I’ve just passed seven months using CPAP, so here’s an update. It took a while for my nose to stop hurting when I first started using it, and fortunately Chris Kelly from AER Healthcare recommended I try paw paw ointment, which turned out to be a lifesaver. As a result, my compliance over the period has been over 98%. Here’s my AHI overview during that time as reported by OSCAR:
My AHI results using CPAP for 7 months
For the past few months I’ve been practising Qi Gong (almost) every morning that I don’t have college. I find the gentle meditative movement helpful and appreciate the light exercise it offers. I recently saw a Facebook post where Ashok recommended it as a good adjunct to The Gupta Programme too.
I generally get up just before sunrise every day and practise down near the beach which has helped shift my sleep pattern to match the sun more closely. I’ve also been switching off lights earlier and avoiding late night TV so that I can fall asleep before 10 PM most nights. I tried a couple of times doing Qi Gong in the evening, but even with Lee Holden’s evening routine I found it hard to sleep afterwards, so I find it better done in the morning.
I find Qi Gong easier to practise than it’s brother Tai Chi, as the movement sequences are simpler. I took a Tai Chi class a couple of years ago, but the routine was long and complex and we only covered a portion of it. I tried learning Tai Chi from YouTube videos, but again it’s tricky to master.
With Qi Gong it’s easier to follow along to a YouTube video. I bought a pair of Sony Wireless Bluetooth headphones so that I can put my iPhone on the ground a couple of metres in front of me and still hear the commentary. One of the reasons I like the videos below is because of the soothing, reassuring commentaries they have.
I have often found strong emotions arising during or just after practising Qi Gong, so remember to take care of your inner child when doing this. Witness the emotions arise and let them go. If they’re particularly strong and/or persistent, find someone to talk the feelings over with.
There are heaps of Qi Gong tutorial videos on YouTube, and you can start with shorter ones and work your way up to longer routines as you feel able. There’s plenty of variety so you don’t ever get bored with the same old routine every day. Get ready to meet your new YouTube friends Lee, Jeff and Marissa!
I’ve been wary of graded exercise ever since the doctor who diagnosed me with CFS told me that “exercise is very important in CFS”. I was thinking “I’ve struggled to even drag myself to your office, and you’re telling me to exercise?!?” However, there’s definitely something to be said for movement. The Read more…
My graded exercise program didn’t start out as an exercise program at all; in fact, I was very reluctant to do any exercise at all when I first started it. I’d read horror stories on the Internet about people having terrible setbacks doing graded exercise guided by well-meaning doctors, and Read more…