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IntellectualLemonFalcon1027

IntellectualLemonFalcon1027
Joined Jun 2017
IntellectualLemonFalcon1027
Joined Jun 2017

Thanks so much for reading my post and the advice. I talked with my PCP and explained my situation. She listened and knows that I want to do what I can for this to be a successful transition. Here are the changes I made and I hope this helps someone else new to CPAP.

  1. Advice from this forum...keep at it, this is new, you will get used to it eventually so give yourself the time adjust
  2. Kicked my spouse and all animals out of the bedroom for 4-5 nights
  3. Added night lights in the bedroom and just outside the door
  4. Take a few sips of sleepy time tea 1 hour before I want to go to sleep
  5. My PCP prescribed a lose dose of generic Xanax which I take 45 minutes before I want to go to sleep
  6. Get comfy in bed with a book (no TV, no mobile, no iPad). Reading makes me sleepy no matter what the subject.
  7. Put FF mask on & check for leaks when I start to doze off; breathe nice and calm through my nose with my mouth slightly open; settle in to sleep on my CPAP pillow (for side and back sleepers)
  8. Put my ear plugs in (noise keeps me awake, always has) and drift off

I usually am up within 1.5 hours to use the restroom, but that is normal for me. I am able to get to sleep relatively quickly and stay asleep till about 5:30am/6:00am.

My plan is to slowly wean myself from Xanax but will always have some on hand for those rough nights. This has been a huge adjustment for our household. We also got a better bed, adjustable to be elevated slightly. With the new mattress, my hips do not go numb any more while on my side. My spouse snores too but the slight elevation has significantly reduced her snoring so that it is not keeping me up. I also match my breathing with her snoring when I am falling asleep--sounds weird but it works. At the time of this update, the dogs and cats are still not allowed in the bed or bedroom. At least we are both having a good nights sleep. I am logging 7-8 hours a night on the CPAP. Being that the first night was a sketchy, yucky uncomfortable 46 minutes, I'd say this is progress. Again, the purpose of this update is to let everyone know I think I am on the right path and more importantly, I hope this helps others.