Sleep Apnea. Does anyone here have it?

There are several alternative treatments under clinical study that hopefully will replace the archaic CPAP apparatus. Stiffening up the soft palate using radio frequency ablation looks promising as it is minimally invasive and a one time treatment. 

I have been using a cpap on and mostly off for a couple of years.   It took 3 different masks for me to find one that I like.   It's still not great, but I can use it. 

It was hard for me to go back to sleep when I work up to use the bathroom.   I would not use it for the rest of the night. 

I still was tired during the day.  When I came home I fell asleep on the couch a lot.

Last week, my kids made fun of the way I slept.    They mimicked they way I stopped breathing.   I'm now using it full time.   I have been falling back asleep fairly easily after I wake up in the middle of the night. 

When I wasn't using it, I would fall asleep sitting at my desk.  So far, I feel pretty good. 

My kids made me realize that I NEED to wear the cpap for me and their sake. 

I'm on the same boat as you Craig. I've had my cpap machine now for about 4 years or so. It took awhile for me to get use to the machine as well but once I did, what a difference it made at work specially. I wasn't as tired as before. The big plus also is that my wife no longer complain about my snoring. If it wasn't for that cpap machine that helps me breathe at night and also helps with my snoring problem, I know that I would not ever get invited back to spend the night at either hobiedaves rv nor Glen's.

Jedmo

Thanks for bringing this up I should do a sleep study,but it sounds pricey,my insurance is crap!!Its to the point that my wife has a hard time sleeping so she can kick me and get me breathing again.I had no idea i stoped breathing seemed like a bad dream.She wakes me up when i stop breathing with a swift kick,Hmm maybe thats why  i've been exausted for years.

I used to think I had that. I would always wake up tired . I went in for 3 different sleep studies at 3 different places. They all said I was sleeping just fine. I couldn't figure it out til I woke up one night and saw my wife standing over me with a pillow.

I used to think I had that. I would always wake up tired . I went in for 3 different sleep studies at 3 different places. They all said I was sleeping just fine. I couldn't figure it out til I woke up one night and saw my wife standing over me with a pillow.

This is a good topic. I thought I may have it but I'm not sure. My wife is a sound sleeper and has not heard me stop breathing. One problem if I do have it is I sleep on my stomach so I'm not sure how a mask would work. I'll have to ask my Dr about it. 

My Brother actually uses the mask that is one reason I was wondering about myself.

Thanks for bringing this up...

I've got the nasal pillow and its ok but I prefer not using it. For me the best thing was to eat better, exercise and lose weight, then the apnea and snoring just get much better.

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I have had sleep apnea since I was 13.I quit breathing an average of41 * an hour. I have had several different C PAP machines and masks. Finally got used to the machines and still quit breathing even with the machines. So I went in for the surgery.Uvulopalatoplasty they removed soft palate adenoids tonsils and thinned the back of my tongue.the only thing they promised with pain. I lost 25 pounds in 5 days in the hospital afterwards. And I was only 175 pounds to begin with. Had to go back on the C PAP machine because it didn't work. Very archaic surgery now they have better solutions don't recommend any surgeries. After a few years the surgery actually started work and I can now sleep through most nights. Do lots of research and talk to several doctors not just 1good luck

I've had snoring and sleep problems for about 6-7 yrs now. I was also diagnosed with apnea after I did a sleep study finally last October. My numbers were similar to your @ 15-27 per hr, which really isn't severe but moderate I was told. I have a coworker who was having over 100 per hr ! But regardless, it keeps you from getting a good nights sleep or any sleep on the worst nights ! My joke became, I'll get plenty of sleep after I die !  Yeah, I know its not funny, but that's how I was blowing it off when I was running on 3-4 hrs of not even good sleep every day. It does make it easy to get up at 3am for my job though...and to go fishing too !

I too have been having trouble getting used to keeping my mask on for the entire night. I'd wake up and rip it off of me and then try to go back to sleep. I tried 3 diff masks and the nasal pillows. I'm doing the nasal mask now, which for me is the most comfortable....if you want to call it that? ...lol  The Cpap machines they make now are very quiet so that isn't an issue, but the air coming out of the hose does make a little noise, but my wife would rather hear that than my snoring !

Thanks for posting this and bringing it out in the open for everybody to discuss. I have been roughing it the last month or so and not using my Cpap regularly. So last night when I read your post, I decided to put my mask on and believe it or not, I had the best night sleep I've had in a while.

Sweet Dreams ! Kimo- aka Gman

I to am infortunately part of the darth vader crew. I  have a deviated septum. It has led to exhaustion and weight gain. Since wearing the cpap machine for sleeping at night i am much more rested for the day. use to have to nap sometimes during the day. didnt like driving at night. i found the smallest nose mask was best for me and it didnt take long to get use to it. I am now looking into surgery for correcting my deviated septum. a friend had it done and said it was the best thing he ever did. i also have another friend who said it really didnt do much for him. the friend who's results were good from the surgery was never over weight and had sleep apnea. the other that had surgery and rates it so so. was over weight, but is getting healthier.  tight lines Kimo. oh ya, bye the way. put a  big pillow in between you and your wife for the cpap noise. she will love you. 

I'm in the same boat as you too!!! My wife says I stop breathing for 5-10 seconds a couple of times during the night... I got that CPAP machine too, but I can't stand it!!! Feels like I get less sleep because it wakes me up when it tries to force air thru your windpipe when you stop breathing.....

When I wake up with a bad headache and a very dry throat, I know the I had a major Sleep Apnea night.....

Last week after watching Dances With Wolves, my wife gave me the Indian name: "Snores like a Bear"

Good thread Craig, both my brother and sister used them ( CPAP ) with good results. I will be doing the study soon so I can sleep with my wife for an entire night without getting kicked or elbowed  , good luck and please follow up on this post.

Heybuddy.  Me too!  I was diagnosed with severe apnia Waking up 40 # per hour at night.

I took to the cpap machine with the nasal pillows just fine.  My blood pressure went from 180 down to 130 in a week!

I still reserve the right to take mid-day naps, though.

Allen

without getting kicked or elbowed  ,

Been there, got kick'd too!!!!

There are times it got so bad, my body went it convulsion and I almost threw up in my sleep! Maybe I should take this alittle bit more serious than I am.... back to the CPAP machine tonight...

Thanks Craig and guys for the wake up call (sorry about the pun)!