Ambien to Tylenol PM, etc. I am trying to get off everything...cardio guy does not know I am on low dose of Ambien. Last night went to bed....exhausted.(no meds except 1 regulr tylenol)...finally went off to sleep...then began the process of waking up about once an hour...maybe more often...tossing and turning, tossing and turning....all night...finally at 3:30 I was totally awake. I know I slept in small increments...but no REM sleep. I do not snore....but there must be something wrong. I do know that I was in the hospital this summer for removal of one lobe of my thyroid(no cancer just huge infection in a nodule which they could not get under control)...and several times during the night they came rushing into my room....oxygen level had dropped...so they told me.(bells and whisles went off at the desk)...finally put the little nose things in and started some oxygen....I slept fine. I am thinking about scheduling a consultation with pulmo guy as he is the one to refer to sleep clinic at Mayo. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS OR IDEAS...CAN YOU HAVE SLEEP PROBLEMS AND NOT BE A SNORER? Thanks

Explore topics in this discussion:

Heart disease Cancer Heart failure Tylenol Sleep apnea CPAP Pain Ambien

17 replies

joy2day

Yes.

I am a light to non-snorer. I also had bells-and-whistles when I was in the hospital. Due to my diagnosis of right-sided heart failure, they sent me home with oxygen for sleeping and scheduled a sleep study.

The result of the sleep study was no sleep apnea, so no CPAP. However, my oxygen drops off during sleep which affects the quality of my sleep. I still have a machine called an oxygen concentrator that concentrates the oxygen from the room air. I wear the cannula (little nose things) to get the oxygenated air. The machine is a pain, but it has improved my sleep quality greatly.

kmps

thanks for the input....I too am a right side sleeper....I have been diagnosed with medium to severe micro-cardio vascular disease....not a lot can be done....good exercise(which I am pretty faithful to 30 minutes 5 days a week) and am on Norvasc....to keep(already low blood pressure lower)...and most important help open up the small vessels.....I am going to schedule an appt .... I just needed the push!

sternum

Hi there kmps:

We have a discussion going in a couple of places. The most recent one is Cpaps and Nose Pillows. The other is on sleep clinics and what I discovered about my sleep, or lack of.

Truly if you are having this much trouble with your sleep and rest get your dr. to arrange a sleep study to make sure that obstructive sleep apnea isn't the main issue. What you are describing of your sleep problems sounds very much like it to me. I am no medical person at all. But please have them check for it. Apnea can be a contributing factor in heart problems and other major health issues.

What sleep apnea is in realty is the cesssation of breathing. When you lie down to sleep the tissue down in the back of your throat relaxes and closes the airways. This means the air you need to breathe is not getting through. So you stop breathing and that is what wakes you up and yes it goes on all night long. Bad for your heart. I'm in the process of getting used to using a Cpap myself and it really needs more adjustments.

Please take care --- Gloria ---

kmps

Gloria, I was working on my computer when I saw your message. I got to my doctor on Wednesday. She ordered an oxygen test...telemtary....I did it last night...will get results probably Monday or Tuesday. Actually told me to take an Ambien...for better results of the test. She pulled my file up from my 1 night in the hospital and saw that the staff had noted I did better when I was on oxygen help....slept through the night. I guess this will tell if I have "central???" Apnea which has to do with drop in oxygen when sleeping....thanks! I will keep the site updated.

sternum

That was fast.

I was just going to mention the oxygen drop, one of the big problems with sleep apnea. During the times when you stop breathing your oxygen level goes down. Mine went down to 82% and it should be up a mimimum of 92%.

I'll be going to step two in my cpap adjustment next week. During that time I will be using of the finger thingys that measure oxygen levels. It will be an interesting week.

I am very glad your dr. caught it so take care and be blest --- Gloria ---

kmps

I'll keep you updated as to the results. The finger deal is what I did....no big deal...make sure whichever index finger you use has no polish or false nails.....needs to be "pure"nail. The line is long...no problem with moving around....side to side, etc. The piece that is measuring and recording is about the size of a tv remote....just sat on the nightstand..one of the easier type of tests I have experience with all this heart "stuff". Returned the device this morning and of course with weekend....probably won't be read till Monday.... My husband has a Cpap....has for 9 years....he sleeps with the mask, etc....like a rock! Kathy

joy2day

Obstructive sleep apnea is treated with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Despite my out-of-shape overweight condition, the study showed that my low oxygen was not caused by obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, I have the oxygen concentrator that sucks in room air and feeds higher oxygen air to my nose through the tubes and cannula (nose prongs).

My machine is large and bulky, so travel is a pain. Most portable (< 15 lb) concentrators are a pulse-delivery system and I need a continuous flow system. So far, I have found it easier to rent the bulky machine at my destination unless I am driving.

goingstrong

My sleep test showed not so much apnea (lack of breathing) but that my breathing became very shallow during sleep and I would desaturate down to 86%.

It was such a surprise to go to sleep that very first night on CPAP and wake up in the morning in the exact same position - didn't MOVE all night! Slept like a baby!

Many cardiologist today are doing sleep studies on their patients b/c they are finding that having it greatly contributes to heart disease and heart failurue. So be sure to bring it up with your doc.!

