Sleep Apnea
Ron Knights
Posts: 2,104
I feel compelled to offer a little "public service announcement," and share a bit about one chronic lifetime ailment. I suffer from Sleep Apnea. I was officially diagnosed in 2000. I went for a Sleep Study, and they hooked me up to a bunch of sensors, wires, etc. They observed me from another room, made a video, etc. According to the data, I stopped breathing 89 times a minute. I gasped for breath, woke up, went back to sleep, etc. I had suspected what was wrong with me, but wasn't able to get a better idea until I got married in 1999.
My current treatment for Sleep Apnea is a BiPap machine. The machine pushes air into my nose, and keeps me breathing. The machine works, mostly, but I always need to pay attention, look for a proper seal, etc. I recently went through a bad period where the air was gushing straight out of my mouth. I remove my dentures when I sleep. I think we finally solved that problem. I mention this ailment because I know many people suffer with Sleep Apnea, but aren't entirely aware of what is going wrong, or how to remedy the problem.
You want a scary picture? Here is me with my Sleep Apnea mask, and a chin strap to keep my mouth shut when I sleep!
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Comments
well, this isn't exactly cheerful, but if i didn't say it, i'd feel like i was a bad person.
i understand the need, but watch out for those things. my dad slept with the rig on for a couple of years. then one night, when he's just gotten back home after having heart surgery and was feeling weak and woozy and disoriented, got up in the middle of the night to go the bathroom. but he didn't take the mask off and he tripped on the hose. and then went back to the hospital and never came home again.
so be careful, ron. breathe on, but take care.
j
I have sleep apnea, too. It sucks. I never could get to sleep with that mask on, so I don't use it. Consequently, I am tired all the time. I feel like I haven't slept a wink even after a full night's sleep. To stave off the sleep deprivation I drink a lot of caffeine stay alert during the day. The sleep apnea affects my mood and concentration.Sometimes I have insommia. I know it's stupid not to use the c-pap machine, but I keep hoping if I can lose some weight that might help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea without having to use a machine to breathe at night.
If my nose wasn't congested so often, I'd use my CPAP a lot more. Fortunately mine isn't so bad.
A lot of younger people were at my sleep apnea education classes at my hospital.
It's really common and a lot of people dismiss it as simple snoring. Especially if you're single, you might never get checked for sleep apnea until you get older (and married or in a committed relationship).
A doctor suggested I might have sleep apnea when I told him about missing a lot of appointments due to being unable to sleep at night. I was also having extreme fatigue and trouble remember things. He said due to my neck circumference I should have a sleep study done at a hospital. Fat deposits around the neck pressing on the airways at night are one thing that can cause obstructive sleep apnea.
I honestly don't want to know if I have it.
I don't need another condition. I will state my brother has it. He was a fireman, and had some surgery to help with it. All the firemen had racks to sleep on, and they became alarmed when he stopped breathing. He'd been married for years, and no one knew. Brother is super skinny, and the medic in the team. It can affect anyone, of any body shape and size.
I'm so sorry that you're going through that, Ron. Not getting good sleep can affect every part of your life - I hope that the machine is helping and that you're going to be sleeping better now.
Take care of yourself! *hugs*
It's not just losing sleep, there's other serious conditions that can occur, including heart issues. My hubby finally got a sleep study and a cpap, and feels normal again. Not tired, and I don't have to worry that his heart isn't getting oxygen because he stopped breathing. @calliope23 please don't give up, ask to try different masks that may be more comfortable for you. This is a serious thing to ignore!
@ronknights I hope you're feeling better with your machine and getting more sleep.
Thanks everyone, for the insights and support. I was actually very thin during the first 30 years or so of my life. My parents said I was a legendary loud snorer. I lived in a duplex once, in Minneapolis. My bedroom was in the front of the building. I slept during the afternoon because I worked the night shift. The neighborhood kids all gathered around to hear me snore!
I feel bad for the people who have been unable to deal with the CPAP or BiPap machines. I believe it's easy to find a solution if your doctor and respiratory specialist are willing to devote the time to work with you. I am fortunate that I had absolutely no problem dealing with the masks or the machine. My ex-wife was also diagnosed with sleep apnea after I got my diagnosis. We had a funny routine every night. We lay on the bed, chatted and cuddled for a bit, then said "Goodnight, Honey, I gotta hook up to my machine!" Fortunately neither one of us got tangled in the hoses.
