apnea AND insomnia

[kally]

I never went to the sleep clinic for apnea, I went for insomnia, but on the way they discovered the apnea. So I still had the insomnia, in my case, not being able to get to sleep.

If any of you have this problem I just want to say that the sleep restriction therapy is doing really well for me. I think I have been doing it 8 weeks or a little more and things are beginning to turn around. Please let me know if you want to know any more.

With the cpap machine and the therapy my sleep is being transformed.

[zonk]

With the cpap machine and the therapy my sleep is being transformed.

Best of luck

I don't have an issue with insomnia but like to know something about ... "sleep restriction therapy"

[Jim Bronson]

I have both, and I'd like to know more.

I found this. I've never heard of this before, and it's probably worth a try. Is this the therapy you are using?

http://www.sleepdex.org/restriction.htm

[kally]

That is pretty much it Jim Bronson.

I worked with a sleep psychiatrist (very lucky), but you can do it by yourself,or online.

It takes quite a bit of discipline, and it was hard in the beginning, but I am seeing some decent results.

The idea is that you cut back on the time in bed so that you go to bed late and get up early. The time in between is for sleeping.

There is a lot more to it than that, but I am finding it effective. PM if I can tell you more.

I have both, and I'd like to know more.

I found this. I've never heard of this before, and it's probably worth a try. Is this the therapy you are using?

http://www.sleepdex.org/restriction.htm

[me50]

I had a sleep doctor try this with me and it wasn't a good plan for me BECAUSE it was hard for me to get the daily things done that I needed to be doing when I was only in bed for about 4 hours and only sleeping 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I could not function that way. It sounded like a good plan but I needed to have more time in bed and more time to sleep. I don't know if you would classify mine as insomnia like most people think insomnia is. I can go to sleep just fine but staying asleep is the issue.

Hope this works well for those starting out on this and continues to work well for those already doing it.

[49er]

I had a sleep doctor try this with me and it wasn't a good plan for me BECAUSE it was hard for me to get the daily things done that I needed to be doing when I was only in bed for about 4 hours and only sleeping 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I could not function that way. It sounded like a good plan but I needed to have more time in bed and more time to sleep. I don't know if you would classify mine as insomnia like most people think insomnia is. I can go to sleep just fine but staying asleep is the issue.

Hope this works well for those starting out on this and continues to work well for those already doing it.

I have the exact same problem Me. My new sleep doctor is having me keep sleep logs to sort out things as he feels I have several issues which I agree with.

Regarding sleep restriction, I have mysterious "narcoleptic" like issues even when I eat a very light dinner. I have also dozed off at ballgames. I am lucky if I can stay up until 10pm without falling asleep prematurely. Trying various methods to keep from this happening but so far, nothing has worked.

Maybe I should try watching a horror movie to see if that works. In case anyone was wondering, it wouldn't cause insomnia just so you know.

Former sleep doc thought SRT would be a good thing to try. When i responded that I would fall asleep standing against the wall after eating dinner, she reconsidered her position.

I too wish everyone well who is trying to do this and I wish you well Kally. Glad you find it helpful.

[Alexa]

New here! Just started CPAP last night! I too have insomnia, but doc thinks the CPAP will eventually relax me enough to fall asleep sooner. We shall see! I checked my first night's sleep "progress" online and it says I got a 99% and only had 1.7 "episodes" per hour - which isn't much at all! But when I had the test, I got 8.9 episodes per hour. Anyhow - I have the nasal pillows mask and my nose got a bit irritated from it -

[zonk]

You might want check 'RobySue' blog "adventures-in-hosehead-land" about insomnia

[trish6hundred]

New here! Just started CPAP last night! I too have insomnia, but doc thinks the CPAP will eventually relax me enough to fall asleep sooner. We shall see! I checked my first night's sleep "progress" online and it says I got a 99% and only had 1.7 "episodes" per hour - which isn't much at all! But when I had the test, I got 8.9 episodes per hour. Anyhow - I have the nasal pillows mask and my nose got a bit irritated from it -

Hi Alexa,
Here's what you can do for the nose irritation. Get some HPA Lanolin, (found in the baby isle of most stores,) and put a very "little bit" on a cotton swav and gently rub it into your nostriles and see if that helps you.

[Papit]

I never went to the sleep clinic for apnea, I went for insomnia, but on the way they discovered the apnea. So I still had the insomnia, in my case, not being able to get to sleep.

If any of you have this problem I just want to say that the sleep restriction therapy is doing really well for me. I think I have been doing it 8 weeks or a little more and things are beginning to turn around. Please let me know if you want to know any more.

With the cpap machine and the therapy my sleep is being transformed.

Way to go, kally. I'm in the same boat with both apnea and insomnia. The CPAP certainly does help. I also find waiting until I'm dog tired before going to bed helps with the insomnia. So does Melatonin which is over the counter.