Experience of others

I'm posting late tonight because I wanted to make sure I got in all of my water beforehand.  Ugh, it's definitely filling!  I don't know how anyone gets all their water in and overeats without feeling like they're going to burst.

On the sleep front, I still haven't been able to sleep with the machine.  However, I did call the surgeon's office and they told me I would have to meet with him in order to get questions answered about my specific situation.  The person who spoke with me did share that they have had patients who are tummy sleepers.  Okay, that was encouraging.  Wanting a little bit more information, I went onto my Facebook group that deals with gastric bypass with members who have either had the surgery or thinking about having it.  I was seeking responses from people who might have had the same experiences after their surgery.  Below is my original posting with their responses.

My post:

I have a CPAP-related question. I've got severe sleep apnea. My problem is that I can't sleep on my back or side. When I start to fall asleep in those positions, my breathing stops and I wake up. I have a CPAP now and my sleeping is worse than ever. I can't sleep with it on, no matter what I try and how long I try. The few times I have started to fall asleep, I not only wake up but it feels like a shock with the machine trying to do it's thing. When I take it off, I'm asleep in 5 minutes when I sleep on my tummy. I know it's important to use the machine and I do have a consult with a sleep doc next week. But has anyone who has already had the surgery that is a tummy sleeper have problems? The doc who approved me for surgery said my sleep position should not affect the surgery, but I'm curious how that would work. Did you sleep on your tummy after the surgery? I'm starting to worry that my inability to sleep on my back/side will prevent me from getting the gastric bypass done.

Responses:

• Try a different mask for your cpap. They have some less invasive masks that tend to freak people out less. You really will feel better if you use your cpap just got to find a mask that is comfortable for you.   And I have no idea about the belly sleep to answer your question. Sorry !
• [This message is from me ... I was annoyed by the message from the person from above - I didn't ask for advise about how to use the machine,  Yeah, okay, I was irritable but lack of sleep with do that to you.]   I should have put in my post that I have tried every type of mask. This has been an ongoing problem for years. Tried the machine a couple of years ago but decided to try again. This is why I'm asking the specific question about other people who are tummy sleepers.
• Your sleep apnea will go away pretty quickly as you lose weight. You won't be able to sleep on your tummy for a few weeks at least after surgery while your incisions heal. After that you'll be good. It's worth getting over the few weeks with not great sleep though because you won't need that machine anymore.
•  I couldn't wear my cpap either.. it gave me migraines.. on a good note, I am two months out, and my bf has told me I o not snore anymore.. I breathe heavy off and on, but nothing like I used too. After surgery u cant sleep on tummy for a bit, it hurts.. even after I was fully healed I tried it, and felt a pulling pressure.. I can now. but def not for first month.
• My sleep apnea and snoring went away within a month after surgery..you can sleep however you want after surgery but tummy might be uncomfortable for a few weeks...good luck.
• Love my CPAP and as the weight falls off they keep reducing the pressure and now I fear I don't need it anymore. It's like having the breeze brush up against my face. Different mask might help, also loosen the mask, and I have no trouble sleeping in any position. For the first month adjusting to it seemed difficult, but then was much better. Also, I got the humidify inc attachment.
• I loved my bi-pap. Please go back to the place that sold you your cpap and tell them what is going on. People die in their sleep, and your body will never renew itself for the next day.
• Bipap is way to go pressure lessons when exhaling much easier to breathe.
• I. Am the same way with my machine. I never used it. And I can only sleep on my tummy. Day I came home from hospital. I was. Sleeping on my tummy. You'll figure it out if ya wanna get to sleep. Lol
• [Me again.]  Thanks for all the great feedback. I'm definitely not giving up on the CPAP or whatever treatment is going to work for me. I have an appointment with a pulmonologist from the sleep clinic next Thursday. He will be looking at the data from my machine as well as have me bring the entire machine in (I'm guessing to make sure I'm wearing it correctly). I have tried loosening it, tightening it, sleeping on my back, on my side, different masks. I've pretty much tried it all and I'm completely at my wit's end. I pray something works soon otherwise I think people will find me in a corner crying from the pure exhaustion and frustration.
•  I felt like that until I joined a internet group, and I asked one questions detailing the masks I had tried, the levitating nasal pillows lol, and someone said "try this one". And I did, and it worked. Used it for about 6 years.
• I have a machine and I sleep in all positions except for the first month after surgery- I couldn't sleep on my stomach. I usually place my hose above my head when I lay down as it allows the air to flow freely. If the tubing is twisted I find I don't sleep well. I also have the full mask and the CPAP pillow which have cut outs for the mask and neck support.  Some times I do wake up with a headache but I believe the temperature need the be adjusted that night which sometimes affect my sinus.   Sometimes the temp that you have it set can make your sleeping uncomfortable. Mine is set at 70 degrees at the moment.
• Kathy, another thought I had is you might want to start and use the CPAP for one hour and gradually work the way up. You are ramping right?

It's clear from the messages that I'm not alone in the inability to sleep with the CPAP.  That made me feel better, as well as knowing that some were even able to sleep on their tummies.  It's so hard feeling like no one understands the things we go through, only to then realize there really are others that understand from personal experience.  It's really hard to describe the frustration I have gone through with this.  The inability to sleep is just awful, especially when you need to be somewhat functional throughout the day and particularly when driving behind the wheel of a car.

What I have decided is to try to let it go as much as I can.  Otherwise I'll cause myself (more) unending stress and anxiety.  That's the last thing I need to bring on for myself.  I have an appointment with a doctor from the sleep clinic on Thursday, so I'll see what he has to stay.  In the meantime, I'll do the best I can to get some sleep.

Speaking of which, I have an early morning walk with Sara and her two doggies.  I'm not going to use the machine tonight so I can ensure I will have enough energy to walk tomorrow.  Looking forward to that!

Water Challenge Day 25:  Drank 186 of 185 ounces