I've learned to live with sleep apnea. I also need to take the time to evaluate the machine's performance, etc. I can't be spontaneous. I need to plan ahead if I'm going to sleep away from home. I need to carry my BiPap machine on the plane with me, etc. My friends need to be understanding of those limitations. I was fortunate that my ex-wife understaood what I was going through, and supported me. I've been single for over a decade. One day I'll have to see whether Sleep Apnea interferes wtih "dating" when I finally look for another serious companion.
If you think you have Sleep Apnea, I urge you to get tested. If you're having troubles tolerating your machine or mask, I urge you to contact your medical professionals and work to find a solution. Thanks again, everyone for being so kind and understanding.
@Novica and @Ron Knights Thank you for the encouragement and advice. I know this is something I need to address with my doctor again. It helps hearing the stories of others with sleep apnea and how they have coped with it.
At least learn more if you are at risk and as with all medical conditions, be careful and wise.
I got an adjustable bed last Summer and the ability to raise my upper body has had a tremendous affect on allowing me to breathe more easily and stay oxygenated. It also hase a "Zero Gravity" feature which helps with circulation and lessens the strain on my heart.
By nature many of us artistic types can get a bit obsessive with our work and fail at getting good meals, sleep and drinking enough clear liquids. Just this past week I started setting a few more alarms throughout the day to help me get back onto a more healthy schedule.
Good luck to us all, we need each other around here!
I think I have sleep apnea. I have most of the symptoms, daytime sleepiness, tired feeling after a full night's rest, lack of concentration, etc. I've been told I snore (loud) but no one's ever said I stop breathing. With my current work situation, I don't have time for a sleep study. I'd be worried about using a cpap machine because I live alone, I don't know why it worries me. I guess it's safer than sleeping without one. What happens if the power goes out? Does it have battery backup or something?
A Sleep Study is almost like checking into a motel. You go to a Sleep Clinic in the evening. They want to monitor you as you sleep without any machine helping you. Once they get enough observation time, they hook you up to a machine (BiPap or CPAP), and observe how well you sleep with the machine. They wake you up in the morning. A sleep doctor arrives in the morning, and he will evaluate your report. Then you get a followup appointment where you see all the results, and get your machine.
It might sound a bit intimidating, but it's not. Yeah, they hook up a bunch of wires or leads to your body. But they're good at it, and the whole thing is rather easy to contend with. Hopefully you won't need to go to the bathroom after they've hooked up the wires and leads. If you do need to get up, they disconnect the harness from their machine. You need to carefully carry the harness with you. When you go there you want to bring some clothes you can comfortably wear while sleeping. I usually wear a pair of gym shorts and a tanktop. That way they have easy access to my body without showing off my magnificently large bare chest!
The Sleep Study room looks kind of like a motel room. You have a nice, comfy bed. You don't see any intimidating equipment.You don't see anyone looking at you. The cameras are tastefully "hidden." They have some sort of microphone system. If you need any help you just speak normally, and wait for the attendant to come into the room.
I've been using either a CPAP or BiPap machine for about 18 years. In that time, the electricity has gone out maybe twice. If the power goes out, you'll likely wake up right away. Your sleep would be difficult without the machine. You can call your electric company and ask for a form which declares you have lifesaving equipment. Basically that means the electric company will work with you to help make sure you keep your electric service. You then need to work out a payment plan.
It's normal to be a bit concerned about so many unknown factors. You'll have time to talk to your regular medical doctor, and to a cardio pulmonary doctor. You'll have time to talk with a respiratory therapist (not sure if that is the right description.) In my experience, everyone has been extremely helpful. They've made me feel comfortable and confident. And you'll be giving yourself a wonderful gift of a good night's sleep, etc.
Hi Ron, sorry you were diagnosed with sleep apnea. I have apnea to, was diagnosed 7 years ago. After several years of changing pillows, machines and mostly masks, I've tried approx 10-12 different mask. Nasal didn't' work for me at all, cause I have major allergy/sinus congestion issues. Anyway, I've been sleeping fantastic past few years, I use Fisher/Paykel Simplus mask, best mask ever, for me at least. Mask is so light, doesn't even feel like I have one one, mask also holds tremendous pressure without leaks. Past 2 years, my leaks stats are zero. Anyway, your not alone friend, wishing you well on your cpap journey, pleasant dreams.
AJ2112, I'm so glad you found something that works. Speaking for myself, the diagnosis of Sleep Apnea is merely a sign that helps me find a sotution to a problem. I "pay it forward" by mentioning my experience if I meet someone who is struggling with similar symptoms. I don't "preach it," but am quick to help if it is appropriate!
