I was diagnosed with SA in February.  The problem started with severe insomnia for 2 or 3 years.  Then one afternoon while trying to take a nap everytime I started to doze I jerked awake not able to breathe.  This was on a trip; I went to the doctor when I got home.  He had me do oximetry at home and didn't like the results.  A sleep study showed it was SA.  Then a titration study.  The whole sleep study caused anxiety.  I slept 1 1/2 hrs one night and 2 1/2 hrs the other.  The equipment co. provided me with a CPAP machine a couple of weeks later.  The two masks they left were no good, I exchanged them for others, all uncomfortable.  After another couple of weeks I gave up.  They provided me an oxygen machine then and I have used it since.  At one point I spoke to the sleep center director and he had me come into the center one afternoon for a CPAP lesson.  He and a technician worked with me and were very helpful.  They had me try a couple of masks while relaxing and watching TV.  One of the masks seemed ok and I left with it and high hopes.  I learned though that relaxing and watching TV in the afternoon with a mask is very different from wearing one and trying to get to sleep.  With the insomnia I have to have things "just so" to go to sleep; quiet room, read til I get sleepy, etc.  The noise of the CPAP, the discomfort of the mask completely wakes me up.  Sooooo six months later I am still using oxygen to get by.  I contacted the sleep center again 3 weeks ago but so far they have not responded to a letter or phone call.  I live in a small town and think the Sleep Center is fine for basic SA but if you have a complicated problem, they don't seem to be able to help.  I am ready to go to Plan B but don't know what that is.  Any suggestions?

do you take any meds for your insomnia?  maybe that would help?

I take a little Xanex(.025mg) most nights.  Before SA diagnosis took Lunesta but have read that sleeping pills can make SA worse.

I take a little Xanex(.025mg) most nights.  Before SA diagnosis took Lunesta but have read that sleeping pills can make SA worse.

I take a little Xanex(.025mg) most nights.  Before SA diagnosis took Lunesta but have read that sleeping pills can make SA worse.

I would start w/asking my family doctor to order an overnight oximetry whilst I am using the 02 for sleep - just to make sure that the 02 is doing the trick. 'Cause on accountta obstructive sleep apnea is just that - an obstruction of the airway that causes a cessation of breathing. 02 w/o pressure is NOT going to open that obstruction. IF most of your problem was hypopneas then 02 can be a help. So - you need to know if the 02 IS keeping your 02 levels up enough all night or not.

I assume you've read and educated yourself about what damage long term untreated OSA can do to your body and your health.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

My suggestion would be that you give cpap another try.  It takes time to get used to it.....LOTS OF TIME.  It took me a good 6 months before I could sleep comfortably.  It was well worth the effort.   You must be DETERMINED to give it a good try.  A night or two just won't cut it.  Give yourself 3 months.  Many of those nights will be sleepless but on the nights that you are too tired to care, you will sleep and wake up renewed.

it sounds to me that you are going to have to treat your anxiety and insomnia in order to treat your apnea.  (Once your apnea is being treated perhaps your anxiety will lessen and you can decrease those meds. )

is your apnea central or obstructive?  if it is obstructive you can investigate whether there are structures such as tonsils/adenoids interferring with your breathing and decide about surgery.  otherwise, I don't think there is a 'plan b' for apnea treatment.

if your apnea is central, sometimes meds can help but they tend to have risky side-effects that can do as much (or more) harm as good.

Talk w/your dr re: your insomnia and ask about meds to help.  Not all meds increase apnea with everyone.  Ambien in fact is said to improve apnea in some.

Thanks for your suggestions.  They gave me some things to think about.  My doctor (primary care) did order oximetry right after I got the oxygen, but I wasn't used to the co2 at that point and couldn't get to sleep with both the cannula and the thing on my finger.  I could probably do it now.  I realized from what one person wrote that I really don't know details about how many times I stopped breathing and how many hypopneas.  I had been trying to get in touch with the sleep center director and he finally called me this afternoon.  He is going to pull my file and get back to me next week and at that time I will ask for a more complete report.  He also volunteered that he has other masks I can try and we had a good talk, so at least we have a dialogue going and maybe can find a solution.

"I got the oxygen, but I wasn't used to the co2 at that point and couldn't get to sleep with both the cannula and the thing on my finger.  I could probably do it now. "


This too will eventually happen with the xPAP..you will get use to it.  For many, the more they know about untreated SA the quicker the get use to the xPAP...and the same goes with knowing about your own study..not just the dictation..but the 5 to 7 additional pages.  

Plan B...if you are ready to go with it...back on the pap.  The afternoon wearing DOES help..if you do it all the time..and even if you allow yourself to snooze.  I know one person who hooked up the xPAP every afternoon for over 3 months..and always made an effort every night.  Finally started sleeping through the entire night and now has no problems with it.  You have to get it worked into your comfort zone.  Hopefully you will find a mask that causes you less discomfort...and ear plugs work well for covering any noise from the machine...or white sound.  I enjoy relaxation CD's as I fall asleep...anything to shift your focus.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.