falling asleep without CPAP

[player]

When I fall asleep without my mask on, I wake up feeling bad, and disappointed that I missed an opportunity to heal.

[PollCat]

I recently discovered that I can't go to sleep in a bed without the mask on. I can sleep in a chair, or airline seat, just fine - as long as the people around me don't mind the LOUD snoring!

But in bed, without the gear, I can not get to sleep . I tossed and turned for over an hour one night, until it sank in that I'd forgotten to don the headgear.

[Evpraxia]

Greetings OpineCone,

Sorry for the confusion. If someone is unable or unwilling to use an APAP then napping/sleeping somewhat upright is better than sleeping flat, at least for obstructive apnea.

Since my hubby has BOTH obstructive and central nervous apnea he should NOT be napping/sleeping without his APAP at all. However, hubby being hubby - there are times when he doesn't Think he will be napping/sleeping and resists my efforts to have him put on his mask/APAP. Frustrating for me, but hubby will be who he is.

[multime]

Greetings OpineCone,

Sorry for the confusion. If someone is unable or unwilling to use an APAP then napping/sleeping somewhat upright is better than sleeping flat, at least for obstructive apnea.

Since my hubby has BOTH obstructive and central nervous apnea he should NOT be napping/sleeping without his APAP at all. However, hubby being hubby - there are times when he doesn't Think he will be napping/sleeping and resists my efforts to have him put on his mask/APAP. Frustrating for me, but hubby will be who he is.

Yep my father had a very mild stroke awhile back and my mother and I had to force him to go to the ER. Some men just can't let others help them.

What can you do.

[Homerec130]

If I nap on/in the bed I use my mask. Now that I said that. My recliner in the living room has some type of sleep inducing drug in it. If I sit it in too long, I tend to nod off for about 10 minutes. I have found that I can no longer sleep on an airplane when I fly commercial. Don't ask me why, but I just can't fall asleep any more.

Homer

[OpalRose]

I totally understand what Evpraxia means by sleeping in a recliner.
During the time that I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and actually got a pap machine was aprox. 6 weeks! I was scared to fall asleep laying flat in my bed once I realized I stopped breathing over 33 time an hour! So for a little over a month, I slept in my recliner, as upright as I could get . I felt I would have less Apneas that way.
OpalRose

[retired_guy]

If I nap on/in the bed I use my mask. Now that I said that. My recliner in the living room has some type of sleep inducing drug in it. If I sit it in too long, I tend to nod off for about 10 minutes. I have found that I can no longer sleep on an airplane when I fly commercial. Don't ask me why, but I just can't fall asleep any more.

Homer

I must have purchased mine from the same mfg you got yours from. Like you, lay down, put on mask. Not even comfortable if I don't do that.

Sit in my comfy chair? Mid-afternoon? Power nap -- 10-15 minutes and I'm good to go. No mask, but maybe a puppy or two.

Sit in my comfy chair & watch tv at night? Good for an hour, maybe two, then gone. Mrs. R_G usually sends me off to bed, but otherwise nap time until bedtime. No mask.

But basically sleeping in a chair for me at least mitigates my apnea sufficiently that Mrs. R_G does not find it necessary to whack me with the tv remote controller, so I guess all is well.

Could not, would not, won't not lay down without my cute little mask and machine however.

As to whether or not I should be taking power naps, falling asleep in front of the tv, or whatever? I'm an old guy. Old guys have earned it.
At least I don't nap while driving anymore. That's probably a good thing.

[multime]

At least you don't have to fight with a cat who wants to help you put your mask on. I've also got a cat that loves sleeping on my chest a few times a month. Keep in mind she is about seventeen pounds.

[retired_guy]

I have however found that two puppies licking your toes in the middle of the night can be a distraction.

[multime]

I have however found that two puppies licking your toes in the middle of the night can be a distraction.

How about my childhood morning wakeup call. This was my cat coming inside the house after being outside in the cold and running into my room and crawling under my covers at my feet first while she is ice cold. This would startle me from sleep every single time even when I expected.

My parents would always laugh when they heard me wake up and would always ask me if I was awake honey. Not funny as a kid but now as an adult it was funny as heck.

Oh do I miss all of my cats over my life. Animals are the best ever even including the heartbreak that always must happen given how few years we have with them. I can say I've ALWAYS been happiest when I had a pet needing me and vice versa. I still believe that pets have calming and maybe even healing powers.