How do I stabilize my sleep?

[godsdragon]

Hi everyone. I was dizgnosed with sleep apnea a few years ago... I used my CPAP machine for a while in the beginning and thaqt seemed to have helped. Latelly, Due to several factors such as stress, withdrawing from seroquel, withdrawing from xanax, and such, I have had to ask for sleep meds prescription. I take restoril which helps, however I stay in bed for 12 hours at a time... I decided to try cutting the capsule in half, to see if that would help with the amount of time I spend in bed...Well, it works on and off, today I have slept only 4 hours... I will probably have to go take a nap later on... I can't seem to be able to do the things suggested to stabilyze my sleep rythm. I also have stopped using my CPAP machine for when I use it, it takes about an hour to an hour and a half to fall asleep. I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep unless I take my mask off..
Any ideas or suggestions? Should I go back to a sleep specialist to see if I have something else besides sleep apnea? Thank you in advance for your answers...

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

As discussed above CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the therapy for obstructive sleep apnea as it helps to keep the airways patent. Obstructive Sleep Apnea can cause other complications like hypertension. Under therapy you can carry on with your normal work and driving also. Only go for regular follow ups with your doctor to check to see if the apneas are under control and if your sleep is adequate. Ensure to use the CPAP machine regularly.

Hope This Helped and Do Keep Us Posted.

[godsdragon]

Thank you all so much for the feedback. It is much apreciated.

[godsdragon]

Thanks! I heard of that breathing technique before as a meditation tool, but did not know it can be a sleep enhancer as well. I will give it a try...

Peace,

Ed

[hava]

Follow this natural method to get to sleep. It will relax you  and in the morning you will feel, that you had a good sleep.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.
May 30 ,2011

[godsdragon]

Could be... I started using it again last night... I'll see what happens... I stayed in bed some 15 hours, and still don't know if its lack of sleep or oversleep... I am now acustomed to sleeping at least 12 hours a day... Thank God for my disability determination...

Thanks for your feedback...!

[phoebe368]

I have been on cpap for several years now.  At first I had the same problem as you waking at night unable to fall back asleep.  I tried a lot of mask desenstization techniques,  I would wear it while doing something relaxing like watching tv or reading a book.  I also changed machines to an auto-bipap with the EPR off.  perhaps you need another titration study?

[godsdragon]

Thank you so much for your feedback...I hear what you are saying... I spend a lot of time in bed...12 to 14 hours a day and I don't realy know if it's because of lack of sleep or sleeping too much...But you are right I should take care of my apnea first... Thanks again!
Ed