Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Glad you are getting it checked brother!!!:tu

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

:tpd: Better safe than sorry MJ!!! Positive thoughts your way brother!!

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Sleep study tonight. Will keep you advised.....

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Good luck Hugh...keeping fingers crossed!!

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The wife has been hounding me for months to get a sleep study done

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Smart woman. :tu

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I finally got the wife (after hounding) to get herself checked out. Doctors visit went well...she is scheduled for her sleep study in two weeks. Maybe we can get his and her matching CPAPs...LOL!!!

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I was never officially diagnosed, but my GF always told me that I would stop breathing several times an hour. I used to weigh over 350 lbs. Since then I'm down to 290 and she says I sleep like a baby now...

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Didn't sleep much, the tech was noncommittal but thought I might have mild apnea. Will see the doc on Wed, I imagine they'll want me back. As much as I hate to, I'll probably take the sleeping pill next time!

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I felt like I didn't sleep at ALL when I had my test - one of those nights where you toss and turn and think you see the clock all night, etc. Turns out they got more than enough to diagnose me with severe apnea. You might be surprised to find out they got all they need.

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:tpd: I remember my test like it was yesterday...easily one of the worse nights ever!! Uncomfortable, tossing and turning, strange bed, strange room, etc...

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:tpd:
When I asked my tech if she saw anything, she said, "Oh yea, maybe--I can't tell you anything, you gotta wait for the doctor." Probably train them to be non-committal.

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Well, back for try #2 on Tuesday. I only slept 2 hours, not enough to really come up with good results. Doc said he thinks I might have apnea, but 2 hours not enough to really come up with a valid diagnosis. Fine, might as well get this right! I'll take the damn sleeping pill!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

So, it's been about 2 months since I was given the machine, and I've been able to sleep the whole night with the mask on for 4 or 5 nights in a row now. But I always get only 7-8 hours of sleep. My body won't let me sleep longer, even on an off morning. Anyone else have similar experience?

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Are you rested with 7-8 hours sleep?

I can't imagine sleeping more than that. :r

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

eber - Erik Tested - Sever Apnea - Has his machine!!!
beeradvocate - Travis - (Father-In-Law)
dentonparrots - Carl
kaisersozei - Gerard TEST DONE! AWAITING RESULTS! :dance:
tripp - Tripp
ggainey - Greg
emjaysmash - M.J.
awsmith4 - Albert
jkim05 - Jeremy - (Dad - awaiting results)
junior - (wife) - Read thread and is going to schedule test! Great news!
nozero - Michael


Can we get this updated please.

Add your name or give us your latest status.

Thanks

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

eber - Erik Tested - Sever Apnea - Has his machine!!!
beeradvocate - Travis - (Father-In-Law)
dentonparrots - Carl
kaisersozei - Gerard TEST DONE! AWAITING RESULTS!
tripp - Tripp
ggainey - Greg
emjaysmash - M.J.
awsmith4 - Albert
jkim05 - Jeremy - (Dad - awaiting results)
junior - (wife) - Read thread and is going to schedule test! Great news!
nozero - Michael
Kelmac07 (wife) - Sleep study scheduled for 18 Oct (hoping for matching CPAPs...LOL!!)

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

eber - Erik Tested - Sever Apnea - Has his machine!!!
beeradvocate - Travis - (Father-In-Law)
dentonparrots - Carl
kaisersozei - Gerard TEST DONE! AWAITING RESULTS!
tripp - Tripp
ggainey - Greg
emjaysmash - M.J.
awsmith4 - Albert
jkim05 - Jeremy - (Dad - awaiting results)
junior - (wife) - Read thread and is going to schedule test! Great news!
nozero - Michael
Kelmac07 (wife) - Sleep study scheduled for 18 Oct (hoping for matching CPAPs...LOL!!)
Biglizard1-David Diagnosed 2 years ago Moderate to Severe Apnea

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

So David,

Do you use your machine? Are you feeling better? If you can share it helps those that are on the fence or scared of what it's like.

If you don't want to thats cool as well! :D

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Well like the post above says, Diagnosed 2 years ago, and immediatley tried the CPAP and was not successful. Some of you may know that I am a career firefighter and sleep in at the station on every third day. So combined with the emergency calls and moving from home to the station CPAP didn't work well for me. In addition, the CPAP even at its lowest setting gave me feelings of way too much pressure in my chest. With the results of this brief test my doctor and I decided to have surgery, UPPP, it has worked for me only real side effect has been nose regurg of liquids and some dificulty when swallowing certain things. It has helped my health and definately changed my sleep. I can tell that I have more energy and dont have the exhaustion based sleep episodes. It has been successful for me and now to lose more weight to make the total change.

UPPP resulted in larger airway in back of mouth, Uvulaectomy and tonsilectomy as well.
Still need to have septum undeviated.


