@hopalong86, I feel your pain (literally) I've also had serious back issues (5 lumbar surgeries, 2 of which have been fusions) I have degenerative disk disease, throughout my entire body and have figured my back issues have caused my sleep issues (tired, up multiple of times at night) can't sleep in any other position but lay on my back with pillows everywhere, for support and comfort. Once we purchased a sleep number bed, things did get better, however after my son gave me a Fitbit watch to track steps, etc., I noticed my sleep was very restless and it reported that I lost a lot of time during each night due to "waking up" which I wasn't aware of. Finally I talked to my PCP who set up an in home sleep study, said I had sleep apnea and left me with no extra information. Finally I tried an ear, nose and throat doctor, we wasn't much help either, and then finally a sleep doctor. The did do another "in house" overnight sleep study, set me up with a different company to get the cpap machine and mask, etc. my numbers have gotten worse, not better. I that the machine was supposed to improve my sleep, and the best I've had reported was one night with an AHI of 14, went back to the sleep doctor who said they would increase the pressure or see if that helps, it has not, maybe they will put me back in the sleep lab. I am so frustrated I want to scream. I have an app I downloaded called Dream Mapper which I check every morning after waking up. It not only tracks the mask fit, usage, the AHI number (last night 51) it also tracks clear apneas (143 last night) obstructed apneas (225) last night and hypopneas (99 last night). There have been nights that my obstructed Apneas and hypopneas have exceeded 300+ the other night they were 275 and 124 respectively which is close to 400 events. The machine pressure has been increased for just about a week now and I see no improvement. I do not fit the "normal sleep apnea" profile, not obese, not plagued with high blood pressure or diabetes, my neck size is not huge, etc. I've asked the doctor why it is that I'm having these problems and he is blaming it on the medication. I see my pain management doctor this week and will discuss with him. I've tried decreasing my dosage of Meds on good days to see if that helps with he sleep issues, have tried sleeping with and without my ambien prescription to see if there is any difference, and can't find any answers.
Do you have to sleep in a certain position with your pain issues? I was once diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but pain management guy dismissed that I had it and removed me from meds I was given to help that. My sister also has degenerative disk issues, has neck and lumbar fusions, fibromyalgia, etc...and was also diagnosed with sleep apnea, however she was at least 75 pounds overweight, had diabetes, high blood pressure, and neck size was huge, so I understand why they said she had sleep apnea. Are they blaming your sleep apnea on pain meds you take?
I feel compassion for what you are going through, I know what it's like to be in pain 24x7 with no relief. Finally after fifth back surgery and subsequent memory issues I couldn't return to work and filed for permanent disability. I never thought I would be in this position - ever. Figured I would work until normal retirement age, however that was not the plan....no way I have the stamina to do anything 8 hours a day for one day, much less five consecutive days. It finally took its tool. Hearing I had sleep apnea was enough to send me over the edge, with everything else I've been through, now can only sleep in one position and now I have to wear this device on my face, to help me sleep (worse)??? I hope they figure my stuff out, because I'm not going to keep putting up with all you have to do to keep up the machine, wake up face sweating, dry mouth, etc and find out number getting worse, not better. I hope and pray you get your machine and all figured out, you have enough challenges without this as well, take care, Jules
