Sleep Apnea. Does anyone here have it?

I did a sleep study the other night and the results came back that I have severe sleep apnea. Im not really sure just what this means just yet. I have a follow up appt. on the 28th. I do know that they said that during the study I had stopped breathing up to 25 times in one hour. The symptoms that I have had is recurring headache, a sense of being not refreshed in the AM, tired during the day and waking to the feeling of restricted breathing and feeling suffocation. Any advice form those who have experienced it would be great. Thanks, Craig

Its good that you caught it. Sleep apnea can cause many problems including hypertension to heart disease to just name a few. There many different treatments from surgery to bipap/cpap machines (masks) that you wear at night that help provide positive air pressure that will keep your air ways open at night.

Treatment depends on type and severity of your apnea. There is 'obstructive' apnea and 'central' apnea. Obstructive is caused by a physical blockage of your airway usually due to being a bit over weight (losing weight can reduce or even stop this apnea) and central apnea is due to neurological issues that keep your brain from driving/promoting an inhalation response.

The thing that matters is that you caught it. You're going to feel like a new man after your treatment and you get a full nights deep sleep. This can really be a life changer for you (in a good way!)

-Murf
 (Nurse)

Hang in there Craig and do what the doctor tells you.

Hoping you feel better soon!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Looks like you will be using a C-Pac machine.  Not sure if the name is right.  But use it, it may look like Darth Vader's mask, but use it.  You can die from sleep apnea.  It is nothing to fool around with.

Usually it happens in heavier set people, so if you are over weight now is the time to lose weight.

Good luck.

Same here.  I used the machine for about 2 months and stopped using it because I can't sleep well "feeling" something trapped on my face!  Haven't use it for over a year now.  If my time come...then it's my time 

Craig I was diagnosed with a severe case of sleep apnea a couple of years ago and have been wearing my "nighttime scuba gear" ever since.  I takes a little getting use to but you will feel like a new man and your wife will be happy too because she wont have to listen to your snoring.  I was told that Sleep Apnea can be hereditary.  I use what they call the Nasal Pillow mask.  It's less Darth Vader looking and more comfortable.  I even got mine running on 12v DC so I can sleep good at the campouts.

Sonny, if you used yours, Albion would be a much quieter place at night. 

This is associated with snoring also... They have treatments and the c-pap (air blower machine) can save your life and you and she will adjust to the noise it makes... Loose weight... they have surgical/lazer treatments... they basically burn lines in the throat lining to produce scarring that stiffens sagging (due to age) tissues that make it harder to breath. sleeping on your side can reduce this but as stated before... listen to your doc and get more than one opinion before surgery. Managing this condition properly will make a drastic change in how you feel (better!!!) Memory clarity, depression gone, less angst, truly relaxing, NO F-ING HEADACHES!!!!! Glad they caught it. You may have had this all your life. Thanks for sharing this with us and I hope you have the best outcome!!!!
 
 Sailfish look into Laser corrective treatments... dyeing when treatment is available is irresponsible... we would miss you!

 http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/sleep-apnea/

Looks like you will be using a C-Pac machine.  Not sure if the name is right.  But use it, it may look like Darth Vader's mask, but use it.  You can die from sleep apnea.  It is nothing to fool around with.

Usually it happens in heavier set people, so if you are over weight now is the time to lose weight.

Good luck.

+1

many in the Fire Department and Police due to unregulated normal sleep habits have this, and it looks like a bunch of Darth Vaders sleeping the dorm rooms at night...  not too much of an inconvenience if you normally sleep on your back

Sleep apnea Can ruin and end your life if not Tx...  glad your on it and seeking tx...

I got mine through the VA, but before that I went for a sleep study at a place that, well was less than reputable.  It was one of those wake you up in the middle of the night slap a mask on and go from there.  If some one does this, there is no way it will work.  When I went to the VA they gave us a class, set us down modified the machine to every user.  Then the most important thing they did was tell us don't try to sleep with it initially, but instead get used to it by wearing it watching TV.

 I did that for a week then went to sleep with it, much easiuer to work with.  I can wear mine most nights now without problems.  It may take a couple of different masks to get it down right, I know it did for me.  Now I have a mask that works great and I can fall asleep with it without problems.

Your case is definitely NOT due to being overweight Craig. So it's doubly-good you went to the Dr and diagnosed it.

Hope you find something that works for you bro!

I have it. I tried using the apnea machine and it works BUT I could never get used to it - I've tried several masks but It's hard to put it back on and fall asleep again when you have to piss at night or early morning. Losing weight really helped

I have it. I tried using the apnea machine and it works BUT I could never get used to it - I've tried several masks but It's hard to put it back on and fall asleep again when you have to piss at night or early morning. Losing weight really helped

Craig I made a friend get the test and  mask after watching him stop breathing on the couch at night when he would fall asleep. He said it was the single  best thing  he has ever doe for his health and happiness.