Stress makes a difference

[super7pilot]

Had the worst first part of the nights sleep since going on apap. 

Stress and big dry eye pain just did me in. Got up after 1 hr and saw an ahi of 20 on oscar.

Of course i didn’t fall asleep in that hour and even with my cervical collar on I was chin tucking and felt as if the collar was choking me.

Yet after going back to bed about 20-30 minutes later. I slept an additional 5.5 hrs and had a much lower (but still high for me) ahi of 4.  Sadly when i plugged the SD card back in. The machine didn’t pick it up. So no data on if those ahi’s were from the first part of hitting the pillow. 

This serves as an example of how pain and the associated stress can affect you going to sleep comfortably and jumping the ahi sky high.

[greatunclebill]

don't rely on dr google for this. the fact that you're saying stress is a good idea to discuss it further with your doctor. including me, nobody ever thought this was a good idea or even necessary, but all would probably agree it was a good idea in the end even if medication was involved.

[super7pilot]

don't rely on dr google for this. the fact that you're saying stress is a good idea to discuss it further with your doctor. including me, nobody ever thought this was a good idea or even necessary, but all would probably agree it was a good idea in the end even if medication was involved.

This has just been a (so far) one off. My dry eye was nasty and painful last night. And i have been dealing with a pet that has been showing stress and aggressiveness from being cooped up because of the cold or some sort of neurological issue. One of her pupils is larger. 

I have a dr appt on Monday. And our cat has one on Tuesday.  

Even my sleep dr. Said folks will have bad nights from a great many things. And to not over think it or worry (unless the pattern continues) but a stuffy nose, restlessness I.E. stress and not being able to shut down one’s thoughts from worrying or pain. Will of course affect one’s falling and staying asleep whether one has apnea or not. 

I was simply relaying my experience last night knowing i was rather stressed out and went to bed late and in pain.

[Lucid]

Hi, super7pilot -- Happy New Year 2025 and Happy New Year to all!

One doesn't appreciate how great it is not to be worried about things until you see how much difference even a few relatively not significant worries or discomforts make.  Especially worries about health or loved ones, including pets.  For me, fears and worries tend to snowball, especially at night.

The thing that helps me the most is to make lists.  First I try to list all the different concerns that I'm worried about or need to take action on.  Nothing is too insignificant to put on the list if it comes up in my mind when I'm trying to go to sleep or relax.  Wow, that's a bunch of things, no wonder I'm on edge!  Just getting them down on paper helps to keep them from whirling around in my mind.  I feel more in control already.

Then I take each one and break them down into bite-sized tasks.  That seems way more manageable.  If I'm very awake, maybe there's something I can do right then, like schedule an appointment online.  I can at least schedule some of them in my calendar.

I particularly look for steps that have to be taken before I can take a significant step.  Maybe I want to do a particular physical therapy exercise at home but I don't have the right size dumbbell or band at home.  I get on Amazon and order it.

Just getting things down on paper, breaking them down into doable tasks, seeing them on my calendar or on a sheet of paper where I can cross them off, and especially crossing some off, relaxes me.  A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  I feel and am organized for action.  Then I can go back to sleep.

Be creative about addressing some of these annoyances.  Google dry eye and look for any ideas you haven't tried.  I was using eye drops after a YAG capsulotomy and finally realized they were making it worse.  I think I might have been allergic to an additive in those drops.  When I stopped using them, the problem went away.  I think the lotion and sunscreen I use, or maybe something else I get on my hands and then onto my face gets into my eyes and irritates them.  When it's really bothering me, I put drops of Ayr 
Saline Nasal Mist into my eyes a few times to rinse them out.  It may burn at first, and that stimulates tears.  YMMV, but this really helps me.  Also, I stopped using soap on my face.  Found I don't really need it anymore since my skin has gotten dryer with age.  Also I only use fragrance free skin products.  

My nose got extra stuffy the other night and I finally realized it was because the weather was much colder and heating was running more, drying out the air. Probably more dust flying around, too.  I put on an N-95 mask for a while, and the humidity in my own breath refreshed my nose.  I also now know that a stuffy nose may mean my blood pressure is up a bit.  So I check it, and do something to relax if that's the case, or talk to my doctor if it persists.

Also some light exercise, stretching, or massage before going to bed can help.  One tends to be sitting still at that time of night, and the muscles can stiffen up, it's harder to get comfortable on the pillow.

Worst comes to worst, I think about the Zen proverb:  "The next breath or the next life: which comes next is uncertain."  Why worry if I'm going to need to cope with hip surgery some day when I could get run over by a car crossing the street and that would be that?  None of these worries would come to pass.  I look at it with a sense of black humor.  Enjoy the golden moment that is now, when none of these bad or difficult things have happened.

Take good care, super7pilot, and enjoy that beautiful part of the country you are living in, the loving friends and family and pets that you have for as long as fate allows.  Thanks for you interesting and informative posts, too.