Natural cures first?

[nate fry]

This is not something you want to play around with. It can kill you. The only natural thing I can think that would help is losing weight.The machine is not that bad and after you get used to it you won't want to sleep or even nap qithout it. Or you could see an ent and see if you can improve your situation. After 6 years I did and am glad I did. You should treat this very serious. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[debtheveg]

Hi ExhaustedLady,

I know exactly how you're feeling. I was diagnosed half way through last year (2008). I was shocked, stunned, surprised, outraged etc. I tried using the CPAP for two months and hated it. Unlike most on this forum, I felt worse every single day.

So, like you, I began researching alternatives as I feel I'll never get used to the idea of using the machine. I don't wish to be negative or discouraging of the effectiveness of CPAP, as for many it is a huge success, but it's not for me.

If you google 'sleep apnea didgeridoo' you will find research to indicate that daily use of the didgeridoo may strengthen the muscles that presently are collapsing in your throat. The didgeridoo is an Australian Aboriginal wind instrument, but there are sites on the net to show you how to make one from hardware supplies. I plan to do so. Also, tomorrow I see a specialist dentist for the first of about four fittings for a mandibular advancement device. A bit like a mouth-guard that will pull my lower jaw forward when I sleep, hopefully opening up my airways sufficiently.

I don't know if these things will work, but I really want to give it a try before succumbing to CPAP. I may still end up on the machine if these things prove unsatisfactory.

Now just watch for the berating I will get from everyone on the forum. They all seem to love their machines, and fair enough, if they are feeling 100% better. But I can see no harm in trying other things first. If I see one more person advise 'hang in there' I'll scream.

Good luck.

Debtheveg

[tdm5032c]

I think you are all forgetting one definite cure for OSA. My doctor pointed it out when I asked him what the best option was aside from CPAP. He said that there is one surgery that will cure OSA. A trachiotomy. He said that will definitely cure it, lol. He was trying to point out that CPAP isn't that bad, and he was right. I've been on it now for about a month and a half, and aside from occasional fits with my mask, I've done pretty well on it. I started out knowing nothing about it, and thanks to this forum, I educated myself and got the equipment I needed and wanted. There is lots of help available on here. Don't look at it as a last resort. Look at it as a life saving treatment.

Tracy

[MidnightOwl]

ExhaustedLady,

For many people sleeping on their back makes apnea much worse. I think there are even some people who have it only on their backs. If so, sleeping on your side can make it better. There are various tricks people use to keep from turning onto their backs after they are asleep. Your sleep study can tell you whether you still have apnea when sleeping on your side (the information was collected - if you don't see it on the report - ask!) . Alas my report showed the same rate in all positions.

Sleeping half sitting up as in a recliner or propped on cushions also can help a lot. Personally I'd rather sleep with a cpap machine then sitting up but you may want to try it.

Dental devices work for some people - they are similar to athletic mouthguards and pull the lower jaw forward and keep your airway open that way. Again I personally prefer CPAP.

Weight loss - works for some people.

I've never heard of any alternative treatments (except the digeridoo mentioned by an earlier poster) but that doesn't mean that there aren't people out there experimenting out there with something new. I'm curious. Where did you hear about the butyeko method and deep breathing possibly helping with sleep apnea?

You need to keep in mind that this is a forum made up of people who HAVE chosen to use CPAP. You may find more information on alternatives on other forums.

You don't say how bad your apnea is. Those 100 events an hour officially make your apnea "severe" it doesn't tell you whether those are full apneas or hypopneas, or how low your oxygen levels get during the night. Or how awful you feel the rest of the time. This will determine how long you want to spend looking for a natural method. And keep in mind that the advice you get from others is likely to depend on how severe THEIR apnea is. (for example - I'm fairly receptive to the idea that you want to try something else - but altho I have "severe" sleep apnea - my oxygen levels barely dropped at all during the test, I've never fallen asleep driving a car, haven't had a heart attack, etc).

I do sympathize. I remember feeling horror when I learned I had apnea and especially at the idea of using a CPAP machine for the rest of my life. I think I associated it with people in the ICU having ventilators strapped to their face. I found it wasn't like that at all for me. Maybe because you use it yourself in your own home. Anyway I adjusted easily but not everyone does.

