Anyone with Sleep Apnea?

mhlew

I did a in-home sleep study last night and felt I slept horribly. I kept looking at the device to make sure it was still on, i coudelnt sleep on my stomach fearing the button would press on the bed and turn it off, and when Id sleep on my side i had to adjust the wires so they did not get tangled up.

Hopefully I can still get a accurate reading even though I slept bad. Doctor said they need at least 2-3 hours of sleep so I hope I got that in at least.

With that said- I am praying I do not have it, but if I do I will embrace the recommended treatment and always work on losing weight. I guess the positive note is worst case that it is detected, that it is 100% manageable.

Has anyone had it and once diagnosed and treated with CPAP did you feel a difference? I heard I snore and that's it. I don't feel unsually tired, and never fall asleep at the wheel or anything. Any experience would be appreciated tuo hear your experience.

shanikashavon

I have it. At first I noticed a difference with the cpap but that wore off after about a month. I went back to the dr who told me that I could have narcolepsy (wtf?) and suggested another sleep study. he also offered me a prescription for medicine to combat daytime drowsiness. I declined.
I'm trying to get rid of my sleep apnea by fighting what's causing it, being obese.

lorrpb

CPAP definitely makes a difference. Obesity or genetics can cause sleep apnea. For example, my cousin was diagnosed when she was thin and it's because of the way her tounge and mouth are shaped. I'm going to be retested in a few months now that I'm close to my goal weight. If they don't get enough hours of sleep on the test, they can still treat it based on the info that is collected. My first study was in an overnight clinic and my sleep was horrible. My retest will be at home, so hopefully it will go better.

Bxqtie116

I used to have it but don't anymore since I've lost over 20% of my body weight. When I did the study, they said I stopped breathing 55 times an hour! I used the CPAP and noticed a huge difference in my energy levels throughout the day. I used to feel tired all the time no matter how long I slept. After using the CPAP, I felt a big difference right away. Good luck.

as5811

Have sleep apnea & use CPAP machine. It does take a little while to get used to the machine. I do sleep a lot better & feel rested. I'm trying to lose weight & maybe not need to use the CPAP. At my last check up the doctor said I don't stop breathing with the CPAP anymore since I've lost weight. I need to lose more & hopefully lose the CPAP, too.

AmyWebb2

I have sleep apnea. Two years ago, I had my last overnight check--turns out I was "waking up" due to stopped breathing about 60 times an hour, which is terrible. Since I've lost 50 pounds, though, I find I do not need my machine anymore!!

markrgeary1

A buddy of mine has a CPAP I remember before he was diagnosed. Poor guy looked like crap, would drift off during conversation. I belive he was an extreme cases as during his study they put him on a machine! He's so much different now looks great wide awake.

I belive I was borderline, heavy snore er. Losing 55 pounds changed all that. I sleep like a kid and well rested.

allenpriest

My first sleep study was 15 years ago. I've had a CPAP ever since. I stopped breathing 75 times an hour. I love the thing. Without it I would have died from the heart stress already.

allenpriest

Also I have a narrow throat. Apnea frequently is due to this and weight gain can be a by product of self medicating to try to stay awake and functioning. Then you can get on a cycle of gain making the apnea worse which leads to less activity and more eating to stay alert and then more gain.


I'll probably never be off the machine or something like it but my weight loss is leading me to needing lower air pressure.

girlwithcurls2

Yep. My husband and I were both diagnosed 2 years ago (within a month of each other). I always suspected I had it because about 1-2x a year, I'd wake up gasping for air, feeling Iike I'd been held underwater. When I finally had my sleep study, I learned that there are "occurrences" that you don't know about, so those couple of times a year were only the really bad times.

I'm not overweight by more than about 10 pounds (husband too), so ours is a structural/genetic issue. However, I LOVE my cpap. Just took it overseas for a 3 week vacation in Europe. After the first month of use, I felt like a new person. Now, with regular exercise and a cpap, I get 8 solid, uninterrupted hours of sleep EVERY NIGHT. It's heaven. It took a little getting used to, but the alternative is heart failure, so I decided to hang in there. It's totally worth it. I didn't want the diagnosis either, but when I read the material about what happens to your heart if you have it, I was scared straight.

jemhh

I have it. My AHI was 87, which is turrrrrrble. The CPAP was, probably literally, a lifesaver. It helped me get enough sleep so I started feeling human again. I got it in October and felt better immediately but completely rested took about 8 weeks. Then in Jan was when I started working on diet, then exercise, etc. The machine made a world of difference. My apnea is mild now and I have the machine but only use it when I have a cold/am stuffed up.

mhlew

I will be curious to know of my sleep study results. Did you guys suspect you had it? Other than hearing from others that I snore, I have never woken up gasping for air (not that i can remember at least) and have never fallen asleep at work, or on the road. I am just getting a study done cause I heard I snore loud.

