Living With Diabetes

Saw the sleep doctor today.  I really LIKE the new CPAP, especially since it gives such good reports to the doctor.

It showed that I sleep an average of 7 1/2 hours a day  and that I stay at "12" most of the time.  It's an auto CPAP so it adjusts and that it keeps me have having apnea events all night.  It also shows that my mask leaks 21 minutes a day on average.

I had shucked my new mask because it wasn't fitting right, and was using a REALLY REALLY old one.  Doctor fitted me for the new mask and it is a completely different size than the one I had.  I also asked for all new hoses and filters since it's been a year. 

The nurse fussed at me because it's full of dog hair, which is WHY I need the new filters.

They should be here in a few days.

Posted by at 11:15 PM | Permalink

I had several people come out to the house, and I found someone who could replace the entire system for $4800.  I'm going to have someone cover my class from 12:00 pm on tomorrow and meet them at the house.  I want to make sure they do replace what I think I am paying for.

I don't trust my husband making sure of that.  We had problems before with workers when I made the arrangements and he let them in.

I can't wait.  Yesterday we didn't get TOO hot, but I have trouble sleeping with the street noise.

Posted by at 9:45 AM | Permalink

I started this when I was actually in Houston. I did some really smart things hotel wise. I always have trouble sleeping at these things. First, just the stress of driving there -- I did not get to Houston until after 9:00 and it always takes me several hours to wind down after driving. Second, the stress of being there. This conference, every teacher in the room seems to be stressed out over the curriculum audit. I'm trying hard not to do that.

Anyway, the hotel I chose was Comfort Suites. It's not a real suite -- a real suite has a door between the living area and the sleeping area. One thing I find sleeping in a hotel is that I wake up anytime anyone walks down the hall. Having a bigger room, with some space between the bed and the door helped. Also, I ran the fan in the bathroom all night, adding some additional white noise. The CPAP white noise always helps too.

The first night, I got to bed really late, didn't get sleepy until after 1:00 pm and then woke up early, but laid in bed. And I even took a sleeping pill. The second night I was able to get to bed and sleepy by 10:30, but woke up once to go to the bathroom. Again, I woke up early -- it was normal time for me, but I didn't have to be up that early.

One of the reasons these workshops are so stressful, is that they just don't fit my learning style. My learning style is to go to class for an hour or so, then work on the topic in front of a computer for hours. Those workshops just aren't set up for that. You'd think after 14 years, I'd stop stressing over it, but there you go.

Posted by at 6:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I got my new Fisher and Paskel 432 mask last night.  I'm sold on the full face mask since I first tried one.  I let air leak of out my mouth so I need a chin strap which is really a pain literally -- thus I've got to full face mask.

And like all CPAP mask users, I'm on the search for the perfect mask.  The one seems closer than I had before.  At first I was disconcerted because it hissed, but I figured out quickly it was the rebreather -- the silicon was stuck.  Fixed that, and had no problems.

Was able to wear it through the night.  The biggest test will come in 7 days -- we're seeing 50 minutes of leakage every night, and the machine only shows a 7 day average.

Posted by at 10:19 AM | Permalink

When the DME brought me my CPAP last Friday, I made sure that he saw my emergency backup battery and cleared it with him for use. I did a test run last night, and was able to use BOTH the CPAP and the humidifer all night on battery backup.

While Pittsburg is in the same country, I will still bring the backup battery, in fact, I might very well use it on the plane -- I did call and clear it even though the person I talked with said -- it's not a night flight so you don't need it and I didn't contradict her.

Anyway, I'm thrilled it works well with the new machine. Primarily because it cost over $250.00 I haven't used it much -- in two power outages locally and when I tried to go to Monte Carlo. There were plenty of times I wanted it before I bought it, so it's been a good purchase. I try to remember to take it on trips, since once when I went to Austin they had a power failure and I ended up driving home instead of waiting for the power to come on -- I did wait an hour.

Posted by at 6:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm going to actually try it out in a few minutes.

I am the proud owner (leasee) of a Respironics Remstar Auto M Series. The DME brought it by at 1:00 pm and showed me how to use it. It even works with my emergency backup battery which is a super good thing. It is definately half the size of the loaner machine.

I'm looking forward to lugging it around the airports next week.

