I'm so full of energy now under CPAP therapy that I thought I'd write up my story. Now that I know I have sleep apnea, it's been interesting for me to look back and see how it affected me, and how I blamed my symptoms on other things.
I've never considered myself to be a very good sleeper - always seemed to take me a long time to get to sleep, woke up a lot during the night, etc. Back in my late 20's it didn't affect me much - I had a super positive attitude, was a real go-getter, etc, etc. Married my beautiful wife back in 1990 (15 years now), and she loved my positive attitude. I never was good with my short-term memory, but just figured that was a quirk.
In retrospect, I believe I've always had sleep apnea, but I think over the years it has slowly progressed. Around 1998 I changed jobs and went to work for Very Large Software company. I believe right around that time, my apnea started to seriously affect my quality of life. My job involved a lot of travel, and I started to feel tired all the time. Not having a clue about sleep apnea, I blamed it all on the traveling - sleeping in strange hotels, airplanes, etc. My wife occassionally made comments to me, "What happened to that super positive guy I married, you seem so negative about things now?" I eventually left that company and went back to a local company - however, now I was on call with a pager, getting paged most nights.
I continued to get worse, feeling more and more tired every day. My memory was getting worse and worse as well. I continued to blame it on work - I wasn't travelling any more, but I was getting paged quite a bit. "That must be it!" I'd say to myself. Now I was getting up 3-4 times every night to urinate, and my doctor started complaining to me that my blood pressure was up. For the first time ever, I started to be concerned a little about driving - some days I'd have to fight that feeling that I might drift off while stopped at a red light.
Back in the early spring, I changed positions at the company I work at and gave up the pager. "Woohoo!" I thought, "Now I can get some good sleep at night!" But I didn't. No pager, and I was still having the same problems. The new position involves a lot of meetings each day, and EVERY meeting was a dreaded fight to stay awake. You know what I mean - sitting there, fighting to stay awake, then suddenly your head nods and you jerk it back up, and think, "oh my GOD did anyone see that?!?". My memory was worse then ever, and I started to get worried - I had no more things to blame it on. Still sleep apnea wasn't something I had ever thought about. And, I'm a bit embarrassed to say, it never really occurred to me to go to my doctor and talk about my tiredness.
So what finally got the ball rolling for me? Of all things, an episode of the FOX tv show, "House". If any of you are fans, in the season 1 finale, Dr. House is trying to figure out what is wrong with his ex-girlfriend's husband. One of the things they think is a strong candidate (because of his memory issues) is early-onset Alzheimer's. That scared me - what if *I* have early-onset Alzheimers?!? I started looking it up the next day, and the symptoms I had didn't match it very well - but it started me looking.
My next thought was, "well, if I'm getting up to pee 3-4 times a night, that's messing up my sleep - so why am I getting up so often?" I searched on that, and got my first hit on sleep apnea. Looking up the symptoms for that, and WOW, I fit it perfectly... out of something like 12 symptoms, I had 10 of them (all but morning headaches and depression).
I printed the list and made an appointment with my doctor, did the sleep study, and found I have an AHI of 61. As of the time of this writing, I've been on CPAP for about 2.5 weeks, and I'm already seeing a huge difference. I'm more upbeat - heck I was chatting and joking with the Starbuck's workers this morning. Pre-CPAP, I just wanted to get my coffee and get out and not have to talk to anyone. My wife has been very supportive (she even nicknamed my mask/hose/machine setup as "snuffy").
Ok, that's my story - what's yours?
How I diagnosed my apnea - what about your story?
14 posts
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How I diagnosed my apnea - what about your story?
--FJC (Frank)
Having a positive attitude makes a huge difference in CPAP therapy - and vice versa!
Ride that loop!
Having a positive attitude makes a huge difference in CPAP therapy - and vice versa!
Ride that loop!
