Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I had a thread on CS about Sleep Apnea and it seemed to help a few guys get a better understanding of what it is and the risks involved by avoiding treatment.

I wanted to start one here if anyone has questions or just want to make comments about their progress.

Sooooooo hi, my name is Al and I have sleep apnea.
I think I had it for years prior to being diagnosed about 6 or 7 years ago. What a life changing thing for the better knowing and treating this affliction. No more snoring, feel rested and more energy.

Always here or PM if I can help. Getting this treated can save your life.

All the best,
Al

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Hello my name is Ryan and I have sleep apnea.

I have the machine but I never use it. I was unable to get a comfortable feeling for the mask. When I was in EMS and sleeping on the couch during the day my fellow crew members use to keep track of the time between breaths. I think I would average 1 breath ever 30 seconds and maxed out at 1 every 50 seconds. During my sleep study my O2 sats were in the low 80's. Not very good.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

You sleep on your back or side? How many different style masks have you tried?

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I usually sleep on my stomach & side. I tried the nose pillow during the sleep study but that was a disaster. Then I moved to the full face mask and could never get to sleep on my back and when I would wake up in the early morning in that dazed state I would start to have clausterphobia still being partially asleep and not being able to get the mask off. The only reason I did the sleep study was for the ex-gf and now that she is gone there is no reason to worry about it.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

My father in law has sleep apnea really bad, but refuses to get a sleep study and wear any type of mask while sleeping. He has it so bad, he falls asleep and snores mid sentence. Then wakes himself up when he begins to shake and gasp for air.
I am still determined to force him to go to the Dr.

*I work for a medical equipment supplier and a majority of our business is CPAP equipment.
If anyone has any questions about masks, machines, supplies....let me know.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

My name is Pete and I have sleep apnea.

I'm sure I had it for years before I was diagnosed about 2 years ago. My ex-wife bugged me for quite some time to get tested. I never did until after we split and my mom said something to me when I stayed at her house the following christmas.

Been using CPAP with nose pillows every night since I got it. Gotta say, it's made a HUGE difference in every aspect of my life. Feeling more rested, my head has been much clearer, I have more energy, so I have been able to exercise, lost about 40 lbs. In general, my quality of life is worlds better than it was before. And that is not just due to no longer being with my ex, though that definitely helps :ss

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Wow, running sats that low are not good for you, especially over the long haul. You are kind of leading a path towards stiffening the blood vessels in your lungs (pulmonary hypertension). That isn't all that bad in and of itself (at least to the extent it occurs in OSA) but it does lead to an increased risk of right heart failure. The OSA is probably also dramatically increasing your average blood pressure.

If you can't tolerate the BiPAP or CPAP machines, maybe there are surgical options available (such as cutting out the uvula and part of the soft palate of the posterior mouth cavity)?

I personally alleviated my OSA issue by dropping 30 lbs, but that was my solution...and may not be a part of your issue or solution.

Cheers

John

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

you understand the risks associated with untreated apnea? It's not just about snoring. That is the symptom most associated with it, but not even the primary effect.

BTW, you might want to check into what mask they actually had you use during the sleep study. Mine was a triangle mask that covered most of my nose and between my eyes and made me feel pretty claustrophobic. The nose pillow is pretty small and unobtrusive and very different from the study mask. http://www.mysleepapnea.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=464 is what I have - I got it through my DME supplier just by asking for a different mask. I am also a side/stomach sleeper as well as having a goatee (facial hair is a problem with some masks) and this works great for me.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

My name is Gerard and I might have sleep apnea.

In all likelihood I do. I'm scheduled for a split study in a few weeks. I've been plagued with snoring & apnea events for years, and finally decided to do something about it. Had a consult last week. I have to say, my wife is extremely pleased that I'm finally doing something--I think she is affected by it more than me!

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My name is Brent and I have sleep apnea.

I definitely had it for several years but didn't really know anything about it. Then a couple of years ago my BBQ competition partner got a CPAP. He absolutely swore by it and bugged my until I went and got a sleep study. I cannot remember the exact numbers, but I was waking myself an average of something like 150 times an hour.

The hardest thing for me was getting used to sleeping on my back as I was always a stomach sleeper. My wife got me a Temperpedic (sp) pillow that has this ridge for your neck/head and that made a big difference. I feel so much better, have so much more energy, and my blood pressure is down considerably.

I will not ever sleep without one... it just isn't worth it.

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My name is Ferdinand and I have severe sleep apnea.

I use a cpap machine that helps me a lot.

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My name is Tripp, and I too think i might have sleep apnea.

For all of my adult life, I"ve had low energy problems, and have trouble even staying up late. I'm only 25, am in good shape, and usually hit the sack around 11, even on weekends, and have a hard time staying up too much later. My girlfriend had told me that I tend to "hold my breath" for up to a few minutes when sleeping, which is what tipped me off that I might have sleep apnea. I'm planning on seeing a doctor about it, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Classic symptoms Tripp. Please do yourself and your loved ones a favor and schedule a sleep test.

Keep us posted please.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

don't wait Tripp.

