Sleeping Disorder

[Coota]

I believe that I have a form of sleeping disorder, I saw a Doctor in Oz about 2 years ago who told me that I had one and referred me to a specialist. I didn't follow through with the specialist as I researched my problem and worked out I was mouth breathing when sleeping. I adopted the simple solution of taping my mouth shut in order to nose breath, I came across this solution by Googling my problem. It seemed to work most of the time, however, lately I am waking up feeling like I have a hangover. This morning I felt terrible with a slight headache even though I used the tape. I gave up drinking about 4 weeks ago hoping it would improve my general health and well being but it has had no effect really.

 

The correct method of breathing is in with the nose and out with the mouth but I do either in and out with the mouth or the same with the nose, one or the other. I flush my nose out each evening to ensure I have a clear passage, if I don't use the tape and mouth breathe all night I wake up with a similar feeling and a very dry mouth. There are no specialist sleeping clinics where I live.

 

Anyone else suffer from this or have any thoughts on it?

 

 

[bignok]

Are you overweight? Eat late?

 

I take magnesium

[Coota]

17 minutes ago, bignok said:

Are you overweight? Eat late?

 

I take magnesium

Not overweight, fit for my age, exercise every day for all my life, eat healthy and not late, live a quiet rural life in a small village and I'm 68. I fall asleep very easily but constantly wake up every 30 minutes or so and fall back asleep quickly. 

[Lacessit]

Place your phone, set to record, by your bed for a night. That should tell you if you have sleep apnoea based on your breathing patterns.

Taping your mouth shut is a bad idea, it is causing the headaches.

The usual treatment for sleep apnoea is a CPAP machine.

If you don't have apnoea, possibly something like melatonin or a drowsy antihistamine ( Codiphen ) may help.

[Lacessit]

44 minutes ago, bignok said:

Are you overweight? Eat late?

 

I take magnesium

AFAIK magnesium helps with night cramps. IMO quinine is more effective.

There is research recently published which shows the brains of dementia patients are deficient in magnesium.

[bkk6060]

CBD for sleep works well.

[Lacessit]

3 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

CBD for sleep works well.

For some, it does absolutely nothing for me.

[mstevens]

From the sounds of it, a sleep specialist would probably be the way to go. Not something I know anything about but if it's a breathing issue causing sleep problems then maybe a CPAP machine might help? Obviously you need professional help if you go down that route.

 

There are various supplements that can help sleep including:

Melatonin

L Tryptophan

GABA

5 HTP

Magnesium

 

They're all a little different, work slightly differently and some can be combined. My personal experience trying all of these found that 5HTP worked best for me.

 

However, in your case, it definitely sound like seeing a sleep specialist would be the way to go.

Edited July 22, 2023 by mstevens

[scubascuba3]

I'm a mouth breather and doesn't cause the same problems

[stoner]

i wish i could sleep. 

[bignok]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

There is research recently published which shows the brains of dementia patients are deficient in magnesium.

Yes saw that.

[Satcommlee]

Sleep Apnea? 

[Capt Rob]

3 hours ago, mstevens said:

From the sounds of it, a sleep specialist would probably be the way to go. Not something I know anything about but if it's a breathing issue causing sleep problems then maybe a CPAP machine might help? Obviously you need professional help if you go down that route.

 

There are various supplements that can help sleep including:

Melatonin

L Tryptophan

GABA

5 HTP

Magnesium

 

They're all a little different, work slightly differently and some can be combined. My personal experience trying all of these found that 5HTP worked best for me.

 

However, in your case, it definitely sound like seeing a sleep specialist would be the way to go.

A sleep specialist will advise after monitoring with a electronic halter to observe sleep pattern.

I found a CPAC machine only mildly beneficial and it disturbed two peoples sleep. They are expensive to buy ( in Aust. ) so advise renting one first as mine ended up in storage. Have seen various simple devices which claim success - personally I avoid sleeping on my back for optimum sleep value.

[leverito]

Sleep not on your backside.Try to sleep sitting.

‘And don’t worry for breathing by mouth,it’s not a big issue.

[orchidfan]

Many mentions of Magnesium (which I've been taking for many years ) but note that otc Mg "supplements " come in the form of various Mg compounds/forms..eg. chelate, citrate, glycenate etc.

I understand that they all have different effects and benefits, so it's worth specifying which helps sleep or cramp or constipation etc

I think Mg glycenate (?) Is the best to assist sleeping  

 

Any other members comments welcome.

[Iron Tongue]

You've listed all the symptoms of sleep apnea, including your age.

You keep waking-up because you have stopped breathing and eventually wake yourself self up, -which is better than having a stroke. 

And yes, it can lead to dementia.

