Do I actually have sleep apnea?

[adrianbos]

About 8 years about my girlfriend complained about my excessive snoring. I saw a doctor who recommended a sleep test, and I was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. Sleep apnea was entirely new to me. The sleep doctor recommended that I sleep with a tennis ball under the back of a night shirt to train myself to sleep on my side (I was a back sleeper). Using this method, and positioning a pillow between my knees, I successfully converted to side sleeping. To this day I sleep on my side; it has almost entirely eliminated my snoring, and I swear I can feel my throat collapsing when I sleep on my back (not a good feeling!).

A year later I sought a second sleep test and was diagnosed with mild-to-moderate apnea. The sleep specialist suggested that my apnea may have improved due to reduced stressors in my life, but he scoffed at the tennis-ball-on-the-back solution. I was prescribed a CPAP machine, which I purchased, tried to use for a few weeks then shelved due to discomfort and lack of improvement. Additionally, I felt my specialist was unsupportive. I was cynical about the diagnosis, and didn't identify as an apnea sufferer.

About two years ago, still concerned about apnea but not determined enough to use my CPAP, I purchased a oral mandibular advancement device which I tried to use but quickly abandoned due to discomfort and pain.

Today, seven years after my first diagnosis, I am about to request another sleep study. I am hoping the study will show that I do not have apnea, but I fear I will receive the same results and I'll be back at square 1. I have a nagging fear that I am truly suffering from apnea, but at the same time I don't believe the diagnosis. I'm hoping that there are people in this community with symptoms similar to mine who will share their experiences; I would be grateful for any advice or information.

I don't believe that I fit I description of a *typical* apnea sufferer. My symptoms are:

• I sometimes snore - but mostly after drinking (not often)
  I have poor memory - but my father is also "forgetful" (so... genetics?)
  I often have low energy and sometimes find it hard to focus - but I don't live a very active lifestyle
  My mood is often "low" - but maybe I just need more sleep?
  I never wake up feeling refreshed - but I typically only get 6.5 to 7 hours of sleep a night

The lack of energy, poor memory, and morning grogginess (and grumpiness!) bother me enough that I'm writing this post, but at the same time I don't suffer from what I consider to be typical apnea symptoms. Specifically:

• I have no trouble falling asleep, rarely wake up during the night, and do not suffer from insomnia
  I never wake up gasping for breath
  I don't fall asleep at inappropriate times (during meetings, when driving, watching movies, etc)
  I don't have any chronic pain or health issues (umm... other than possibly apnea!)

Are there others out there with symptoms similar to mine who are using a CPAP? Have you experienced memory improvements, increased energy, improved mood, and a more refreshed sleep? Have these improvements dramatically changed your life?

Thanks to anyone out there who made it to the end, and thanks for indulging me!

[Wulfman...]

You joined the forum almost seven years ago. I would think that you'd have "gotten with the program" by now.
You can drown in the river of DeNile. Or, die from denial which it seems you have in abundance.
Having sleep apnea isn't just about snoring and if it isn't treated, can lead to serious diseases like Diabetes, high blood pressure and many other things.

Lots of people have been in your shoes and keep putting off the inevitable.

For me, when I found out why I was so darned tired all the time, I embraced the diagnosis and the therapy. I've never regretted it and am thankful for this therapy. I'm one of those who has had suspicions that I've had it most of my life.

Edit to add:

As Spock would say......."Your denial is not logical."

viewtopic/t113203/search.php?author_id=45736&sr=posts


Den

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[library lady]

The symptoms you describe can all be attributed to sleep apnea; and the gold standard for treatment is cpap.. the other remedies all sounded horrible to me when I was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago, so I bit the bullet and went with cpap. I suggest you choose to use a cpap machine, and with whatever troubles you have in adapting to it, come back here with questions. We are here to help you with the adjustments. Find a different sleep doctor if you want to you, and remember that most sleep docs do not have sleep apnea and won't be a lot of help once you are diagnosed, but many are supportive.

One thing to remember is that it takes more than a few days to adjust to... most people adapt within the first month, but for others it takes a few months. Most people have to try a number of masks before they find one they can tolerate for a variety of reasons. Please do try to adapt and continue using the machine; it will keep you breathing throughout the night. Consider what happens when people stop breathing. Most die or have a stroke, but cpap helps keep that from happening, plus you will sleep better and feel better during the day, function better at work, etc. Good Luck.

[grayghost4]

Stop wining ... get with the program... put on the mask and go to sleep!

[Goofproof]

You are one tough cookie, is it go to take a two by four to the head to accept treatment, or are just going to wait until your wife puts your coffin in the ground. Im not going to bet on it.

If you havent figured it out by now, whining is easier I guess. Keep paddling in De_Nile, you are too far off shore to swim. Jim

[Bill44133]

I think you owe it to yourself to make a honest effort to make this therapy work for you. Download the free software and monitor your sleep and see how it goes.
It will only get better. The tests don't lie. You are playing with fire and you just might get burned one of these days.

Take 15 minutes to review this youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gie2dhqP2c

It will help you understand what sleep disordered breathing is and exactly what damage you are doing to your health.

This is a very important matter and you need to address it.


I wish you well..

[yaconsult]

Set up a camera to video yourself while you are sleeping. This has convinced many people who were doubtful.

