Let's talk about sleep

[troutman]

We all lose an hour of sleep Saturday night.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by shermanator

What were the costs for a CPAP? I'm reading anywhere between 2000-2500 for the machine.

About $1500 and my HC covered it. The company I am with now will cover 1 machine per life. masks are about $200 and need to replaced every year or so.

I have been ordering stuff from here if you want to check pictuers and prices

http://www.cpapclinic.ca

[dissentowner]

[Nammer403]

Pure darkness exception on the LED clock.
I dont have troubles sleeping though I fall asleep easy and stay asleep all night.

[boobaloo]

Originally Posted by shermanator

I have long experienced symptoms of never being able to get enough sleep. A few months back, I managed to get in to a sleep clinic, where the doctor explained that my symptoms (lack of restorative sleep, waking up gasping, not being able to shut my brain off, consistently jarred awake by little things) were related to sleep apnea. In the process of waiting for my sleep study, I have begun to develop insomnia, and now I can’t seem to fall asleep before 2 am on most nights. Currently I have gotten less than 5 hours of sleep for the last 5 nights, when a few months back I would have been out for 8 hours minimum.

I feel like I’ve tried everything to get to sleep now that my routine has been jarred. Alcohol, no alcohol, warm milk, reading, earplugs, sleeping in a cool room, sleeping in a hot room, exercise 4 hours before bed, no exercise at all before bed. I feel like nothing works.

It’s amazing how such a simple natural act like sleeping can have such an impact on lives. I have found that my mood almost 100% depends on the quality of sleep I received the night before.

I am not sure why you have to wait for a sleep study. You can have a Level III study done at home, and most Respiratory homecare companies can do one within a couple of weeks. Particularly if you are having lots of symptoms, it might be better to not wait to get into a sleep lab.

While buying sleep gear over the internet might seem like a good deal, there are lots of benefits to going to a sleep provider. It's not like buying a guitar on the internet, it's an airway control device that is prescription set, and can have some serious consequences if not set properly. Not to mention the follow up care you get from an actual Respiratory Therapist. You don't know what you are getting when you buy online, whether it's been properly set etc, and you won't get any follow up from a sleep provider if you have problems. None of the companies will touch an internet CPAP with a 10 foot pole.

Also, the masks are intimate and non-returnable, so if you go with a provider, you'll get an exchange...very important when you consider that there are probably 30-40 styles of masks in 4-6 sizes each. Kinda hard to pick one out over the internet, and if the one you pick up doesn't work for you, you'll be SOL on the internet, but a provider will exchange it for you. They cost $225-500 depending on the style. Machines start 1200-2400 for a CPAP depending on the type, and they can go even higher if you have a complex apnea. Most insurance companies cover the cost to some degree, but all providers will quote your company and you will know before you have to buy. Also, CPAP providers offer a 1 month trial with as much follow up as you need to get you going. It can be hard for some people to learn to be on CPAP. I am a Respiratory Therapist and I work for a CPAP provider. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions...

[Brannigans Law]

i always rub one out or if the lady is with me have sex before bed. it works fantastic. something about an orgasm is like being shot in the throat with a tranquilizer.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

something about an orgasm is like being shot in the throat

Tell us more.

[Brannigans Law]

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

Tell us more.

I dont want to ruin the surprise ask your mom

[driveway]

[Shin Pad]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Earplugs.

I'm a terribly light sleeper, and getting custom earplugs helps immensely.

Make an appointment with an audio clinic near you, get a custom mould made, and get some scrip earplugs. Will only run you ~$120 after all is said and done, and if you have a company healthplan, it can typically be applied to that.

I completely agree. I've slept with earplugs for the last 30 years. I usually get a great night's sleep.

[Rudee]

Originally Posted by krynski

my circadian rhythm is very disturbed. I sleep 3-4 hours per weekday, often broken into 2 segments. Weekends I catch up a little.

