Hi Lovelies,
My rheumatologist and neurologist suggested I take a home sleep test to see if apnea was causing my pain and fatigue/ fibro. Well, I got results and the test found I actually do have mild sleep apnea. Could CPAP treatment really be the answer to my pain and fatigue issues? The rheumatologist feels sleeping issues are at the root of the fibro pain and fatigue and it will.
How many of you are using CPAP and was it the solution to major fibro issues?
Thanks for sharing!
Laurie
Hi Laurie,
I use a CPAP machine faithfully every night. It is one of my best friends. The energy difference I experienced has been like night and day. I did the test and they found I had moderate sleep apnea. Before CPAP, I was exhausted all the time, I would fall asleep at my desk at work, at the movies, before dinner, after dinner, even while talking to someone, how bad is that?? My Rheumatologist told me the same thing, that my pain would probably go away as well as my fatigue with the CPAP. Although, we are all different and for some it may have cured their pain, for me the pain did not go away nor decrease but the exhaustion greatly improved. I mean I still feel tired and Fibro kicks my sorry butt and exhausts me like the old days, but generally I don't suffer such bad exhaustion or fibro fog anymore. I would highly recommend people who think they might have a sleeping disorder to check it out. I am so happy I did. And I, and the huge dog who sleeps beside me (no, not my husband, LOL, but a bull mastiff), have adapted to it fairly quickly to wearing a mask and being attached to a machine.
Hope all works out well for you.
Singingtrees XXX
Thanks, Singingtrees, I am excited to try it and I hope it helps me as much as it helps you. Even if it doesn’t decrease my pain, if sounder sleep is an outcome of using the CPAP, I’ll still be better off for it!
Yeah, thanks, Lovett, I also don’t necessarily believe apnea causes Fibro, but I gotta tell you my Fibro has gotten much much worse since I started having the sleep issues and apnea. I pray CPAP will decrease this pain but I’ll be relieved if at very least it can help my sleep and increase my energy level.
Sleep is so important, Laurie, and you owe it to yourself to give this a fair chance. It may make a difference!' I certainly hope it does! The people I know who have been able to make the adjustment to using the CPAP say they would never try to slelep without it!
Wishing you the best!
SK
I am definitely gonna give it the old college try, Susan. Thanks so much for always being supportive, hon. You are a much needed ray of sunshine.
Love,
Laurie
Hello. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. I am also claustrophobic. I tried all the masks and just could not use it. I have several friends who use it and they say their days are much better. Hope that helps
Sorry to hear that, Jackie. Have you tried the dental equipment that is supposed to treat apnea? I will investigate that if the machine proves unusable (is that a word?).
I would like to just add a little something to the conversation. FM, in my opinion, is not caused by sleep apnea. I am sure that the FM is aggravated by sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is classified as either obstructive sleep apnea or central sleep apnea. Most often it is obstructive sleep apnea where the throat collapses and the patient stops breathing. If you have been tested and the test shows that you have mild obstructive sleep apnea, then a CPAP may help you. It provides a continuous flow of air into your airways, keeping them open (so they don't collapse). Please remember that it often takes people a little time to get used to having air blown into your airways. If you try a CPAP mask and it doesn't fit or it hurts, then ask to try another. Don't give up. I have seen many lives changed for the better by having their sleep apnea treated by CPAP. I hope this information was ok to post.
Hi Laurie,
I stopped using mine after about 6 months because the company that was supposed to maintain it stopped sending new masks. My rubber mask was pulled into all different directions because I tried to find the most comfortable position. After awhile it just didn't fit right anymore.
But. Here's. The. Important. Part: my rheumy said I would damage my body if I did not use it. Cancer, strokes and heart-attacks are a few of the possible ramifications of not using one. So, yeah, I'll be looking into getting another one (the company stopped using my insurance, so they wanted it back - perhaps to reuse it??) I think my rheumy's words are a good reason to use one.
Other than discomfort, I can't think of any cons of using it.
Wow damaging your body seems reason enough to me. Petunia have you ever heard of or tried any of the alternatives like the nasal or dental equipment? Comfort is gonna be a likely issue for me. I sleep on my side and toss and turn alot.
Thanks, hon.
Laurie
While you are deciding try Sleep Right Nasal Breathe Aid. You get 3 for about $10.00. You use one for 15 days. You put them in your nose while you sleep and it keeps your nasal passages open. I sleep so much better now that I use them and I don't snore anymore. You can get them at most drug stores in the same spot where you would find breathe right strips.
Gentle Hugs,
Stacey
Thank you I will definitely give these a try!
Hi again, Lovelies.
Check out this article on latest CPAP alternatives. It's very interesting. I decided to get proactive if me and the machine aren't good bedmates!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/02/sleep-apnea-treatment/2919167/
Love,
Laurie