Thanks, again, everyone for your understanding & support. Feel free to continue sharing your own experiences. We might literally help save someone's life!
I had my first night using the new mask. I was amazed that everything was so quiet. The air went directly in through my nose and stayed inside my body. I didn't use the chin strap, and my mouth stayed closed, I like to lay on my side for awhile, and I often end up drooling onto the bed. I'm fiorcing myself to sleep on my back. That works ok... I hope to feel better within a few days.
If one lives alone, how does one know if he snores? I've lived with people before and no one ever mentioned that I snore, even when asked. I always sleep on my side or stomach. I get up several times a night and have for 40 years since I was 30, but it's always because I have to urinate. I've learned to live with it. I don't end up feeling tired in the morning. I do wake up sometimes and find one nostril swollen nearly closed but I think I'm allergic to my pillow (or the debris collecting within it) (time for a new one?) but if I take my face out of the pillow or flip to my other side I fall right back asleep for another two hours (and two hours is my waking urination schedule also). I don't believe I have snoring problems but my father was a story in itself...
That's the problem... Bad snoring is a sign that you might have a form of sleep apnea. Unless you have a significant other, you may never know if you snore. Roommates might be polite and not mention it.
My apnea is mild. I do feel fatigue in the afternoons, but it is more like food coma. I've always learned to cope with a mild fatigue, I guess, and my level of sleep interruptions is low. So I never realized I might benefit from a CPAP until I did the sleep study at my hospital/HMO.
feeling fatigue is the other thing besides snoring. If you can't make it through afternoon meetings or lectures, it is worth a conversation with your general practitioner/doctor at your next regular checkup.
Sometimes you might not realize that your level of fatigue is not normal, so don't judge it on general fatigue. Measure it by your attentiveness during boring meetings or lectures.
People often confuse snoring with Sleep Apnea. My parents always said I snored so loud that they could hear it on the other side of the house. Actually, I stopped breathing 89 times an hour, and sputtered myself awake in an effort to breathe again. Later in life, my symptoms became more drastic. Sometimes I would go to work, and fall asleep at the computer. I drank a lot of caffeine in an effort to stay awake. The caffeine most likely kept me awake when I tried to sleep at night.
Sleep Apnea also means your entire body is low on oxygen, even when you;re awake. You're liable to be forgetful or tempermental. When I was younger, I don't think I'd heard of Sleep Apnea. By the time I was in my 30s I was more aware of the term Sleep Apnea. I don't think you need to worry if you don't have any concrete signs. If you're worried, you might want to talk to your doctor.
I usually visit my brother every Wednesday and hang around for a few hours. Today, almost immediately I was having troubles staying awake. I finally left and returned to my own apartment at noon. I had a bit of trouble walking around the lobby because there were so many people walking around, talking loud, etc. I don't want to be grumpy to my neighbors. I was glad to finally get back to my place.
I also have sleep apnea and use a cpap. I almost cannot sleep without it now and yes, if the power goes out, I wake up immediately. I have problems with restless leg syndrome and period limb movement disorder which makes my legs jerk all night waking me. I have meds for that. I was also having issues with being able to stay awake and concentrate during the day so I was on Ritalin for years until I retired. Since retiring, I haven't had the great need to stay awake during the so was able to stop the Ritalin. I also noticed since retiring that I am no longer depressed which also helps with staying awake during the day.
I had to try several masks before I found one that worked best for me. Nasal pillows didn't work as I'm a side sleeper and would continously break the seals which woke me up all night so I use a nasal mask, covers my nose and is large enough that it shields my mouth although it doesn't keep my mouth closed. I've been lucky not to need a chin strap. I never realized how badly I was sleeping until an ex-boyfriend woke me up one night to tell me I had stopped breathing. Getting the sleep sudy done and using my cpap has made a world of difference in how I feel. I've been using mine for about 10 years now.
If you are tired all the time even with a "full" night's sleep, depressed and feeling miserable, a sleep study might be the answer to some of those problems. It made a world of difference for me.
From my time in college and the military, nearly every roomate has told me I snore (loudly). Even now whenever I have a lady friend sleep over, she usually makes a comment about it. I've grown accustomed to sleeping on my side or stomach, so there's less chance I'll snore. Otherwise, at full volume, people can hear me from the next room over. Other than that, I have the classic symptoms, tired all the time, unable to focus, and waking up a lot at night.
