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What is more important: treating sleep apnea or insomnia?

Posted by jmgall @jmgall, May 7 1:31pm

I've had insomnia for years and was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. My bipap severely affects my ability to sleep. Is it more important for brain health to treat the apnea or to sleep longer?

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Phoenix | @kudzu | May 10 3:00pm
In reply to @dalebout123 "I have ResMed, Airsense 11. The nose cone seems to be a good fit for me..." + (show)
@dalebout123

I have ResMed, Airsense 11. The nose cone seems to be a good fit for me as the head gear holds it in place. But some nights I look at the device and say, "Nah! I just want to sleep". As I have written in other posts I am a very good sleeper. Never had the insomnia the others talk about. Sometime I wake in the middle of the night with "monkey brain", but that is cured with doing a crossword puzzle and I am off to sleep.

I just finished a bout with bronchitis and a cold. Are we supposed to use the CPAP when we are in this condition? I did, but could tolerate the machine for shorter times.

Thanks for your response

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Good question. For me it depends on whether the rush of air makes me cough more or not. I’ve had drs tell me the concern is not what apnea does to you in a few nights, but what it does over time.
I also wonder if the air pressure would push mucus further into your tubes or not. That’s one to ask your dr. Hope you’re feeling better now.
BTW, the Resmed airsense 11 is the next generation after the 10.

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dalebout123 | @dalebout123 | May 10 10:31pm

Thanks. I believe the "over time" issue. I think the CPAP has rehabbed my sinuses and is working towards doing so with my bronchi and lungs. My virus lasted much less time than usual. I also feel much better in the morning if I have done the requisite four hours.

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dalebout123 | @dalebout123 | May 11 9:47am
In reply to @jmgall "I think she is tired of me lol. I have had so many adjustments to both..." + (show)
@jmgall

I think she is tired of me lol. I have had so many adjustments to both the original cpap and also to the bipap she switched me to. Been working on it over 60 days with some comfort improvement but no sleep improvement at all. Technician says there are no other adjustment she can make so I am supposed to talk to the neurologist to see what he thinks. Will likely look to other options as I don't think ignoring my apnea is a good idea for long term brain health even though it is considered mild. That was my original question to see if anyone knew if it was better to treat apnea vs treating insomnia. If I use my bipap, I sleep okay for 2 hours but then poorly for the rest of the night. Since quality sleep is sooo important (that's what they say), then am I getting more benefit from the bipap or from just trying to sleep?

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Am I to understand that you sleep with the CPAP for two good hours and then cannot sleep for the rest of the night with it on? If that is the case, then take it off and finish the night without it. That's what I do. I figure half a loaf is better...
Well, you know. I find I get better as I go along at keeping the CPAP on for longer stretches.

If your situation is that after two hours of CPAP and you remove it you can't sleep, that is something I don't relate to. I can always get back to sleep after removing the device.

Either way, good luck. Adjusting to CPAP is not easy. So far, I think I am benefitting from using it.

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1 reply
jmgall | @jmgall | May 12 12:29pm
In reply to @dalebout123 "Am I to understand that you sleep with the CPAP for two good hours and then..." + (show)
@dalebout123

Am I to understand that you sleep with the CPAP for two good hours and then cannot sleep for the rest of the night with it on? If that is the case, then take it off and finish the night without it. That's what I do. I figure half a loaf is better...
Well, you know. I find I get better as I go along at keeping the CPAP on for longer stretches.

If your situation is that after two hours of CPAP and you remove it you can't sleep, that is something I don't relate to. I can always get back to sleep after removing the device.

Either way, good luck. Adjusting to CPAP is not easy. So far, I think I am benefitting from using it.

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Yes, I fall asleep with the bipap okay but not fond of the inhale/exhale issue. Sleep well about 1-2.5 hours. Wake up refreshed and can't fall back to sleep with bipap still on. But if I take it off, I can fall back to sleep but it isn't generally the best sleep, tossing and turning a lot, waking up during that part of the night. Wake up in the morning feeling the bed magnet holding me down. Not at all refreshed and ready for the day. Not that I sleep well with no bipap lol. But overall, I feel more able to get up in the morning. Maybe it is good to get what I can out of the bipap and then just take it off when I wake and go back to sleep without it?

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dalebout123 | @dalebout123 | May 12 4:11pm

Well, that works for me, but we are all different. I wish you well. It's been almost three months for me fighting this battle. I do think it is getting better. Or maybe I should say, maybe I am adjusting.

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tiredandthristy | @tiredandthristy | May 14 7:23pm

I can't imagine wearing the mask during sleep but my cousin swears by it. I use a nasal spray such as flonase, along with a probiotic for the nasal cavity, every night, which opens up the sinuses etc. and then I sleep on my side and this all but eliminates sleep apnea...or at least I believe it does.

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1 reply
jmgall | @jmgall | May 18 10:08am
In reply to @tiredandthristy "I can't imagine wearing the mask during sleep but my cousin swears by it. I use..." + (show)
@tiredandthristy

I can't imagine wearing the mask during sleep but my cousin swears by it. I use a nasal spray such as flonase, along with a probiotic for the nasal cavity, every night, which opens up the sinuses etc. and then I sleep on my side and this all but eliminates sleep apnea...or at least I believe it does.

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Glad you have found remedies. Have you had a sleep study done to show your apnea is under control?

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