Not better after gallbladder surgery, being readmitted today.

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie,

It always makes me smile to hear how you have had problems that your

docs have helped you find solutions to. It is encouraging. :-) So

the CoQ10 helps the dysmotility too? My problem right now is that I

seem to be able to tolerate supplements for a short period then for

some unknown reason I start getting increased digestive symptoms

about 3 weeks after starting some, like clockwork. I am completely

off the Q10 and the carnitine right now, and nervous to start it.

Happy to just be able to tolerate liquids and not feel half dead.

Plus with the elevated LFTs, I am also hesitant. It seems like that

analogy, which comes first, the chicken or the egg..lol.

I am hoping the GI doc on the 30th can address that too. I have to

start making a list of questions. Thanks for reminding me of that

one.

:-)

Adam

-- In , Laureta Fitzgerald

wrote:

> Adam

>

> I agree with Alice that the sleep apnea should be addressed and

might help

> you a great deal. I know from experience that dysmotility can be a

painful

> and just miserable situation. After more years than I can remember,

I

> finally got relief by having my neuro increase my CoQ10 to many

times what

> was originally suggested and by getting my electrolytes in balance.

It is

> amazing that an imbalance can cause so many things to go wrong.

>

> I hope you find some answers for your problems.

>

> laurie

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie,

It always makes me smile to hear how you have had problems that your

docs have helped you find solutions to. It is encouraging. :-) So

the CoQ10 helps the dysmotility too? My problem right now is that I

seem to be able to tolerate supplements for a short period then for

some unknown reason I start getting increased digestive symptoms

about 3 weeks after starting some, like clockwork. I am completely

off the Q10 and the carnitine right now, and nervous to start it.

Happy to just be able to tolerate liquids and not feel half dead.

Plus with the elevated LFTs, I am also hesitant. It seems like that

analogy, which comes first, the chicken or the egg..lol.

I am hoping the GI doc on the 30th can address that too. I have to

start making a list of questions. Thanks for reminding me of that

one.

:-)

Adam

-- In , Laureta Fitzgerald

wrote:

> Adam

>

> I agree with Alice that the sleep apnea should be addressed and

might help

> you a great deal. I know from experience that dysmotility can be a

painful

> and just miserable situation. After more years than I can remember,

I

> finally got relief by having my neuro increase my CoQ10 to many

times what

> was originally suggested and by getting my electrolytes in balance.

It is

> amazing that an imbalance can cause so many things to go wrong.

>

> I hope you find some answers for your problems.

>

> laurie

>

[Guest guest]

Adam

You are welcome!

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 09:10:04 -0000

> To:

> Subject: Re: Not better after gallbladder surgery, being readmitted

> today.

>

> Hi Laurie,

>

> It always makes me smile to hear how you have had problems that your

> docs have helped you find solutions to. It is encouraging. :-) So

> the CoQ10 helps the dysmotility too? My problem right now is that I

> seem to be able to tolerate supplements for a short period then for

> some unknown reason I start getting increased digestive symptoms

> about 3 weeks after starting some, like clockwork. I am completely

> off the Q10 and the carnitine right now, and nervous to start it.

> Happy to just be able to tolerate liquids and not feel half dead.

> Plus with the elevated LFTs, I am also hesitant. It seems like that

> analogy, which comes first, the chicken or the egg..lol.

>

> I am hoping the GI doc on the 30th can address that too. I have to

> start making a list of questions. Thanks for reminding me of that

> one.

>

> :-)

> Adam

>

>

>

>

> -- In , Laureta Fitzgerald

> wrote:

>> Adam

>>

>> I agree with Alice that the sleep apnea should be addressed and

> might help

>> you a great deal. I know from experience that dysmotility can be a

> painful

>> and just miserable situation. After more years than I can remember,

> I

>> finally got relief by having my neuro increase my CoQ10 to many

> times what

>> was originally suggested and by getting my electrolytes in balance.

> It is

>> amazing that an imbalance can cause so many things to go wrong.