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mummy2hollyandmatthew
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2005 3:25 pm
- Location: essex
hi ya and wow what a story
well matthew is only tiny nearly 16 months
we first noticed the problem when he was 6 months old, we bought a angel care sensor pad for him due to his asthma, if no bretahing or movement is detected after 20 seconds the alarm goes off
well since we have had it, it has gone off, i never go by the machine i go by him, he has always appeared to bretahing very slow, only maybe a couple of bretahins a minute he was always very cold, and very pale
anyhow i mentioned it to the dr at the hosp and he said oh mathew is fine no probs, anyway 1 month b4 hes first birthday i kept telling him matthew isnt normal when he sleeps
so for 5 nights matthew was observed in hospital, we was sent home with them saying there was nothing wrong with matthew, he never had a sleep study was just hooked to a apnoea alarm and saturation montior.the dr told me to stop using the alarm we had as there was nothign wrong with him
i never did stop using the alarm as i knew i was right, these episodes cpntinues to happen and nothing else was done, in august matthew was referred to the big childrens hospital in london, and was assessed by a neurolgist due to seizures
end of august he was admitted to that hosp for tests and had his first sleep study
this showed he was having apnoea but teh thought the reflux he was dx with was causing it, so he was started on medciation and would be reviewd again at the hosp in december to have another study done
well we got home on the 2nd sept 05 and matthew had 17 episodes in 19 days, i was not happy and knew the reflux meds wasnt helping,
my hops took matthew bk in for 2 nites again was sent home saying he was fine
on 5th oct, matthew alarm went off, i wrnt upstairs to find him blue, floppy and not bretahing, took me a good couple of minutes giving him stimulation but he got bretahing again,
we was taken into hosp where we stayed for 7 days, we was waiting for a bed at the london hopsital, we got transferred there after 7 days and stayed there for 2 days
matthew had another sleep study done, which still showed he was having apnoea but only with mild decreases in saturation which corrected thereself
the nxt nite matthew was hooked to a machine which measures how many breaths he took in 1 minute, the machine kept alarming coz matthew bretahing rate was between 0-6 breaths in 1 minute, and the nurses had to keep stimulating him
anyhow the nxt day 14th oct, the neuro came round and then said matthew apnoea was central so he needs a MRI under GA, and a sleep EEG, plus some other tests, but there is a waiting list so we r waiting now for the app to come though
since the 18th oct matthew has had 18 apnoeas, just pray the MRI comes up soon
i knew all along he had a prob its taken us 10 months to get listsned to but now im glad they can see he has a problem
natalie and matthew
well matthew is only tiny nearly 16 months
we first noticed the problem when he was 6 months old, we bought a angel care sensor pad for him due to his asthma, if no bretahing or movement is detected after 20 seconds the alarm goes off
well since we have had it, it has gone off, i never go by the machine i go by him, he has always appeared to bretahing very slow, only maybe a couple of bretahins a minute he was always very cold, and very pale
anyhow i mentioned it to the dr at the hosp and he said oh mathew is fine no probs, anyway 1 month b4 hes first birthday i kept telling him matthew isnt normal when he sleeps
so for 5 nights matthew was observed in hospital, we was sent home with them saying there was nothing wrong with matthew, he never had a sleep study was just hooked to a apnoea alarm and saturation montior.the dr told me to stop using the alarm we had as there was nothign wrong with him
i never did stop using the alarm as i knew i was right, these episodes cpntinues to happen and nothing else was done, in august matthew was referred to the big childrens hospital in london, and was assessed by a neurolgist due to seizures
end of august he was admitted to that hosp for tests and had his first sleep study
this showed he was having apnoea but teh thought the reflux he was dx with was causing it, so he was started on medciation and would be reviewd again at the hosp in december to have another study done
well we got home on the 2nd sept 05 and matthew had 17 episodes in 19 days, i was not happy and knew the reflux meds wasnt helping,
my hops took matthew bk in for 2 nites again was sent home saying he was fine
on 5th oct, matthew alarm went off, i wrnt upstairs to find him blue, floppy and not bretahing, took me a good couple of minutes giving him stimulation but he got bretahing again,
we was taken into hosp where we stayed for 7 days, we was waiting for a bed at the london hopsital, we got transferred there after 7 days and stayed there for 2 days
matthew had another sleep study done, which still showed he was having apnoea but only with mild decreases in saturation which corrected thereself
the nxt nite matthew was hooked to a machine which measures how many breaths he took in 1 minute, the machine kept alarming coz matthew bretahing rate was between 0-6 breaths in 1 minute, and the nurses had to keep stimulating him
anyhow the nxt day 14th oct, the neuro came round and then said matthew apnoea was central so he needs a MRI under GA, and a sleep EEG, plus some other tests, but there is a waiting list so we r waiting now for the app to come though
since the 18th oct matthew has had 18 apnoeas, just pray the MRI comes up soon
i knew all along he had a prob its taken us 10 months to get listsned to but now im glad they can see he has a problem
natalie and matthew
Bless your heart!! What a wonderful story, the happy ending anyway.
