h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Synopsis:

My brother and I have both got CPAP machines for obstructive sleep apnea, both observed that my Mom breathes very shallowly while sleeping and had agreed that we should get her checked out for sleep and breathing disorders with a view to getting her started on breathing support of her own.

Since I've got custody (she lives with me), I got the ball the rolling, got her scheduled for a sleep study, ran her through it, got the diagnostic work done, so finally, on the occasion of her most recent hospitalization, the Doctor was able to prescribe her a breathing machine on the basis of the sleep study, the diagnostic requirements of her insurance carrier having been met.

Results remarkably good.

She's much more lucid, has much more energy, is spending time on things like basic grooming tasks she'd been neglecting, is willing to go out for an occasional recreational outing.

Results not 100%, she does still have occasional manifestations of dementia, especially if she's been having trouble using the breathing machine (particularly, she's having trouble keeping the cannula nose piece in place while she's sleeping, on which account we're going to get her a breathing mask she can use during sleep.)

It takes about 6 months to a year before improvements begin to stabilize.

Her appetite is markedly improved, she's finishing her meals and asking for a second major meal per day, where before, she would eat only if coaxed and I sometimes had to spoon feed her.

Mom,s appetite has improved markedly since she's gotten started on the combination cpap/oxygen machine. (Air with enhanced oxygen content supplied when she's sleeping or resting at elevated pressure.)

She's taking a full meal most of the time, again.

Also she's sleeping much more, she's more lucid and her emotional state has improved.

Its so reassuring to be able to actually see her chest rising and falling when she breathes as she sleeps.

Her appetite is continuing strong.

She's sleeping almost all the time now, which I'm encouraging.

Some of her wrinkles are disappearing, she's looking much less haggard.

sleep and recovery go well together

Her emotional state is improving as well, fewer panic attacks over bad dreams she's having trouble waking up from.

That's so good to hear


lil x

I've got to go fix her breakfast.

Good to hear indeed!

Just looking in for a moment.

Got to again, errands.

Saw this conversation on the front page. Do you have any link to the CPAP machine you are using? I assume there is a safety feature (if the pump stops working etc). Were you and your brother "diagnosed" with sleep apnoea before getting the device or is it something anyone can buy if they suspect they are not receiving a healthy supply of oxygen during sleep. Presumably symptoms are tiredness and headache after sleep.

My brother and I both got ours through a US Army program.

The issue is difficulty breathing and forgetting to breathe during sleep accompanied by insomnia and difficulty staying awake during the day.

Mom's machine is supplied by the same supplier as mine and my brother's, Resmed, through a civilian insurance program.

Links page:

http://www.mysearchresults.com/search?c=2629&t=01&ei=utf-8&q=Resmid%2C+CPAP

So far as I know, the machines are supplied only on medical order, pressure set according to prescription by technicians employed by the supplier.

If they'd tried to treat this with medications, I would probably have resisted.

I've got no problems about air, though, and it does make sleep much easier and more comfortable.

F 28 Jun 2013, ~10:10pm PDT

A landmark day.

After dinner, salisbury steak, shredded lettuce, minced tomato, corn and mashed potatoes with a slice of whole wheatbread, Mom asked for seconds.

I made her another plate with a double portion of meat (she sounded hungry)and she finished it, with room left over for melon slices after.

Only a few weeks ago I was still afraid she might starve herself to death, she was eating so little.

What an improvement!

Usually takes about six months to a year before one is seeing substantial recovery of stamina.

My Mom has been having a bad time of it the past couple weeks, bouts of fever (not above 100F and below 38C), frequent nightmares and difficulty distinguishing clearly between nightmares and waking experience.

I gave ice packs and aspirin to help keep the fever down.

She's needed an unusual amount of hands on support.

She is, though, sleeping much more, and that is hopeful.

and the various extreme weather conditions over there don't help any

New air conditioning system, the old 30 year old one just plumb played out.

Though outside daytime temperatures have been averaging over 110F/44C, interior temperatures are not going over 88F/32C.

When she's awake and lucid I've been asking her whether the temperature is okay and she say's she's comfortable.

Exterior temperature right now is 110F/44C, interior, 82F/26.5C.

Must admit the barometric see-saw, as alternatively the pineapple current off the Pacific and the monsoonal flow coming up from the Sea of Cortez wash over us does have a way of knocking people for a loop, barometric changes sometimes so extreme as to make one's ear pop.

I was having trouble myself yesterday, the worst since last September, when I was was hospitalized six days.

Not so bad today, stabilized on better medications since last year.

under all obstacles thrown, your mam has STILL got a son that's worth far more than his salt ITI respect my friend

and my good vibes are still flowing full strength over your way