Sort of an update

[etumukutenyak]

So, I got a CPAP last month, to treat mild sleep apnea. One night (two weeks ago), I put it on and fell asleep, as one does. In a few hours I awoke, with an odd complication: I must have inadvertently blocked the outflow from the mask, resulting in an overpressure within my respiratory tract, and ended up with a lovely pharyngitis as well as lots of air within the GI, where it does not belong.

I call it pharyngitis now, but that night all I knew was suddenly I could not swallow. My throat was so edematous that nothing moved properly. I was just barely able to take my blood pressure medication, which contains a diuretic, and I waited. As the hours passed, I cautiously took liquids.

For a week, I took only liquids. Last week, I added in very soft scrambled eggs. I found that I could consume "solids" if I chased each bite with liquids; otherwise the solids stuck at the back of the tongue and went no further. This resulted in mild panic, as that is right above the glottis, where food is not meant to be. Each meal was thus a study in controlled panic, with muchly masticated foods and large quantities of liquids.

Yes, I've lost weight on this diet. I don't recommend it, though.

It's now two weeks, and I am still mainly on a full liquid diet -- my blender is pureeing many tasty things -- although I can eat soft foods, particularly those with sauces; pasta; eggs; cheese, and the like. Meals are slightly less panic-inducing, but always mindful.

I haven't used the CPAP since then, and my FG doesn't want me to use it at all. I will try it again once I'm back to normal, and I do expect to heal; I can see and feel the continued healing.

On the other hand, the Ex has civilly dined with me and the FG twice now. Even though she claims to have a new girlfriend, I don't really see the connection -- however, I never look a gift horse, etc.; anything that distracts her is good enough for me.

Comments

[i-calql8.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, woman!

First, *hug*

Second, *big hug*

What exactly happened with the CPAP? Was it a mechanical problem, an unintentional misuse of the equipment, maybe a part just wore out, or did you sleep 'wrong'? Is this a frequent occurrence with such an apparatus?

Well, anyways. *hug again* Heal quickly, kiddo.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Good questions. I have not found any reports similar to mine, so I think this was a rare complication -- of course, leave it to me to find the odd ones! I think I turned my face into the pillow just enough to block the outflow from the front of the mask, where it is supposed to go out, and all the pressure went in, and down.

Still, silver lining and all... ;-)

[i-calql8.livejournal.com]

If it takes weeks for the body to compensate for a few hours of this rarity, then I hope you can find out for certain what the problem was.

How're the pipes? Did the experience give you a case of the whiskey-and-cigarette husky voice? ;)

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I should make sure it can't happen again. The machine itself tracks the pressure changes, so if I take it for a visit to the sleep clinic, we should be able to confirm my hypothesis.

Ha! Vocal cords are below the glottis, so my naturally husky voice is unchanged! :-p

[i-calql8.livejournal.com]

Fair enough--I had visions of you sounding like Dr. Girlfriend from The Venture Brothers. Serves me right for not becoming a doctor. ;)

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

I *used* to be able to hit a C above high C; now I'm sure I can go below low C instead...

[hawkwing-lb.livejournal.com]

Ack. That sounds fairly awful: I am sorry to hear of it, and hope you heal swiftly from here on out!

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

All in all, it could be far worse..and the healing has been steadily progressive. It's like a very bad cold, only without the soreness of the sore throat. The mechanics of swallowing are just about normal; it's the lack of sliding-ness that lingers. I suspect there's a reduction in the normal mucous output that normally lubricates the passage downwards, so things stick in the wrong spot.

I only seem to have idiosyncratic issues...

[hawkwing-lb.livejournal.com]

You idiosyncrat, you!

Be well, k?

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

You, too! ::pours more tea::

[hawkwing-lb.livejournal.com]

Tea!

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

::adds another cat to the pile::