In the past month only on some nights, right before I fall asleep I feel as if I "forgot" to breathe. Not sure if this is sleep apnea since it technically happens as I am lying awake trying to sleep. Its kind of a scary sensation but my ENT doctor said it is possible it can be stress/anxiety related. anyone experience this?

jemhh

Yes, I was sure I had it. I woke up gasping for air and snored big time. My husband left the bedroom to sleep elsewhere one time and I made the appointment to be seen about it.

lorrpb

mhlew wrote: »

I will be curious to know of my sleep study results. Did you guys suspect you had it? Other than hearing from others that I snore, I have never woken up gasping for air (not that i can remember at least) and have never fallen asleep at work, or on the road. I am just getting a study done cause I heard I snore loud.

In the past month only on some nights, right before I fall asleep I feel as if I "forgot" to breathe. Not sure if this is sleep apnea since it technically happens as I am lying awake trying to sleep. Its kind of a scary sensation but my ENT doctor said it is possible it can be stress/anxiety related. anyone experience this?

This is quite possibly SP because the airway is becoming obstructed as as you relax into sleep.

If you are diagnosed, compliance with the CPAP is very important, regardless of whether you "feel better" or not. It's not really about snoring, it's about an obstructed airway that causes you stop breathing momentarily. You can die when you stop breathing, that's why it's such a big deal. The doctors have all kinds of reports they can look at that the CPAP machine creates, so they can tell how well treated the condition is.

A comfortable mask is the key to effective treatment (no air leaks) and COMPLIANCE. There are many styles of masks, so if the first one isnt' comfortable, go back to your supplier and get a different style. It didnt' take me long to get used to it. Good luclk!

mhlew

What is SP? Unless you meant SA? (sleep apnea?)

mhlew

And yes if I am diagnosed with it (crossing fingers Im not!!) but if i am i will embrace the recommended treatment wether that be a mouth guard, or CPAP. It sounds like it can 100% be managed if that's the case?

Always working on weight loss too.

lorrpb

mhlew wrote: »

What is SP? Unless you meant SA? (sleep apnea?)

Yes, SA

lorrpb

mhlew wrote: »

And yes if I am diagnosed with it (crossing fingers Im not!!) but if i am i will embrace the recommended treatment wether that be a mouth guard, or CPAP. It sounds like it can 100% be managed if that's the case?

Always working on weight loss too.

Yes, for most people.

afatpersonwholikesfood

I was never tested, but I would wake up occasionally gasping for air, snored, and my husband observed me stop breathing or appear to be struggling to breathe in my sleep many times. I also had the thing where I would drift off partially and then wake up with the sensation that I had stopped breathing. I didn't pursue it because I knew what the root cause would be and couldn't imagine sleeping with a CPAP.

Again, not tested, but my husband hasn't seen me stop breathing in a long time, and I no longer snore at all since losing weight. I'm of the opinion that I did have it, and it's not an issue anymore. But no medical confirmation.

maxit

I did the home test and slept like crap but it was sufficient to diagnose my sleep apnea. Took a few nights to get used to the machine- it was one that adjusts airflow as you need it, and I can use nasal pillows rather than having to wear a full mask. It took a few weeks for me to get caught up on sleep and once I had, I felt SO MUCH BETTER! Having now lost a bunch of weight, I don't snore any more - but if I don't use my machine I am tired after a few days so I know I still need it.

RainaProske

I guess I have it. Did the test years ago, was lent the CPAP for a month, and the people at the company were so obnoxious that I gave them back the machine and went on without it.

mhlew

All very interesting and informative comments! Appreciate everyones response and has kind of help calm my mind. Maybe anxiety is my issue with the breathing haha.

allenpriest

If you get the machine and as a result get to REM sleep for the first time in a while you may experience some very vivid and weird dreams. Your body is just catching up. That part will settle down after a few days or in my case a couple of weeks.

mhlew

Good to know. Hopefully I dont even have it! WIll get the results in a couple weeks when I check with my ENT doctor.

friendlygirl316

Yes I have sleep apnea

AliceAxe

I have very bad sleep apnea and no treatment. the CPAP doesnt work on me , becuase the back pressure totaly closes my throught off. one doc suggested surgury to cut out my entire throut. Ive read the success rate isnt good with that, besides Ive also got central apnea which means my brain doesnt tell my body to breathe so none of that stuff would work anyway short of a ventalator. I am only slightly above my BMI so weight is not an issue, I am just deformed and neurologicaly damaged I guess. I hate it. sometimes I wake up my oxegen is so low I can barely move and struggle to take a breath. I have constant nightmares of sufficating in differnt ways and wake up to find it is realy happening from my own body. soemtmes I wiwsh I just wouldnt wake up at all instead of live this way. I have serveal chronic illness, dont know how much this contributes but I am constantly extremely exausted. it make exersize and weight loss almost impossible, but Im still trying.

