Sleep Apnea - What can you tell me?

[ConstantChange]

For those of you who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, were you aware you woke up several times during the night before you were diagnosed? Did you know you snored (if you did)?

I was talking to an eye doctor today about an issue with my eyelids. I told him the previous doctor I talked to said it might be sleep apnea and maybe I'm rubbing my eyes a lot in my sleep. This guy then jumped on that idea and recommended I go get a sleep apnea check with my primary care doctor.

I've never been told I snore. I'm not overweight. I don't knowingly wake up in the middle of the night. When I actually get to bed at a decent time, I feel pretty good when I wake up.

I don't mind getting tested, but I don't like wasting time and money just because these eye doctors think I might have it after clicking around on their computer.

My workout partner has it and he said he knew he had it before he went and got tested. He said he woke up all the time and always felt tired.

[DAB]

when i was in ICU in Sept/Oct, the nurse could hear me snoring across the ward. ordered a sleep study the next night>>>> i was waking up an average of every 2.5 min all night.

not good for your heart i can tell you that.

get a sleep study from your doc. you wear a head gear for one night, it records all sorts of good info.

bottom line, i got a CPAP machine, and sleep much more better now.

never had any clue i had sleep apnea until i was in the hospital for my heart.

it's a few hundred bucks (my ins. didn't cover it). your health is worth it.

[Jeff '79]

Sounds sexy...:seasix:

[Burnt C6]

I went for one back in June of 06. it was a major PIA. All hooked up and they told me to go to sleep yea frigging right. I wasn't in there for an hour and they came in telling me I had stopped breathing 25+ times. I was like BS I haven't even gone to sleep yet. They then proceeded to put a mask on me even though I told them I was claustrophobic. That stayed on for about 15 minutes before I ripped it off. They then put on one that just covered my nose. The pressure was so high that it was coming out from under the edges. I took it off after about 5 minutes and told them I was done with the evening. 3 days later they are calling me telling me that they have a CPAP machine programmed for me. I told them I didn’t want it. Their reply was that the insurance already paid for it. I gave the thing to a buddy who could use the thing. Personally they are in the business to sell the damn thing to you whether you need it or not. Some people will need them personally I didn’t.

[ConstantChange]

Personally they are in the business to sell the damn thing to you whether you need it or not.

That's what I'm worried about. I wonder what percentage of people who come in get diagnosed with it.

[Allan]

Wife complained of my snoring. Did the sleep study. Rx the cpap. That lasted ~2 wks.

Lost "several" lbs. :D

No more issues. :yesnod:

[kingpin]

I got it but there's absolutely no way in hell I can sleep with that thing on my face.
It's the reason I can't sleep on my back.
I snore like a bear also and eventually want to get some surgery to hopefully fix it.

[Broken Wind]

I was fit as a fiddle and had no idea that I had a problem with it. I was diagnosed six years ago and I thought it was a joke. I got a cpap and never used it for 5 years. I tried it several times for a week at a time, but could not adjust to it. About six months ago I got a real scare nearly falling asleep at the wheel in the middle of the afternoon with my family in the car. I got a different, more comfortable mask, and have used it every night since. What a difference.

Sleep apnea will kill you if not treated. You'll either fall asleep when you shouldn't, stop breathing forever while asleep, or over time, the O2 starvation will kill your internal organs slowly. Don't feck with it.

[The_Dude]

I have mild apnea. I couldn't tolerate the CPAP. They gave me a mouth guard that moves my jaw that's supposed to relieve the snoring as well. It's a PITA, but not nearly as bad as the CPAP.

[Aerovette]

A good friend has a machine. He had to take a diuretic for a different reason, but since taking the diuretic, he has not had to use it. His wife said he sleeps all night without snoring.

[Kerrmudgeon]

There is also a small surgery that takes a little of the tissue out of the throat that caused the obstruction, that causes snoring and apnea. That sounds like the best answer to me. I was diagnosed with severe apnea years ago, and have a cpap machine that's covered with dust from not being used. I couldn't handle it either, felt like I was choking.

I lost a ton of weight and now it's much better, although I've got more to go. Some people just have a lower jaw that creates blockage when slack at night.
The teeth device works good but is costly and takes time to get used to, although I see one on the market now that's generic and inexpensive for the masses.

Find what works for you, or your health will deteriorate quickly. I had a friend that died in bed from a heart attack from his apnea related oxygen depletion. He was 37...:sadangel:

[MEC5LADY]

I went for one back in June of 06. it was a major PIA. All hooked up and they told me to go to sleep yea frigging right. I wasn't in there for an hour and they came in telling me I had stopped breathing 25+ times. I was like BS I haven't even gone to sleep yet. They then proceeded to put a mask on me even though I told them I was claustrophobic. That stayed on for about 15 minutes before I ripped it off. They then put on one that just covered my nose. The pressure was so high that it was coming out from under the edges. I took it off after about 5 minutes and told them I was done with the evening. 3 days later they are calling me telling me that they have a CPAP machine programmed for me. I told them I didn’t want it. Their reply was that the insurance already paid for it. I gave the thing to a buddy who could use the thing. Personally they are in the business to sell the damn thing to you whether you need it or not. Some people will need them personally I didn’t.

