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agingand55 Asked March 2021

I am 55 and fall asleep anytime I slow down and relax. What's wrong with me?

Driving, waiting for wife at store, watching TV, conversation with friends, etc... Anytime I slow down. Wife is now embarrassed to be with me in public and doesn't feel safe while I drive.


I do have sleep-apnea, high blood pressure, about 50 pounds over weight.

NeedHelpWithMom Mar 2021
Have you considered doing a sleep study?

Do you think that you have narcolepsy?

I have a friend who has narcolepsy. She can’t take long drives. She gets too sleepy.

AnnReid Mar 2021
If you are motivated to lose weight, address your sleep apnea issue first. Chronically disrupted sleep can interrupt the production of the satiety system in the brain/ er outs system.

With your pattern of falling asleep when you don’t intend to do so, you are likely living with chronic sleep deprivation, setting up the vicious circle with weight gain and high blood pressure.

You can beat this-
agingand55 Mar 2021
Thank you!
I just ordered a new hose and mask for my CPAP machine. I have been encouraged very clearly to get back to using the machine.

I am hopeful to start loosing weight... I can do this.

Thanks again

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Geaton777 Mar 2021
I realize the cpap supplies are expensive but... how much would you pay if your car needed a repair for $250 in order for it to drive safely? Please bite the bullet and get a new mask while you await a new sleep study. Proper sleep will change your life. You'll have enough energy to exercise and lose weight and reduce your BP.

ZippyZee Mar 2021
Thats too bad. My old lab never closed for Covid. You should try and get a new one done asap, you usually need new studies every 5 to 10 years.

If your machine is still working you may be able to get a new mask cheaper online than in a local med supply shop. Vitera full face masks are around 100 dollars online. That was always my go to full face mask.

I dont think I'm allowed to post links here, but just google the type of mask you want and their should be tons of options for new masks. You shouldnt need a prescription for the mask itself. I'd still reccomend getting a study as soon. As possible though
agingand55 Mar 2021
Thanks for the tip on face mask!!!!!
Vitera full face masks
lealonnie1 Mar 2021
My husband replaces his face mask every now and then, it's a lot cheaper than $250.....and a whole lot cheaper than being dead! Buy a new mask immediately and use your cpap machine. Snoring is a cutesy way to say your breathing is obstructed and your life is being cut short every time you sleep without your machine.

Narcolepsy is falling asleep during a conversation or while driving, God forbid.

Lose weight, exercise, get that bp down and schedule yourself for another sleep study appt. Turning 60 is a HUGE wake up call for many of us, my husband included, when his bad eating habits caused him to have emergency triple bypass surgery in October. And that was just the beginning of the problems.


Wake up now before it's too late.
agingand55 Mar 2021
will do thanks
ZippyZee Mar 2021
Former PSG tech here. Are you compliant with your cpap use? If so, what type of mask (nasal/full face) do you use?

Does your wife witness you still snoring or stopping breathing while using it? How long has it been since your last sleep study?

Sleep Apnea can grow worse as you age and your cpap settings may need to be adjusted.
agingand55 Mar 2021
Thank you!
1) Are you compliant with your cpap use? No, my full face mask wore out and it was like 250 dollars to replace without insurance.
2) Does your wife witness you still snoring or stopping breathing while using it? If I use the cpap machine I do not snore even if I sleep on my back. Without my cpap machine I try to sleep on my side. If I do end up on my back, my wife will wake me up and get me on my side because she says that I will choke on my tongue.
3) How long has it been since your last sleep study? 8 years! I tried to get a new one done about a year ago but because of COVID it was canceled.

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