Hmmm sleep or cats?

sarahp

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So now I understand the whole sleep apnea thing a little more, I'm realising a problem.

In the last few months the kitties have decided they all want to sleep on the bed with us, previously they never would, or we may have just one. And they all want to lie on/with me. The problem is that I end up lying on my bed stuck in that position, and sleep apnea is worst when you're on your back (I'm more of a side sleeper).

When I went to sleep, I was on my back, with Stumpy between my legs, I woke around 4am with Stumpy still there, Smudge curled up on one side of me, and Lily curled up to the other side - completely pinned in.

I woke up this morning with a tired headache, and couldn't drag myself out of bed. So I'm thinking these things are related - when the cats sleep on me, I sleep on my back for longer which makes the sleep apnea worse.

Problem is that I love having the kitties sleep with me
I love waking up and finding them all snuggled up with me. They're not lap cats, so this is the only snuggles I get. And if I can't sleep, I have a kitty to pat and cuddle up to. And I couldn't bear to kick them out....

What to do?
 

worriedmommy

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Boy, wish I could help. I have the same issue in that I am a side sleeper but always end up on my back with cats cuddled around me. Hope you can figure it out. My DH has sleep apnea and so does my dad. No fun! Sorry you have to deal with it. I am guessing you have a c-pap machine?
 

jellybella

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Honestly I used to be afraid to move them, but now I know for my own health and happiness I have to. I find that they usually come back and make themselves comfortable once I've adjusted myself.

Now sometimes Bella just plays sleeping rock and won't move
, but Stan is an accomplished blanket surfer...he just rolls with it.
 

white cat lover

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I just roll & flip them around. They grumble, but re-locate to make themselves comfortable.
 

pookie-poo

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Originally Posted by JellyBella

Bella just plays sleeping rock and won't move
That's cute!!!

My kitties like to cuddle with me too. They usually jump off the bed when I"m thrashing around (I don't sleep very soundly, and move constantly all night because of back pain.) They're back on the bed the minute I settle down again, and snuggling away like crazy.
 

baloneysmom

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Bugsy has to sleep ontop or at least touching me. If Bugs is in my way ill just push him over gently so i can roll over, and pat him on the head usually hes too passed out to even know whats going on. Ill wake up again, notice hes on me again and do the same thing. Its the same every night lol.
 

missymotus

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My 3 sleep under the covers, I try not to move much. I don't like getting yelled at by the cats in the middle of the night, then they tickle me with their whiskers while getting back into position
 

marie-p

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You need to learn to sleep on your stomach, then the cats can sleep on your back. Kinah does it all the time. Plus it feels great to have a cat walking on your back, it's like a massage.


You know, I think I might have a sleep problem too. I am absolutely unable to sleep on my back. If I accidentally fall asleep on my back, I'll wake up a few minutes later after dreaming that I was suddenly falling.
 

babyharley

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

I just roll & flip them around. They grumble, but re-locate to make themselves comfortable.
Bayley usually sleeps w/ me every night, but when I move around, he moves with me
 

natalie_ca

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

I just roll & flip them around. They grumble, but re-locate to make themselves comfortable.
Ditto. I love my kitties, but I'm no good to them is I'm tired and in pain. So I turn when I need to and my kitties move and then settle back down again.

Sometimes when I wake up on my side, Abby is fast asleep on top of me in the dip of my waist and draped over my hip. She's not a light cat!!
 

sydney

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What I do with my dogs, is I get in bed first and get comfortable, then I let them on the bed to assume the positions, and like another poster stated, if I want to move I just move and bump the dog or cat, they move, i get comfy, then they settle back into position.

My problem is because of all the extra body heat on the bed, im starting to sweat at night since the weather is getting warmer, 3 large dogs sure keep a bed nice and warm on a winters night but during the summer im dying of heat exhaustion, I have to keep the windows open, a/c on, and a fan blowing at me, all just so I can sleep with my babies.
 

russian blue

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Same problem over here.

When we go to bed, I'll start off sleeping on my back and Gigi will snuggle between my legs. Then half way during the night, I'll flip her otherwise my legs are numb.


Steve, at the slightest movement, will want to play, play, play. As soon as he starts playing, I'll taken him downstairs and shut the door. He hates being downstairs by himself, but he's not learning that being quiet on the bed will keep him in the bed and with us.


So, unless I lock him downstairs, I have to get out of bed to remove his playful presence. Hopefully, he'll grow out of this.
 
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sarahp

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Originally Posted by Worriedmommy

Boy, wish I could help. I have the same issue in that I am a side sleeper but always end up on my back with cats cuddled around me. Hope you can figure it out. My DH has sleep apnea and so does my dad. No fun! Sorry you have to deal with it. I am guessing you have a c-pap machine?
Nope, I only just did my sleep study. Got results in the mail confirming sleep apnea, but haven't had my appointment with a specialist yet.

Originally Posted by white cat lover

I just roll & flip them around. They grumble, but re-locate to make themselves comfortable.
I move once I wake up and realise I'm in the same position, but for those precious 4 or so hours of sleep I'm on my back not sleeping properly.

Originally Posted by marie-p

You need to learn to sleep on your stomach, then the cats can sleep on your back.
I still can't because of my heart surgery. I love sleeping on my stomach, but if I fall asleep like that I wake up about an hour later with my chest hurting.
 

trouts mom

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Trout sleeps between my legs on top of the blankets so she basically pins me there
There is no moving her..I feel your pain.
 
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