I have given up on wearing a mask and want to know one thing.....can I die during my sleep if I do not wear the mask and continue to take sleeping pills.  I am currently taking 20 mg of ambien each night. I need any advice.   Thanks in advance to you for any assistance.

If you are on the C-Pap you must have sleep apnea  to some degree?  What are your numbers from your sleep study?  If your apnea is bad enought to warrent a machine then why would you not want to use it?  If you are stoping breathing and saturation levels are low, you run the risk of heart problems in the long run.  Hopefully someone here can inform you about sleeping pills and the machine.  My guess is they don't mix.

wideawake wrote:

I have given up on wearing a mask and want to know one thing.....can I die during my sleep if I do not wear the mask and continue to take sleeping pills.  I am currently taking 20 mg of ambien each night. I need any advice.   Thanks in advance to you for any assistance.

Hey no problem I just got here but I've got some time don't give up and be carefull about sleeping pills are problems get worse nights we take pills or drink it relaxes are throtes and causes more problems I can talk I'm drinking wisky and coke as we sit here.

But to your question yes we can die in are sleep it makes me want to cry.
they say if i loose weight and quit smoking I have a chance unfortunatly i sleep walk as well so my mask never stays on for the at least four hours a night it need but for you, have you ask'd a doctor for assistance if not you should sleep apnea is life threatining and trust me even on the worst days of my life and i've had some of the worst ones I new life has a way of working out so get informened and remember pepole want to help
Take a deep breath and get some help kay

Quote:

Who May Be At Risk Taking Hypnotics?

    * Individuals who drink alcohol. Why? The two drugs taken together intensify the action of both.
    * The elderly, and anyone who needs to get up during the night. Why? The sedating effects of hypnotics increase the risk for falls. Doses should be lower for the elderly.
    * Those who have to operate machinery soon after awakening. Why? In medications with long half-lives, the risk of accidents may be increased.
    * People who have sleep apnea. Why? Breathing may be further impaired.

Link to National Sleep Foundation Here

when you are on CPAP you are being treated for Sleep Apnea and the risks are lowered significantly.

Hi Wide Awake,

There are many other options besides a mask, nasal pillows, Comfort Curve, etc.  Explain why you can't wear a mask and we'll offer suggestions to help you.  What you are doing will not help you and will hurt you in the long run.  Obstructive sleep apnea is correlated with increased blood pressure and increased risk of heart attack and strokes, plus all of the other symtoms I'm sure you're aware of, fatigue, depression, car accidents, etc.

It is easy to be very frustrated, but you can get better.  You just have to make the decision that you want to and give it your best effort, whatever that takes.

Vicki

I was occassionally taking 20mg Ambein before my sleep study to aid with sleeping. Oddly I would sleep but not wake rested which is part of the reason for the sleep study in the first place. After the study my doctor said taking a sleeping aid in my case was 'dangerous'. The reason I wasn't waking rested was because the drugs do not help the apnea, can actually make it worse, but I wasn't waking fully during events so thought I was sleeping well when I wasn't.

Anyway - that's been my experience so far. Good luck.

I was told by my doctor that as long as I was being treated for sleep apnea, that I could take sleeping pills....but not to take them if I don't have the mask on.


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*** Linda ***

Thank you for your response. I cannot wear a cpap mask for more than one hour. I have tried five different types of masks.  The bottom line is...am I worse off fighting the cpap mask and not sleeping during the night as I attempt to adjust the nasal pillow, head strap, etc., or do I just ditch the entire apparatus and get what sleep I can without any cpap mask.  I am getting exhausted by the whole ordeal as well as frustrated.  I am getting ready to begin a weekend job, as well as my regular weekly job, and just have to have a resolution.

wideawake wrote:

Thank you for your response. I cannot wear a cpap mask for more than one hour. I have tried five different types of masks.  The bottom line is...am I worse off fighting the cpap mask and not sleeping during the night as I attempt to adjust the nasal pillow, head strap, etc., or do I just ditch the entire apparatus and get what sleep I can without any cpap mask.  I am getting exhausted by the whole ordeal as well as frustrated.  I am getting ready to begin a weekend job, as well as my regular weekly job, and just have to have a resolution.

Wideawake,

In answer to your first posting... YES you can die in your sleep. Untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferers are at an above average risk of stroke between the hours of 12.00AM and 4.00AM, usually while asleep. This is the result of a number of studies.

Take things simply. If you can wear a mask for one hour, might you not try and build it up gradually to 2 hours and so on. Nobody (who knows) thinks that cpap is easy. It is not natural to have a mask on your face while asleep, but the body and mind will adjust if trained. You must take this health issue by the scruff of the neck and win. It took me almost 7/8 months to become compliant, it's not easy.

If you ditch the cpap equipment, you will not get any restful sleep and there is a good chance of a motor or workplace accident. Contact your equipment supplier. They should be able to sort out the strap and mask problem.

Daniel


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The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)