>>

>> I hope you find some answers for your problems.

>>

>> laurie

>>

>

>

>

>

> Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein

> are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

> entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

> responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

> physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

> Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

> automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Adam

You are welcome!

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 09:10:04 -0000

> To:

> Subject: Re: Not better after gallbladder surgery, being readmitted

> today.

>

> Hi Laurie,

>

> It always makes me smile to hear how you have had problems that your

> docs have helped you find solutions to. It is encouraging. :-) So

> the CoQ10 helps the dysmotility too? My problem right now is that I

> seem to be able to tolerate supplements for a short period then for

> some unknown reason I start getting increased digestive symptoms

> about 3 weeks after starting some, like clockwork. I am completely

> off the Q10 and the carnitine right now, and nervous to start it.

> Happy to just be able to tolerate liquids and not feel half dead.

> Plus with the elevated LFTs, I am also hesitant. It seems like that

> analogy, which comes first, the chicken or the egg..lol.

>

> I am hoping the GI doc on the 30th can address that too. I have to

> start making a list of questions. Thanks for reminding me of that

> one.

>

> :-)

> Adam

>

>

>

>

> -- In , Laureta Fitzgerald

> wrote:

>> Adam

>>

>> I agree with Alice that the sleep apnea should be addressed and

> might help

>> you a great deal. I know from experience that dysmotility can be a

> painful

>> and just miserable situation. After more years than I can remember,

> I

>> finally got relief by having my neuro increase my CoQ10 to many

> times what

>> was originally suggested and by getting my electrolytes in balance.

> It is

>> amazing that an imbalance can cause so many things to go wrong.

>>

>> I hope you find some answers for your problems.

>>

>> laurie

>>

>

>

>

>

> Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein

> are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

> entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

> responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

> physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

> Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

> automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Adam

I am jumping in here and hope Alice doesn't mind.

Sleep apnea is awakening often during the night due to either temporary

stoppage of breathing or breathing very slowly. When the brain detects an

increase in carbon dioxide, it sends out the " wake up and breath command " .

A CPAP puts the air under pressure, so you are less likely to stop

breathing. Oxygen can be added to the the air in the CPAP, but the pressure

is the starting point. I have been on CPAP for over 6 years and wouldn't

think of not going without it. I did have oxygen added for most of these

years, but am now off of it. My pressure was increased enough to not make

the oxygen necessary.

All this is determined with a complete sleep study.

laurie

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 08:54:05 -0000

> To:

> Subject: Re: Not better after gallbladder surgery, being readmitted

> today.

>

> Hi Alice,

>

> Thank you for your very thoughtful reply. :-)

> Yes, I couldn't agree more, that digestive problems day after day is

> far from fun. Yes, I am at least not getting dehydrating, but a

> liquid diet is pretty low nutritionally. What can you drink that is

> not sweet besides broth? Getting a mix of protein and carb to avoid

> hypoglycemic symptoms. Having no energy at all with so little

> nutrition.

>

> Yes, stressed out is again, very valid. Resting is what I am forced

> to do every day. I am pretty bed bound and have been for quite some

> time. Sleep is another story. I normally get about 5-6hrs of sleep a

> night and consider that a lot. When I get sicker, I can cut back to

> 3 or 4hrs. I don't have sleep apnea, but I do have difficulty

> staying asleep and sleeping soundly. I also wake up from intolerance

> to fasting, which sometimes I can get past with a few sips of

> gatorade. I have tried sleeping pills at different times, but it has

> never worked out for very long. I take melatonin now. I almost

> always can get to sleep but the melatonin helps me sleep deeper. I

> agree that for me, a night without sleep makes everything feel

> worse. It is amazing to me how much of a noticeable difference it

> always makes.

>

> You mention treatment for sleep apnea..not sure exactly what that

> is. Do they treat that with CPAP that I have heard mentioned on the

> list? Is that the oxygen treatment?

>

> Well...right again...it is really good to be home from the hospital.

