Hi all,
First time poster, long time OSA / CPAP user here.
So for the last 18 years I have had OSA, and used a CPAP (pressure 11.4 ) all that time to help with it, and it has certainly helped.
Probably like all of us, over the years my weight has gone up and down, but about 6 months ago I decided i needed to lose some weight. So 6 months later I have lost approximately 40-50 lbs. Along the way I noticed I was absolutely exhausted at night time. But because I was getting up at 5:45 - 6am to exercise, I chalked it up to that and never gave it a second thought. Then over the past 3 weeks I noticed I was waking up with a dry mouth, dry throat. I also found I was waking up almost like clockwork after 4-5 hours sleep, heart racing. My mind instantly went back 18 years.... sleep apnea!
So I contacted the cpap place and they pulled up a report. Pressure is good, mask seal good, I was told "its running a little dry so you may want to increase the humidity". But what was interesting was that I had no OSA events at all like i thought, but she did see "central apnea events" but according to the report they are not significant. So I get the science and the numbers, but when I wake up at 4am and my heart is racing and I cant fall back to sleep, they feel pretty significant to me.
So knowing what CSA is, it kind of has me terrified to go to sleep. I have contacted my doctor to get the ball rolling with appointments with the sleep clinic but until all that happens, I'm a bit lost I guess. I'm partially afraid to go to sleep, but desperate to get some sleep.
Has anyone encountered this? Any useful "homemade remedies" I can try at least to tide me over until I can see the specialists?
Thanks :)