Physical symptoms are keeping me down.

[Masked Man]

I know a couple of people who use a CPAP machine every night. They say it literally changed their lives. One said that he had never had a night of sound sleep until he got one. His wife says that she is so used to the soft sound of the machine that she can't sleep when her husband is away from home overnight. It can change your life.

I have a family member (or rather an in law) whose CPAP made a huge difference as well. Not only did he sleep through the night, it helped to bring his blood pressure down and helped him to follow a healthier diet resulting in weight loss, which then brought his blood sugars and cholesterol down.

People underestimate how badly sleep apnea can really mess up someone's health.

 

[Metalhead]

Yeah, I had my sleep study last week. Yeah, it's confirmed, severe sleep apnea. Yeah, I have to wait for Medicare to approve the prescription for a CPAP machine before I can pick one up and start using it. But once I get one, I assume I will get decent sleep at night and I will stop sleeping at my desk at work no matter how hard I try to stay awake there.

 

[Masked Man]

That's great to hear - it will probably take some time to get used to using it, and I'm sure there's a learning curve, but I think once you get the hang of it you are going to feel light years better.

 

[Metalhead]

My sleep study showed that I had 79 disturbances per hour. No wonder the CPAP I was prescribed three years ago didn’t work. They are now going to do a second sleep study, this time in the lab, to properly fit me with the right machine for the job. I most likely will end up on a BIPAP machine.

 

[Metalhead]

I hate waiting to hear back from the sleep lab to discuss the next steps. I want this dealt with today, damn it. I have been struggling for this long enough.

Grant me the patience to deal with the wait and grant me the patience RIGHT NOW!

 

[Masked Man]

I hate waiting to hear back from the sleep lab to discuss the next steps. I want this dealt with today, damn it. I have been struggling for this long enough.

Grant me the patience to deal with the wait and grant me the patience RIGHT NOW!

I know how you want to deal with this right now. I get it. However it needs to be done correctly, and that might mean a few days.

At this point, it's already been going on for this long, what is a few more days, right?

Just hang in there and do the best you can. Help is coming.

 

[Metalhead]

My job is the only place where people want me to be there.

I have no reason to live.

 

[Metalhead]

My job is the only place where I am wanted yet I am physically unable to give them what they need and I have to wait until June 6 for anything to change on that front.

I should die.

 

[Masked Man]

I hear what you're saying. But really try to put this into perspective: You've been dealing with this for how long? And June 6 is 3 weeks. You can push through for 3 more weeks. The help is coming. Just hang on. You don't want to do anything permanent that you can't come back from for a lousy 3 weeks.

Look at it this way: you've already done the hard part. The solution is coming. Don't give up yet!

 

[tree]

BiPAP vs. CPAP Machines: Breaking Down the Differences

• CPAP provides constant air pressure, while BiPAP offers two pressure settings.
• BiPAP machines can automatically switch between an inhalation pressure and a lower exhalation pressure.

 

[Judge]

My job is the only place where people want me to be there.

That's a good thing.

I once had a job with a very tight-knit group who didn't like me from the day I walked through the door.

 

[Metalhead]

I want to fall asleep and not wake up for a very long while.

 

[tree]

I want to fall asleep and not wake up for a very long while.

Considering the amount of rest you are currently experiencing
while sleeping, this is quite understandable.

If I am correctly interpreting the results you mentioned of a recent
sleep study, even 15 minutes uninterrupted would be a relief.

 

[Metalhead]

Considering the amount of rest you are currently experiencing
while sleeping, this is quite understandable.

If I am correctly interpreting the results you mentioned of a recent
sleep study, even 15 minutes uninterrupted would be a relief.

In a world where protecting the fragile feelings of all who wish death upon me keeps me from speaking in self advocacy, falling asleep and never waking up does sound like a nice proposition.

 

[tree]

The payscale for a person obliged to protect fragile feelings of those who
wish death upon oneself is quite minimal, I expect. In fact, I think the
reward garnered from such an endeavor would actually total in the
negative range.

 

[paloftoon]

I have sleep apnea, so I can relate at least somewhat.
I do use a sleep machine, a cpap. I do not need the bipap, at least not for now.
Some people get bothered by the mask on their face, but textures don't bother me too much and since it helps, I've gotten used to something on my face since it does energize me the next day.
I still get tired sometimes, but the machine helps me a lot.

When I was diagnosed with apnea, I was 8 lbs away from my normal weight based on bpi. Weight can be a significant issue, but not necessarily. Everyone is different.

I have tried different gym programs and I realize that I tend not to push myself enough sometimes, and sometimes I get pushed too hard by trainers. Sleep is definitely a factor. I recommend, if feasible, finding a gym partner to go to the gym with at least as this can be motivational. Sign up for classes sporadically last minute or find a gym with videos you can follow at your own pace (HotWorx). hotWorx is 24-7, but you need to be okay with the heat.

DDR and going to a climbing gym with mats on the floor, where I'm not dependent on someone else holding the rope for me, have been reasonably ideal for me.

A lot of trainers out there only want to work with athletes, and I'm not an athlete. They don't really care about my conditions and think that I need to want to be a rabbit that just constantly moves non-stop- and I know I don't like this.

Stay hydrated- this was a factor for me too- I didnt realize I was accidentally not hydrating myself because I didn't want to buy a water bottle when I forgot to bring my own with the everyday stresses of life.

Working out at home if you can, even just stretches, house work, sit-ups or semi-sit-ups, anything is better than nothing.

I am trying to do 50 sit-ups a day minimum. I've done this for at least 8 weeks, and while I still have issues, I do feel like this has helped me a little.