Desperate for Advice

[Mattmac1]

My apologies for my desperation, but I recently had a surgery that I went under general anesthesia and I believe this has heightened my in diagnosed sleep apnea. With the holidays, I don’t even know when I can get diagnosed and on a CPAP machine to get regular sleep.

I went to the emergency room 2 nights ago with no sleep and chest pains. They sent me home with sleep meds (benzo family) that I can’t take because I have no machine and it gets me to sleep for about an hour but provides a burning sensation when I have an sleep apnea episode and is in bearable. The sleep is only about 1 hour at a time.

I am desperate to get diagnosed and on a machine but have no appointment. Last night I slept a total of 1.5 hours.

If I head back to the emergency room can I demand to be admitted and diagnosed and tried on a machine. At the very least I need to find a way to sleep.

Desperate for ideas. Thanks.

[G. Szabo]

Try to sleep in a reclined chair or sofa with a soft cervical collar. The sitting position mitigates most of the OSA symptoms. the more horizontal your position the less effective it is.

[Mattmac1]

So without a CPAP, you think it is better sleeping in a recliner than sleeping on my side?

[super7pilot]

What sort of surgery did you have?   And do be aware that any anxiety can be greatly amplified by our own thoughts/worries.  And of course apnea and reflux have a link. https://neurolaunch.com/gerd-and-sleep-apnea/     


I suffered reflux for many years until I STOPPED drinking soda. Soda has a very high level of Phosphoric acid. Bad for your stomach and kidneys. I went to the ER may times with chest pain and in a panic. The ER never could find anything wrong. BP was fine, ECG was fine. They gave me a Benzo and that stopped the attacks. However, ten years after the panic attacks started, it was finally discovered that all my panic attacks were from sleep apnea.

And sleeping with the head of the bed tilted up a bit can help. Or you can try what Szabo suggested. But recliner sleeping all night cab be tough.

[G. Szabo]

So without a CPAP, you think it is better sleeping in a recliner than sleeping on my side?

Yes, as long as you prevent chin-tucking.

[Mattmac1]

It was was a Ercp for a bile duct blockage. So that is fine. But I have not been sleeping barely at all since the procedure.

I realize now all the signs I missed of sleep apnea….sleeping in 2-3 hour increments, waking up with headaches, etc….I just need a CPAC solution and I don’t know how quickly I can make that happen.

If I could only find a benzo that did not cause pain with the burning. I do believe I am having panic attacks. 

Thank you for your reply reply. I needed that.

[artsyuno]

While I was waiting on testing and diagnosis, I found sleeping on a wedge to be somewhat helpful. It kept my blood ox above 90.

[artsyuno]

Also, if you haven't already, think about trying some pre-bed relaxation/mindfulness exercises.  My sleep doc sent me to a CBTi group where they recommended an phone app called CBTi Coach.  In the tools section, There are a couple of 10 minute-ish exercises where you focus in on different body parts that I found helpful in getting my brain to stop spinning a bit before bed.

[Mattmac1]

Where you having sleepless nights and anxiety issues as you went though this?If so, how did you get through it?

I was so hoping someone had a way to get set-up with a CPAP quick.

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[super7pilot]

I would not recommend going down the Valium highway. Even if you don't get hooked, You will associate those narcotics with sleeping. I was on a minimal dose for ten years. And getting off even a small dose caused withdrawal symptoms.  There are a lot of things that can help you to relax before bed time.
As you stated that you had chest pain before the benzos. I suspect (and you should ask) that you had reflux before the benzos. Are there other meds you are on?  


1, stop using the devices about an hour before bed.
2, Do not eat 3 hours before bed.
3. DO NOT watch TV or read in bed. This bad habit trains you to associate your bed with NON-sleep activities.
4, Do not take a shower just before bed.
5, keep the bed room cool(ish)
6, Take some Magnesium Glycinate an hour or so before bed.