Sleep Apnea

[Adri]

Re: Sleep Apnea

I sit behind a desk most of the day, which is an occupational hazard. Buns of steel, though!

hehehe, that reminds me of an older gentleman who knew a mutual friend of ours has been working out and dieting and decided to compliment her. I'm not entirely sure why but he decided to try to be "hip". So when he saw her, he enthusiastically proclaimed, "Wow, you're really a hard ass!" When she was confused, he said, "Oh! I mean, you're really a tight ass!" He still hasn't fully lived that down yet.

And was the internets right about removing your tonsils?

[MyopicJoe]

Re: Sleep Apnea

"Oh! I mean, you're really a tight ass!" He still hasn't fully lived that down yet.

xD

He might as well have gone all the way and said, "Can I hit that?"

And was the internets right about removing your tonsils?

Though the progression was accurate, it wasn't as bad as they made it out to be. I guess each person has a different reaction. Maybe it helps to live in a humid climate? I didn't need to take the Oxycodone for long.

A young friend of mine said, "Do you know the street value of Oxycodone? You should sell the extra and bank!" Heh. I just dumped the leftover into the toilet. I'm sure it made some sewer rat happy.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Sleep Apnea

My experience duplicates much of Palama Kid's. I was tested for sleep apnea about five years ago and have used a c-pap since then, with great results. I also started at a psi setting of 7, but have increased to 8, due to some weight gain.

I took to the mask very quickly - probably within a month, and I'm very comfortable with it now. Some of the benefits I noticed, in addition to a decrease in blood pressure, include:

> less drowsiness during my waking hours, as I am getting a much more restful and full night's sleep
> an overall increase in energy (same as above)
> a better attitude/outlook overall, less "grumpiness" that was directly due to being tired through the day
> an ability to fall asleep more quickly and to stay asleep most of the night

The weirdest aspect of the mask, for me, is when it slips a little bit, causing air to leak out the seal around the bridge of my nose with a "whine" sound - that "whine" often shows up in a dream for a while before it wakes me! It appears usually as some sort of an alarm that no one is able to silence.

Hardest time for me to use the mask is if I have a cold and can't breathe through my nose; otherwise, I seem to have no trouble keeping my mouth closed while I sleep. (No comments here, if you please, about transferring that skill to the daylight hours...)

I went in at the request of the AF. If you have a sleeping partner who tells you that you snore very loudly, as I did, it's possible you have apnea. But if your partner says they can tell you stop breathing sometimes - and they stay awake waiting for you to breathe again - trust them, and get yourself in to a sleep clinic! Unless the increased risk of a stroke has some sort of perverse appeal to you, of course...

[Palama Kid]

Re: Sleep Apnea

Hardest time for me to use the mask is if I have a cold and can't breathe through my nose; otherwise, I seem to have no trouble keeping my mouth closed while I sleep. (No comments here, if you please, about transferring that skill to the daylight hours...)

I went in at the request of the AF. If you have a sleeping partner who tells you that you snore very loudly, as I did, it's possible you have apnea. But if your partner says they can tell you stop breathing sometimes - and they stay awake waiting for you to breathe again - trust them, and get yourself in to a sleep clinic! Unless the increased risk of a stroke has some sort of perverse appeal to you, of course...

These two paragraphs - ditto for me.

A stuffed nose is anathema for one using a C-Pap machine. I do my best to clear my nose, fall asleep, then have been forced to wake when the stuffed nose returned.

Believe me, when you stop breathing, it scares anyone who cares for you.

[Kungpao]

Re: Sleep Apnea

Wow, how did I miss this?

I've only been using my CPAP (level 10) since last December. I wear a medium nasal mask and am generally used to it now. From time to time, I too get that smothering feeling. I read somewhere that over tightening the mask is something lots of people do when they first get their machines. I've gradually decreased the snugness of my mask and realized that it is sealing fine while not smothering too badly. I use a comfort gel mask from respironics.

My biggest problem was that I used to get woken up in the morning and had to burp. LOTS. It's like the air was too much and it was going into my stomach. Turns out, it was a setting on how the machine allows you to breathe out. Unfortunately for me, I wind up breathing through my mouth so I have to sleep with a chin strap.

Talk about alien going to sleep... I currently wear the chinstrap, the mask, and a wrist support on each wrist for my carpal tunnel syndrome. Rough shape lol.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Sleep Apnea

From time to time, I too get that smothering feeling. I read somewhere that over tightening the mask is something lots of people do when they first get their machines. I've gradually decreased the snugness of my mask and realized that it is sealing fine while not smothering too badly. I use a comfort gel mask from respironics.

There are also a variety of different models that fit the forehead rest. After one year, I changed that piece and it made a dramatic difference in comfort. Ask you doc about that small adjustment.

[Kungpao]

Re: Sleep Apnea

Thankfully, my insurance is great and the company that provides me with supplies sends me a new mask every 2 months. I can experiment with masks and see which ones i like/dislike. Haven't yet... but I think I'll switch out next time just to see what other masks are available and how they feel.

Nationwidemedical

[DiverDown808]

Re: Sleep Apnea

This is something I defintely need to look into.

According to my wife, and some people who sit around me at church, I snore pretty loud.....which is funny because I consider myself a light sleeper and would think I'd wake myself up if I snored. But my wife says she actually hears me stop breathing for a while, then start up again with a loud snort.

So what actually is a sleep study ? How many nights do you have to be observed sleeping ? And where do they do this ?

I also talk a lot in my sleep. I've called out Aunty Lynne's name plenty of times in the middle of the night ( ) I also sleep walk. I've woken up in every room in the house.