Get tested by a sleep specialist immediately, and if recommended, buy a CPAP machine (usually covered by insurance).

Don't want to spend the money? 

Do you think it's cheaper to have a stroke, heart attack, or dementia and need someone else to wipe your backside every time you soil yourself?

[wwest5829]

5 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Place your phone, set to record, by your bed for a night. That should tell you if you have sleep apnoea based on your breathing patterns.

Taping your mouth shut is a bad idea, it is causing the headaches.

The usual treatment for sleep apnoea is a CPAP machine.

If you don't have apnoea, possibly something like melatonin or a drowsy antihistamine ( Codiphen ) may help.

Apnea was my first thought also. C-pap readily available here. I sometimes use Benadryl or sometimes an aspirin (aches and pains in the night can disturb sleep).

[AlQaholic]

6 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I'm a mouth breather and doesn't cause the same problems

Same here, although I grew at high altitude causing huge lungs, So the air has to go through both my nose and mouth. Never considered it a problem. I think the notion about breathing through the nose helps you sleep better is self-fullfilling idea that wears of. 

[scubascuba3]

3 minutes ago, AlQaholic said:

Same here, although I grew at high altitude causing huge lungs, So the air has to go through both my nose and mouth. Never considered it a problem. I think the notion about breathing through the nose helps you sleep better is self-fullfilling idea that wears of. 

Breathing seems restricted to me if i just use the nose, which wouldn't help with sleeping

[xtrnuno41]

Have been always a nose breathing sleeper, until i woke up with dry mouth, stating something changed.

Always slept on belly, changed position to side, but didnt work. I also clean out my nose with watering it and blow out every evening before going to bed.

I also started putting a glas of water beside bed in the beginning for a week, but ..

Went to hospital, test with event recorder on breathing while sleeping. It came up with way over 40 ( critical stops?) stops of breathing while sleeping. Sleeping apneu.

I had to think about once had  a woman sleeping with me and she told me about my breathing, breath was long out and not more in until kicking in, and that was already 12 years before dry mouth event.

Trying to remind how it was before dry mouth, It already could have affected my body in time. I remember I could fall asleep at work, but blamed on going to bed late. So it developed?!

 

It left me to sleep with a CPAP, do it now already 10 years. Especially in beginning it is a crime and sometimes even nowadays, when sometimes the mask starts with a leak, you have to fit it right then.

Dont put it away as you will not like it, force, teach yourself to sleep with the damn thing. It is your friend but also your enemy. They both go with me, every where, 555. Also a crime you have to carry it with you and it goes to Thailand when im there. 

I do have a mustache but it is not really negative effecting the mask. As mask i have a nose mask and thats fine, works.

Can have every year a new mask from health insurance, but the mask can last longer. They are also pricy, as i said i dont have to pay for it, but started first to do so, as i wanted a spare mask, in case of a problem.

So try & error noticed i can sleep easily with it for 3 years. Then i changed. Of course cleaning is important, also the mask band. Also rinse the hose from time to time

 

Have forced myself to sleep with it, but it stopped my non breathing while sleeping. Waking up again with mouth closed. That is instantly already a victory. I was really pleased then from first moment, waking up again with mouth closed.

 

Every time you stop breathing, your body kicks in on getting air when level oxygen gets crucial. It is the same while swimming under water and come up to get air. You dont know, your sleep is disturbed and can give your body all kinds of other dysfunctions. You notice first on being tired, logically as your body has to work to get air and oxygen in your body system, while you should be resting.

If you do have sleep apneu, taping your mouth is absolutely not a good idea, as your body says "need oxygen" and now you block it. Your mouth is going open to get oxygen in ! Your body is crying out for oxygen.

I see in your event writing the same thing as how i started. However never taped my mouth.

 

I have a Resmed 10 since beginning, good device. I checked on prices and saw Lazada had them, costing 23000 baht to way up higher, but they are also selling second hand in lazada i see, so 23000 baht is probably a used one. So sold again as people gave up. I dont think it is  an option, as bad breathing in sleep will effect your body functions.

If you search on cpap, i even see a complete set of BMC, for 19900, all in one. Of course there are more machines and all with a price tag.

 

In euro's it would be 657 euro. In "my" country once saw them doing 1000 euro, but in Belgium they were doing 500- ish euro. That is only the machine, mask , hose , filters all separately.

 

Price also depending on an extra with machine, heated moisturizing tank. Once had it and used, but you have to clean it well and too much, so stopped with it and indeed dont need it. Not even in a airco room, as moist get less then. Also heated hose, dont need it. It seems possible to have condens in hose, Ive never seen it.

Filter on machine, I do clean that and use longer, though i get new ones for free.