Graphic description follows:

Absolutely worse part for me was the tonsilectomy, nearly bled to death when the scabs released 1.5 weeks after surgery. Local ER couldnt' stop bleeding with cauterization and had wife transport two hours by car to surgeon. After 2000 CCs of NS at the first ER, Surgeon came to ER #2 and fixed problem with cauterization and when they got my pressure back up with an additonal 3K cc of NS and LR's they let me come home.

Being an EMT and the wife a Paramedic this was hard for us, I had to during the drive cough up blood and try and maintain pressure on the inside of my throat to lessen the bleeding. My wife said I was white as a ghost upon arrival at ER #2 and they moved very quickly, I dont remember my vitals but they worked quick to fix me.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Leaving in about an hour for try number two. This time will take the sleeping pill!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Good luck Hugh!! Don't take the red pill. :r

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I just ran across this thread and thought I'd add my case too.

I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea in 2000 and started on a CPAP right away. The difference was pretty amazing. All these years of being tired all the time and not sleeping well from the time I was 17 or so (back in 1980) was all due to apnea. I've been re-titrated three times since and have had to increase pressure slightly each time. I've never considered the surgery since I don't have tonsils anymore and I like my uvula. ;)

I started with a nose mask and that did ok for a long time but with the higher pressure my nostrils tend to close easily so I've been using nasal pillows for a few years now. Much better. But there are different kinds and you have to keep trying them until you find one that works for you.

For you guys that won't use your machine or even won't get in and get tested - you're putting your life at risk by not taking care of this. I had the start of pulmonary hypertension before the CPAP, that was completely gone after the first year. I don't doze off in the car or at work anymore. It makes a HUGE difference in your life and can kill you if not treated!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Thank you for sharing your story Jim. I'm with you on all counts!

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Well, even though I still didn't sleep well, enough data was collected that I was told I have "moderate" sleep apnea. Next step is to do the CPAP test when I get back from vacation in two weeks. Doc said it was ok to wait- I'm leaving on Sat and they weren't able to schedule me that quickly. He told me not to drink much- apparently drinking has a big affect on apnea.(Since I don't drink- no problemo!)

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UPDATE: I've had my CPAP machine since August. I'm pretty much used to it by now. I can sleep all night with it. My wife loves that I no longer sound like someone sawing logs from my snoring. She says the sound at this point is pretty much non-existent. And the machine is much quieter than she thought it would be. I don't know if I necessarily feel better or more rested, but I'm using the machine and it seems to be working well for me.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Was diagnosed about six months ago with moderate apnea. Had trouble adjusting to machine, but now use it for 4-5 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night. I do have a little more energy now.

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You will see more benefit sleeping longer each night. I know I was down to 4 or so hours a night, since it didn't seem to matter how much I slept, I was still tired. Once I started using my CPAP, 6-7 hours is amazing.

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Don't you get thirsty? :r

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Well, off to get my machine and fitting! I was told that I could pick up my machine tomorow morning at the sleep study center after they decide the pressures et al overnight. Will let y'all know how it goes/went!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Good stuff Hugh!! :tu Remember...the first night is the worst. It gets easier after that one.

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I was checking the data in my APAP yesterday and realized I have been using the APAP machine for exactly 1 year to the day!! I currently have a 100% 365/365 usage rate, and an AHI of 3.4 (HI of 3.0 and AI of 0.4). I've been averaging a pressure of 10.4.

IMHO... an AHI of 3.4 is pretty good considering I started off with a 97!!!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Fit me with two masks- the nose cover and the nose pillows/stoppers. Thought I would like the nose mask at first, but after about 25 minutes it started to bother me. Slept with the pillows/stoppers, no problemo. Only thing that ticks me off is I was told I would get my machine today at the site, but that didn't happen. Tech said she didn't have a machine to give me. Makes me wonder why the hell they called me to pre-register specifically so I could pick up my machine at the sleep over site. ARGH!

So, now I'll hafta wait. Bottom line, the pillows really didn't bother me, so hopefully this won't be too traumatic a change!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

That's great that you are comfortable with the pillows already. It should really help your transition into this. Just be mindful of whether you breathe through your mouth at night. If you do, I'm told you lose the effect of the cpap treatment. Some people actually wear chin straps to keep their mouths closed to avoid it. I actually wear a full mask for this purpose. I don't think I mouth breathe when I sleep, but I'm too neurotic to take the chance. Good luck getting set up!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Day 2 using the device. I have a Res Med pillow system. Didn't sleep as well yesterday as my first night. I guess it takes some getting used to. Seems I keep getting water in the pillows, even tho I have dialed down the humidity meter quite low. Maybe I just expirate lotsa humid air?

Hey y'all- do I really need to change the distilled water daily?( Could get a bit expensive!) Do I really need to use distilled water? I imagine when I travel getting distilled water might not be so easy. Do you all clean the device as often as they say- daily/weekly? Do you replace the stuff every three months? I know that the seller needs a lot of CYA, wondering if you really need to be as careful/strict as they say?

TIA!