If sleeping on your side or sitting up in a chair doesn't work would you consider a compromise? Use a CPAP machine while you continue to look for an alternative? I don't think that using a machine will make your apnea worse or make you dependant on the machine. This way you wouldn't need to worry about being untreated until you find something else. And if you do find something else I hope you post about it.

Good luck.`
MidnightOwl.

[ca_hosehead]

There are alternative treatments and you can try them, but you shouldn't use them as your first line of defense. OSA is dangerous and yours is very severe. Get started on the CPAP, get a machine that gives you reports you can read so you can see how you are doing.

Once you are adjusted to the CPAP and you aren't in immediate danger, then you can start working with some other therapies. Most of them have been mentioned here.

Good Candidates
Dental Appliances- FDA approved (although usually for moderate to mild apnea)
Weight Loss - Works for many, but certainly not all (If the CPAP gets you some good rest then this really helps with weight loss)

Less Strong Candidates
Digeridoo - Only one study supports it but it might work for you
Sleeping position - Can make things better but it's not something that will fix the problem on it's own
Surgery - Has dangers of it's own and doesn't always work

None of these therapies are as effective as CPAP. Once you get on the CPAP and learn how to read the reports you can start trying the other stuff. If it's working then you see it in the reports.

Try simulating an apnea event. Stop breathing for as long as you can. (Don't take deep breaths beforehand as you don't do this with an apnea event.) Notice what happens to you body as it begins to suffocate. When you are deeply asleep the rising panic often does not rouse you and you stop breathing for much longer than you can sustain while you are awake. You need to stop doing this to yourself.

CPAP is your best bet to breathe well and sleep well tonight.

[debtheveg]

ExhaustedLady says she has 100 episodes a NIGHT - not an hour, so that would be mild or moderate sleep apnea, not very severe.

[Goofproof]

ExhaustedLady says she has 100 episodes a NIGHT - not an hour, so that would be mild or moderate sleep apnea, not very severe.

If it comes up the 1 apnea event that you don't start breathing from, or the one that causes the heart attact, it doesn't matter how many you have one of those is enough. Jim

[birdshell]

I think you are all forgetting one definite cure for OSA. My doctor pointed it out when I asked him what the best option was aside from CPAP. He said that there is one surgery that will cure OSA. A trachiotomy. He said that will definitely cure it, lol. He was trying to point out that CPAP isn't that bad, and he was right. I've been on it now for about a month and a half, and aside from occasional fits with my mask, I've done pretty well on it. I started out knowing nothing about it, and thanks to this forum, I educated myself and got the equipment I needed and wanted. There is lots of help available on here. Don't look at it as a last resort. Look at it as a life saving treatment.

Tracy

My first experience with CPAP was a friend who had a tracheostomy in place specifically for his apnea treatment. This is a man who also didn't like having apnea, but the alternative was worse. He has since had the tracheostomy reversed and uses a CPAP machine. He is still very morbidly obese and has Alzheimer's disease, sadly. (He recognized me but didn't know my name last time I saw him.)

Because of his medical condition, I don't really and truly know how all of those connect in his case, but I do know that it wasn't easy for him to have an open hole in his throat. He was an elementary school principal and those kids can certainly spread the diseases, y'know!

I have to say that if I were declared cured tomorrow, I would be somewhat sad. I know that it would be a good thing overall, but I really love the heated humidity and would ask if I could continue to use my machine for that alone. Weird, am I not?

Further, I have to say that I would really and truly continue to come here, where I have made so many friends. However, without being an active CPAP user, it probably wouldn't be quite the same.

So, as others have said, we are quite happy that there is treatment. It is natural for most of us, using the water of your choice and filtered air. For me, I agree with some others: I was so eager to feel better that I would have slept standing on my head...fortunately, that wasn't necessary and it would have made my apnea worse, I think.

That isn't to say that we may not like to have CPAP in our jammies, as a recent article highlighted. I wish you all the best in your endeavors, and would encourage you to at least use CPAP until you get the didgeridoo or any other, more "natural" treatment, figured out.

Karen,
Who just wants to sing...and the didgeridoo requires circular breathing, doesn't it? Hmmmmm.....

[Wulfman]

I wonder if the original poster is still following along with this thread or if we're just talking to......ourselves.....?

