FW: Sleep crap machine and forgetting effexor..what a combo!

[Guest guest]

Dear Cheri, Rosemary, and everyone else who has helped me on the sleep apnea

machine,

I really do appreciate all your help and comments. I have felt more out on

a limb this time, then ever before for some reason. I’ve never had anxiety

or problems like this before, but that’s the closest I can think of to

describe how I feel when I wear the mask. Last night was a bad night and I

had it on and off constantly. I doubt I made it for more than an hour

during the night, but then this afternoon I made it for about 2 hours.

Right now my levels on machine are set at 4 and go up to 11, which from what

I understand is in the moderate group. I’ve noticed that at 4 I don’t feel

like I’m getting enough air and if I start at 11 it’s a like a tornado

starting up. My machine right now can’t be adjusted except by a tech, and

they didn’t call me the first week. I plan to call them on Monday and

discuss my options with them. Maybe there is a middle of the road, to start

the machine.

I had two groups trying to set me up with the sleep machine, so I know I can

switch companies if the first one doesn’t come through for me.

I did get a copy of my sleep study and it looks like I wake up during the

REM stage, have the leg movement disorder, chronic pain wakes me constantly,

and my oxygen levels drop below 87%. My doctor also tried to tell me that

since I did a split study my problem is most likely worse than it showed on

the test. She said the longer they had to test me; the more likely would

have had more episodes. I’m not worried though because my tech that did the

sleep study said they had plenty of data to analyze.

One thing I just figured out and it scares me how easily it is to mess up

your medication, I’ve been forgetting to take my Effexor since May 5th.

Normally, when I refill a prescription, I throw out the old bottle and just

add the new one to my group of prescriptions. Then every few days I fill

up my daily pills in a calendar type of pill container. Somehow the

pharmacy shows we picked up Effexor, but it never made it home. So I’ve been

going cold turkey without Effexor which I know is a bad thing to do under

most circumstances. I was never put on antidepressants for depression, but

for fibromyalgia and to increase my serotonin levels. Now I’m wondering if

this could be why I’m having so much trouble with the CRAP (that’s my new

name for the darn thing…) machine or even if this could be a reason for some

of my problems. I think it’s been almost 3 weeks since I’ve taken any, until

tonight when I figured out what had happened. The sad thing is I thought I

had my pills under a pretty good routine and have never had this happened

before. The problem is when you take multiple pills it’s just so easy to

just miss one.

I see my family doctor tomorrow and I’ll go over all this with him.

Hopefully, once I get the level back to normal, I’ll feel “normal” again. I

also noticed my fibro had been aching so much and I was blaming that on the

lack of normal sleep. I personally think I haven’ been sleeping because of

missing the Effexor. I know a lot of people don’t like it, but I never had

any problems until I guess I tried to stop taking it, the hard way.

Well as Scarlet O’Hara says, “I’ll think of that tomorrow, because tomorrow

is another day..lol.” Thanks again for all the support and hopefully things

will start to improve and each day I’ll feel better. Love, Fran

I’m not giving up on the machine.

t: Sunday, May 23, 2004 1:21 AM

Subject: [ ] sleep machine

Fran -- I have been giving your problem with the machine some thought and I

wonder if you have had it adjusted properly. My husband had to have his

adjusted about 5 times before they got it right for him. The medical supply

company representative comes to the house often and checks his equipment and

adjustment. Are you getting that kind of necessary attention? I sure hope

you get comfortable with it soon. Cheri :-))

[Guest guest]

Hi Fran,

I been on a CPAP machine for 6 years now. And it is well worth it. I had

trouble with the masks so I use what they call Nasal Pillows. They are inserted

in the nostril. Once you get used to them they are wonderfull. This might be

an option if you get clostrophobic with the masks. I've tried the masks, but

have a hard time getting them to seal.

Good luck.

Margaret

[ ] FW: Sleep crap machine and forgetting

effexor..what a combo!

Dear Cheri, Rosemary, and everyone else who has helped me on the sleep apnea

machine,

I really do appreciate all your help and comments. I have felt more out on

a limb this time, then ever before for some reason. I've never had anxiety

or problems like this before, but that's the closest I can think of to

describe how I feel when I wear the mask. Last night was a bad night and I

had it on and off constantly. I doubt I made it for more than an hour

during the night, but then this afternoon I made it for about 2 hours.

Right now my levels on machine are set at 4 and go up to 11, which from what

I understand is in the moderate group. I've noticed that at 4 I don't feel

like I'm getting enough air and if I start at 11 it's a like a tornado

starting up. My machine right now can't be adjusted except by a tech, and

they didn't call me the first week. I plan to call them on Monday and

discuss my options with them. Maybe there is a middle of the road, to start

the machine.

I had two groups trying to set me up with the sleep machine, so I know I can

switch companies if the first one doesn't come through for me.

I did get a copy of my sleep study and it looks like I wake up during the

REM stage, have the leg movement disorder, chronic pain wakes me constantly,

and my oxygen levels drop below 87%. My doctor also tried to tell me that

since I did a split study my problem is most likely worse than it showed on

the test. She said the longer they had to test me; the more likely would

have had more episodes. I'm not worried though because my tech that did the

sleep study said they had plenty of data to analyze.

One thing I just figured out and it scares me how easily it is to mess up

your medication, I've been forgetting to take my Effexor since May 5th.

Normally, when I refill a prescription, I throw out the old bottle and just

add the new one to my group of prescriptions. Then every few days I fill

up my daily pills in a calendar type of pill container. Somehow the

pharmacy shows we picked up Effexor, but it never made it home. So I've been

going cold turkey without Effexor which I know is a bad thing to do under

most circumstances. I was never put on antidepressants for depression, but

for fibromyalgia and to increase my serotonin levels. Now I'm wondering if

this could be why I'm having so much trouble with the CRAP (that's my new

name for the darn thing.) machine or even if this could be a reason for some

of my problems. I think it's been almost 3 weeks since I've taken any, until

tonight when I figured out what had happened. The sad thing is I thought I

had my pills under a pretty good routine and have never had this happened

before. The problem is when you take multiple pills it's just so easy to

just miss one.

I see my family doctor tomorrow and I'll go over all this with him.

Hopefully, once I get the level back to normal, I'll feel " normal " again. I

also noticed my fibro had been aching so much and I was blaming that on the

lack of normal sleep. I personally think I haven' been sleeping because of

missing the Effexor. I know a lot of people don't like it, but I never had

any problems until I guess I tried to stop taking it, the hard way.

Well as Scarlet O'Hara says, " I'll think of that tomorrow, because tomorrow

is another day..lol. " Thanks again for all the support and hopefully things

will start to improve and each day I'll feel better. Love, Fran

[Guest guest]

Dear Margaret,

Thanks for the information. I've never heard of nasal pillows but I'll ask

my tech about it ASAP. I've gotten sort of used to the first mask and they

just dropped off another one today to see if I do better with this one. It's

just a matter of finding one that works the best for me. I do think I'm

finding a little more energy and I haven't really used it that much yet. I

know it takes time and everyone has been so supportive in this group. I'm

amazed that so many people have this disorder. It makes you wonder how many

really have it and have no idea they are even sick. Thanks again for the

help. Love, Fran

Re: [ ] FW: Sleep crap machine and forgetting

effexor..what a combo!

Hi Fran,

I been on a CPAP machine for 6 years now. And it is well worth it. I had

trouble with the masks so I use what they call Nasal Pillows. They are

inserted in the nostril. Once you get used to them they are wonderfull.

This might be an option if you get clostrophobic with the masks. I've tried

the masks, but have a hard time getting them to seal.

Good luck.

Margaret