Posted by at 2:20 PM | Permalink

Patterns: Sleep Proves More Elusive Than Many Believe - New York Times

Patterns: Sleep Proves More Elusive Than Many Believe

Posted by at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dr. Rack answers another question I've had (but haven't asked yet).

sleepdoctor: Short Naps are Better

Posted by at 6:44 PM | Permalink

I'm the commenter who asked the question -- if you have any sleep issues this is a great blog to keep up with.

sleepdoctor: The difference between CPAP, BiPAP, and auto-CPAP

The difference between CPAP, BiPAP, and auto-CPAP

Posted by at 6:58 AM | Permalink

Man, do new machines stink. Okay, any time you do anything different to a PAP, it stinks. But I took a short nap, and I feel better already.

My first sympthom of a non-working PAP (notice I'm changing initials already), is allergy symthoms. Very congested but very dry at the same time. It's awful. That's already better.

Plus the diet coke I drank for lunch is doing away with the caffeine headache.

Posted by at 5:29 PM | Permalink

The good news is that I have an old machine that still works.

The bad news is that it gotten through another DME that I don't do business with anymore. When I got it, they didn't bother to tell me they were out of network. Of all my DME's I've used, I like the current one the best. Locally owned, by the son of a retired coworker (teacher).

They have given me super service. Though I don't look forward to dealing with it.

Posted by at 9:27 PM | Permalink

Bloglines | My Feeds (342) (1)

A lot of my health issues stem from untreated sleep problems for decades...

And I really have problems getting those 8 hours of sleep.

Posted by at 8:15 PM | Permalink

Here's the weird thing, I was diagnosed with Restless Leg years before I was diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes In Control - Restless Legs Syndrome Common in Diabetics

Restless legs syndrome can be a major cause of sleep disruption in this population

They also say it causes a lot of my "wake ups" but I don't notice that near as much as I do the GERD wake ups.

Posted by at 9:05 PM | Permalink

Okay, I'm ready to slap the press.

I'm watching the local NBC affliate and they do a "news update on sleep apnea".

Guess what, sleep apnea patients can die unexpectedly in the middle of the night.

BIG DUH! I was told that when I was diagnosed. Where have the study people been for the past 10 years.

The only good news, is that it DOES let other people know that it IS a serious disorder and it can kill. Either slowly or quickly.

Posted by at 10:14 PM | Permalink

CNN.com - Survey:?3 in 4 have sleep problems - Mar 29, 2005

Survey: 3 in 4 have sleep problems

Posted by at 11:39 AM | Permalink

As I have been answering questions about the trip today (first day back from Spring Break), I've clarified in my own mine what I want from the Sleep Doctor.

Basically I need something that will help me sleep but not interupt my REM sleep. Right now, Ambient doesn't seem to help me sleep.

I also want and need a smaller humidifier. Puritan and Bennett makes a humidifer that doesn't change the footprint of the CPAP machine much and work better than the one I"m using.

I'm using this humidifer . It is real hard to travel with.

I am going to get this one but am hoping that I can get the insurance to cover it.

And I also want a new CPAP mask since mine is over 6 months old.

Posted by at 12:40 PM | Permalink

The search for sleep

The search for sleep

Posted by at 2:42 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

U.S. Newswire : Releases : "Famous Athlete, Reggie White, Dies From Complications of Untreated Sleep Apnea"

Famous Athlete, Reggie White, Dies From Complications of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Posted by at 2:08 PM | Permalink

MSNBC - Sleep Apnea Can Cause Deadly Consequences

Public attention recently turned to the effects of sleep apnea after initial autopsy reports showed the affliction could have contributed to the death of NFL great Reggie White, who died at age 43.

Posted by at 9:25 AM | Permalink

Rebel Doctor Web Log: Reggie White Dies

Again, no official cause of death, but a good explaination of how someone could die from OSA.

Posted by at 10:19 AM | Permalink

The New York Times > Business > With New Sleeping Pill, New Acceptability?

The approval could clear the way for people to use Lunesta, and possibly similar drugs, for longer periods and turn sleeping pills from a market laggard into a much more widely used category of medications, sleep specialists said.

Posted by at 6:52 AM | Permalink

Medpundit

Claire de Lune: The FDA has just approved a new sleeping pill, called Lunesta:

Posted by at 6:48 AM | Permalink

Posted by at 9:56 AM | Permalink

One of the side effects of sleep apnea going without treatment for so long is chronic insomnia. I'm VERY weird. My bedroom is at the front road side of the house and most of the time it isn't a problem, but we had a drunk hit the electric pole across the street at 2:00 am which woke me up. Then the power company was repairing it the rest of the morning. Between the police flashing lights, the TXU lights, their trucks and the dog being scared, I just couldn't sleep and haven't been able to since.