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Yes! If you don't, bacteria grows in the tank really quickly and it gets bad for your health. When I first started out using it, I used tap water a couple times when I ran out of distilled water. Stuff started growing in the tank like crazy. I kept running a q-tip over it and pink stuff kept coming out. You can get distilled water for less than a dollar a gallon where I live. I get 2 weeks or so out of one gallon. It is way worth it. When I run out, I don't use any water in it anymore - a couple nights without the humidifier going hasn't hurt me yet.

As far as cleaning the equipment, I can be a little lax there. I dump the water in the humidifier every morning and open it up so that it air dries during the day. Considering I use only distilled water and allow it to completely dry, I haven't had any problems with it. I tend to get new equipment every 6 months because that is how frequently my insurance pays for a new mask. I figure I might as well get it. I'd do it every three if I could remember, but wouldn't worry about it if you don't.

Just my :2, but definitely use distilled water only.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Distilled water only Hugh!! I use soap and water and clean mine every few weeks...let it air dry. My insurance sends me a new mask, hose and filter every three months...I usually only change it every 5-6 though.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I get new hose/mask/filters every three months, when the DME supplier calls me to ask if I need it. I use only distilled water, but I don't dump the existing water every night - bit of a waste IMO. I clean the mask and tank about once a week. I will use tap water when I am traveling, but it tends to build up mineral deposits on the sides and bottom of the tank pretty quickly, so I always use distilled at home - I keep it around anyway for Cigar Oasis refills.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Thanks, guys. Distilled water it is!

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Just got back from seeing an ENT about a sinus issue and he wants me to do sleep study. He looked down my throat and started asking questions about snoring and if I stopped breathing while I sleep. The answer is yes to the snoring, but I don't know about the breathing part. I did tell him that I wake frequently and have not slept consistently well for years, although I have often mentioned this fact to my primary doctor(s) over the years, but they never addressed the issue. I'm now waiting for the sleep center to call so I can setup an appointment to get this checked out. I don't normally sleep well when I'm in a new place, so I'm not sure how well this will work.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Just an update-
After cancelling my last sleep study due to poor scheduling on my part, I have re-scheduled for this tuesday. I am going to ask them for the lseeping pil- I want to get this done in one go. Hopefully I can get all of my apparatus (if I have apnea) by the beginnning of the smester.

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After a month I must admit I'm not finding any difference. The sleep doc said that he did want me to continue to use the contraption, so I will.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Give it time, hotreds. Took me about 3 MONTHS to make it through a night without yanking the mask off. Now, I love my CPAP machine.

One of the big issues I had at first was waking up with a dry nose. I had to turn the humidifier to max to feel good when I woke up.

YMMV, of course.

Before my CPAP machine, I had no idea what it felt like to sleep a full 8 hours. Or to wake up WITHOUT a sore throat from snoring. Or what it was like to NOT have your wife elbowing me to get me to get me to shut up my snoring. She used to wake up, NOT hear me snoring, and get scared that I had died in my sleep. This, of course, led to her sleeping poorly.

It does take time to get used to, but I'm glad I stuck it out.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Yeah i have/had sleep apnea. Mine was pretty severe. When i was tested i averaged 25-30 obstructions per night. My O2 levels were pretty low as well. I used the mask for awhile and although i never really felt more rested i did have better peace of mind knowing that i was not going to die in the middle of the night!

I got frustrated that the machine did not work as the people told me it would. I was still chugging red bulls and cuban coffee whenever i got a chance. So i started to exercise hard freakin core. I did cardio 5 times a week 40 min a session and a yoga routine 2-4 times a week on top of it all. it worked!!

Last time i got tested they said my apnea was no where to be found! So i guess not only is my heart stronger and my O2 level increased to maximum but I'm sleeping better and honestly having better sleep as well.

Try it out guys you never know - medicine is not always the answer. Oh and if anyone is interested I still haven't tried an Opus X (hint hint Xmas gar list!)

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Actually that number is usually given per HOUR, not per night. My RDI (Respiratory Disturbances Index) was 10.2, which means that I was stopping breathing about 10x per hour, or every six minutes. If your RDI was in the 30 range, you were stopping breathing every 2 minutes or so. That is scary.

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yeah thats what i meant - that was my avg every hour! can you believe it! i really wonder some times how i am still alive after crazy all nighters in South Beach!:ss

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Are you sure you wanna do that? Don't you think a 'natural' sleep will give a more honest result?

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Well, add me to the list. :sad

I had my sleep study and my followup with the specialist to review the results is tomorrow. I fully expect to be using some sort of CPAP machine and mask. I'll see what the doc recommends and then go from there.

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a cpap isn't that bad Peter, you'll get used to it in a few weeks and you'll feel much better once you get a full night sleep.

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They thought just like you, Ferd. I wasn't allowed to get a sleeping pill, unless I had a lot of trouble sleeping.

For an update: I had my sleep study and they sent me home telling me I didn't have sleep apnea (very surprising to me and my family!) It was only after I had gone to work when the nurse called back, telling me the had scored my full sleep study and I actually DO have sleep apnea.

I am scheduled to go in this friday for another study with the CPAP.