Machine on the way - but catch 22
I am a long time diagnosed apnea patient and have been off and on therapy for years. I have a new machine coming to get back on track, again. As I am waiting on the machine, I have been revisiting my past successes and failures with C-pap, Bi-Pap and UP3 surgery. My health has changed since my last machine and I currently take insulin 4x day and BP medicines. My GP tells me to drink plenty of water for diabetes but he also has me on HCTZ (water pill) for BP. My question or request for advise is how does one cope with PAP therapy when you have to get up every two hours to empty your bladder. Also I have a sleep number bed that has programable TV position time that will auto transition into sleep position per set timer. Has anyone experimented with this type bed/positions/hoses?
07-24-2019, 04:04 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-24-2019, 04:11 PM by ajack.)
RE: Machine on the way - but catch 22
T2? I would sort the diabetes out, you may find low carb may keep your BG more stable. If you are high, you will be peeing. For some reason, apnea also makes you pee.
diabetesdaily isn't a bad diabetic forum
Getting up, some take the mask off, some just unplug the hose. cpap is like giving up smoking, when you are ready, you will do it. You will also find you may not need to pee as often.
Diabetesdaily isn't a bad diabetic forum.
download oscar from the top of the page, to post your chart for opinions.
RE: Machine on the way - but catch 22
I'm on HCTZ also. Before getting my CPAP therapy optimized with the help of forum members I was up at least 4 times a night. With my apnea controlled it's only once, sometimes twice. You may have the same experience. Even if you have to get up several times your better off with the therapy than without. I believe your machine has smart start. If you eneable that the machine will automatically shut off about 10 sec after you remove the mask and will automatically restart when you put the mask on and it detects your breathing.
Download OSCAR
Organize Charts
Attaching Charts
Mask Primer
Soft Cervical Collar
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: Machine on the way - but catch 22
Good advise, thanks for the input. I am currently stable with my Diabetes and also getting up 4x a night for releif. I am hoping that is greatly reduced. If not a talk with my GP about any alternative to HCTZ might be in the near future.
RE: Machine on the way - but catch 22
I am not diabetic, so can’t advise there, but I also take BP meds, thyroid pills, and a water pill.
The secret to not having to get up at night or at least cut down on that is to take the BP meds and water pills early in the day. Also, stop drinking liquids a few hours before bed.
I drink a lot of water too, but try to cut that off early evening.
RE: Machine on the way - but catch 22
When do you take your HCTZ? I'm on that as well but take it in the morning and don't really ever have to get up overnight. If you are taking it at night I would ask the doctor about switching to morning after you get up.
RE: Machine on the way - but catch 22
My morning routine: Take thyroid pill first thing in am with at least 8 oz water.
After about an hour or two, I take the BP pills and the water pill.
I plan any trips on where a bathroom is.
The point is, take these meds early in the day, this way by mid afternoon you don’t feel the need to use the bathroom so much. Of course, I no longer work, so it’s easier for me.
RE: Machine on the way - but catch 22
I take the HCTZ early in the morning but I do drink like a camel. I will definitely be experimenting on cutting back the fluid intake in the afternoon.
thanks again to everyone for the replies.
RE: Machine on the way - but catch 22
I've been taking Tamsulosin now for a few months. Prior to taking it, I was getting up anywhere from 7-8 times a night to go to the bathroom.
I'm now down to 3-4 times a night. I'm hoping that I can get it even lower with continued use.
RE: Machine on the way - but catch 22
This might sound gross to some people, but just fine to those desperate to avoid so many bathroom trips. One solution for guys is to have a male portable urinal (pee bottle) by the bed. You don't even have to take off your mask or disconnect from your machine. Heck, you don't even have to wake up all the way. If they work for patients in a hospital, why not at home?
