I too have Sleep Apnea as the Sleep Clinic determined that I stop breathing at least 47 times in a minute and my oxygen rate drops as low as 80%. The machine is not that hard to get used to. I think part of it is mind over matter. For me to even try to sleep without my CPAP machine in unthinkable. A few nights the power has gone off and it's resulted in terrble fragments of sleep. The choice to not use the machine leaves you with many problems. Did you know that just one night of not using your CPAP machine and it lands you back at square one. So, you can be driving down the highway and suddenly the curtain comes down and you fall asleep momentarily. If you are invoved in an accident and they determine that you have a CPAP machine, but you are not using it , you can be charged with a DUI. So, I put my mask on and have used it every night since I pickjed it up. It definitely helps me sleep. However, if I am in pain like I am tonight after being up town for five hours then the pain and restless legs sinply will not allow me to stay in bed. But the machines are wonderful.
Nan, I agree about the waiting being the hardest part. I came to peace with this a long time ago, so I am accepting of the final procedure, but this day-to-day worrying, uncertainty, and heartbreak is what is killing me. I watch Nollie like a hawk, and every tiny change panics me, that I don't know if it's time.... Thank God for my Vet constantly guiding me and putting me at ease, I would have folded under this stress months ago.
That book sounds really helpful, I'm going to look at it. Thanks for telling us about it.
Nan, your situation is very different from mine. No wonder you can't tolerate the mask if you sleep on your tummy! I sleep on my sides. So that is a completely different issue with me. I have had my CPAP machine for five years now. Oh weeach have different complications. Good luck yo you getting some help from the doctor.
I just wanted to say thank-you all again for so many wonderful thoughts and prayers, I know it is the reason squeek had a quiet night, and has been without an attach since yesterday, but his breathing is still very rapid & now that I know how big ( literally ) his heart is, I’m sitting on the edge, pacing & stressing every time he moves, I am trying to pick up the phone and make the apt., my head is in a constant battle with my heart, once it’s done I’m sure I will be ok, but now having to make the call is brutal ! I’m going to talk to my son when he gets home today, he is having a hard time, so I have to be the strong one and just say lets go, ugh … This is for sure so hard, I guess until we go through something like this we don’t realize how hard it is, my brother had to put his dog ( baby) down and now I feel bad I wasn’t more supportive & understanding, going through it really makes you see it differently
Thank you everyone
Hugs & blessings
I hope you don't mind my jumping in here. I was going to suggest trying different face masks. Like you, I have issues with things going over my mouth and nose but I found one that has a soft cushion around my mouth and nose that is comfortable without causing any panic attacks. And when it's too tight for me, I loosen the straps. I know I'm not supposed to do this, but I figure that any oxygen from the machine that's going into my system is better than none. And I do wake up feeling fresher.
It would be terrible if the abuse you suffered took you down, in the end, by a heart attack or a stroke. You are a person with an amazing amount of information and guidance on animals. What a shame to not only lose your body but also your mind with all of that wonderful information, due to a stroke or heart attack. And how your pets would miss you!
Once my rheumatologist told me that I was harming my body from not wearing a CPAP, I went back and had another sleep study done, then got a new machine. I use it nightly, except when I'm in too much pain to get up to get it.
Sorry for interrupting your conversation but I really wanted to tell you all of this.
I just wanted to thank everyone for your kindness, compassion and support, my son and I took squeek last night it was so hard because he had such a good night and day, he seemed so full of life, besides the episodes he has had, he was still happy, loving, eating, drinking and going out, but the vet assured us his heart was going to give out, soon, we just didn’t know when, could have been a day, week or month. So we didn’t want to see him suffer a deadly heart attach and did what was best for him, it was very hard, but we loved him enough to say good by… I have been up all night crying, but my massive headache is a little better today.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart… Every post has helped me more than you will ever know,
God bless you Dee & I know you have a big hole in your heart right now. Please be kind to yourself knowing you gave your precious pet all the love you possible could and then some. I personally know how great this loss is but take comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain and is now Over the Rainbow.
It takes a long time to get over the loss of a beloved pet..sometimes we never do..but we MUST hold onto the fond memories and move on. How is your son holding up?
Cry like you must..it is all part of the grieving process.
Oh how difficult this decision has been for you and your son specially when Squeek had such a good day and night and seemed so full of life. You have shown such great respect for your son in helping prepare him for what needed to be done with Squeek and then allowing him time to come to terms with his decision.
It must have been so hard to say good-bye to Squeek. Now you really need to allow yourself the time to grieve your loss. BUT dee you must take care of yourself and rest and sleep as much as you can because this very difficult decision has been a journey. But we who live with chronic illnesses and fibromyalgia in particular know what this can and usually does to us. It can fill you with debilitating pain. Right now you are spent and your emotions are raw. Take comfort in knowing that Squeek is in a better place where he is free from his episodes and is running free in Heaven. One day you and Squeek will be reunited.
Your son will have his own way of grieving just as you will have your way.
My prayer is that you are able to rest and hopefully recall the wonderful times you have shared with Squeek. As you do this I hope that you are able to fall asleep. That is most important for you now dee.
dee, you are a very special woman with such great compassion. We love you. We care greatly for what you are going through. But we want for you to now take care of YOU.
There is no greater truth than in the words, "If you love someone, set them free." Squeek is free now. I know how incredibly hard it is to send your dog over to the other side, as I've had to do it with two of my beloved Chihuahuas within the past 2 years. But you know that you did all that you do to help Squeek and you have also set an example for your son of compassion. I truly believe that those whom we love, including our dogs, are over on the other side, looking over us and guiding us.
I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I know your heartache. And it was Shakespeare who said, "Tis better to have loved than to never have loved at all." Without love there would be no heartache BUT there never would have been the fullness of that love in your life and the happiness the love brought to you and your son. Within your heartache, please remember that there is the memory of the love give to you both by Squeeks, and the memories given due to that love. How incredibly dreary and empty our lives would have been if we had never had our dogs to love us each and every day. Heartache is the price we pay for that love; however, the heartache will fade but the love NEVER will.
Does your mask cover your mouth as well as your nose? Really? My mask covers my nose only. And the other masks that I was given to try......each covered only the nose. But if you have one that covers both nose and mouth that could be uncomfortable.
My heart is heavy for you.... it's such a hard decision since you really don't know what's wrong and if your dog is suffereing and how much. I"d get a second opinion with a different vet.... and then follow your gut instincts. When I questioned what to do with m Golden Retriever...when he was sick... mine said, ABsolutely.. it's TIME !
So, ask them... for sure they will tell you if it's time.. and if they're not sure... then keep a close eye - you know your doggie.
Yes, it's REALLY hard... I stayed with mine ... and then had to go out to the car and face my kids... ( told them he was needing more tests)... they were little then.. and then "Ranger" went to live on a "farm"..... lol !!