> I have already gotten two good night's sleep that I didn't get

> there. I also have managed two days of doing liquids with no ill

> effects aside from the lack of energy, so that is encouraging. Maybe

> I can make it to my appt on the 30th without further ER trips.

>

> Thanks Alice...

> :-)

> Adam

>

>

>

>

>

>

>> Adam,

>>

>> I am sorry that you are still fighting these problems with the pain

> and misery of your intestinal system and sincerely hope that you find

> some relief rapidly. These types of problems are not fun to live

> with day after day. Perhaps the liquid diet will help to relieve it

> and I certainly hope it does as that would be the easy way to solve

> the dysmotility.

>>

>> Let me make a suggestion, just in case you haven't thought of

> this. Your system has been thru a lot of stress and I'm sure you are

> stressed by all of this right now. Can you just take plenty of time

> to rest - sleep - relax and do nothing? I'm thinking that giving

> yourself some time to heal and build up energy might help in the long

> run. It's a common thing for those of us with Mito to need extra

> rest especially when our bodies have been under stress. Some Mito

> patients go to bed for days or even a week - only getting up to do

> those things that are essential. You would need to make sure you

> keep those fluids in your system and take the meds and/or cocktail

> per your normal schedule so if this means setting an alarm to make

> sure you do it, that would be the way. Sleep is so important that

> it's medicinal to us. I'm sure that your time in the hospital was

> not very restful and probably put a lot of stress on you as well.

>>

>> It's just a thought. I do seem to remember that you may have sleep

> apnea. I would pursue this as this can affect your entire system if

> it is not treated properly. Since we really need good sleep, that

> just doubles the problem. I guess if I were you, I'd be putting

> this on the top of my list of things to do. I know that in my case

> at least, this is one of the most important treatments to me because

> it seems to help with everything else.

>>

>> Good Luck and please feel better.

>>

>> Alice

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

Adam

I am jumping in here and hope Alice doesn't mind.

Sleep apnea is awakening often during the night due to either temporary

stoppage of breathing or breathing very slowly. When the brain detects an

increase in carbon dioxide, it sends out the " wake up and breath command " .

A CPAP puts the air under pressure, so you are less likely to stop

breathing. Oxygen can be added to the the air in the CPAP, but the pressure

is the starting point. I have been on CPAP for over 6 years and wouldn't

think of not going without it. I did have oxygen added for most of these

years, but am now off of it. My pressure was increased enough to not make

the oxygen necessary.

All this is determined with a complete sleep study.

laurie

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 08:54:05 -0000

> To:

> Subject: Re: Not better after gallbladder surgery, being readmitted

> today.

>

> Hi Alice,

>

> Thank you for your very thoughtful reply. :-)

> Yes, I couldn't agree more, that digestive problems day after day is

> far from fun. Yes, I am at least not getting dehydrating, but a

> liquid diet is pretty low nutritionally. What can you drink that is

> not sweet besides broth? Getting a mix of protein and carb to avoid

> hypoglycemic symptoms. Having no energy at all with so little

> nutrition.

>

> Yes, stressed out is again, very valid. Resting is what I am forced

> to do every day. I am pretty bed bound and have been for quite some

> time. Sleep is another story. I normally get about 5-6hrs of sleep a

> night and consider that a lot. When I get sicker, I can cut back to

> 3 or 4hrs. I don't have sleep apnea, but I do have difficulty

> staying asleep and sleeping soundly. I also wake up from intolerance

> to fasting, which sometimes I can get past with a few sips of

> gatorade. I have tried sleeping pills at different times, but it has

> never worked out for very long. I take melatonin now. I almost

> always can get to sleep but the melatonin helps me sleep deeper. I

> agree that for me, a night without sleep makes everything feel

> worse. It is amazing to me how much of a noticeable difference it

> always makes.

>

> You mention treatment for sleep apnea..not sure exactly what that

> is. Do they treat that with CPAP that I have heard mentioned on the

> list? Is that the oxygen treatment?

