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**jonpspencer2** · 17 December 2009, 11:02

Hi

Hello,

just remember that we are all different and react differently, so what works for one person might not work for you etc etc. With regard to trying complimentary medicine, that is a great idea as long as you apply comon sense as well. Make sure you only introduce one item at a time and read all the details and instructions clearly. You should also inform your doctors of exactly what you are taking.

The most important thing is to check that whatever it is that you are taking does not interfere with your prescribed medicine. Some Holistic medicines can be very strong, so please read those instructions. Also, some of these complimentary medicines are a waste of time and equal benifits are available from a good healthy diet! Other complimentary medicines or vitamins have to be taken for 3 months or more before you see any results.

Also remember Complimentary medicines are a BIG BUSINESS and there are plenty of people waiting to make a quick buck from you or your fears! So be careful, read your subject matter and talk to your GP. My rule is everything in moderation and comon sense at all times. To date the only thing that I found that works was something called Q10 or Ubiquitone, however to get results I had to take about 100mg a day and it is very expensive. Roughly, Q10 works by turning the food we eat into energy. These capsules can be purchased at your local chemist and from memory they worked out at about �30 a month, but the effects were noticable within 5days. Remember, what worked for me might not work for you!
Good Luck, Jon..............

**mymindisblank** · 17 December 2009, 19:23

Hi Jon

Many thanks for the great post, its very informative and has given me lots to think about.

I think the sensible thing for me to do is to wait and see how the increased dose of Modafinil affects me - that alone may do the trick ?
Also loose a pound or two (over Christmas? maybe tricky! )

Then, maybe look again at the alternative remedies (rather than rushing in now as I wouldn't know if any benefit were due to the modafinil or the alternative)

3 choices in alternatives remedies seem to be:
5-HTP
Q10 (CQ10?)
Melatonin (if you can find it - which most people can it seems)

Am I missing any? Those seem to be the main 3 used by people with SA.

I have heard positive results (and no effects) with each one so it seems to depend on the individual.

Fingers crossed.

Cheers for the reply and great advice.

Cheers
Peter

**ElleCee** · 31 January 2010, 09:50

I have been on cpap just over 2 weeks and am still waiting for the tiredness to go. In all other respects the treatment is working. I no longer get headaches, don't wake in the night for the loo. People say I am looking a lot better, more colour in my cheeks etc.
The only thing now is that I am still waking after 8 hours sleep feeling like I need a lot more.
My machine is set to 10 and my husband says I still snore but a lot more quietly.
Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

**MrJones** · 1 February 2010, 09:16

i'm getting on ok with my cpap, however i'm going back to the hospital today to replace my nose mask for a face mask

I'm still snoring according to my partner which the CPAP is supposed to eliminate, however i'm hoping today (instead of waiting for my 4 week trial appointment) that they will bump up the pressure.
today after last nights sleep with my nose mask i dont feel so refreshed although i didnt get up to go to the toilet.

ElleCee, if you aren't getting any leaks that you're aware of I would suggest you speak to your sleep clinic where you got your CPAP and ask them to increase the pressure on the machine

My partner rated my snoring the other day. With 10 being how it used to be before CPAP. She said my snoring has been about a 3 since i started and the past two days its been about a 5 so i'm thinking i've got some leak on my nose mask but then again i'll get this face mask and perhaps try those remzzz things that James sells!

**Tigers Fan** · 1 February 2010, 18:50

A possibility

James' words were more medical than mine, but however you say it - it cured my snoring, for side sleeping anyway.

It was about one's jaw being pushed backwards into one's airway. Could be a chin strap that does it, for me it was an over-tightened mask bottom strap.

I gave up chasing my vibratory snore index as I failed utterly to control it. By concentrating on keeping my AHI below 2, I get good sleep. Every now and then, since loosening that mask strap, I have a snoring night, I'm told - but compared to my old rattling the roof tiles two doors away, I don't snore anymore.

TF

**redkez** · 8 February 2010, 21:09

Peter,

Are you getting on any better? I was wondering if you were still tired now?

I've been put on modafinil too (in October), the consultant thought it would keep me awake during the day, but I was still as tired. However, when I went to see the sleep clinic they said it will help with my sleep but takes a very long time (months). I have slept very badly since getting my CPAP, but its very slowly improving since I started the modafinil, its worth sticking with for me.

Kez

**James @ Intus** · 19 August 2010, 15:36

It's a bit of an old thread but in case anyone finds this and relates to the issue, let me share something I read about recently.

First of all, when you have obstructive sleep apnoea and are *not* yet on CPAP, it's to be expected that you are still tired after sleeping a good 7 to 9 hours sleep. But indeed some still don't feel 100% even after successful CPAP therapy.

Some people expect too much from their CPAP and think they can keep doing what they were doing, diet and exercise wise, and rely on their CPAP to get them full energy. But if you don't put energy in, in terms of good food and nutrients, there won't be much energy coming out. But let's assume youv'e made all the lifestyle changes you can possible make to ensure optimum health.

You describe very shallow breathing. Combined with feeling tired, it sounds very much like what they talk about in this book here called Hyperventilation Syndrome. I read it recently as that's what I get at times, very shallow and rapid breathing.

I however don't hyperventilate as in, panick attacks, gasping for air. In chronic hyperventilation syndrome, that's the point. You do it all the time, not in separate attacks. Apparently, healthy respiratory rate is around 12-14 breaths per minute. Some yoga guru's claim it should be as slow as 8. Either way, slow and deep breathing is key to a good oxygen/co2 balance and we all know that if that balance gets disturbed (for example OSA) that can yield problems. You can eaisly time your own breathing rate, just clock every inspiration for a minute. If it's well over 20, this may be an issue for you.

Diaphragmatic breathing aka abdominal breathing or deep breathing is key. Remembering from the book, there are three groups of muscles involved with breathing. Those in your abdomen should be used some 85% of the time. Then you have muscles in your chest which help with breathing when exercising. Then when you really need to run for your life, a third set kicks in, around your neck (if I remember all this correctly). So the balance should be say 85% vs 10% vs 5%.

In chronic hyperventilors, this can be totally flipped. If your belly doesn't move (much) when breathing, you will be using your neck/chest instead. This means shallow, quick breathing, like when you run, sort of. It can be paired with tense shoulders, back and neck etc. as too much stress is put on that area. It certainly leads to lethargic functioning as your lungs aren't used to their full extent either, not to mention the imbalance of O2/CO2.

So if you can relate to those types of symptoms, I can recommend that book. Along with an iPhone application that helps you set the pace on deep, slow abdominal breathing, you can quite quickly retrain your breathing and feel the benefits of such breathing.

So indeed look at nutrition, but also your general breathing.

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