Reset your circadian rhythm using a light therapy device. I couldn't sleep more than 4-5 hours tops per night until I used a phillips goLite device to reset my circadian back to normal hours. Best investment I ever made. Haven't slept this well since I was a teenager.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Apparently light frequencies in the blue area of the spectrum inhibit melatonin production, so attempting to relax with computer, tablet and TV usage before bed are not helpful.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Discoste

Anybody have any feedback on those wake-up light alarms?

I used to have a sunrise alarm clock. Thing was damned expensive at the time, especially as it was shipped from the states and I had to pay unexpected duties on it. In truth though, it was probably the best sleep aid I have ever had. It was phenomenal in how much it helped with waking up feeling rested, even if I was getting very little sleep.

I would recommend one of those to anyone. I wish mine hadn't broken when I tried to bring it back to China with me from Canada. Being reminded of it has me shopping for a new one now.

[ernie]

As mentioned above do a sleep study and when it comes to equipment go to a proper provider and doctor. There are different cpap devices that need to be chosen correctly based on your test results. In all liklihood an auto titrating one will work. But the masks is where you really need assistance. Full or half or nasal plug. Small or medium or large. How they stay on. It's completely individualized comfort and effectiveness.

[KOgear]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I used to have a sunrise alarm clock. Thing was damned expensive at the time, especially as it was shipped from the states and I had to pay unexpected duties on it. In truth though, it was probably the best sleep aid I have ever had. It was phenomenal in how much it helped with waking up feeling rested, even if I was getting very little sleep.

I would recommend one of those to anyone. I wish mine hadn't broken when I tried to bring it back to China with me from Canada. Being reminded of it has me shopping for a new one now.

Which one did you get? Was it one of the philips ones?

[Pagal4321]

I had similar issues a few years ago, went into the sleep clinic, diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been using the cpap machine for almost two years.

I agree what boobaloo said about going to respiratory clinics, especially for things like masks and hoses for your cpap.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by KOgear

Which one did you get? Was it one of the philips ones?

The one I had was just called Sunrise Alarm Clock I think. From a company in Florida as far as I remember. I don't think Philips was making them at the time I got my old one. I just ordered one of the Philips ones though, so I'll be in a position to say how that is after a couple of days. I just got a simple one as I only want the light and am not worried about changing colours, radio or lots of different wake up sounds.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by shermanator

What were the costs for a CPAP? I'm reading anywhere between 2000-2500 for the machine.

It depends on what type of sleep apnea you have. If it is obstructive, yeah, $1500 will cover it.

http://apneos.com/osa.html

It if is central sleep apnea, which my husband has, then you are looking at $5000+

http://apneos.com/csa.html

[flamesfever]

I have found that having the unique ability to catnap or power nap is very beneficial, can supplement normal sleep, and can even lead to a longer life.

I recall working with a famous mining executive that used to fall asleep, for short periods, while driving over a bumpy logging road. He lived to a ripe old age.

[missdpuck]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I know the best sleep is to be able to sleep without interruptions throughout the night. But I always wake up a couple times a night. Am I weird in that I love that feeling of waking up at 4am and realizing I still get to sleep for another 3.5 hours before I have to wake up? Sometimes, if I don't wake up at 4am and I sleep until my alarm goes off, I feel kind of cheated.

I love that too. I sometimes wake up really early to do laundry or maybe some yard stuff and then go back to bed. It makes me feel like I've beaten the clock somehow, I don't know.
I'd love to garden in the middle of the night. It's just so peaceful, no neighbors..and maybe I could nab the jerk who stole my solar path lights.

On the nights the woman behind me is being noisy in the middle of the night (unbelievable death rattle cough, or loudly going "whoop whoop" to her cat or parrot, not sure which) I retaliate by putting on my Sounds of the Everglades CD ,my white noise machine or sound machine. I have an arsenal of crap to block her out including a CD called Feeding the Ducks and one of train sounds. I love the sound of trains at night!
One morning I forgot to shut off the white noise machine before work. She came over the next day about having to listen to my awful staticky radio all day when she is so quiet! Really weird. She must have had her ear to my bedroom window.