Last Tuesday I finally got a CPAP machine to treat my sleep apnea. I actually got one quicker than expected and started using it immediately, even though I was traveling on holidays.

Whose bright idea it was to have people where a mask over your nose while sleeping, I have no idea, but getting adjusted to it as been a job of work.

Tuesday night was my first night wearing it, in the Best Western in Bancroft, no less. I woke up a lot throughout the night and ended up taking it off early in the morning.

Wednesday through Friday I was at a cottage staying with an aunt and uncle and found myself going to bed at a reasonable hour every night (no later than 11 p.m.) and took an hour to fall asleep each night, wondering if I would ever get used to wearing an uncomfortable piece of plastic on my face. It was extremely irritating to my upper lip, for one thing.

On the plus side, my aunt, who is a light sleeper, says she did not hear me snore throughout the night, except during the times I admitted to waking up early in the morning and taking it off.

Saturday it occurred that shaving my face might reduce irritation and provide a better fit for the mask, and I think it has helped, especially with reducing the irritation of my upper lip.

I was back in my own bed Saturday, and I think that helped, but it still takes longer to fall asleep and I am waking up more frequently throughout the night.

However, I did get up at 6 a.m. this morning, before my alarm, and I am enjoying a cup of coffee and watching CBC news while posting this entry. I’d like to think that I’m up because I got more sleep, not just because the discomfort of the mask woke me up again.

One day at a time.

I knew this five weeks ago because the technician at the sleep clinic told me. But today the specialist confirmed that  I have sleep apnea; rather severe sleep apnea in fact.

Fortunately, the specialist didn’t hesitate to write me a prescription for a CPAP machine and I have an appointment with a provider first thing Tuesday morning, as well as the necessary follow-up appointments booked. This means I should be pretty much “cured” by late September (cured in that I will have a correctly-configured CPAP machine and hence be reaping the benefits).

Meanwhile,  those of you who require little sleep are mutants.

OK, not really, but Psychology Today has a few articles on sleep which don’t do me a darn bit a good but might be helpful for those who have ruled out sleep apnea.

Can Insomnia Be Fatal?

How to Get Great Sleep

Losing More Than Just Sleep

Even before being diagnosed with sleep apnea, I always believed good sleep habits were essential to good physical and mental health.

I’ve grappled with anxiety and depression over the years, and with the revelation that I have a sleep disorder I realize how much my lack of sleep has influenced both my mental health as well as my physical health. In fact I’m almost certain all of these issues could have been avoided had I been diagnosed with the sleep apnea a decade ago.

In the past, insomnia and other sleep disorders have often been pegged as symptom of mental illness. Now there’s a growing body for research that suggests mild anxiety and depression are actually symptoms of poor sleep. However, the knee-jerk reaction of most GPs is to treat the symptom with medication instead of asking a patient how well they are sleeping – at least that’s been my personal experience.

Psychology Today has a round-up of articles on managing depression that make for interesting reading that can help contribute to a strategy that works for you:

Depressed? Jolt Your Brain

How Food Can Improve Your Mood: Delicious Ways to Prevent Depression

10 Little Known Facts About Depression

Eliminate Depression—Naturally!