My SO definately has SLeep Apnea, although she refuses to go have it diagnosed and taken care of due to insurance and money.
Often times I will lie awake at night and watch over her. She will stop breathing, then her chest will start convulsing trying to take in air until her airway opens again. She never wakes up from it though and never new she was doing that.
Take a video of that on ur cell phone and I bet she feels differntly when you tell her much it worries you!
I think my husband should go see a dr about it. He stops breathing all the time at night and I lie there awake waiting for him to take a breath because it scares me when he's doesn't breathe for such a long time. Sometimes I just touch his arm and it's enough to make him turn over. But he has a hard time sleeping at night, and he's dead tired in the morning. Plus, it can lead to heart attacks too.
Ron, I'm so sorry you have this condition, but it's great you took the steps to find out and are taking care of yourself.
Thanks for the information, Ron. I may be another apnea victim. But I'm not sure a sleep study would find much - I sleep on a waterbed that I keep about 1 or 2 degrees below body temperature, so any time I'm on a conventional bed I feel like I'm trying to sleep on a frying pan the first two 'nights'. Nights in quotes, because I tend to go to bed around 3:00 AM and get up between 10 and 11 AM. And I've been sleeping on my left side for over 50 years . . .
But I'll bring it up with my physician on my next checkup.
Also, sleep study isn't very scary or bad like a colonoscopy.
For me, my HMO held a class, gave us a take home device, and I brought it back after I did enough sleep samples at home.
Didn't have to sleep at a hospital or anything weird like that.
If you have the insurance, it's 100% totally worth it to ask your doctor about doing a sleep study.
I most likely have it but getting it diagnosed is difficult being single and a shift worker with an unpredictable roster.
I cannot plan a visit to a sleep clinic and would not be able to sleep in one if I did.
I would be willing to just buy a CPAP machine and have actually tried but nobody will sell you one without a diagnosis.
my snores wake me up and I have very broken sleep.
sapat, just be gentle with your husband. Maybe it will help to tell about a friend who had a similar problem and sought treatment. You want to enjoy each other for a long time!
When I did the Sleep Study, I went to a floor in the same building where I saw my doctors, It's just a section that has the proper equipment and atmosphere to help you sleep & gather data. You make an appointment to be there at a certain time of night, and they buzz you into the building after you press the doorbell.
the3Digit, I worked for decades, doing "shift work," crazy hours. I managed to do at least two sleep studies when they were required. I don't want to push you, but it would be nice if you were alive and well for many years to come!
ramflusk, you are the best judge as to whether you might have Sleep Apnea. If you don't have any of the problems we mentioned, then youre most likely ok. As always, you want to talk to your physician if you have any questions.
I was diagnosed with sleep apenea back in 2009, when a lady friend of mine at the time told me I stopped breathing. I went to a sleep study twice and then got my CPAP machine. However, around 2013, I decided to come off of the CPAP because I had dropped weight down from 262 to 235 pounds. I still have my machine in case, but I've managed to not have to need it much. Still snore a bit but I don't have the symptoms that I use to have.
My lifestyle is a whole lot better than it use to be and that has helped a lot.
Sorry for those of you going through this. I know your pain.
We have a sleep study clinic in our area. It would be easy enough to let his dr know his symptions and see if he'd schedule one for him. He's always worked days...8-5. I've talked to him about it before and he laughed me. But if I tell him someone I know had one, he might not laugh anymore!
sapat, there you go! I'd heard about Sleep Apnea for several years before I finally arranged to have my sleep study. It helped that I was newly married and the wife encouraged me to get it done. Later she went for her own sleep study!
We've been divorced for over a decade. She stayed in Maine, while I moved back to Minnesota.
Crazy ! how my sleep apnea was diagnosed, long story short, I was visiting cardiologist, for heart palps and fatigue, I felt my heart pounding non stop 24/7, which I believed made me feel tired daily. All cadio test returned normal, even 24 hr monitor. So, cardiologist referred me to sleep clinic, I tell him, I sleep 8 hours no problem, my heart was making me tired. Well, after sleep study and cpap, I learned what quality sleep is. For years, I slept but never had dreams, I would just zonk out and wake up, now I have dreams and some are severly wonderfully, long.......... Also found out heart palps was due to medication.
Sleep apnea is not a joke, retired Philadelphia Eagles football player Reggie White passed away from undiagnosed sleep apnea, which caused his heart to stop, he was 43.