Lol, I need a recipe Ann has for sautéed Brussels sprouts, so while you're at it, ask Tony about that, I'm sure he won't mind. :D

I talked to the doctor again this afternoon. He called to recommend a book he wants me to read called "Say Goodnight to Insomnia." He wants me to read it because I have sooooo much difficulty falling asleep most nights. I've always been that way - it never ocurred to me until now to call it 'insomnia.' So many things I never ever thought I'd have. :(

Anyway, after talking more with him I've decided on the ResMed S9 AutoSet APAP machine. I haven't fully decided on the mask yet, though. I didn't get to try out nasal pillows at the sleep clinic and I want to see how they feel before I decide.

I'm sure he won't. It's not like he has anything else to do. :D

awww, good luck with your treatment Bonny. Sorry that you're dealing with all these issues. Sounds like you are ready for a good nights sleep.

It's going to be another 1-1/2 weeks before I get a cpap machine. I don't know whether to be disappointed in the wait or relieved I won't have to wear it until then. :p I'm kind of surprised that that was the earliest appointment I could get - I didn't realize suppliers stayed that busy.

Bonny I hope this machine works for you. A good nights sleep is priceless!

In terms of insomnia I'm not sure if you have tried meditation or visualization tapes, but they can work for many ppl. They will also help with the blood pressure.

Also there is some recent research out there that seems to indicate watching even 30 minutes of TV prior to bedtime, can negatively effect your sleep patterns.

Then of course there is the mattress importance to proper sleep. We are in the midst of trying to select our next mattress. Many of us hold onto our mattresses way too long, long past the point where we are getting a comfy night sleep. We are looking at temporpaedic and the sleep number beds at this point.

Of course diet and liquids, no stimulants past 6pm or so, some ppl even limit as early as 4pm. ie; caffeine drinks of one kind or another.

For restless leg syndrome; you can try eating a banana about 1hr prior bedtime, also a hydrotherapy technique which is called dry brushing. Also it might help to put your legs up the wall for 10-15 minutes prior to going to sleep. You can combine this with your meditation/visualization technique.

Hoping that this machine is the answer for you.

Thank you, Gail! :)

I haven't tried any of the tapes yet. Heck, a month ago I was still insisting I had no problems sleeping and I even told my doctor "I do NOT have sleep apnea." :rolleyes::p I'm glad she had a sense of humor when she said "I told you so". :D

I rarely watch television. I couldn't tell you the last time I even turned mine on except to listen to the news while I get ready for work in the morning. I rarely get online at home, either. I usually read in the evenings when the pupsters allow me to.

But I know I need a new mattress! I let my ex-husband pick this set out several years ago and I've never liked it. Now that it's older and worn I have an excuse to buy a new set, but I need to save up for it first. I've been looking at Lady Americana but I don't know what type I'll wind up getting.

Why bananas? Because of the potassium? I love bananas - I'll definitely give that a try! :thumbup:

I'm sorry, Bonny! I know nothing about sleep apnea. But I wanted to wish you well and good luck. I'll be praying for you!

Thank you, Brit! :)

Excellent post, the right mattress can make such a difference. Maybe you should do a thread on mattresses; I would love to hear more about them. Bob Greene, Oprah’s health expert, highly recommends the temporpaedic and says he’ll never buy another, but who knows what he’d tried in the past? I like mine, (another brand) but it's about 8 years old, and needs to be replaced, but I'm so confused.

By the way Bonny, I think the thing that helps me sleep the most is exercise, a half an hour of elliptical training really helps me sleep at night.

I'm sorry to hear you have been diagnosed w this and have a CPAP pending. I think I would have your apprehension also, but I hear these machines make ppl feel so much better.

I think I have her recipe somewhere in a PM. :rolleyes: Let me check. I might be able to PM it to you.

Oh thanks, I thought I'd be able to figure it out myself, but the first batch I made weren't the sort of thing anyone would crave. I know how you cook vegetables can make such a huge difference.

Yes because of the potassium. But back to the mattress idea. I believe a big problem we made is we went cheap on the bed frame, and it has been a source of frustration for us over the years. The wooden slats kept on shifting around underneath the mattress. We had purchased a memory foam mattress with a pillow top, the first two three years were incredible, but now I find the mattress is shifting when particularly my husband gets in or out of bed or turns over. And it is starting to dip a bit in the middle. There is a big size/weight difference between us. So we went for the cheaper non temporpaedic memory foam.... well I guess you get what you pay for!.
We too need to save up for this; I think it's about $5K or so; probably less in the States, in Canada we get ripped off on pricing all the time.

Anyhoo hope that machine works out for you

Bonny, I'm sorry you are going thru this sleep problem. But, it sounds like you are on the right tract to deal with it. Hope it all works out well and cures your other health problems as well.