Sleep Apnea. Does anyone here have it?

Luke, I am your father...

Right behind you bro. Too scared to ask for help though.

I've always been a big snorer. After almost a year of feeling more exhausted than usual, the doctor recommended a sleep study. I stopped breathing about 15 times per hour so I got the Darth Vader mask, which I've been using for about 3 months. I'm still not completely used to it, but the more I use it, the better my energy level and mental function. Btw, I'm 6' 1" and only weigh about 150, so excess weight is not always part of the equation.

Unfortunately, they also discovered that my thyroid is slightly subpar and it seems to be getting slightly worse over time. So the cpap hasn't been a cure all. In any case, my quality of life is definitely better with the cpap than without.

i've got you all beat ! I had sex with my cpap on. So if there is a mile high club. what would you call having sex while having your cpap on? End of the road . btw. just kidding about having sex with it on. lol. seriously though. there are several masks. ones that cover your nose and the other that cover nose and mouth. i prefer the nose only and the smallest that is comfortable. Good look all. i am scheduled for surgery in may for synoplasty. I was lucky in my diagnoses. i was given a small machine that only hooked up to a small probe that fits on your index finger. it measured oxygen and how often you stopped breathing . it was very simple. good look all

do yourself some good chadrock. get yourself checked!!!!

(Deliberately) getting only 3 hours of sleep (when I was still working) + stopped breathing 7)+ times an hour equaled falling out of the kayak on my first trip (at Del Valle). I use the full face mask all the time except in the winter time...cold, dry air being pumped in keeps me wide awake.

Had the study, wear the mask.

It really bugged me at first, but once I figured out how adjust the straps just right, it works like a dream.  I use the full face mask because the nose one just felt weird to me.

They should give you a CPAP machine that automatically increases pressure gradually, as you fall asleep, and they also have humidifiers so you don't get too dried out, (although I rarely use that part it's nice to have the option).

I received the study numbers on Friday. I had a score of 51.5 That didn't sound too bad until they said that normal was 5.0 So that is an average of 51.5 breathing irregularities per hour over a 7 hour span. Ill be fucked. Now I'm fricken paranoid about not breathing to the point that I cant fall asleep. Next appt. on Thursday for a machine that Ill wear for a week with data collected during that time.

Thanks for all the replies and sharing of experience here. It makes a fool like me feel somewhat better.

My irregularities were measured in seconds.  Scared my girlfriend every night when I'd stop breathing.  I wasn't even getting a minute's worth of solid sleep at a time, but now I sleep like a baby.  Don't sweat it...  at least you know!

I have sleep apnea and ever since I have been using the breathing machine everyone is much happier at night. I sleep great , wife sleeps great without hearing my snoring   . I fell much better in the morning for sure. It takes a little getting used to wearing the mask but the little discomfort it greatly outweighed by how you will feel in the morning. If your medical doesn't cover the machine look around on the internet and you can find some good deals. Look for one that runs of 12 volt when camping too.

Hope you start getting some sleep soon!
Jimbo

There are different CPAPs out there.  My second one has a heated tube and a humidifier.   The first one only had a humidifier only.    The heated tube is great. I used to get condensation in the tube.  It would make my nose and mask wet.   Irritating and itchy. 

The heated tube eliminates that.  I use the nasal pillows.   It looks stupid, but it works the best for me.    My wife loves the CPAP.   She can sleep with me.  She doesn't complain about my snoring when I use it.  She complains that I steal the blankets. 

I received the study numbers on Friday. I had a score of 51.5 That didn't sound too bad until they said that normal was 5.0 So that is an average of 51.5 breathing irregularities per hour over a 7 hour span. Ill be fucked. Now I'm fricken paranoid about not breathing to the point that I cant fall asleep. Next appt. on Thursday for a machine that Ill wear for a week with data collected during that time.

Thanks for all the replies and sharing of experience here. It makes a fool like me feel somewhat better.

You can't die because of the "pause" breathing! That's what they're telling me, but these pauses put strain on the heart thus increase chance of heart attack as we get older.  Maybe I should give the C-crap another try.

Do it Sonny.  Apnea is a serious thing.


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If you look at the Cpap machine power supply, I believe most of them take 110v AC and convert it to a 12v DC input.  So all I needed to make mine work on 12v DC in the truck was a cigarette lighter adapter from Radio Shack with the right plug that fits the connection on the machine.  I believe mine was rated for 3amps and cost about $7.00.  If you buy this from the medical supply store it will probably cost you about $100.00.  So just a heads up!  I used mine at Black Butte last weekend with no problems.  I needed to be fresh for paddling in the wind.

If you look at the Cpap machine power supply, I believe most of them take 110v AC and convert it to a 12v DC input.  So all I needed to make mine work on 12v DC in the truck was a cigarette lighter adapter from Radio Shack with the right plug that fits the connection on the machine. 

that's good to know, thanks

While obesity or being mildly overweight can cause sleep apnea, it's not always the cause.

In my case it was - I got up to 236 a year after leaving the Army (divorced, depressed, ptsd, excuses excuses) and my daughter (5 at the time) said I wasn't breathing when I slept.  I finally got enough motivation to leave my shitty little apartment and bought a kayak and joined a gym.  Lost over 30 pounds but most importantly changed my body composition and got down below 20% body fat, and all snoring and sleep apnea symptoms went away.  Kayaking and my kids really did save my life.