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so I have been using a CPAP machine for a while, and it had done wonders for my sleep apnea.
Unfortunately, it was only a loaner, and I have to return it Friday.
And because of mistakes I made trying to get Alberta Disabled support to cover me for one, I am going to be without one for the foreseeable
There have been a lot of times, I've made massive errors, and somehow avoided consequences, so if this time I am going to pay for my mistakes, so I can't kick too hard.
Still, its gonna suck not having the machine considering how bad my apnea is.
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Stopgap DIY for sleep apnea
A stopgap relief for when you have no CPAP machine available is to use a chinstrap.
You can either pay a very hefty medical premium, or you can DIY just as effective for a fraction of the cost.
You need two elastic headbands at least 3cm wide. Either the athletic variant or the hair dressing variant.
Mark about 10% of the circumference on one headband.
From those points mark another 25-30% of the circumference on both sides. That leaves another 30-40% open.
Now sew the two headbands side-to-side along the 25-30% on both sides, making a double-wide headband.
The small (10%) gap at the front goes over your chin. And the the bigger (30-40%) gap goes over the crown of your head. Thus keeping your mouth closed (pun not intended) and a higher chance of keeping your airways open.
Depending on your own specific anatomy you may adjust the seams and the gaps to adapt for your personal comfort.
This DIY was adapted by my mom as an alternative to her CPAP, and is also used by all her siblings and nephews who use a CPAP as well.
Sometimes it also helps to sleep in a semi-reclined position, as is the case in a lazy-boy, instead of flat on the back. Sleeping on the side also helps prevent snoring and thus apnea.
Need a new button . . .
I do not like this. I most especially don’t love it, and thanks is right out. There should be a huggle button just for you, Dot! Hang in there!
Emma
On my side
I sleep on my side. The arm that is down, I bend the elbow an put my hand on my shoulder so my chin is resting on my forearm. The other arm goes across that arm with my hand under the pillow. I've done that for so long, that when I roll over in my sleep, I do it without waking up.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
Hope this gets sorted out SOON!
Hope this gets sorted out SOON! I have both obstructive sllep apnea plus central sleep apnea. (Central sleep apnea occurs because your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing). I am currently using a BiPap device, after seven years on a Cpap. I was switched when a sleep lab test detected the central sleep apnea (45 times an hour).
I pray they get you a CPAP machine soon.
charlie
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/missing-without-a-trace-cha...
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/832524
Have a chat with your Doc ...
... they may know the right 'buttons to push' to speed thing up. Clearly you need it.
Meanwhile, try what others have suggested. If you live with someone, ask them to help you with finding position(s) help/reduce the apnea. (Symptoms are pretty obvious to anyone even half awake.)