If this is the case you obviously had azzhats as you need to set the pressure and type of mask/nasal prongs according to patient toleration. It used to be they only had the full face mask but now they have so many different ones and ones that resemble a nasal cannula that more patients are wearing them. It's trial and error to find out what works for you just like everything else you can't expect a magic solution right out of the gate.

That's what I'm worried about. I wonder what percentage of people who come in get diagnosed with it. Not sure the percentage but I can tell you with as many overweight people we are having these days the numbers are increasing. There are a lot of factors that can cause sleep apnea and weight is just one of them so just because you aren't overweight doesn't mean you don't have sleep apnea. If you are worried about being falsely diagnosed, ask the technician to show you a sample of a scan and where it shows the absence of breathing. Have your scan done and then have them or the doctor go over your actual scan with you. You should be able to see exactly where you stop breathing without too much trouble.

I got it but there's absolutely no way in hell I can sleep with that thing on my face.
It's the reason I can't sleep on my back.
I snore like a bear also and eventually want to get some surgery to hopefully fix it.

Like I said before weight is not the only factor and even if you have surgery it might not be the quick fix you expect it to be. There are a lot of different settings on the machines and types of masks/prongs that can be used. Personally I believe it's better to have the patient comfortable as much as possible so they are more willing to use the cpap machine. Some people seem to think that just because you are overweight the pressures on those machines need to be maxed out which is not true.

I was fit as a fiddle and had no idea that I had a problem with it. I was diagnosed six years ago and I thought it was a joke. I got a cpap and never used it for 5 years. I tried it several times for a week at a time, but could not adjust to it. About six months ago I got a real scare nearly falling asleep at the wheel in the middle of the afternoon with my family in the car. I got a different, more comfortable mask, and have used it every night since. What a difference.

Sleep apnea will kill you if not treated. You'll either fall asleep when you shouldn't, stop breathing forever while asleep, or over time, the O2 starvation will kill your internal organs slowly. Don't feck with it.

Very true and the damage done to your heart, lungs and brain from lack of oxygen isn't worth it in the long run.

There is also a small surgery that takes a little of the tissue out of the throat that caused the obstruction, that causes snoring and apnea. That sounds like the best answer to me. I was diagnosed with severe apnea years ago, and have a cpap machine that's covered with dust from not being used. I couldn't handle it either, felt like I was choking.

I lost a ton of weight and now it's much better, although I've got more to go. Some people just have a lower jaw that creates blockage when slack at night.
The teeth device works good but is costly and takes time to get used to, although I see one on the market now that's generic and inexpensive for the masses.

Find what works for you, or your health will deteriorate quickly. I had a friend that died in bed from a heart attack from his apnea related oxygen depletion. He was 37...:sadangel:

There are various surgeries, appliances and like I said masks/prongs for cpap machines that can help with sleep apnea. You need to find a good doctor who actually specializes in sleep apnea to help you figure out what will work for you. Finding the right doctor is the key you just have to do your homework just like you would when looking for any type of doctor.

To all you men who snore like a freight train and make my job easier since I can count your respiratory rate from across the room, suck it up and just take care of your health if not for yourself for your family.

[DJ_Critterus]

when i was in ICU in Sept/Oct, the nurse could hear me snoring across the ward. ordered a sleep study the next night>>>> i was waking up an average of every 2.5 min all night.

not good for your heart i can tell you that.

get a sleep study from your doc. you wear a head gear for one night, it records all sorts of good info.

bottom line, i got a CPAP machine, and sleep much more better now.

never had any clue i had sleep apnea until i was in the hospital for my heart.

it's a few hundred bucks (my ins. didn't cover it). your health is worth it.

I've done that and the VA diagnosed me with mild apnea (this time) but not enough for a CPAP. still sucks though and I too wake up several times when I actually do get to sleep. That CPAP mask (mine covers nose and mouth only) is also one of the most uncomfortable things to wear, but it did help me sleep when dad set up his spare one for me. @ hours sleep is better than none, I guess.

I got it but there's absolutely no way in hell I can sleep with that thing on my face.
It's the reason I can't sleep on my back.
I snore like a bear also and eventually want to get some surgery to hopefully fix it.

As a part of the VA briefing on this sleep study the sleep study techs aIS that the surgery works in a low percentage. most often times it doesn't and leaves you with scars that you didn't need to have int he first place.