I went through the same scenario, sleepy while driving, during meetings, always having the "I'm so f'ing tired" all the time. etc, etc, etc.
Like you I always had the positive, upbeat attitude and it did suffer somewhat. I had to work at it during the past year.
Now, after two whole months on CPAP, my results were immediate also, I feel great. Laughing, cutting up (as some members here may concur ).
Life is wonderful and this world is a grand place to be.
Congratulations on your new found / re-discovered energy and attitude!!
WooHoo! Life is good.
I get a little cocky when I am "NO LONGER TIRED"
I get a little cocky when I am "NO LONGER TIRED"
my story
Frank,
I enjoyed reading your story, thanks for sharing.
I've always considered myself to just not be a sleeper. I've been like this all my life and just always believed my body didn't require a lot of sleep.
I started thinking that something wasn't right after my new husband told me I have three breathing patterns when I sleep. I asked what he meant by that. He stated that he can always tell when I'm sleeping good because I breathe loud when I'm in a deep sleep and that I breathe funny when I'm having a hard time sleeping. I then asked well what's the the third pattern? He said well I can barely hear you it's very quiet. I asked him why he doesn't wake me when I snore? He said well I know you are finally asleep and wouldn't dream of waking you! (What a switch, my first husband of 15 years used to shove me until I was wide awake) Needless to say I think this guy is a keeper!
His comments really made be aware of my sleeping habits and I started really paying attention. I started noticing that sometimes when I wake up I gasp for air and this scared me. On the flight back from Las Vegas (honeymoon) I fell asleep twice and woke up twice gasping for air.
I finally grew tired of people at work telling me how tired I look all the time and made an appointment at a sleep lab. All along I thought I was waisting my time because I couldn't possibly have sleep apnea because I'm a small person and I'm just not a sleeper, been that way all may life. Well was I surprised to find out that I have sleep apnea and would have to sleep with a machine with my air pressure set at 11. I was in denial for awhile thinking that what a money maker I'm sure everyone who goes through a sleep study get's diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Well I think I'm finally coming around partly due to this wonderful forum I found. It's really nice to know you are not alone and to find others experiencing the same issue. This support group is very therapeutic, and I really appreciate everyones kind words and support.
I still don't like my cpap machine, but I do find that I'm getting more rest. I'm looking forward to the day that I actually sleep through the night! I received the most wonderful compliment today - One of the ladies ask me what I've done to my skin, I said nothing, she said well you look like you've been to a spa, you look great. Could it be that I'm just finally getting some sleep?
Littlered
I enjoyed reading your story, thanks for sharing.
I've always considered myself to just not be a sleeper. I've been like this all my life and just always believed my body didn't require a lot of sleep.
I started thinking that something wasn't right after my new husband told me I have three breathing patterns when I sleep. I asked what he meant by that. He stated that he can always tell when I'm sleeping good because I breathe loud when I'm in a deep sleep and that I breathe funny when I'm having a hard time sleeping. I then asked well what's the the third pattern? He said well I can barely hear you it's very quiet. I asked him why he doesn't wake me when I snore? He said well I know you are finally asleep and wouldn't dream of waking you! (What a switch, my first husband of 15 years used to shove me until I was wide awake) Needless to say I think this guy is a keeper!
His comments really made be aware of my sleeping habits and I started really paying attention. I started noticing that sometimes when I wake up I gasp for air and this scared me. On the flight back from Las Vegas (honeymoon) I fell asleep twice and woke up twice gasping for air.
I finally grew tired of people at work telling me how tired I look all the time and made an appointment at a sleep lab. All along I thought I was waisting my time because I couldn't possibly have sleep apnea because I'm a small person and I'm just not a sleeper, been that way all may life. Well was I surprised to find out that I have sleep apnea and would have to sleep with a machine with my air pressure set at 11. I was in denial for awhile thinking that what a money maker I'm sure everyone who goes through a sleep study get's diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Well I think I'm finally coming around partly due to this wonderful forum I found. It's really nice to know you are not alone and to find others experiencing the same issue. This support group is very therapeutic, and I really appreciate everyones kind words and support.
