sleep apnea experiences?

[Simba's Mom]

Does anyone have any experience with sleep apnea? DH suggested that I have it, based on something he read. Between us, we identified that I have virtually every symptom. If you've been troubled with it, what did you do to make it better. Anyone try losing weight? I know I'm 20-25 lbs. overweight. What helped?

 

[minniecarousel]

My oldest brother & oldest sister have sleep apnea. If you think you have it - go to a doctor! They were both diagnosed with it after complaining of fitful night's of sleep and being so sleepy during the day. (not sure what their other symptoms were - but I know my sis was crabby too!) They both use a CPAP machine at night that regulates their breathing. I have several friends who use them - one friend started sleeping in the spare room because her husband's snoring was driving her nuts! She says that the low hum of the machine is soothing to her. This is nothing to mess with - if you think you have it, self remedies don't work - you need to have a doctor diagnose this and get the machine. Good luck.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

My friend just did her major effort presentation on sleep and sleep apnea was one of her focuses. I can give her your email address if you like, just PM me if you're interested.

 

[December99]

My dh has severe sleep apnea. The only way you can be truly diagnosed is to have a sleep study done. IF you or your dh think you have it (and he would be the best judge) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go have it checked out. This can not only lead to being sleepy and tired but it can also lead to car crashes because you fall asleep at the wheel as well as other complications - surgeries, intubation if needed, etc.

 

[tlgoblue]

Originally posted by Simba's Mom
Anyone try losing weight? I know I'm 20-25 lbs. overweight. What helped?

Always! What has worked best for me and DH, Who also has SA, is physical activity. I have about 25 lbs to lose also. My last successful endeavour, was getting to the Mall for the equivalent of a 1 mile walk, at least every other day. We, DH and myself, did this at lunch time, and were able to make it back to work on time, albiet, a bit sweaty. DH lost 50 lbs and I, 10, in 4 months! We rewarded ourselves with a membership to a fitness center, run buy our hospital. It was really nice because most of us were there for health reasons, not to maintain an already beautiful bod. (not that there is anything wrong with that.) It has since closed, and we are not really happy about going back to the mall. The pounds are slowly creeping back! So today I took the first step back to fitness and did an in home work out. I'm feeling the effects of a sedentary life and I don't like it!

Get help with the SA! It tends to run in families, and even young children suffer from it. Many health complications include, hypertension, heart diesease and stroke. My DFIL suffered a stroke as a result of undiagnosed SA. Please get help. Your personal relationships will improve and your weight may not be an issue once you are getting the rest you need and, therefore, have more energy.

Good Luck. Maybe we can get a support thread going! I know I can use a little pep talk every now and again!

Smiles!
Tracy

 

[fklhou]

I have sleep apnea and have been through three different sleep studies. First, it is a chicken and egg issue on weigh loss. The lack of sleep makes it harder to diet which in turn aggrevates the apnea. The only real effective treatment is CPAP. The surgery option really does not work for most people and my doctor will not even discuss it.

The CPAP machine is a pain but you get use to it after a while. I even travel with my and have an adapter kid so that I can take it camping with the scouts (car camping only, the set up is too heavy to backpack).

You need to find a doctor who specializes in this area and get the necessary tests done. Sleep apnea puts a strain on the entire body and is very dangerous if not treated.

Good luck.

 

[mrsstats]

I am making plans now for the sleep study. What was it like? How do they expect you to sleep in a strange place like that?

 

[cassie]

I've just had 2 sleep studies done. The first confirmed sleep apnea, and the second was fine tuning how much air pressure I would need with the CPAP. I slept with the mask on the second time.

My appointment with my sleep doctor was for today to discuss the last results. But, because of the snow storm they canceled.

I thought it would be really hard to sleep in this strange situation. The first time I was very wakeful, and I was told I woke up 234 times in 7 hours. The worst is I wasn't aware of that many times. The second time I felt I slept better, but really don't know how many times I did wake up. The doc will tell me when I get another appointment.

Have your primary doctor recommened you for a sleep study. Sleep apnea is a serious condition. My doctor thinks after some good nights of sleeping my energy will start to come back, and I should have an easier time exercising to lose weight. I have alot of fat in my neck area which is not good.

Good luck to you.

 

[jfulcer]

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea quite some time ago. I sleep with a CPAP machine at night that allows me to have a nice restful sleep.

The sleep study was very easy - you go in and they hook you up to about 40-50 monitors through electrodes glued to your head and various other parts of your body. You go to sleep with these things on (it was easier than I thought) and they monitor many different things about how you sleep. One of the most telltale monitors is a blood oxygen clip on your finger. If you have Apnea, your blood oxygen yo-yos all night long. When your blood Oxygen dips too low, your body wakes you up to correct it. I was waking up approx 64 times an hour, all night long. I had not had REM sleep for literally years. They woke me up halfway through the night and put the mask on me and I sleep comfortably the rest of the night.

What are the symptoms? Daytime Sleepiness, almost to the point of Narcolepsy. Of course, loud snoring, restless sleep. High Blood Pressure. Many other minor things that you wouldn't think are related. It is hereditary, or at least in my family. My dad was diagnosed and has a machine, and two of my uncles have machines also.

PLEASE, if you think you have Apnea, go in and be tested. Look for a sleep clinic around you. If your insurance is good, it will cover it 100%, including the very expensive CPAP machine.

If you have any more questions, PLEASE ask.

 

[cassie]

Oh yes jfulcer, how could I forget the gluing on the wires.
I was told by a co-worker to bring a hat as your hair is a mess.

My tech was very good about rubbing something on my head to get most of the glue off. So I wasn't looking too bad when I left.

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by cassie
Oh yes jfulcer, how could I forget the gluing on the wires.
I was told by a co-worker to bring a hat as your hair is a mess.

My tech was very good about rubbing something on my head to get most of the glue off. So I wasn't looking too bad when I left.

Although the tech also did a good job on my hair, my wife was using fingernail polish remover a few days later to get the rest out. I swear it's superglue they use.