>

> Well...right again...it is really good to be home from the hospital.

> I have already gotten two good night's sleep that I didn't get

> there. I also have managed two days of doing liquids with no ill

> effects aside from the lack of energy, so that is encouraging. Maybe

> I can make it to my appt on the 30th without further ER trips.

>

> Thanks Alice...

> :-)

> Adam

>

>

>

>

>

>

>> Adam,

>>

>> I am sorry that you are still fighting these problems with the pain

> and misery of your intestinal system and sincerely hope that you find

> some relief rapidly. These types of problems are not fun to live

> with day after day. Perhaps the liquid diet will help to relieve it

> and I certainly hope it does as that would be the easy way to solve

> the dysmotility.

>>

>> Let me make a suggestion, just in case you haven't thought of

> this. Your system has been thru a lot of stress and I'm sure you are

> stressed by all of this right now. Can you just take plenty of time

> to rest - sleep - relax and do nothing? I'm thinking that giving

> yourself some time to heal and build up energy might help in the long

> run. It's a common thing for those of us with Mito to need extra

> rest especially when our bodies have been under stress. Some Mito

> patients go to bed for days or even a week - only getting up to do

> those things that are essential. You would need to make sure you

> keep those fluids in your system and take the meds and/or cocktail

> per your normal schedule so if this means setting an alarm to make

> sure you do it, that would be the way. Sleep is so important that

> it's medicinal to us. I'm sure that your time in the hospital was

> not very restful and probably put a lot of stress on you as well.

>>

>> It's just a thought. I do seem to remember that you may have sleep

> apnea. I would pursue this as this can affect your entire system if

> it is not treated properly. Since we really need good sleep, that

> just doubles the problem. I guess if I were you, I'd be putting

> this on the top of my list of things to do. I know that in my case

> at least, this is one of the most important treatments to me because

> it seems to help with everything else.

>>

>> Good Luck and please feel better.

>>

>> Alice

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

Adam

I am jumping in here and hope Alice doesn't mind.

Sleep apnea is awakening often during the night due to either temporary

stoppage of breathing or breathing very slowly. When the brain detects an

increase in carbon dioxide, it sends out the " wake up and breath command " .

A CPAP puts the air under pressure, so you are less likely to stop

breathing. Oxygen can be added to the the air in the CPAP, but the pressure

is the starting point. I have been on CPAP for over 6 years and wouldn't

think of not going without it. I did have oxygen added for most of these

years, but am now off of it. My pressure was increased enough to not make

the oxygen necessary.

All this is determined with a complete sleep study.

laurie

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 08:54:05 -0000

> To:

> Subject: Re: Not better after gallbladder surgery, being readmitted

> today.

>

> Hi Alice,

>

> Thank you for your very thoughtful reply. :-)

> Yes, I couldn't agree more, that digestive problems day after day is

> far from fun. Yes, I am at least not getting dehydrating, but a

> liquid diet is pretty low nutritionally. What can you drink that is

> not sweet besides broth? Getting a mix of protein and carb to avoid

> hypoglycemic symptoms. Having no energy at all with so little

> nutrition.

>

> Yes, stressed out is again, very valid. Resting is what I am forced

> to do every day. I am pretty bed bound and have been for quite some

> time. Sleep is another story. I normally get about 5-6hrs of sleep a

> night and consider that a lot. When I get sicker, I can cut back to

> 3 or 4hrs. I don't have sleep apnea, but I do have difficulty

> staying asleep and sleeping soundly. I also wake up from intolerance

> to fasting, which sometimes I can get past with a few sips of

> gatorade. I have tried sleeping pills at different times, but it has

> never worked out for very long. I take melatonin now. I almost

> always can get to sleep but the melatonin helps me sleep deeper. I

> agree that for me, a night without sleep makes everything feel

> worse. It is amazing to me how much of a noticeable difference it

> always makes.

