[Mari]

Hi,

For Pam and others, here is my update.

I had two sleep studies.

1. Study one was horrible but I slept 2 hours -- long enough for the doc to determine that I have moderate sleep apnea

2. Study two went better perhaps because I knew what to expect. Also because the tech who took care of me all night was a lovely enough person and good at her job.
I did fine and slept 6 hours.

The tech told me that the medical supply company would contact me in a day or two and they did.

Next, I am supposed to schedule an office visit with the doc exactly two weeks from the last sleep study to see how I am doing with the equipment. (the machine will have a computer chip of some kind so that the doc can get a reading of how my nights are going.)
I have not made this appointment yet.

The company said that my particular mask is "on back order." I've got no idea what that means. I could apparently hear from the company any day and they could possibly get the mask out to me fairly quickly.

I feel like staying home this week and waiting on the machine and mask.

I don't want to miss any calls.

=-=-=-=-=-

But I am still having the skin reaction that started when I got home from the lab after study #2.
Right now I feel tingling / itchiness on hands, arms, face.

I'm not in a hurry to actually use the mask until I see my acupuncturist on Saturday and talk to her and let her help me get past the anxiety and whatnot.

These sleep studies and office visit with the doc took an enormous amount of emotional energy.
I have been hopeful that each step (hurdle) would bring me closer to being able to check this task off my list of things to take care of.

It's dragging on and I am losing patience.

Also, I feel that going through this process is important to take care of myself and my relationship with hubby (somehow this apnea and treatment got emotionally tied in my feelings about being with him.)
This is the hard part I think.
I feel like I am following through with the sleep thing in order to stay alive for him.

And yes it doesn't help one bit that sleep was already a huge source of anxiety before these doc and lab visits.

I'm ignoring calls from my tdoc -- too many things to deal with. And too hot to go outside in daytime unless absolutely necessary.



M.

[waves]

Dear Mari

This summary really helps me understand things more from your perspective.

I appreciate that.

It sounds like you are really doing the best you can. remember this process will taper down, and will stop draining you so.

As for priorities, follow your needs and instincts right now. It sounds like your body is telling you a lot of things.

Whether mask comes in before then or not, I hope that your accupuncturist visit on Saturday will be helpful.



~ waves ~

[befuddled2]

Mari,

I too will get overwhelmed with things at times so I feel for you.

barbara

[Mari]

Dear Barbara,
Yes.
Sometimes I can handle things pretty well. Usually these are work related things or things for someone else.
When the things are about something I already feel emotional about, then all bets are off.
Still, I am trying, and tdoc thinks trying counts.
I'm going to take her word for it.

M.

[waves]

i agree with tdoc that trying counts!



~ waves ~

[bizi]

all of this would stress me out too.
you get many brownie points for trying.
thank you for summarizing this for us.
I wonder about this being tied up with feelings about your hubby...is he being supportive?
beth

[Mari]

Hi,
The equipment guy dropped off the stuff this afternoon.
He spent 20 minutes explaining to hubby and me how to put it on and take it off.

10 minutes after he left my skin starting stinging and itching worse again.


I'm depressed and exhausted.
I need to learn to sleep at night.


M.

[waves]

Dear Mari,

It really sounds as though you are having a stress reaction and are somatizing.

There is another possibility. If the only skin that itches is skin which came into direct contact with the mask then it could be contact dermatitis due to allergy to the material the mask is made of.

Hang on sweetie. Saturday isn't far away and your accupuncturist is bound to be able to help you with either problem.

If you suspect contact dermatitis, Benadryl would help, but otherwise perhaps just use a damp cloth with plain water to provide a cooling and soothing sensation. sit the cloth on the skin and let the water start to evaporate and cool you. then move it to another spot... etc.

Do you use incense? Do you have some herbal incense that you find particularly relaxing?

In aromatherapy, btw, two essences used for relaxation are Lavender (dried flowers or essential oil) and Sweet Orange. i don't know if you have either.

This all will be over and done with at some point... hold on to that thought, if nothing else.

You have been very brave thus far, and I am indeed proud of you.

I am having hot milk with decaf instant coffee in it, unsweetened. Trying to fall asleep myself. Feeling uptight inside. Therapy today was... well... i was so not abandoned, for one. I will write more in my thread. But for now just pensive. Not good for sleeping. I have a book. I may read. I dunno. the laptop is easier?

I do hope you feel better very soon. And tell hubby waves said to take good care of you.



~ waves ~

[Mari]

Hi,
The skin all over my body -- not just the part that touched the mask -- is tingling / stinging / itching.

I operated the machine with the mask on and breathed through it for a few minutes to practice in front of the tech guy.

Yes. It is an emotional reaction.
The mask smells because it is off-gassing.
Hubby rinsed it with mild dish washing soap -- still smells.

M.

[Mari]

Originally Posted by waves

.
.
.
I am having hot milk with decaf instant coffee in it, unsweetened. Trying to fall asleep myself. Feeling uptight inside. Therapy today was... well... i was so not abandoned, for one. I will write more in my thread. But for now just pensive. Not good for sleeping. I have a book. I may read. I dunno. the laptop is easier?

I do hope you feel better very soon. And tell hubby waves said to take good care of you.



~ waves ~

Dear Waves,
That sounds good that you had therapy and that it did not stink.
Does reading a book help you?
Book reading is activating for me -- so I can't do that just before falling asleep. Also, I pick up a book and then loose it -- frustrating. Eventually I run across it again and read some more -- takes a while to finish this way -- often I don't bother to finish even when I do run across it again.

M.