[MEC5LADY]

[QUOTE=DJ_Critterus;835355]I've done that and the VA diagnosed me with mild apnea (this time) but not enough for a CPAP. still sucks though and I too wake up several times when I actually do get to sleep. That CPAP mask (mine covers nose and mouth only) is also one of the most uncomfortable things to wear, but it did help me sleep when dad set up his spare one for me. @ hours sleep is better than none, I guess.

I would bet you would do well with the nasal pillows instead of the mask since you aren't overweight and your case is mild. You might want to see if you can get them to try and most home health carriers have them now.

[...Whitepower...]

For those of you who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, were you aware you woke up several times during the night before you were diagnosed?Yes.. I used to even clock watch at times. Did you know you snored (if you did)?Yes.. Used to be so bad i would stop breathing and wake myself up. My wife used to go sleep in the guest room at times.

I was talking to an eye doctor today about an issue with my eyelids. I told him the previous doctor I talked to said it might be sleep apnea and maybe I'm rubbing my eyes a lot in my sleep. This guy then jumped on that idea and recommended I go get a sleep apnea check with my primary care doctor. Never heard that one..

I've never been told I snore. I was too. I'm not overweight. Neither am i. I run 25 minute 5k times. I don't knowingly wake up in the middle of the night. When I actually get to bed at a decent time, I feel pretty good when I wake up.

I don't mind getting tested, but I don't like wasting time and money just because these eye doctors think I might have it after clicking around on their computer. Do you have insurance? Would it be covered..

My workout partner has it and he said he knew he had it before he went and got tested. He said he woke up all the time and always felt tired.That was me..

...........

[DJ_Critterus]

[QUOTE=DJ_Critterus;835355]I've done that and the VA diagnosed me with mild apnea (this time) but not enough for a CPAP. still sucks though and I too wake up several times when I actually do get to sleep. That CPAP mask (mine covers nose and mouth only) is also one of the most uncomfortable things to wear, but it did help me sleep when dad set up his spare one for me. @ hours sleep is better than none, I guess.

I would bet you would do well with the nasal pillows instead of the mask since you aren't overweight and your case is mild. You might want to see if you can get them to try and most home health carriers have them now.

Nasal Pillows?

[Broken Wind]

Nasal Pillows?

Boobs

[MEC5LADY]

[quote=MEC5LADY;835360]

Nasal Pillows?

ResMed - Nasal Pillows (http://www.resmed.com/us/products/nasal_pillows/nasal-pillows.html?nc=patients)

[MEC5LADY]

Boobs

Dude if your nose looks like boobs I would have to seriously suggest you see a doctor asap.

[kingpin]

[quote=DJ_Critterus;835381]

ResMed - Nasal Pillows (http://www.resmed.com/us/products/nasal_pillows/nasal-pillows.html?nc=patients)

How the **** does anybody sleep with that shit on their face.
I can't have a pillow, cover or even my arm anywhere near face when sleeping or I feel like I'm suffocating.

[DJ_Critterus]

[quote=DJ_Critterus;835381]

ResMed - Nasal Pillows (http://www.resmed.com/us/products/nasal_pillows/nasal-pillows.html?nc=patients)

I tried that with my CPAP machine and it was too uncomfortable. But ehh.. this is gonna get me some shit here, but when I sleep I am a mouth breather anyway.

Dude if your nose looks like boobs I would have to seriously suggest you see a doctor asap.

You rest your nose between them :yesnod:

[quote=MEC5LADY;835384]

How the **** does anybody sleep with that shit on their face.
I can't have a pillow, cover or even my arm anywhere near face when sleeping or I feel like I'm suffocating.
I have trouble with it and it took a long time to get used to the mask I had that covered my nose and mouth.

[MEC5LADY]

[quote=MEC5LADY;835384]

How the **** does anybody sleep with that shit on their face.
I can't have a pillow, cover or even my arm anywhere near face when sleeping or I feel like I'm suffocating.

Well on one hand you have discomfort and on the other hand you have an enlarged heart, heart attack, stroke, hypertension, Pulmonary hypertension, obesity, death. You can get used to anything as long as you stick with it and are willing to make the effort. A lot of people get tested and get the cpap machine and instead of having settings adjusted or trying different masks they just don't bother with it. I'll take discomfort over oxygen deprivation anytime. Nothing worse than screwing up your body only to wish you had done the right thing when you were younger but it's too late to repair the damage.

[BADRACR1]

I used to snore like a mofo. Always tired, didn't sleep but 4/5 hours a night, woke up a lot, and had high blood pressure. Did the sleep study. Quit breathing like 30 something times, the longest for twenty some odd seconds. Bear in mind that's not holding your breath but exhaling and not drawing air back in. Got the CPAP about ten years ago, sleep much better, usually through the night about six hours or so. I feel much better and the blood pressure's about normal. I got used to the mask pretty quick, and it's defininitely worth it. You can get versions now that are just a couple of small tubes instead of the mask.