I still don't like my cpap machine, but I do find that I'm getting more rest. I'm looking forward to the day that I actually sleep through the night! I received the most wonderful compliment today - One of the ladies ask me what I've done to my skin, I said nothing, she said well you look like you've been to a spa, you look great. Could it be that I'm just finally getting some sleep?
Littlered
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Guest
When did I know?
when my head hit the computer keyboard and all sorts of wierd things came up
when my elbow slipped off the table and my chin hit the table and I bit my tongue
when I gently laid my heads in the dish of spaghetti and came up with a face full of sauce
when my hubby began to dial 911 when I stopped breathing...but I gasped in time
when driving to work and the noise of the gravel off the edge of the road woke me
I'm a slow learner. It took many years of jokes about snoring before I took action...at the family's request.
when my head hit the computer keyboard and all sorts of wierd things came up
when my elbow slipped off the table and my chin hit the table and I bit my tongue
when I gently laid my heads in the dish of spaghetti and came up with a face full of sauce
when my hubby began to dial 911 when I stopped breathing...but I gasped in time
when driving to work and the noise of the gravel off the edge of the road woke me
I'm a slow learner. It took many years of jokes about snoring before I took action...at the family's request.
Story
I have an inner ear disorder which can make you very sleepy. It's hard on your body trying to stay balanced all day long.
So after realizing that I probably have been dealing with this since a teenager, I always thought my sleepy days were because of that.
I talked to the ENT who was treating me and he put me on Ativan to help me sleep. I also mentioned that I shook the bed at night and he just said "hmmmmmm". Last winter I lost a bunch of weight that I did not need to. MY PCP gave me a complete physical and she thought I might have an over active thryroid which I did not. When we talked and she found out I was not a "good sleeper" and was tired all the time and shook the bed and night, she immediately referred me to a sleep specialist.
He ordered a sleep study which happened not to show restless legs. The crazy tech said "Wow, you are a perfect sleeper!" NOT! My husband went with me to the follow up appt. and he said "what no restless legs? She's been shaking the bed for 18 years!" The doc immediately said - I'll take your 18 years over 1 sleep study any day! He also did blood work and my iron was 13 - 1 point over anemia! This evidently contributes to restless legs so he put me on iron and Klonopin (to help me sleep, for my dizziness, and for my restless legs). The shaking has stopped!
I was also dx with Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome and now have a cpap! Wow! What a difference! I can stay awake at work! I can watch a tv program and know what happens after the 1st 5 minutes! I'm less grouchy!
This is the clicker - my husband is on the overweight side and we always thought "our bad sleep" was his fault! Well, since I've been using the cpap, he for the 1st time in many, many years, is sleeping through the night! He feels better!
I am thankful that my PCP said "wait one minute - you do not need to feel this way and we will get to the bottom of this!" Kudos to a listening family practioner and a sleep doc who was willing to take my hubby's word over a one night sleep study!
So after realizing that I probably have been dealing with this since a teenager, I always thought my sleepy days were because of that.
I talked to the ENT who was treating me and he put me on Ativan to help me sleep. I also mentioned that I shook the bed at night and he just said "hmmmmmm". Last winter I lost a bunch of weight that I did not need to. MY PCP gave me a complete physical and she thought I might have an over active thryroid which I did not. When we talked and she found out I was not a "good sleeper" and was tired all the time and shook the bed and night, she immediately referred me to a sleep specialist.
He ordered a sleep study which happened not to show restless legs. The crazy tech said "Wow, you are a perfect sleeper!" NOT! My husband went with me to the follow up appt. and he said "what no restless legs? She's been shaking the bed for 18 years!" The doc immediately said - I'll take your 18 years over 1 sleep study any day! He also did blood work and my iron was 13 - 1 point over anemia! This evidently contributes to restless legs so he put me on iron and Klonopin (to help me sleep, for my dizziness, and for my restless legs). The shaking has stopped!
I was also dx with Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome and now have a cpap! Wow! What a difference! I can stay awake at work! I can watch a tv program and know what happens after the 1st 5 minutes! I'm less grouchy!
