Fibro Fog

I have claustrophobia issues--just imagine! LOL But I did it. Mostly by following directions. I was taught to start wearing the mask and running the machine while watching TV or reading in the evenings, just for five to fifteen minutes, and to add a few minutes each night--and then to try lying down with it in the afternoons, NOT with the idea of going to bed to sleep, just to learn to relax with it... and then graduating finally to bedtime.

It literally took me MONTHS, AND several different mask designs, before I found one I could even tolerate... Turns out I can't use anything that goes under my chin or plugs my nostrils... I'm lucky I'm not a mouthbreather, it seems: After a lot of trial and error, the mask I now wear is one called "simplicity"--a small mask that covers JUST my nose, and is held in place by a simple set of velcro'd straps that fit over and under my ear and from the nose up--they meet in the back of my head, and lie very smoothly there... the first time I dozed off while reading in a chair... wow. I knew then I could do it... the rest is history! LOL

I now average five to seven hours of sleep a night--before, it was a nightmare, and actually felt like I wasn't sleeping at all most of the time; it was a constant wake and sleep cycle, that never dropped into the healing phase of sleep at all. I'm glad my body didn't let me stay asleep and quit breathing for good--but SHEESH! LOL

Do keep trying, it is SO worth it! That good night's sleep really helps... it's much easier to deal with the pain when you are rested...

Kathy

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Nickie, there are different types of masks. You might want to talk with the doctor who ordered it for yu to find out about options or search on-line for information about the masks.

current weight: 199.0

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I was diagnosed with very mild obstructive sleep apnea.... in fact I almost didnt qualify for the CPAP. But since I did I got one.....and have yet to be able to go to sleep with it on. Tried the nose pillows, the mask, tried a pillow designed especially for people wearing a CPAP mask, tried it with medicine that in any other situation knocks me flat on my butt for hours.... and NOTHING! Needless to say I havent tried any more.... I knew sleep was crucial for pain control and at least I was getting sleep without it..........

1GRNTHMB is right, I have "moderate" obstructive sleep apnea. When I go to sleep, the muscles in my throat relax too much and close off the airway: I quit breathing every two minutes or so. The CPAP is a machine which basically forces just enough air into my throat to keep the pathway open... it's got computer chips and sensors to adjust the amoiunt as I relax or tense up... and I also take Hydrocodon morning and evening, with the option of taking more for pain control during flare-ups.

A good night's sleep really is crucial as part of fibromyalgia treatment!... a study done a while back actually triggered fibro-like symptoms in college athletes, simply by depriving them of deep level sleep!...

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Nutrition is also a key to keeping away the fog. You should find if you have any anemia or deficiencies. I was found to have Pernicious Anemia (could not metabolize B-12 that was ingested. Since I have been on B-12 injections it has rely helped me. Others have found that they are helped by being treated for their deficiencies.

Sleep disorders are also common. Kathy mentioned that she uses a CPAP unit which implies sleep apnia but sometimes it is used for other purposes. It was pain that caused my disrupted sleep. So once the neurological pain was treated the doctor added Hydrocodone which I take at bed time to get better sleep. It has also helped me a lot.

current weight: 199.0

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Having trouble answering... my CPAP quit working for a day (??) lack of sleep makes fibrofog worse, y'know?... I did take it in, so it's working again, so last night was okay,but I don't recover that quick any more...so I'm in a bit of a fog myself today... LOL

Let me take a nap and I'll get back to you... maybe...if I remember...

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I just read an article under Web Md and they had some successions about about some foods that help with Fibro Fog. They seemed pretty reasonable. You may want to take a look at the article.

Mara is the service dog you see in my profile picture. She is a rottweiler. My breed of preference and she is the third dog that I have trained. I had trained another but she hated crowds and would get herself sick with long rides and busy stores. Mara is the most sensitive to my neurological needs and also offers mobility stabilizations . i am dependent on her and can't function without her.She not only watches me but by sniffing my breath she just knows how I am doing and what is going to happen.

Is Mara a service dog? If so, can I ask how you went about getting her, what is involved, etc. I know very little about it... I know that has to be so comforting to know she is looking out for you like that!

My dog Mara helps me get out of the fogs and come back to reality. I had gotten so bad I used to black out. She helps ground me and minimizes how severe it gets. She also warns when it is coming and will not let me drive or leave the house.

The fibro fog is pretty thick for me most days. Being at home, it isn't that much of a problem. But trying to work when every task takes 3 times as long because I have to concentrate so hard on each detail and the not being able to remember the simple things that should be second-nature like what form to use or what fields I need to enter is stressful and exhausting. Any suggestions as to things you have found to clear the fog????? :)