>

> You mention treatment for sleep apnea..not sure exactly what that

> is. Do they treat that with CPAP that I have heard mentioned on the

> list? Is that the oxygen treatment?

>

> Well...right again...it is really good to be home from the hospital.

> I have already gotten two good night's sleep that I didn't get

> there. I also have managed two days of doing liquids with no ill

> effects aside from the lack of energy, so that is encouraging. Maybe

> I can make it to my appt on the 30th without further ER trips.

>

> Thanks Alice...

> :-)

> Adam

>

>

>

>

>

>

>> Adam,

>>

>> I am sorry that you are still fighting these problems with the pain

> and misery of your intestinal system and sincerely hope that you find

> some relief rapidly. These types of problems are not fun to live

> with day after day. Perhaps the liquid diet will help to relieve it

> and I certainly hope it does as that would be the easy way to solve

> the dysmotility.

>>

>> Let me make a suggestion, just in case you haven't thought of

> this. Your system has been thru a lot of stress and I'm sure you are

> stressed by all of this right now. Can you just take plenty of time

> to rest - sleep - relax and do nothing? I'm thinking that giving

> yourself some time to heal and build up energy might help in the long

> run. It's a common thing for those of us with Mito to need extra

> rest especially when our bodies have been under stress. Some Mito

> patients go to bed for days or even a week - only getting up to do

> those things that are essential. You would need to make sure you

> keep those fluids in your system and take the meds and/or cocktail

> per your normal schedule so if this means setting an alarm to make

> sure you do it, that would be the way. Sleep is so important that

> it's medicinal to us. I'm sure that your time in the hospital was

> not very restful and probably put a lot of stress on you as well.

>>

>> It's just a thought. I do seem to remember that you may have sleep

> apnea. I would pursue this as this can affect your entire system if

> it is not treated properly. Since we really need good sleep, that

> just doubles the problem. I guess if I were you, I'd be putting

> this on the top of my list of things to do. I know that in my case

> at least, this is one of the most important treatments to me because

> it seems to help with everything else.

>>

>> Good Luck and please feel better.

>>

>> Alice

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi Adam,

I know you are facing an uphill battle and you are giving it all you can. It's

a tough road to be on and I can understand how you are feeling. I gave some

thought to your needs with diet and I'm going to mention Ensure here as I've

seen it's use in two family members and I know that it was a factor in their

improvements. My son who is 37 has this now between meals so he drinks it 3

times a day and has three regular soft meals, but there was a time when Ensure

was all he could manage. He was getting no nourishment from food because of

cyclonic vomiting and he drank it 6 times a day. He's come a long way on it.

When my mother was unable to digest food and was in grave condition, I

introduced Ensure to her and it gave her the nourishment she needed for her

condition to improve. If you haven't tried it, it might be worth it. You may

need to introduce it to your system slowly.

If you are prone to sugar problems, there are other nutritional beverages that

you can mix which are high in protein and low in carbs. I'll copy a couple

home made ones here so that you can see if this would be something you can use

to restore your energy. Another idea is to take soft foods - eggs for example -

cook them and puree them in the blender so that you might be able to tolerate

them. Eggs are high in protein. The health food stores have protein drinks

that are low in sugar and usually have a soy content. This might be an option if

someone could get to the store and purchase some for you. With all of these

ideas, if you are brave enough to try them and that would be your decision

totally, I'd start very slowly - probably no more than 4 oz at a time but maybe

spaced out at about every 2 to 3 hours. These are just ideas of course and

since I'm not there and don't know first hand what you are facing and I'm not a

doctor, it's just something I put together in the hopes of providing you with

some assistance. You may have already tried something similar. I do hope you

have a good blender as it sounds as if you may need to use it for a while. My

mind keeps sending me a message to remember vegetable juice too.

