Lately, I’ve been feeling super exhausted and I just can’t help but nap during the day. A few months back, I got hit with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Just what everybody wants to hear, right? As part of the treatment, they sent me to do a sleep study. Turns out, A-Fib and sleep apnea go together like peanut butter and jelly. Who knew?
I always thought my sleep was pretty okay. Sure, my two cats — Linus and Lucy — like to play fetch in the middle of the night, and yes, I get frequently awoken up by their antics. I figured that was the main reason behind my sleepy days. Other than that, I was pretty confident I was getting a solid night of sleep.
Fast forward to the sleep study. I told both the doctor and the nurse I’d be shocked if they found anything. But surprise, surprise! In just the first hour alone, I had 57 apnea episodes… 57! That’s my breath stopping once a minute! No wonder I’m constantly craving naps.
Enter my new sidekick: the BiPAP machine. A BiPAP is like a CPAP, but it delivers two different pressures, one for inhalation and one for exhalation. I was thrilled about getting it and dreaming of feeling like a new person. Well, it’s been three days, and let’s just say the jury is still out on how “great” I’m feeling.
Linus is not a fan of the new setup. He’s equal parts needy and completely freaked out. Lucy, on the other hand, gave it a quick side-eye before carrying on with her usual cat business. The real kicker, though, is that sleeping with this mask on is no joke. I’ve been doing this dance where the mask seal breaks, and I can feel air escaping the mask. It’s like a mini wake-up call every time. I’m somehow waking up more tired than before.
I hear it can take a week or two to get fully adjusted. I guess this is that awkward in-between time. Regardless, I am committed to making this work. Cutting down on those daytime naps would probably help too, but when you’re as exhausted as I am, it’s easier said than done.
So, that’s where I am today. What about you folks out there? Have any CPAP or BiPAP stories? I’d love to hear how it went for you!
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