Please help with treatment review

[Geer1]

Your comment made me realize....

I keep falling asleep in front of the tv.  No cpap anywhere near.

My grandfather has severe apnea and 5-10 years ago realized that he was having symptoms just because he wasn't using PAP during his naps. 1 hr nap or whatever it was of apnea was enough to disrupt his quality of life. 

If you are inconsistently using PAP the first trial would be to use it every time you sleep or nap to see if that causes any changes.

[sheepless]

Dave, what does falling asleep watching tv suggest to you (besides the obvious; like in terms of pap and overall health)?

btw, maybe age is a bigger factor than we (I) thought, potentially explaining why we feel our sleep isn't as restorative as we'd like?

I was shocked that according to my new fitbit, my awake time of 17% is in the normal range for men my age: typical range 15-31%. I thought my fragmented sleep meant I am awake more than normal and that's my big problem.

otoh, my deep sleep is low normal and rem sleep well under the typical range so maybe that's more problematic than frequent awakening (although maybe frequent awakening limits deep and rem sleep?)?

could our expectations be unreasonable after a certain age? if this is as good as it gets, maybe we are (I am) expending too much time and effort trying to do better?

[DaveL]

sheepless I think you're right.

Fitbit makes good gear.

Maybe I should be happy I'm still here. Time to change my perspective.

Thanks so much

Dave

[DaveL]

Thanks sheepless!

Finally got a camera and set it up.

that wasn't easy but it's done.

Results--

58 videos during the night.

I was worried about restless leg syndrome.  Hah.

Well--15% were restless leg.  I thought that would be a kick. Nope--it's a walk. short walk.  Maybe 3 or 4 paces...

85% were arms moving everywhere.  Pulling up the covers. Maybe 10 times.  Rest--reaching up to my mask  Checking for airflow. From the exhaust ports.

Feeling:
--not rested at all.
--brain fade for sure.

Feeling about the test:  wow Lots of emotions. Fear amongst others.

Dave

[DaveL]

Thanks Geer1
Great suggestion.



Not planned naps. Just falling asleep in front of the tv. But I appreciate the suggestion.

[DaveL]

I don't just have restless leg syndrome!  My arm movements are colossal.

[sheepless]

that could certainly explain your malaise.

the L in plm is for 'limb' which includes arms. the question in my mind is whether your arm movements are involuntary & periodic or voluntary & sporadic.

before pap I thrashed pretty violently, presumably in the struggle to breathe. some of that was plm but some was not (the flailing arms including repeatedly striking the mattress & my chest and head & body rolling stopped after pap). your apnea is pretty well controlled so one wonders - assuming if yours is more random - what you're thrashing against.

if not plm, stress comes to mind but it could be any number of things.

what do you think - periodic or random?

edit: forgot to mention a rem sleep disorder in which we may physically respond to dreams.

[DaveL]

sleepless I apologize for not buying a video camera sooner.

Two nights ago---arm movements were done with purpose.  Pulling the covers up. Or reaching up to the mask to make sure that the machine was on and blowing.

arm movements weren't twitches or moves like my dog makes when she is dreaming.

Last night I chosen different bedding. I slept much better.

Unfortunately the videos were not the same quality.  I had moved the camera and the new location was poorly chosen.

Feeling--better.  thinking more clearly today.

However index was 3.5! And that was much much worse than average.  I'll give it time.

Falling asleep today---sitting up.  Watching tv....off and on.

[DaveL]

I think it's time to change the model of mask I use.

[sheepless]

sounds like your sleep environment could be more comfortable. good you have video evidence to go on. 

nothing wrong with 3.5 ahi. 

I'm probably not a good example inasmuch as I don't think I'm particularly well rested, but I don't think I'm alone in getting sleepy riding in a car, watching a movie, reading, working on the computer... sometimes I have to doze a bit or get up and and get active to overcome it. maybe it's not all that unusual to get sleepy in front of the television. 

try shoveling some snow instead! 


seriously though, I jogged 1.6 miles at a slow fat old guy pace with the dog last evening. it wasn't terribly strenuous but I slept about 2 hours longer than usual!

yesterday you mentioned feeling emotional, even fearful. before that I think it was a racing mind. those things can't be conducive to good sleep. there are lots of methods people use to relax; might be worth looking into. idk anything about it but cognitive behavioral therapy is often mentioned and I believe it can be done with or without professional guidance. 

I'm thinking I should practice what I preach and get a camera for myself.  I don't want to take Dave's thread off-topic so if anyone cares to recommend one, I'd be grateful if you'd PM me.