I'm waiting for a few hours, as I am almost completely strung out, and I'm going to hit the bed and I'll probably be okay as long as I can sleep uninterrupted.

My record was during the time period from the time my good friend Aubrey Hawkins was killed by the Texas Seven on Christmas eve, until about a week after they were caught. I couldn't sleep at all then. And had trouble again when I found out they were staying at a hotel a few miles from the house. But I think just sleeping one night through will do the trick.

Posted by at 6:11 PM | Permalink

The New York Times > Health > Cases: A Machine for Sleep? Maybe Later

This is the best article I've read on CPAP and Sleep Apnea.

I can see maybe why the writer choose against the CPAP. I don't think 6 is very strong. My CPAP is set at 12.

Posted by at 8:17 PM | Permalink

A good blog post on the dangers of sleep deprivation.

code blog: tales of a nurse: Sleepin'

Posted by at 12:58 PM | Permalink

The New York Times > Health > Scientists Unlock One More of Sleep's Secrets

This thing also makes me wonder if my allergies aggravate or are part of my sleep problems.

Posted by at 4:32 AM | Permalink

The New York Times > Health > Restless Legs: Uncomfortable and Overlooked

I'm told that this is one of my sleep issues. I am wondering more and more if this is being overlooked.

I told the sleep doctor last time that I see no difference in my sleep whether or not I take Mirapex.

Unfortunately my husband has never observed the restless leg--he doesn't sleep with me, he hasn't seen it when he comes by my room when I'm asleep.

I'm wondering if it all means that the Mirapex isn't working.

Posted by at 8:31 AM | Permalink

I finally got around to looking it up in the RIGHT place, and yes, a known side effect of Provigil is increased blood sugar.

I am DEFINATELY saving it for emergencies.

Posted by at 9:58 AM | Permalink

The secrets of sleep

Health education teacher Pacy Erck remembers what it was like back when Edina High School students had to show up by 7:25 a.m. "The kids were always very tired," she recalls. But these days, Erck rarely has a kid nod off in class. That's because in the fall of 1996, officials at this Minnesota school decided to ring the first bell an hour later, at 8:30 a.m. Sleep researchers had reported that teens' natural slumber patterns favor a later bedtime, and the school wanted to ensure that its high schoolers weren't being shortchanged by an early wake-up call. The change means that students average five more hours of sleep a week, and teachers can see a difference. "You don't have the kids putting their heads down," Erck says. "The class is livelier."

My school district changed times for high school kiddos LONG before this research and I definately saw a similar change. It's also easier on me.

Posted by at 12:19 PM | Permalink

Yahoo! News - Snoring Kids Do Worse in School, Says German Study

Makes sense to me.

Posted by at 11:35 AM | Permalink

Really good article and research results. Boy have I learned this lesson over the years.

Yahoo! News - When You Don't Snooze, You Lose

Posted by at 6:50 AM | Permalink

Okay, this one goes with my carpal tunnel syndrome ....

"Yeah, duh? Of course they do".

Wrestling with Sleep Apnea

Posted by at 6:27 AM | Permalink

See another link!

Diabetes In Control Dot Com. The weekly newsletter for medical professionals in Diabetes care.

Posted by at 7:57 AM | Permalink

This is newer -- just a month ago.

Possible genetic link between sleep apnea and obesity discovered

They did a whole-genome scan on obstructive sleep apnea and obesity.

Continue reading "Genetic Link between sleep apnea and obesity" »

Posted by at 5:24 AM | Permalink

Ken, in a comment mentioned that diabetes and sleep apnea are friends. Yeah, and they are evil twins...too. Okay, maybe cousins.

Sleep Apnea Linked To Increased Diabetes Risk

This is an old story (1999), and they are blaming weight. But they are blaming weight as causing both conditions.

Posted by at 5:20 AM | Permalink

Since I went without sleeping for most of 20 years and since I am a teacher, this sort of thing interests me.

CNN.com - Is your child hyperactive or just tired? - Mar. 3, 2003

Continue reading "Sleep can be a key..." »

Posted by at 12:36 PM | Permalink

I had to live it for 20 years before I figured it out (maybe longer....)

BBC NEWS | Health | Sleep loss hits child brain

and sleeping isn't an easy thing to do.

Posted by at 5:29 AM | Permalink