 

On the mask there is an outlet pressure regulator filter, you need to clean. It shows up after time with black spots on the tiny outlet holes. It is normal, as it is, tiny parts in the air you breath in. I was first thinking the machine would (breaking down plastic) do that and had contact with Resmed about that and they explained. They dont recommend any cleaning on that with chemical, however I do use bleach to clean and then rinse very well. No problem. Even told them. I use an Eson 2 nose mask.

Also asked how should i clean machine internal, you dont. There were people cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, but showed up not to be a good idea. Thats why Philips had problems with their machines, what i red.

 

The hose, you have them with plastic connections and silicon connections. Once had the plastic and then they changed giving me the silicon. They said plastic was out, but later again different. I used the silicon and then you have to adjust again to them, as they were different in action. The plastic ones give you way more comfort, silicon is heavier and more annoying. I noticed when they changed. Ok you get used to it eventually again. However I returned to plastic ones.

 

Well these were my apneu, dry mouth experiences for the past 20 year.

So try to find out if you have apneu, or begin to use the machine and DONT give up.

If you have apneu and showing now by dry mouth, you dont really now how long you have it and you still could cope, as probably i did. First time waking up with no dry mouth feeling better is already heaven.

You will get used to it. The Resmed doesnt make that much sound, investigate on decibels with other machines.

Dont tape your mouth ! You are trying to kill yourself.

[Coota]

Thanks for the detailed reply @xtrnuno41 I will take on board your thoughts. I must add that my mouth is not taped completely closed and I can easily open my mouth if needed, the tape is a strip of 3M white non porous tape placed horizontally over a section of my mouth. 

[xtrnuno41]

1 hour ago, Coota said:

Thanks for the detailed reply @xtrnuno41 I will take on board your thoughts. I must add that my mouth is not taped completely closed and I can easily open my mouth if needed, the tape is a strip of 3M white non porous tape placed horizontally over a section of my mouth. 

Im glad to give you info on it. Thanx for the appreciation.

[Coota]

10 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Place your phone, set to record, by your bed for a night. That should tell you if you have sleep apnoea based on your breathing patterns.

Taping your mouth shut is a bad idea, it is causing the headaches.

The usual treatment for sleep apnoea is a CPAP machine.

If you don't have apnoea, possibly something like melatonin or a drowsy antihistamine ( Codiphen ) may help.

I'll try the phone recorder tonight, thanks.

[whereyougo]

So you scuttle the specialist because what would he know and settle on sticky tape. Sounds like a plan. 

You know what you need to do and it's not hanging around here 

[Gottfrid]

Just take a beer. Works for me. ???? 

 

[Hummin]

17 hours ago, mstevens said:

From the sounds of it, a sleep specialist would probably be the way to go. Not something I know anything about but if it's a breathing issue causing sleep problems then maybe a CPAP machine might help? Obviously you need professional help if you go down that route.

 

There are various supplements that can help sleep including:

Melatonin

L Tryptophan

GABA

5 HTP

Magnesium

 

They're all a little different, work slightly differently and some can be combined. My personal experience trying all of these found that 5HTP worked best for me.

 

However, in your case, it definitely sound like seeing a sleep specialist would be the way to go.

5HTP is best in the morning for me, all depending on your mood cycles, and to be true, 5HTP is Tryptophan should not been taking together with other supplements that contains Tryptophan. Melatonin is well know and works especially for those who getting older, 

 

Breathing exercises to open your nasals for better sleep in the night, but some breathing exercises is done best during the days like pranayama technic who most likely engage you and make you are awake many hours after performed the exercises. Great for a good start in the morning before anything else. 

[nglodnig]

You might have sleep apnoea - I would suggest (as I did) to go to a sleep clinic - I got wired up (didn't have to spend the night there) with some devices and told me I had CHRONIC apnoea - got given a CPAP (a device with a mask to strap to your face while you sleep) and the results were fantastic. The mask takes getting used to but once properly fitted I hardly notice it.

 

I was putting on tons of weight (which you don't seem to be doing and as this is a major symptom you might not have it IMHO) and starting to fall asleep during the day.

 

My wife told me I was stopping breathing several times at night but I did nothing about it. Crunch came when I fell asleep on the sofa with a glass of wine in my hand, which broke. Luckily it wasn't full - THAT would have been a waste ???? 

 

 

[nglodnig]

On 7/22/2023 at 1:04 PM, xtrnuno41 said:

I have a Resmed 10

Me too - on my second one (the old one still works and will use it for travelling)

[Hummin]

Sleep disorder is mostly a sign, you need to change something in your life. 

 

Sleep disorder is often temporary 

[Sheryl]

Bickering posts have been removed.