This is the clicker - my husband is on the overweight side and we always thought "our bad sleep" was his fault! Well, since I've been using the cpap, he for the 1st time in many, many years, is sleeping through the night! He feels better!
I am thankful that my PCP said "wait one minute - you do not need to feel this way and we will get to the bottom of this!" Kudos to a listening family practioner and a sleep doc who was willing to take my hubby's word over a one night sleep study!
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| Additional Comments: Aussie Heated hose for rain out/PapCap Headgear and chin strap | ||||
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inacpapfog
- Posts: 538
- Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2004 6:03 pm
- Location: SC
Oddly enough, I was sent for a sleep study as part of a physical ! (I moved to a new town and was getting established with a new doctor.) I thought he was crazy! Wasting my time and money! My first thought- "I don't need no stikin' sleep study!" Sure, I get tired on the way home from work! Work, you know, the opposite of rest ? Everyone is sleepy when they get finished working for the day, right? Night visits to the bathroom? Well, of course, anyone my age (50) should expect that, right? Snore? If I do, the dog doesn't complain! Blood pressure? Why , yes, I've been on BP med for the last 14 years! Me, and half of everyone else I know! So tell me again, Doc, why are you sending me for this sleep study?
His bottom line was-------"I am not going to chemically treat your blood pressure until sleep apnea has been ruled out."
........................................................................guess what?.................
............................ Well...............I've been a regular here now since I was "outed" one year ago! Since CPAP, I feel like I'm young again! All that time, I thought that I was simply getting old and feeling all of the "old" things that come with it! It was simply OSA playing havoc with my body! I am just sooooo thankful to have connected with such a great Doc! Had I never moved, I would still be seeing my old doctor and I would be continuing down the wrong treatment path. I understand now what serious damage can occur to the body when the OSA goes untreated! Honestly, I feel very blessed!
His bottom line was-------"I am not going to chemically treat your blood pressure until sleep apnea has been ruled out."
........................................................................guess what?.................
............................ Well...............I've been a regular here now since I was "outed" one year ago! Since CPAP, I feel like I'm young again! All that time, I thought that I was simply getting old and feeling all of the "old" things that come with it! It was simply OSA playing havoc with my body! I am just sooooo thankful to have connected with such a great Doc! Had I never moved, I would still be seeing my old doctor and I would be continuing down the wrong treatment path. I understand now what serious damage can occur to the body when the OSA goes untreated! Honestly, I feel very blessed!
I was in a cpap fog until I came here to learn!
I was referred to Johns Hopkins for a sleep study by my internist. He was looking for a solution for my forever insomnia. The study went very, very poorly. Unpleasant doctor, unpleasant techs and unpleasant surroundings. I slept not at all that night and was kept over for a day study (during which I slept not at all). My problem was always FALLING asleep - not STAYING asleep. These fancy Johns Hopkins doctors refused to recognize that simple fact and would not let me take my usual sleep meds. So, they scheduled another night study and like a dummy I went. This time I smuggled in my sleep meds and actually slept - for 2 hours.
From those 2 hours I was diagnosed with moderate apnea and I was told to get a machine and a mask.
I was in complete denial and did nothing.
5 years later I found a compassionate sleep doctor who managed my insomnia problems without making me feel like a criminal. Things were going well.
2 years later I started snoring like locomotive and driving my wife from the room most nights.
For the sake of my wife and our relationship, I scheduled a sleep study, took my meds and slept several hours. The test result were that same as 7 years earlier. This time I got titrated, bullied my through the DME process (what a nightmare) and the rest is history.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME
From those 2 hours I was diagnosed with moderate apnea and I was told to get a machine and a mask.
I was in complete denial and did nothing.
5 years later I found a compassionate sleep doctor who managed my insomnia problems without making me feel like a criminal. Things were going well.
2 years later I started snoring like locomotive and driving my wife from the room most nights.
For the sake of my wife and our relationship, I scheduled a sleep study, took my meds and slept several hours. The test result were that same as 7 years earlier. This time I got titrated, bullied my through the DME process (what a nightmare) and the rest is history.
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME
"First rule of holes: when you are in one, stop digging"
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
What made me go for a sleep study was a combination of a smart son in college who was majoring in Respiratory Therapy, who kept urging me to go as he felt I had sleep apnea, and a husband who had to sometimes pick up his pillows in the middle of the night and sleep on the couch since he couldn't stop the snoring, in addition, of course, to feeling like I was about to expire at any moment.
