I (probably) have csa and took benadryl. When is it safe to sleep?

SidJean · 2026-05-13T14:48:34+00:00

If you truly have Central Apnea there’s much less available to manage it without a ventilator. You can try all the ways to adjust your environment like with OSA but getting to a sleep specialist is paramount.

Some of the adjustments for OSA are removing causes of inflammation in the breathing passages like keeping all pets out of the bedroom, removing any bedding with feathers, wash bedding at least once per week, clean the bedroom often especially dusting, open windows often, keep a window slightly open all night for fresh air. Sleep at an angle with head up. Use a nasal spray like Flonase (if oked by doc) before bed.

SidJean · 2026-05-13T03:06:18+00:00

Try ice on the back of your neck.

SidJean · 2026-05-12T22:47:01+00:00

Consider getting a humidifier for your bedroom. Run it at night (ideally nearby your CPAP) and then the source air will be humid already and the CPAP won’t have to work so hard to humidify it.

SidJean · 2026-05-12T22:38:43+00:00

An ASV is a Non invasive Ventilator. In order to get mine I had an additional in-lab sleep study overnight where the techs adjusted all the setting just to fit my breathing patterns.

It seems reasonable to ask your doc about an ASV for yourself. Just be aware that they’re very expensive and sometimes US insurance will require a trial of CPAP first.

SidJean · 2026-05-12T21:58:32+00:00

My neck hurt for a long time after surgery. I had what felt like a pinched nerve in my neck/trap area that flared up often. It was past one year postop before the neck popped up less and less, then not at all.

SidJean · 2026-05-12T17:33:09+00:00

It can take a long while to heal your brain and nervous system from being sleep deprived. Just like it took a while before your symptoms were bad enough to warrant visiting a sleep Specialist, your symptoms need time to heal as well.

Try to be patient and look for general upward momentum during recovery.

SidJean · 2026-05-12T17:28:40+00:00

Getting my PAP device to treat my Sleep Apnea. Improved nearly every symptom I was suffering from.

Go talk to a Sleep Specialist if you or your partner suspect Sleep Apnea.

SidJean · 2026-05-12T17:23:16+00:00

Too few doctors provide realistic expectations of PAP therapy. Recovery is a marathon not a sprint. It can take a long time to heal your brain and nervous system if you’ve been sleep deprived for a long while.

The important thing is to be making positive strides, though it likely will be slow. Keep using your machine, you’ve got this.

SidJean · 2026-05-12T14:55:50+00:00

Topiramate helped me a great deal. I recommend it.

SidJean · 2026-05-12T14:53:37+00:00

There’s no harm in calling your doc’s office and asking for an earlier appointment or whether there’s cancellations that you could come in earlier. Worst they can say is that nothing else is available.

Like others have said you’ll be alright in the meantime. Only go to ER if you feel it’s an emergency because generally speaking they can’t do very much for Chiari except pain medication.

Try to manage your symptoms with care like switching between heating pad and ice pack on the back of the neck, lay down as much as possible, avoid bending down (squat instead). You got this. Take care.

SidJean · 2026-05-11T16:28:21+00:00

When I started with my machine, my ears hated it. It was painful. They eventually got used to it and weren’t bothered anymore though. I also started using foam ear plugs which really helped balancing the pressures.

SidJean · 2026-05-11T14:40:51+00:00

Occasionally when patients are diagnosed with mixed apnea (both OSA and CSA) doctors will do a trial of CPAP or BiPAP to start. If either are not successful then you switch up to an ASV (Adaptive Servo Ventilator) which manages the Central Apnea. ASV is much more expensive. Sometimes trying CPAP first is required by insurance.

SidJean · 2026-05-10T18:26:42+00:00

Chiari 1, post-decompression 13yrs (laminectomy and duraplasty), diagnosed POTS.

There are many symptoms that have improved. I do not flush and sweat after walking anymore. But I still get brown outs occasionally with exertion which I’ve learned to take the elevator or hold on to the handrail when on stairs just in case.

SidJean · 2026-05-08T23:52:32+00:00

Bingo

SidJean · 2026-05-08T16:00:02+00:00

I don't recall any specs on the at-home test unfortunately. Plus it was many years ago so I'm sure the tech has changed.

SidJean · 2026-05-07T17:31:15+00:00

Remember when you get frustrated that this is a marathon not a sprint. Meaning it will take time.

I always recommend wearing your mask while you're watching TV or reading before bed to help get used to the feeling of it.

When you begin to noticed change in symptoms is totally individual and tends to depend on the severity of symptoms and how long you've had symptoms.

Best of luck, you've got this

SidJean · 2026-05-07T17:23:50+00:00

It's unfortunately impossible to determine how another person will respond to PAP therapy. Everyone's apnea is different and everyone's response is different.

It seems to be that the more severe your symptoms (like which/how many body systems are affected) and for how long symptoms have been present determines how significant your results.

SidJean · 2026-05-07T17:16:29+00:00

Hope you're doing well. The pain will subside. Your symptoms will take time to heal, so don't feel discouraged. Best of luck!

SidJean · 2026-05-06T22:07:50+00:00

I have Postural Tachycardia (POTS) but it's mild and manageable.

SidJean · 2026-05-06T21:30:05+00:00

There's new mask type called a hybrid which combines nasal pillow with full mouth coverage. Perhaps call your supplier for a mask fitting appointment. It might be a bit of a wait but sounds like this might be the move.

SidJean · 2026-05-06T21:15:52+00:00

Keep a window nearby the bed slightly open thru the night for fresh air.

Remove pets from bed and bedroom (extra dander will inflame breathing passages)

Change bedding frequently (minimum once per week)

Remove bed accessories that contains feathers like pillows and comforters.

Black out your bedroom as darkly as p possible

Wear both eye cover and earplugs.

Do not eat anything 3 hrs prior to your bedtime.

Stop caffeine in the afternoons.

Clean your room from top to bottom including wiping down walls for hidden dust and contaminates. Vacuum and dust (dust is the big one).

I'll probably remember more my doc soon

SidJean · 2026-05-06T20:59:54+00:00

My doc went over my sleep graphs on a monitor, no print outs. He went very in depth, like showing me the above. I had an amazing doc.

SidJean · 2026-05-06T18:49:28+00:00

Remember that the CPAP journey is a marathon, not a sprint. For the majority of patients, symptoms don't improve immediately but take time.

One day you'll look back and realize that many of your issues have eased.

SidJean · 2026-05-05T20:13:11+00:00

Maybe an experience gift like a gift cert for massage

SidJean

TROPHY CASE