Coping without a machine
Hi everyone,
I'm new here. I was recently diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, averaging around 27 breathing disturbances an hour. For the longest time I thought I had chronic insomnia but a hard-fought for sleep study showed otherwise!
The doctor said I will be getting a CPAP machine...problem is, there is a nation-wide shortage due to recall and I have no idea when they'll have one available for me. It's been a month. I guess I'm wondering...is there anything I can do to improve things for myself while waiting? I already eat healthy, at a good weight for my age and build, am active...the doctor said for me, it had to be genetic. Everything I'm finding online is about lifestyle choices I already do. It really affects my ability to perform at work and I don't want to lose my job.
Hi
, welcome to our community. I was curious to see if you've received your machine yet?
My health was doing great, so I returned my CPAP machine (without following up with the sleep physician). I assumed sleep apnea was only for people with obesity. It turns out my sleep apnea is also genetics, so I understand.
Please keep us posted, and I hope you've been feeling ok.
Warmly, — Matt G. (sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net) Team Member
Unfortunately, I have not received a machine yet. When I last called for an update, the company told me they didn't know where it currently was in transit, but that they expected it to arrive in eight weeks from that time, which would be two weeks from now. Twice since then I have gotten phone calls saying that they did not know when it would arrive. I have since lost my job as well, but I was told that "once I get my health together I can come back." I only feel like I'm getting worse. My brothers and Mom sometimes have to remind me about things I would normally be able to remember, and I have a really hard time doing basic math and reading. Which is really frustrating when I grew up taking honors and AP courses.
It's been so long, I wonder if I'm even going to get a machine within the year.I'm really sorry to hear this news
, please keep us posted.
Warmly, — Matt G. (sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net) Team Member
Hello @SamuiMoon So glad you found us and welcome to our community! You will find lots of support and helpful tips in here. I understand the genetic component. I even wrote an article you may find interesting https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/misconception-weight As for what you can do in the meantime until you get your PAP machine, there is one thing you can do to help yourself. Sleep in a recliner so that your work of breathing is a bit easier. Also, put some pillows behind you to keep you sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your back is the position where your respiratory events will be at their worst. These things are not a cure but they can help you some. Warmly, Lisa (SleepApnea.Sleep-Disorders.net Team Member and Advocate)
Thank you very much. I have a history of doing a lot of tossing and turning all night. I have a pillow I really like for giving my head and neck proper support, but I always somehow manage to slide down from my wedge during the night! Still, I hope the wedge is helping, since my household doesn't have any recliners. I see you still have not gotten your machine yet. How is it going with staying off your back and trying the wedge pillow? Warmly, Lisa (SleepApnea.Sleep-Disorders.net Team Member and Advocate)
