Cpap Adventure Continues

I've been on the new full face mask for a week now, with one extremely good night's sleep, night before last. I've been awake since 12:30AM today, though. I woke up with air just jetting out from under the bottom of the mask, where the silicon soft part had come out of the plastic part of the mask. By the time I woke up enough to realize what the problem was, and then fixed it, I was wide awake. I'm also continuing to have problems with my skin. I'm ready to try the all over the face kind. That's not supposed to irritate skin, as it fits at the hairline and all around the face completely. This is the last style there is, basically, so I'm about to run out of options, other than not use it at all. That 8 hours of sleep on Sunday night gave me such high hopes, too.

I continue to struggle with terrible gas, and I'll be calling my Gastro's nurse today to report in. Stopping the Amitiza just didn't help any. Nothing has really changed as far as feeling like something is wrong with my elimination process, either.

We walked at the track again yesterday morning, after several days off. This time it was due to DH having some pains, as I think he over did it when we started back walking the other day. Hopefully, he'll be OK this morning, and we can get our walk in. I also worked in the yard early yesterday morning, putting another pile in the Lasagna Compost area and digging around the foundation of our new garage. We need to get a drainage ditch around the front edge, so I'm hoeing just a little bit each day. I'm also trying to sweep off the driveway every day or so, as that is good exercise for my shoulders. It sure does feel funny, though, trying to sweep left handed. But I need to exercise both shoulders, so I do it, funny feeling or not. And boy, am I right sided. I'm pitiful trying to sweep "backwards". LOL

I've been doing more research, trying to see if there is anything I've missed about CPAP. I did find that I'm supposed to have the machine below head level, a fact that escaped me somehow. I didn't keep it on long enough last night to know if that would stop the "rain out", as it is called. That's when the humidifier in the machine causes condensation in the tubing, because the air in the room is cooler. I can't do without the moistened air, so I will need to deal with the condensation. It got so bad one night that it sounded like the thing was gargling!

I was also trying to find out of the machine is aggravating the gas I'm having, and yes, CPAP does often cause that, as many people swallow the air. It's supposed to be something you grow out of, and can be lessened by using the Ramp Up switch, which starts the pressure lower so you can go to sleep easier. I hadn't been using it, since going to sleep has never been my problem. But I did use it last night, and will from now on.

For all that I'm discouraged this morning, after so little sleep last night, I am still hopeful that I will adjust to the CPAP. I'm not so optimistic about my digestive system problem, though, and I am still wanting the colonoscopy. My legs and hands continue to be swollen with fluid, too. We'll see what the doctor has to say today.

Bits of This and That

I've been a good girl, and I've tried to use the C-Pap machine every night. I can only say try, because I'm still not using it all night long. I did manage to keep it on for 6 hours on Saturday night, and I thought I had it licked. Then last night I couldn't stand it past 1:30AM.

I'm pretty much used to the nose canula now, but the chin strap contraption is quite another matter. I'm going to call the tech again this morning for another appointment, since I only have another week before I'm stuck with whatever equipment I have after 30 days. I have Acne Rosacea, which normally is not a problem for me, as I quit wearing makeup, except for lipstick, many years ago. The reason I bring that up is that all these straps and bands is irritating my face. I'm starting to get red patches around my mouth where the chin strap is rubbing as I turn in the night. There are several other types of chin straps available, so I'm hoping she can find something else that I can use.

We're in the middle of a cold wave right now, with high temperatures in the 90's! So, DH got up this morning in the mood to go walking. We were out at the track at 5:15AM, and there were already people out there walking. It's really the only time of day that it's safe to be doing it right now. I did 3/4 mile, plus my knee and shoulder exercises, and the Tai Chi, while he did 2 miles. Not bad for the first time we've been there in several weeks. Of course, I've been walking around at home and working a little bit in the yard each morning, so I was not out of shape too badly. Maybe tomorrow I'll walk a mile, but I won't push it if I'm not ready. I learned that lesson really well.

The gas is still just as much a problem as it has been, and I'm supposed to call my Gastro this week to let him know how I'm doing. I'll wait a few more days, just in case DH's explanation is right. He thinks I need to give myself a few days for the colon to adjust after the GoLYTELY, and he's probably right.

I also noticed that the tremor in my hands is becoming more noticeable, and showing up more often. I've not had tremors up until recently. Balance wasn't so good yesterday, either. But I'm not in walking shoes on Sunday morning, and that could be it. I am wearing flats, with as much support as I could find, but I never feel as secure when I wear them. I'm not sure what I could wear that didn't look like athletic shoes, but I'm going to have to find something. Part of the problem right now is that I have more tissue swelling than I have been having. I've been on a diuretic for a long time, even before I was diagnosed with PD. But now, my fingers are so swollen that I can't completely close my fists. My ankles are badly swollen, too, and my weight is up, which I'm assuming is fluid.

So, I'm still dealing with lots of little problems, none of which, hopefully, are serious, but all are things that lesson my quality of life. I am thankful that I am in as good a shape as I am. Reading about all the problems that other PWP have makes me feel very blessed that I have a wonderful hubby to help me when I need it, and sympathize with me when I need that, too. I feel for those Parkies friends whose symptoms are so much more debilitating than mine are, and pray that they have a good day today.