Lynn

kmps

Thanks for the input by all....am awaiting the results....have to get off the ambian...but I do sleep without waking up even once. I love this site....have learned so much since my diagnosis...and have recommend it to friends.

HeartFailureDiva

Well I do have severe Sleep Apnea. I dfo have to wear a mask @ night to sleep but it took a long time for me to get use to waering it. Well now I do wear it much better now and it do make a big differents. If I don't wear it my oxygen levels drop down to 80%.

wendylee

Hi,

I'm new to this site (I have been on the WomanHeart site for a few months). I had a sleep study done last week and got the results today. Out of 103 minutes of study (I had a hard time falling asleep) I stopped breathing 147 times. The average is 86 times per hour. My pulmonologist sent the order to my medical equip. provider and I should be getting my CPAP within 1 to 2 days. It is a "variant" machine that will adjust to my breathing paterns instead of being on a consistant air flow. Any input on mask vs nose pillows vs whatever else there is out there? They suggested a full mask due to being a mouth breather when I sleep. I was told by my twin brother, who is on a CPAP, that I should look at the nose pillow combined with a chin strap. I have NO idea what to do. I know that the provider will work with me, etc. but I would love to hear input from others who are using a CPAP.

Thanks,

Wendy

AuntieMom

Hi Wendy,

Your results are about the same as mine were when I had my test done a couple of years ago.

As far as the nasal pillow versus the full facial mask - I think it pretty much comes down to personal preference. I started with the nasal pillow - being a side sleeper I would have trouble keeping it in my nose plus the things that go up into your nostrils are kind of uncomfortable if you can't use the smallest of small ones. The first time I went back to the pulmonologist after getting my CPAP he had a fit when he heard the company had sent me the nasal pillow "No, no that's not what I ordered!! You need a mask, you have such small delicate facial features you need a mask." The mask arrived a couple of days later - it took a couple nights to get completely used to it but it works like a dream now.

The one piece of advice that I will give is when you first put the face mask on you may feel claustorphobic and think that you can't wear it - try putting it on and reading in bed for a few minutes. I find that with the reading my mind is occupied reading instead of feeling claustrophobic. Some nights I still feel a little bit of panic but I just remind myself to take slow deep relaxing breaths and I'm fine after a few seconds.

It does take adjusting to but once you adjust you are going to feel sooooooo much better when you wake up in the morning or after your naps.

Give me a holler if I can be of any more help.

AuntieMom

kmps

Well I am guilty of not updating after I had the oxygen test (with the finger). It showed "numerous times" that my oxygen level dropped into the mid 80's. I saw the sleep specialist doctor....he told me the results...looked into the back of my throat and declared, you are a "4"....then pulled out a sheet and showed me the level of collapse of whatever in the back of the throat when you sleep. He also was very surprised to see what a narrow back of throat and mouth I had....give me a break....I have kid size x-rays when I have dental x-rays. He is a very "to the point" doc...little or no "bedside" manner....told me if I suffer from real insomonia .... that is another issue....Personally, I think it is the oxygen level dropping that keeps waking me up to remind my heart to work...and push.

Upon all of this, he scheduled a sleep study...Nov.5 and an appt. with him on the 6th to discuss the results...and "what is next".... so I will be back with update and if I have to have the CPAP....probably some advice on the mask/nose pillows...my husband has had CPAP for 8 years...he uses the mask...and sleep like a "baby". I am a side sleeper so probably the nose pillows will not work as well...may I won't need anything....ha, ha,

wendylee

AuntieMom,

Thank you for your response. It is very helpful. During the study they did put the mask on me and it was fine for a while then the bridge of my nose started hurting so I tried adjusting it. Everytime I touched it after that it sounded just like a fart machine (if you've ever heard one). After a couple of times I was embarassed and giggling. I tried taking it off then I heard over the intercom "I'll be right in". I'm sure it just wasn't adjusted correctly after I moved it. I'll give it another try. I'm a side sleeper too. If it happens again I'm sure my husband, being the guy he is, will get the giggles too. :)

AuntieMom

Thanks for starting my day off with such a good laugh! I've heard the fart machine and I've had my mask move so I sound like a fart machine. Been there, done that!!! My boyfriend just reaches over and re-adjusts my mask. I should mention that both he and I use CPAP's - so picture that the two of us laying side by side with masks on our faces. His respiratory providers thinks it's hysterical.

Part of the mask bothering the bridge of your nose may be because the mask probably isn't "broken in" - the plastic is probably still hard and not a little more flexible.

The mask helps me immensely. Another added benefit (and I know they say not to do this but ...) is when I feel a little bit of congestion coming on I put a little Vapor Rub inside the mask so you are constantly breathing in the vapors. It works so well to keep me healthy ! I have recently started using the Lavendar scented Vapor Rub - it has a subtler scent of Vapor Rub but still has the effects of Vapor Rub.

I think you will be happy with it once you get used to it.
Give me a holler if you have any questions, concerns or funny events !!!!!

Auntie Mom

maternalcaregiver

My cardio also recomended a CURRENT sleep study ( last in 2006, mild OSAS ) as he is worried this may be affecting my heart health too. See the pulmonologist..who does the sleep studies ..on 11/11/09. Hope we get this all figured out before Jan 2010 with higher premiums and new annual deductable !!!

wendylee

maternalcaregiver,

Hope you find some answers. Keep us posted.

- Wendy

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