A quick question about treatment

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:00 am

I have sleep apnea, it doesn't happen everynight to my knowledge unless I'm just drifting off to sleep and it happens then I notice but my husband has said he's seen me sleeping and then stop breathing then gasp for breath but I don't wake up when this happens. I've had it for at least the past 2 years that hubby and I have noticed. I stop breathing for only a couple of seconds, maybe 5 sometimes.

And I was wondering when do doctors consider putting someone on the CPAP? I mean how bad does the apnea have to be? My doctor told me they don't do that until someone starts showing a lack of oxygen when awake, like there skin turning a greyish/blue colour. Is this true or should I be getting treatment straight away? Thanks!

IllinoisRRT · Post by **IllinoisRRT** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:56 am

I would run away from any doctor who said they don't treat sleep apnea until the patient is de-satting and cyanotic during the day! I have started patients on CPAP who didn't hardly desat at night but still had sleep apnea. The only way to know would be to have a sleep study, and assume that you *do* have it every night! Some nights may be better than others, but the safest treatment is to wear CPAP each and every night.

Colorado Jan · Post by **Colorado Jan** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:42 am

My oxygen levels go as low as 50% and 60% at night without CPAP...which is pretty bad. But I never looked BLUE, lol! I looked t be perfectly healthy!

Perhaps another doctor would be a good thing?

Jan in Colo.

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:04 am

Does your doctor feel this way about other disorders or just sleep Apnea? Would he hold off giving you treatment only until things reach a critical stage? If you check out any sleep apnea site you will not find turning blue during the day as one of the primary indicators. If you feel you need to stay with this doctor then go armed with some research. The info on the NIH site alone should help him change his mind.

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:14 am

I would suggest a second opinion, specifically from a doctor specializing in sleep disorders. My O2 sat during the study was right around 89-90%. Not bad at all. I was also told that to be diagnosed, you only have to have 5 apneatic events in an hour. I can't confirm this though.