Sleep Apnea

Dynamis600 · May 2013

Hi all I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a couple of months ago and have been undertaking a CPAP trial. I had no idea how it affected my life until I started CPAP. This week my DS wrecked my tubing and I had to go one night without CPAP. I could not believe the difference. I woke up with nausea and a headache and felt like I had done 3 rounds in the boxing ring as the sleep apnea triggers the fight-flight response. I realised how much the sleep apnea affected my life as I was really struggling with everyday living. Since being on the CPAP I have noticed that my moods are so much better that I am coping so much better with life. I went to my Dr last year with tiredness and arthritic symptoms and she kept on saying that perhaps I was depressed, so glad I refused her offer of meds as at the time I felt there was nothing I should be depressed about. It was only a heart scare that took me to hospital that they suspected sleep apnea.
Anyway to get to my point I am wondering if there are a lot of people out there who have been misdiagnosed with depression when they have sleep apnea.

So what does this have to do with weight loss? Well one of my symptoms was sugar cravings all the time, those symptoms have diminished and it has made me better able to control my food intake.

I just felt I needed to share this to hopefully help anyone else who might have this condition.

here is a link to sleep apnea symptoms

http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_apnea.htm

WhiteGirlWasted13 · May 2013

I'm so glad you were willing to try a cpap. My husband went through this. He can't imagine not using it now. He feels so much better. And I can sleep so much better because he's not snoring all night long. I'm wondering if when he gets to his goal weight, how that will affect his sleep apnea, if he will be able to reduce his cpap use or even discontinue it altogether?

You know, I knew there were other aspects of our health that are affected by being overweight, you hear it all the time. But, it's crazy how when they actually happen to you, or you see things improving, that you realize just how much damage you've caused to your own body. It's definitely eye opening.

respygirl · May 2013

I'm glad you gave the cpap a try. I'm a respiratory therapist so I see many people on cpap every day so you are definitely not alone. A lot of people go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed so you are lucky. Good luck on your cpap journey and hopefully you start to feel like a new person as time goes on. If you have any questions feel free to message me and I'll try to answer as best I can.

kvandeman · May 2013

I have recently been diagnosed and I am currently using a Bipap. I am up in arms over whether it works or not. I go to bed with it on but wake up with the mask and machine off. Apparently during the night I rip the thing off. I am used to sleeping on my stomach and the mask makes that awkward. I figure that one morning I will wake up with it on.

I am glad the machine works for you. I know my mother can tell the difference when she doesn't use hers.

Parmcat · May 2013

I have had one for about 8 years. It is a quality of life changer. My issue is that I sleep so soundly with it on, I don't hear anything...like the fire alarm...LOL

Not wearing it makes me tired, irritable, and I feel hungover

Dynamis600 · May 2013

Thanks so much for the encouragement.

so far it has been trial and error trying to find the right mask as I like to tummy sleep and side sleep.

Kvandeman, keep persevering, were you able to do a trial of some sort to try out different masks? I have been through 4 different masks before I found what suited I am going to trial another as I get lines on my face form the mask. Also you might like to try a CPAP pillow, don't go buying one they can be $150. My Respiratory Therapist told me to buy a pillow and cut the ends out like this )____( and sew it back up . Maybe a nasal mask or nasal pillows might suit you if you, are not a mouth breather. It's so worth it to keep trying because of the benefits.

Thanks Respygirl for the offer, I will take you up on that one at the moment things are going good.

Parmcat, me too with the sleeping soundly, I woke up late this morning because I didn't hear the alarm.:)

Mokey41 · May 2013

My husband has a CPAP and it's made a huge difference for both of us. He's finally getting quality sleep and I get to sleep without him snoring. He ended up with the nasal pillow type mask and finds it so much better than the full face type. The only problem he had was his mouth opens sometimes so now he wears a chin strap.

Sleep Apnea

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