Sure, the first couple of weeks you'll have some problems adjusting to sleeping with a mask, but after that your energy levels will increase and life will get so much more enjoyable.

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My name is Tom and I have sleep apnea.

Diagnosed 4+ years ago, I had the somnoplasty (surgery) twice, and it improved my condition but did not cure it. Had the option for a 3rd surgery, and declined based on the horrible after effects of surgery #2.

May go the the mask at some point, but my symptoms and blood pressure are much improved so I won't be doing it any time soon.

Brent, I would love a link to the pillow you speak of when you get a chance.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

my doctor (and my own internet research) advised me not to go with surgery as the chance the symptoms would go away are not high and would be only temporarily. That's why I went with the respironics cpap.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I have sleep apnea and have been using the cpap for about a year.

Adjusting to the mask has really not been a problem and I am so much more alert and full of energy.

What prompted me was going to the funeral of a 38 year-old guy who was pretty healthy overall... that died of sleep apnea. Made my appointment within a month. No looking back...

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

i must admit, the first couple of years I wasn't using my cpap regularly, used it for weeks, then used it not for weeks untill Al posted the topic on CS. I posted my irregular use and a few botl's, including Al and Conch, told/begged me not to play Russian roulette with my life. Been using my cpap ever since and I will even bring it with my on my US trip next month.

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True, the surgeon advised me the surgery only has a 60% success rate...not great odds. I was lucky enough to have my apnea reduced significantly, at least for the last 4 years.

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I used to have the mask that only covered the nose. Then I turned into a "mouth breather" so I went to the full mask. I really don't mind it however with a goat I do have air leak issues that I wished I didn't have. If anyone knows of a full face mask that works well with a goat please provide link.

Just got my new bi-pap machine. Very nice and much more quiet than the old model.

Happy breathing everyone!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

And certainly the surgical options shouldn't be the first option, by any means.

There is a spectrum of treatments. If the plan systematically moves through and evaluates the individual benefits of each option in the plan, then you are bound to reap the full benefits. Thus, surgical consideration has its place in any plan regarding OSA. But, what I commonly say is: "Surgery is a non-reversible treatment though...Once changed, the anatomy can never change back (not entirely true)", so certainly explore all other reversible therapies first.

Explore all options when the time is right. But exploring them doesn't mean committing to them. Each person will find their optimum therapy if they keep looking.

Cheers


John

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Hi, my name is David, and I had sleep apnea.

It nearly cost me my life and my mind. I gained a significant amount of weight and at one point was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. I could barely function on my job and nearly lost it. I suffered mini-seizures which caused ruptures on my right cornea.

Sleep apnea is not a joke. During my sleep study, I scored one of the worst results tested at that facility. For many years I knew I had a problem, and I let it go. One night, I woke up unable to breathe and went into a severe panic because my brain wasn't telling my lungs to function. That was the final straw.

14 months ago I underwent Gastric-bypass surgery and as of today, I've lost 200 pounds. My sleep apnea is cured, my hypertension is cured, and my memory and cognitive skills are back to where they were at the age of 25. I am in top physical shape and weigh less than I did when I graduated high-school.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Congrats to you David and thanks for sharing.

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Hi my name is Greg and my doctor said I don't have sleep apnea, not sure how he knows without any testing. I used to wake up in the the night gasping for breath. It was almost like I was dreaming and in the dream I would know I needed to breathe, and finally wake up and just be gasping for breath. I haven't had that happen in a long time now. Not sure just thought I would share.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

You need to have an overnight sleep study done to be sure.

:tt


Made the appointment yet? :tt

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Does anyone else run their CPAP dry. I have from the very beginning. I keep a glass of water by the bed and most nights I will wake up around 3:00 and get a sip of water.

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Congrats David, that is a scary story with an apparently happy ending.

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I have a humidification device on mine. Can't imagine not having it.

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Nope. Like I said it's not happened in a couple years now.:tu

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What's truly sad is that sleep apnea is the most un-diagnosed illness and yet is causes so many others. My father suffered with Parkinson's disease for many years before his death and I've lost other family members who've suffered from Alzheimer's. All snored like freight trains. Had they known then what I know now, they might be alive today.

The short and sweet is, sleep apnea ultimately results in the loss of oxygen flow to the brain. Repeat that enough times and I think you get the picture.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Mine has the humidification chamber... I just don't put any water in it.

The guy who did my sleep study has been doing them for a long time. He told me to try it right from the start without water. He said if I didn't mind it that way it was good. He said there are more problems with cleaning and lung infections when you used humidity.

Maybe it is easier in Florida since our humidity is high most of the time anyway.

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Does not matter. You don't have to be woken up to have it. Most times your brain wakes you up just enough to get started again and you never know it.

Schedule the test please.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Hi, I'm MJ and I probably have/will have apnea.
My father has it, both my Grandpa and Grandma have/had it, as I'm sure a few other in my family I may not know about. I'm 19, and I dont really know about what the usual age it is for having sleep apnea...I'm thinking about getting tested in the summer.