DD

[Adri]

Re: Sleep Apnea

According to my wife, and some people who sit around me at church, I snore pretty loud.....

According to people who sit around you in church??

This is not to discourage you from the sleep study by any means but the first friend who told me he went through a sleep study described it this way:

"I couldn't sleep at all. It was cold and totally dark (he is used to sleeping with a little light on). They wanted me to sleep flat on my back and I usually sleep on my side. I was completely wired up from the top of my head to my feet so they could tell how much I was moving and how I was breathing. I knew I was being videotaped (so the doctor could study the video of how he was sleeping) and I knew they could hear every sound I made (so they could tell if he was snoring or how he was breathing). But I tried to sleep. and then I had gas. and I knew that if I let it go, they'd hear me and the sound would probably be recorded on the video. So I spent a lot of the time too busy trying not to pass gas and being cold and uncomfortable to sleep before I gave up."

But from a couple other friends, apparently the room is cold but you can ask for extra blankets. and be prepared to take a shower there the next morning because they stick putty like gunk on your head to attach sensors to help them monitor you and it gets stuck in your hair. and if you do fall asleep there long enough for them to decide you have sleep apnea, they will wake you up and have you try the breathing mask to videotape how you sleep with it. The first time (or first few times) you try it, you may have a panicky feeling. If you don't fall asleep long enough for them to try the breathing mask, you may have to go back another night to try with the mask. But all of the people who've said they've done this except the first guy (the guy with gas) have said that they got used to the mask and sleep much better with it. The first guy had such a bad time during his sleep study that he said he'd rather die than go back for a second night (I'm sure he didn't mean that literally).

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Sleep Apnea

So what actually is a sleep study ? How many nights do you have to be observed sleeping ? And where do they do this ?

Usually, just one night, in a sleep clinic facility. But it can be tough to sleep soundly, as you are wired up to electrodes and such, and they are WATCHING you all night. I felt as if I didn't sleep at all, but the readings showed I did, briefly, several times - and that I had apneic (is that a word?) episodes regularly.

If your wife says you stop breathing - believe her! That description suits apnea to a T. And for the sake of your whole family, get thee to the clinic, DD.

[tutusue]

Re: Sleep Apnea

Usually, just one night, in a sleep clinic facility. But it can be tough to sleep soundly, as you are wired up to electrodes and such, and they are WATCHING you all night. I felt as if I didn't sleep at all, but the readings showed I did, briefly, several times - and that I had apneic (is that a word?) episodes regularly.

If your wife says you stop breathing - believe her! That description suits apnea to a T. And for the sake of your whole family, get thee to the clinic, DD.

I 2nd all of the above! BTW, DD, a sleepy study must be prescribed by your doctor. My regular doc referred me to a sleep specialist who then rx'd the study.

I found the entire sleep study experience fascinating and wouldn't hesitate going back if I need another one. I had a difficult time falling asleep because I'm so used to doing that with the TV with sleep mode on! And, yes, it was so cold in that room. I got extra blankets.

I had a plethora of electrodes from the top of my head down to my calves. Some were attached with gel; others with straps. Then there was the oxygen meter clamped to my finger. I saw the little red light in the top corner of the room that proved a camera was aimed at me! It's a completely unnatural way to sleep. Still, it was fascinating!

If you have to use the bathroom during the night you just hit the buzzer and the nurse comes in and "unplugs" you while all the electrodes stay attached. And, yes, you shower before you leave the sleep wing.

[DiverDown808]

Re: Sleep Apnea

Salamat Po guys !!

I will definitely ask my doctor about it on my next visit to look at my gout and blood sugar levels....yeah I know....I'm falling apart.

But geeze, I have to lie on my back ? I'm already having nightmares about me having a wet dream while all these people are looking. And gas ?? Can I at least bring my dog so I can blame it on him ?

Thanks again for the advice, and thanks for doing this thread Adri.

DD

[tutusue]

Re: Sleep Apnea

[...]
I will definitely ask my doctor about it on my next visit to look at my gout and blood sugar levels....yeah I know....I'm falling apart.

Good grief, DD. What's gonna happen when you're my age?!

But geeze, I have to lie on my back ?

I'm a side sleeper and was able to arrange the cables to allow for it. Regardless, the computer showed I slept on my back 85% of the time! That was a huge surprise to me!

I'm already having nightmares about me having a wet dream while all these people are looking.

Oh, I'm sure you won't be the first or the last! Just ask for an extra blanket before you go to sleep! They won't be able to see a thing!

And gas ?? Can I at least bring my dog so I can blame it on him ? [...]

Add another blanket!

[Adri]

Re: Sleep Apnea

But geeze, I have to lie on my back ? I'm already having nightmares about me having a wet dream while all these people are looking. And gas ?? Can I at least bring my dog so I can blame it on him ?

Thanks again for the advice, and thanks for doing this thread Adri.

DD

You're welcome! I have a good friend who is a nurse and she says they see everything with patients so no be shame (unless, of course, you deliberately do something shameful).

[Palama Kid]

Re: Sleep Apnea

Noticed lots of mention of sleep clinics. Maybe in '95, there weren't any.

My process: Kaiser gave me an oxygen sensor to be taped to a fingernail when I went to sleep at home; my body's oxygen level was recorded on a machine; then the sensor / machine were returned to Kaiser the next morning (convenient for me as I lived next door to Kaiser).

I was called in the very next day to pick up my C-Pap machine plus given an appt to attend an evening C-Pap usage clinic.

Quick, efficient, no huhu.