Samuraiko

I have sleep apnea, and during my sleep study, they determined I was waking up almost 100 times a night. Not so much snoring, according to my husband, but DEFINITELY stopped breathing. I was falling asleep while talking to people, while at work, and a couple of harrowing times, when I was driving. Next stop, sleep study.

I've had my APAP for about 3 years now (mine adjusts over the course of the night as I need it to), and after ONE night on it, oh my gods... the fog cleared from my brain, I felt 10 years younger, it was AMAZING.

Because I have a deviated septum and can normally only breathe well through one side of my nose, I have the full "jet fighter pilot" mask. I thought at first, "there's no way I'll be able to sleep with this." WRONG. I adjusted in one night. I have a longer hose (allowing me to turn over without worrying I'll yank the thing off my nightstand), I use these light cotton mask liners to keep my masks from sliding everywhere, and I even pair it with aromatherapy. (I have these little communion-wafer-looking things that I put a couple drops of essential oil on, then put that in front of the intake filter.) My brain now associates that scent with sleep, so I put on my mask, turn on the APAP, smell that scent, and bang, I'm out in 15 minutes. I also have a foam wedge pillow that I use to prop my upper body when I sleep.

The pressure on my APAP starts at 14 and goes as high as 20 (the max) to accommodate me not being able to normally breathe through the right side of my nose. (They started me at 10-14 and the data showed I was getting my best sleep at 14, so they kept upping it. Took us about 3-4 weeks to get it right, and been on the 14/20 ever since.) And because I often breathe through my mouth when I sleep (again, joy of deviated septum), I use the humidifier and keep the temperature nice and cold.

FYI, I'm a 42 year old female, and about 110 lbs overweight. I'm sure that as more of the weight comes off, my need for the APAP will decrease, but for now, it is SO, SO worth it. I use mine every night religiously, and even when I nap.

torch_and_hammer

Just over 5 years ago, my blood pressure was high- 180s/100s. I also had headaches that wouldn't resolve. My doc had a hunch about sleep apnea, and it turned out that it was, indeed, my problem. I am overweight, not a snorer, but I was so very tired all of the time. Once I started using the machine, within days, the headache was gone. I began to feel rested and my BP is usually at the high end of normal. I hate sleeping without my machine. I never feel rested and wake up feeling as if I had pulled an all nighter if I don't sleep with it. Now, if I can just get off my butt and lose weight, maybe I can get off the BP meds. ;-)

mhlew

I do not have high BP, no headaches that really stand out, but am overweight, and heard I snore from roommate. I dont hop out of bed like they do in TV commercials but am kind of tired when waking up, but once I shower and get dressed I feel normal. Or maybe I dont know what normal feels like? haha. Kind of anxious to get my results from the sleep study, and hope I dont have it. I am glad to hear mostly positive feedback about the CPAP though. Kind of comforting that either way my results I can get some relief. Im in the same boat on weight loss with u, always working on it!

mhlew

Today my doctor called me with the results of my sleep study and was told i have moderate sleep apnea. My mind was in a daze with the news and I cant remember if he said I stop breathing during my sleep 25 x per night or 25 x per hour, nonetheless he said I was considered a moderate case of sleep apnea.

He suggested I get a auto CPAP machine that I should be getting in the next couple weeks. Now I have a million questions for him- but hope this helps me out, and maybe help me with my weight loss if I have truly not getting a good nights sleep for years.

Anyone ever diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea and used auto cpap? what can i expect. Now if I can only get a good nights sleep now knowing i stop breathing between now and 2 weeks til i get my CPAP

jemhh

mhlew wrote: »

Today my doctor called me with the results of my sleep study and was told i have moderate sleep apnea. My mind was in a daze with the news and I cant remember if he said I stop breathing during my sleep 25 x per night or 25 x per hour, nonetheless he said I was considered a moderate case of sleep apnea.

He suggested I get a auto CPAP machine that I should be getting in the next couple weeks. Now I have a million questions for him- but hope this helps me out, and maybe help me with my weight loss if I have truly not getting a good nights sleep for years.

Anyone ever diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea and used auto cpap? what can i expect. Now if I can only get a good nights sleep now knowing i stop breathing between now and 2 weeks til i get my CPAP

Yeah, the wait for my cpap was tough. I was convinced I was going to die in my sleep and my daughter would be the one to find me because my husband worked overnight at the time. I slept in a recliner because I knew my mouth would stay open due to gravity so I'd be able to breathe. Probably sounds crazy but I was extremely freaked out. I think I mentioned my AHI was 87, meaning I stopped breathing or breathed shallowly for 10+ seconds 87 times an hour. I can never pass up a math problem and realized that meant I was only breathing normally 45 minutes per hour.