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I started out that way but moved to the humi as I got very dried out.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

One other thing I like to mention to people is another angle that may actually be the cause of sleep apnea in men, and that is low testosterone levels. I had my checked just prior to my bypass surgery and I didn't even register on the chart. The side affects of low testosterone and sleep apnea are eerily similar. My PC physician warned me years ago that it was low and stupidly I ignored him and my sleep apnea, weight gain, and other issues may have come from that.

I now take testosterone injections weekly and my physical being has changed completely. I sleep well, I have boundless energy, my metabolism is perfect, and my sex life has improved dramatically.

I would offer to anyone the suggestion that at your next appointment, have the doctor order a T-panel and see what your level is. After the age of 30, your T-count starts dropping rapidly as the body starts producing less.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I gotta go in soon and I will talk to my Doc about it Al.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I didn't have my testosterone tested, but I will say without any hesitation that my sex drive is monumentally higher than it was before I started on the CPAP. It wasn't quite driven home to me until I woke up one morning after starting the CPAP and was surprised when I realized how long it had been since my last morning wood. That was before I started exercising and lost the weight, leading me to attribute it to the treatment rather than anything else.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I'll second that:tu:tu

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I have sleep apnea. I'm 27 and probably need to drop 30 pounds, but noting too major. My wife bugged me to get tested not long after we got married. I have been using it for almost two years now and it is going very well. The mask is not attractive, but I definitely feel better and once I got used to it, it became almost pavlovian for me - I put it on and I go out quickly. I use a hybrid mask that has nasal pillows and covers my mouth. I tend to be claustrophobic, but this doesn't give me any trouble. Also, if I position my pillow just right, I can actually sleep on my stomach with this mask, which is how I always preferred to sleep pre-apnea. This is a relatively recent discovery for me and I love it. I was doing ok sleeping on my sides, but my shoulders started to hurt.

I HIGHLY recommend that anyone who has symptoms and has not been tested to get tested, and those that have been diagnosed to find a way to make the CPAP work for you. It is an extremely serious disorder that is relatively easy to manage once you get past those couple weeks of discomfort with the mask. I bet you will even sleep better during those few weeks than you do on any night when you don't wear the mask.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I have used it dry for a period of time and did fine with it, but decided I liked it a little better with water. The nasal pillows I use stay a little more moist with the water and don't irritate my nose as much. I had some irritation when it was just dry air.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

My doctor told me he doubted I had it too, but he still sent me to see a specialist because I insisted my wife wasn't making it up that I was stopping breathing for 30 seconds at a time. When I had my sleep study I stopped breathing about 500 times and they almost came in and woke me up at one point because I didn't breath for about 45 seconds. I'd ask your doctor for the referral or get another doctor.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Hi! My name is Ron and I've gone 10 years now without a drink . . . ummm, sorry - I mean without sleep apnea.

I had it so bad that I preferred to just stay awake for days at a time because I hated to go to sleep. If I looked hard enough I could probably find the test results with the amount of time I quit breathing, how long for, etc etc. It was very scary. The doc said I could move to the Pacific and dive for pearls with no problems.

Anyway - I had the surgery. I now sleep all through the night - and day if allowed - LOL. A freight train would not wake me up. After the surgery my wife use to do a breath test on me because she said she could not tell if I was still breathing - that's how quiet and in a deep sleep I was.

So for me - the roto-rooter surgery worked out excellent.

As for front, back or side sleeping - I had to sleep on my back for so long - I still can't/don't know how to sleep on my stomach. Either the side or back.


Ron

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Damn this threads filling fast you sure their is no connection between cigar smoking and sleep apnea;) On a more serious note my sleep apnea subsided do to my recent weight loss. DR still wants me to have the tests done but for now I'm putting it off. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge on this medical condition.

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Thanks for all the info, I didn't realize this was so common. When did you all start noticing there was a problem? Any ideas what caused it or it's preventable?

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Well I guess the reason I havent thought about it in a few years now cause it hasn't happened and the wife hasn't noticed anything for that long either. Did you have no symptoms?

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I'm Richard and I'm your future pulmonologist!


You can have it at 19. Most of the guys above aren't too much older than you; and I've seen a couple patients that were younger or just a tad older. So if you think it's a problem, definitely check up on it.

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I had it before I started smoking cigars on a daily basis, for what it's worth, Scott.

I would never have even gotten tested in my ex hadn't been so angry about my snoring. A man with sleep apnea and a woman with sleeping problems are not a good combination. ;)

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I actually thought that I had insomnia. After several years I finally asked the Doc for some sleeping pills - which he gave me - which didn't work of course. So when I went back and told him they were worthless - he sent me to the Ear, Eyes and Nose people who figured it out rather quickly.


Ron

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I have a mild form of sleep apnea. I use a cpap. Doc says I'd probably be fine if I dropped some serious weight. Working on it, but the cpap helps in the meantime.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

No, I snored like a lord and my wife would find me not breathing for a while and then having my chest heave as I tried to catch a breath. But I didn't have high blood pressure, etc., which are the kinds of symptoms which are readily measurable. I think I misread your post though. I must have stopped reading at the "it hasn't happened in a long time" part. My bad. I would imagine your wife would notice if you were exhibiting signs of it, especially if she noticed it a few years ago.