Den

[Babette]

Within a week, I was waking up ALERT AND CHATTY and my husband was wondering where his *real* wife was.

My advice would be to check nightly to see that your hose isn't plugged, sometimes us husbands can only take so much, ALERT AND CHATTY Jim

I woke up a bit too perky and chatty this Sunday. BF was pretty annoyed with me most of the day. Significant quotes include: "Did you forget your Ritalin today?" (No, I don't take Ritalin), and "You'd better quit poking me and holster that finger, Missy, or I'm gonna break it off for you!" (After I kept tickling him to try to get him into a better mood.)

ExhaustedLady, I too thought wearing a mask was going to be hell. I don't even notice it now. It's not as bad as it seems at first. You'll be amazed how easily it incorporates into your life. Once you start feeling perkier, you will be amazed you ever slept any other way.

Good luck!
Babette

[OCNorsk]

I came across this forum as I was looking for information on the didgeridoo. I'll try just about anything. I have had my CPAP machine since last spring. I really wanted it because I had been diagnosed several years ago but they said I wasn't bad enough. I changed doctors. I have been semi-miserable with the machine. My head feels like a dried out balloon in the mornings. I tried taking it off after three or four hours, but I wasn't getting the benefits I need. I still wake up (fully) every 60-90 minutes. I have the chin strap, in fact, since I've gotten my "six month" replacements, I wear two chin straps to keep my mouth closed. My machine has a humidifier, but I still feel very dried out. On the worst days, the CPAP headache is as bad as the apnea headaches were. I was hoping for a miracle and the CPAP has not been it for me, yet. Did anyone else have a lengthy adjustment period that ends well?

[Babette]

I came across this forum as I was looking for information on the didgeridoo. I'll try just about anything. I have had my CPAP machine since last spring. I really wanted it because I had been diagnosed several years ago but they said I wasn't bad enough. I changed doctors. I have been semi-miserable with the machine. My head feels like a dried out balloon in the mornings. I tried taking it off after three or four hours, but I wasn't getting the benefits I need. I still wake up (fully) every 60-90 minutes. I have the chin strap, in fact, since I've gotten my "six month" replacements, I wear two chin straps to keep my mouth closed. My machine has a humidifier, but I still feel very dried out. On the worst days, the CPAP headache is as bad as the apnea headaches were. I was hoping for a miracle and the CPAP has not been it for me, yet. Did anyone else have a lengthy adjustment period that ends well?

IMHO, your adjustment period has been too long. You NEED to try a different mask, chinstrap, machine settings, etc.

There are many FREE mask test drives going on. Please click on the link to them in my signature block below. You need to be a registered member of this forum in order to have the ability to "Private Mail" (PM) folks your personal info to get on the test drive.

Here is a chinstrap that you probably don't know about, and that might work well for you. It's called the PAP CAP:
http://www.pur-sleep.com/content/?id=44
and
http://www.pur-sleep.com/products/produ ... category=6

While you're there, look into getting some Pur Sleep aromatherapy - it's helped many of us become 100% compliant. http://www.pur-sleep.com

What machine do you have? What are your settings? What settings do you have on your humidifier. Please register for the forum and list your settings in your profile, so we can help you better.

Good luck!
Barbara

[OCNorsk]

Thank you so much, Barbara. I will register as soon as I see where to do so. I appreciate your help.

[crossfit]

What can be more natural than air? CPAP looks weird. When you start it feels weird and ackward. But I assume people who have no leg and get a prosthetic think the same thing at first. Consider that you have a physical handicap. You don't breathe and sleep at the same time. So you need cpap. Its just like wearing reading glasses if your eyes don't see close up. Its a prothetic device that will allow you to sleep and maintain breathing at the same time.

And please, I know "natural". I am an all organic, california, long haired hippie type living in the santa cruz mountains. Don't bother with fake "cures". There isn't a cure to this. There is treatment and the simplest and most effective is cpap.

Good luck.

[Goofproof]

Thank you so much, Barbara. I will register as soon as I see where to do so. I appreciate your help.

I'll bet that when you do register, and fill in your profile in text, not ICONNY, that you will be using a nasal mask, and quite possably mouthbreathing has been letting your treatment for 6 months spray into the room instead of holding your airway open. I hope it hasn't. Jim