Before I send the recipies, I want to mention your sleep comments. You sound

exactly like a person with Sleep Apnea and yes - this may mean CPAP for you. A

person with sleep apnea very often can get to sleep but can't stay asleep. The

wake up in the middle of their sleep period and can't get back to sleep. They

also need frequent naps in the day - fall off to sleep with activity in full

play around them. With CPAP - you might wake up in the middle of your sleep

but you will be able to do what you need to do for dietary reasons and then go

back to sleep with your CPAP. The CPAP with the right pressures will allow you

to get sound sleep and feel rested. Sleep is the body's way of restoring energy

and when you are not sleeping as you should, your body can't replace what it

needs. It's amazing how much better a person feels who has CPAP and uses it.

Some people complain about the head gear but with patience, it becomes easy to

adjust to and once you've experienced the sleep pattern that gives you rest, you

start to feel better and bodily systems work better. Do you remember having any

dreams? Oxygen is given with CPAP only if your stats are low and this is

tested with a pulse ox meter which you wear on your finger overnight. This is

all done during the sleep study and is quite simple. They only need 2 hours of

sleep to determine whether you are a candidate for CPAP or BiPap and/or oxygen

supplementation. I can honestly say that my CPAP has been a vital factor for

me. There is no way I would consider trying to sleep without it. I did the

night of my last surgery and woke up gasping. It was a terrible feeling and I

don't wish to do that again any time soon.

Hopefully some of this makes sense and you can use some of these suggestion.

I'm sure you are going to see more from others. We are putting our thinking

caps on to see if we can help and I hope one of us happens on that will do the

trick. Please - as hard as it is - try to keep your chin up. We have to be

strong and fight this nasty disease.

Alice

Recipes follow:

Hawaiian Peanut Butter Power Shake

Makes 1 serving.

1/2 cup pineapple tidbits in juice, drained and juice reserved

1/3 cup reserved pineapple juice (use orange juice if you don't have enough

liquid from the pineapple tidbits)

1/4 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt

1 Tbsp reduced-fat peanut butter

1 tsp honey

1/4 tsp coconut flavoring

1/2 tsp toasted wheat germ (optional)

Combine all ingredients in the blender and process until smooth. Add 1 ice cube

and blend until the ice is crushed; serve immediately.

Nutritional Information (per serving): 248 Cal; 7 g Total Fat (1 g Sat Fat); 41

g Carb; 00 mg Cholesterol; 137 mg Sodium; 9 g Protein; 2 g Dietary Fiber.

Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 Starch/Bread; 1 Protein; 1-1/2 Fruit; 1/2 Milk; 1 Fat.

Kiwifruit Buttermilk Buster

Makes 4 servings.

3 cups low-fat buttermilk

2 kiwifruit, pared and sliced

Ice cubes

Pour buttermilk into blender or food processor. Peel kiwifruit

and add to blender. Process until smooth; pour over ice cubes and serve.

Nutritional Information (per 3/4 cup serving): 101 Cal; 2 g

Total Fat (1 g Sat Fat); 14 g Carb; 6 mg Cholesterol; 194 mg Sodium; 404 mg

Potassium; 7 g Protein; 1 g Fiber.

Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 Fruit; 1/2 Nonfat Milk.

[Guest guest]

Hi Adam,

I know you are facing an uphill battle and you are giving it all you can. It's

a tough road to be on and I can understand how you are feeling. I gave some

thought to your needs with diet and I'm going to mention Ensure here as I've

seen it's use in two family members and I know that it was a factor in their

improvements. My son who is 37 has this now between meals so he drinks it 3

times a day and has three regular soft meals, but there was a time when Ensure

was all he could manage. He was getting no nourishment from food because of

cyclonic vomiting and he drank it 6 times a day. He's come a long way on it.

When my mother was unable to digest food and was in grave condition, I

introduced Ensure to her and it gave her the nourishment she needed for her

condition to improve. If you haven't tried it, it might be worth it. You may

need to introduce it to your system slowly.