Or, if you can't manage making a video, you could record just the audio which is often plenty of evidence. Check out this youtube video on what sleep apnea sounds like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bFTcmREtqQ

Sleep apnea is not something minor. It is a major contributor to heart problems, strokes and many other very serious health issues. It is your health that you are putting at risk. Believe me, if a sleep study said that you have sleep apnea, then you do. The diagnosis is based on actual measurements taken during your sleep study.

[zoocrewphoto]

When I was diagnosed, I snored loudly, and felt tired a lot. But that was my list of symptoms. I had more real symptoms,, but I had no idea they were caused by sleep apnea, so I never listed them to the doctor. I just thought it was part of getting older.

Keep in mind that most people who have sleep apnea have an anatomical reason why. That doesn't improve with time. It usually gets worse. You were diagnosed twice with sleep apnea. You still have it.

Let us help you use your cpap machine and feel a LOT better.

[Arlene1963]

Have you experienced memory improvements, increased energy, improved mood, and a more refreshed sleep? Have these improvements dramatically changed your life?

Yes, I've experienced improved moods, feel very positive and energetic, and am far less anxious than I was prior to CPAP.

My husband can't believe the change.

I never knew just how difficult I'd become in the last year or so prior to treatment. I blame it all on OSA, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

As others have said here, OSA is serious. Don't wait until you have a stroke or develop heart disease. Two studies have shown you have OSA, so yes, you have OSA.

How this plays out is up to you now.

[droder]

I tried to ignore it, too.

I was diagnosed as a newlywed and I refused to wear that mask to bed! It just didn't seem right!! But I finally came to the point of desperation because of exhaustion and decided to embrace the necessary treatment. So I set forth to do what ever it took to make it work for me. That was 5 1/2 months ago. I won't lie and say it's been easy to adjust to and that I was miraculously a new woman overnight. I have gone through multiple masks and many different settings on my machine (pressure, humidity, temperature) in an attempt to figure out what was the most "comfortable".

I am FINALLY to the point that I sleep quite well with my mask. I actually couldn't imagine sleeping without it!

The improvement in my memory is definitely noticeable already! The most basic word recall that had basically disappeared is now coming back!! Another huge plus for me has been my endurance. My husband and I cycle, hike and run. The difference in how I feel during these activities is nothing short of incredible. I truly feel like I'm in someone else's body! AMAZING.

It's worth the struggle. I promise!!

[Okie bipap]

I didn't snore, but I was still diagnosed with severe sleep apnea with an AHI of 59. I have been in therapy for over a year, and feel a lot better than before treatment. I no longer have an irregular heart beat, my energy level is higher, and I just generally feel better. It took over two months for me to really notice a difference in how I was feeling. It didn't change suddenly, but changed slowly over that period of time. One day it finally dawned on me that I could sit and read the paper and do the crossword puzzle without falling asleep in my chair, and I could sit and watch a TV program without falling asleep. As others have said, you need to accept that you have sleep apnea and start using your cpap machine.

[BlackSpinner]

• I sometimes snore - but mostly after drinking (not often)
  I have poor memory - but my father is also "forgetful" (so... genetics?)
  I often have low energy and sometimes find it hard to focus - but I don't live a very active lifestyle
  My mood is often "low" - but maybe I just need more sleep?
  I never wake up feeling refreshed - but I typically only get 6.5 to 7 hours of sleep a night

The lack of energy, poor memory, and morning grogginess (and grumpiness!) bother me enough that I'm writing this post, but at the same time I don't suffer from what I consider to be typical apnea symptoms. Specifically:

• I have no trouble falling asleep, rarely wake up during the night, and do not suffer from insomnia
  I never wake up gasping for breath
  I don't fall asleep at inappropriate times (during meetings, when driving, watching movies, etc)
  I don't have any chronic pain or health issues (umm... other than possibly apnea!)

Your father probably has OSA too. Beside which you want to do everything in your power to protect what you have.

It took me a while to fall asleep before cpap, it takes me a while to fall asleep after cpap
I never woke up gasping
I did doze off occasionally in the last few months before I got it but I was diagnosed as severe.
Yes you do have other health issues. "I often have low energy and sometimes find it hard to focus , My mood is often "low", I never wake up feeling refreshed "
And you have other health issues well hidden, your heart is stressed, your organs are stressed, your brain has been slowly starved.

[avi123]

Are there others out there with symptoms similar to mine who are using a CPAP? Have you experienced memory improvements, increased energy, improved mood, and a more refreshed sleep? Have these improvements dramatically changed your life?

Thanks to anyone out there who made it to the end, and thanks for indulging me!

Yes, but it took me 3 years to do it with CPAP.
Missing your age and gender. Male suffer from OSA 5 times more than female.

[chunkyfrog]

Actually, males and obese people are ASSUMED to be more likely to have apnea,
leading to late or no diagnosis in others.
Trust that a positive diagnosis is nearly 100% accurate.
Insurance will not accept any guesses if it saves them money.
Get your cpap and just DO IT!
You will be amazed how much it can do for you.
So much better than that damn tennis ball.

[Sylvia54]

Male suffer from OSA 5 times more than female.[/quote]


This may be true except for those women in post menopause. Then the number of those suffering are equal to men.
However, there are still many doctors who don't realize that. They make the assumption that women, especially those who are not overweight, have normal or slightly high blood pressure, a small neck, etc. can't possibly have sleep apnea. Even when they complain of ongoing poor quality sleep that pills don't treat.