Sleep Apnea anyone?

[Shredr]

After years of suffering with sleep apnea (and not even knowing I had it, much less what it was), I've finally been diagnosed, had my sleep test done, and this morning I picked up my breathing machine!

I can't wait to have a good night's sleep. Not be tired and lethargic all the freakin time. They said it takes about 2 weeks to get used to sleeping with this contraption on your face.

Anyone else have this machine? Any advice? Words of wisdom?

[Kali]

1. no advice,

but I know I need to do this, any idea of total costs or are you insured?

[Shredr]

2. I am insured.

I know the test and the actual machine would be expensive, if not insured. As it is, I'll be out of pocket about $500. But it's a life-saver. You should do what you can to do it. Have you met with a doctor?

In California, Advanced Sleep medicine's website is:

http://www.sleepdr.com

[7th_Sephiroth]

12. the mask, over time

will put a visible dent in your forehead, did it to my dad

[Wapsie B]

20. That depends on the kind of mask used.

I use a Mirage Activa by RESMED and there's no marks at all. Some of the Respironics masks are terrible about pressure sores on the face.

BWA, RPSGT

[realisticphish]

3. my father has it

is has made a GIGANTIC difference. he says it takes a while to get used to, but it beats the hell out of falling asleep all day, not to mention the "not dying" part.

WARNING: one thing they may not have told you is that a breathing mask greatly increases the risk of cavaties. dad, who has only had 2 cavaties in his life, had EIGHT at his last checkup. the hygenists said they get that a lot from people with mouth breathing machines


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Shredr]

5. Wow, that's fascinating.

Thanks for the warning. I wonder what about it causes cavities. It's been a while since my last dentist trip. I'll make an appointment.

I fought getting the damn machine at first -- not wanting the hassle -- but everyone says it's a life saver.

[MrScorpio]

4. I just found out today that I don't have it

Hurray for me.

[Shredr]

6. Congrats

Did you have symptoms?

[MrScorpio]

8. I thought I did. I have horrible sleep habits

And i was wired up for a sleep study a couple of weeks ago.

Turns out I have other issues, mainly snoring that gives me sleeping problems.

But no apnea. Goody!

[Shredr]

10. I snore so loud, I wake the neighbors.

But this machine actually stops snoring. It suctions your mouth shut and pushes air through your nose. We'll see if I can get used to it.

[New Earth]

7. i had it a little bit when i was pregnant

towards the end, then for a while after i had my daughter. i have no idea why, but it went away. at least i'm pretty sure it was sleep apnea - i would wake up in the middle of the night a few times gasping for air, realizing that i wasn't freaking breathing....

[Shredr]

9. Yeah, that's it.

And then you nefver get a good night's sleep because you're waking up all night. that's interesting taht it went away. I really only noticed it as I've gotten bigger. Once I started working out and packed on a lot of muscle is when I think it really started. (I went from about 175 to 220.) Maybe having excess weight (body mass or a baby) has something to do with it.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

11. Welcome to the club!

I've been using the 'scuba gear'for about 6 years now and it really helps me.
Once in a while I'll wake up and the mask is off, but not very often. In fact, I cannot even nap in my chair anymore. My snoring is so bad,I wake myself up every two minutes! SO when I want to sleep well, I have to use the machine. Be prepared for the airport screeners to stop you. I can't count the times I've had to say, "it's a continuos positive air pressure machine'.................

[Shredr]

13. Any of the above mentioned effects?

Dent in your forehead from the machine? Cavities?

I actually can't wait to get home and get a good night's sleep. I've been so lethargic and mopey for far too long. No energy. Anxious, depressed. My doctor says it all stems from the apnea.

[Dr.Phool]

14. I'm going for my sleep test tomorrow.

The doctor seems to think that may be the root cause of my high blood pressure, since it appeared out of nowhere. Said it could eventually lead to diabetes.

[Shredr]

18. I don't have high blood pressure,

But they said that was one of the possible symptoms. Also rapid weight gain.

[lady lib]

15. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with sleep apnea.

She's been using the oxygen at night and feels much better - and she doesn't snore anymore.

[Maddy McCall]

16. What were your symptoms?

How would one move in that direction, as far as getting the diagnosis?

Is your remedy the headgear or will you have surgery? Is there medication for the condition?

[Shredr]

17. I had many symptoms

The biggest is that I wake up many times throughout the night, gasping for air. There are apparently 2 causes of sleep apnea -- one is just physical (your air pipe is blocked, usually as you lie on your back, by your tongue or your sinuses), the other is mental (for some reason, the brain stops telling your lungs to breathe as you sleep). Loss of oxygen to the brain causes you to wake up (or, in extreme cases, die) which means you never fall into REM sleep and never get a good night sleep.

Other symptoms that I have are: dry throat in the morning, waking with a headache, depression, anxiety, always tired throughout the day, heartburn, weakness throughout my body. These can be attributed to other things, but apparently all are symptoms of apnea.

Apparently, if you only have the physical form of apnea, there is a surgival proceedure you can have. I don't know what they do. You can also use flonase to open your nasal passage (or those breathe right strips). Mine is mental, so I'm on the machine.

[Wapsie B]

19. Well........

I have it also. I use a CPAP machine every night and love it. The time it takes to get used to sleeping with CPAP varies with each individual.
It can take several weeks. But I've seen other patients take to it right away. It's easiest to breathe with if you put your tongue on the roof of your mouth and take slow deep breaths through your nose. Do this while you're awake with the mask on. Do not try breathing through your mouth while awake and the machine on. It feels very strange, or at least it does to some people.

BWA, RPSGT

[Kali]

21. wow lots of good info (well except for costs - whew 500 and you have ins)

I have all the symptoms, plus I'm heavy, though I have snored all my life - even as a beanpole teen. Lots of both sides of my family were/are snorers, I am a champ -with the horrible gurggling choking irregular type, not just loud and regular.

Almost picked up a used machine on ebay - should have bought it right when I saw it, sent the seller a question and when I went back to look it had been removed as illegal??? I know you need a scrip, but that's what they say about getting pharmeceuticals in Mexico..... hey I wonder?

Anyway I have another real question - how does the thing sit with bed partners? Anybody have experience there? Is it noisy - What does it sound like? is it in and out or like a vaporizer - kind of steady or what?

[Wapsie B]

22. They're not noisy at all.

The new machines are made to be quiet. What little sound it does make is barely audible.
It's illegal to sell CPAPs/BIPAP equipment without a Dr.'s prescription. Even if you could buy one over the counter, you'd have no idea as to what settings would be correct for you.

[Shredr]

23. My partner and I are going to try it out right now

He says he's going to call me "Piggy" because of the snout I'll have. WHich makes me laugh. Fact is, I rattle the roof with my snoring, so he'll probably appreciate the slight noise the machine makes.

You really should at least get an initial consultation. Not to scare you, but it could lead to things a lot more severe than loss of sleep.

[Kali]

24. oh man, I know

I know I am on a vicious cycle, heavy - makes sleep even more difficult - no sleep - no energy - no motivation - no "excercise - sit and eat - fall asleep all day - etc etc etc (I actually do physical work, so the no excercise isn't quite accurate, but I sure don't have EXTRA energy to do things like "play" or get active just for fun, you know?)

And getting to age where all of it is starting to have real effects. So they get set by the sleep lab or something? Yeah I was kind of afraid it would be something like that. I tried last year to get into a sleep study. That would have at least taken care of testing and diagnosis but never got a call back. Yeah I'm one of the 2 or 4 or however many millions of us right on the edge, don't qualify for any real help, but can't aford insurance, that is for sure!