If you are prone to sugar problems, there are other nutritional beverages that

you can mix which are high in protein and low in carbs. I'll copy a couple

home made ones here so that you can see if this would be something you can use

to restore your energy. Another idea is to take soft foods - eggs for example -

cook them and puree them in the blender so that you might be able to tolerate

them. Eggs are high in protein. The health food stores have protein drinks

that are low in sugar and usually have a soy content. This might be an option if

someone could get to the store and purchase some for you. With all of these

ideas, if you are brave enough to try them and that would be your decision

totally, I'd start very slowly - probably no more than 4 oz at a time but maybe

spaced out at about every 2 to 3 hours. These are just ideas of course and

since I'm not there and don't know first hand what you are facing and I'm not a

doctor, it's just something I put together in the hopes of providing you with

some assistance. You may have already tried something similar. I do hope you

have a good blender as it sounds as if you may need to use it for a while. My

mind keeps sending me a message to remember vegetable juice too.

Before I send the recipies, I want to mention your sleep comments. You sound

exactly like a person with Sleep Apnea and yes - this may mean CPAP for you. A

person with sleep apnea very often can get to sleep but can't stay asleep. The

wake up in the middle of their sleep period and can't get back to sleep. They

also need frequent naps in the day - fall off to sleep with activity in full

play around them. With CPAP - you might wake up in the middle of your sleep

but you will be able to do what you need to do for dietary reasons and then go

back to sleep with your CPAP. The CPAP with the right pressures will allow you

to get sound sleep and feel rested. Sleep is the body's way of restoring energy

and when you are not sleeping as you should, your body can't replace what it

needs. It's amazing how much better a person feels who has CPAP and uses it.

Some people complain about the head gear but with patience, it becomes easy to

adjust to and once you've experienced the sleep pattern that gives you rest, you

start to feel better and bodily systems work better. Do you remember having any

dreams? Oxygen is given with CPAP only if your stats are low and this is

tested with a pulse ox meter which you wear on your finger overnight. This is

all done during the sleep study and is quite simple. They only need 2 hours of

sleep to determine whether you are a candidate for CPAP or BiPap and/or oxygen

supplementation. I can honestly say that my CPAP has been a vital factor for

me. There is no way I would consider trying to sleep without it. I did the

night of my last surgery and woke up gasping. It was a terrible feeling and I

don't wish to do that again any time soon.

Hopefully some of this makes sense and you can use some of these suggestion.

I'm sure you are going to see more from others. We are putting our thinking

caps on to see if we can help and I hope one of us happens on that will do the

trick. Please - as hard as it is - try to keep your chin up. We have to be

strong and fight this nasty disease.

Alice

Recipes follow:

Hawaiian Peanut Butter Power Shake

Makes 1 serving.

1/2 cup pineapple tidbits in juice, drained and juice reserved

1/3 cup reserved pineapple juice (use orange juice if you don't have enough

liquid from the pineapple tidbits)

1/4 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt

1 Tbsp reduced-fat peanut butter

1 tsp honey

1/4 tsp coconut flavoring

1/2 tsp toasted wheat germ (optional)

Combine all ingredients in the blender and process until smooth. Add 1 ice cube

and blend until the ice is crushed; serve immediately.

Nutritional Information (per serving): 248 Cal; 7 g Total Fat (1 g Sat Fat); 41

g Carb; 00 mg Cholesterol; 137 mg Sodium; 9 g Protein; 2 g Dietary Fiber.

Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 Starch/Bread; 1 Protein; 1-1/2 Fruit; 1/2 Milk; 1 Fat.

Kiwifruit Buttermilk Buster

Makes 4 servings.

3 cups low-fat buttermilk

2 kiwifruit, pared and sliced

Ice cubes

Pour buttermilk into blender or food processor. Peel kiwifruit

and add to blender. Process until smooth; pour over ice cubes and serve.

Nutritional Information (per 3/4 cup serving): 101 Cal; 2 g

Total Fat (1 g Sat Fat); 14 g Carb; 6 mg Cholesterol; 194 mg Sodium; 404 mg

Potassium; 7 g Protein; 1 g Fiber.

Dietary Exchanges: 1/2 Fruit; 1/2 Nonfat Milk.