I was a walking zombie, someone who would wake up in the morning, after feeling like a fish taken out of its bowl, tossing and turning all night, using the bathroom 3-5 times a night, waking up with headaches and fatigue that made me just want to cry, but realizing I couldn't even get help by going back to bed because I didn't sleep well ever anymore. My usual low BP had now gotten to the point where my doctor insisted I go on meds if I wanted to see my son graduate from college and I just had no strength to be my old happy, hyper and positive self anymore. I could seriously cry thinking about how I felt. I was sure the doctors were missing something perhaps fatal and they were going to discover it when it was too late. I didn't know what to do anymore.
Had the study finally, after suggesting it to my PCP, came up with OSA and PLMD. Went on CPAP and I'm thrilled to say that I feel like I did when I was in my twenties again. I am happy again, energetic, ready to go and do whatever sounds good to me. I eat right, I drink water, I have the desire to be healthy and live life again. No more overwhelming stress or migraines. Yes, the occasional headache but no more daily migraine headaches, especially upon waking. Life is good.
Now if they could only come up with a cure to make us all feel this way without having to wear the mask every night, I would really be a happy camper. But I feel blessed to have had something treatable and that made me feel better than I had in a long time. And I also am blessed to have had a son who had enough intelligence and perseverence to keep insisting I get the PSG done. If it weren't for him, I may still be that walking zombie woman, or worse.
I was a walking zombie, someone who would wake up in the morning, after feeling like a fish taken out of its bowl, tossing and turning all night, using the bathroom 3-5 times a night, waking up with headaches and fatigue that made me just want to cry, but realizing I couldn't even get help by going back to bed because I didn't sleep well ever anymore. My usual low BP had now gotten to the point where my doctor insisted I go on meds if I wanted to see my son graduate from college and I just had no strength to be my old happy, hyper and positive self anymore. I could seriously cry thinking about how I felt. I was sure the doctors were missing something perhaps fatal and they were going to discover it when it was too late. I didn't know what to do anymore.
Had the study finally, after suggesting it to my PCP, came up with OSA and PLMD. Went on CPAP and I'm thrilled to say that I feel like I did when I was in my twenties again. I am happy again, energetic, ready to go and do whatever sounds good to me. I eat right, I drink water, I have the desire to be healthy and live life again. No more overwhelming stress or migraines. Yes, the occasional headache but no more daily migraine headaches, especially upon waking. Life is good.
Now if they could only come up with a cure to make us all feel this way without having to wear the mask every night, I would really be a happy camper. But I feel blessed to have had something treatable and that made me feel better than I had in a long time. And I also am blessed to have had a son who had enough intelligence and perseverence to keep insisting I get the PSG done. If it weren't for him, I may still be that walking zombie woman, or worse.
L o R i
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Severeena
- Posts: 821
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2005 3:54 pm
- Location: 907 Main Street, Union Grove, WI 53182
- Contact:
I was originally diagnosed with Narcolepsy by a doctor in Ohio.
I had moved to Wisconsin and requested my chart from this doctor and I let my then boyfriend, now husband look at this chart. His statement was, why are you being treated for Narcolepsy and not Sleep Apnea. These numbers all point to Sleep Apnea and not Narcolepsy.
I went to the doctor I am now, but going to have to drop, and had a sleep study done with another test afterward that, but I had to void the second part because of to much pain..
I am now on an Auto Pap instead of the ResMed S7 Lightweight I was using.
I had moved to Wisconsin and requested my chart from this doctor and I let my then boyfriend, now husband look at this chart. His statement was, why are you being treated for Narcolepsy and not Sleep Apnea. These numbers all point to Sleep Apnea and not Narcolepsy.
I went to the doctor I am now, but going to have to drop, and had a sleep study done with another test afterward that, but I had to void the second part because of to much pain..
I am now on an Auto Pap instead of the ResMed S7 Lightweight I was using.
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| Mask | |
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Sharon
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not until thine own understanding ..... Proverbs 3:5-
Not all Masks work for everyone. Each Person is Different.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not until thine own understanding ..... Proverbs 3:5-
Not all Masks work for everyone. Each Person is Different.
Frank,
A great story and thanks for posting it and in such color.
I am betting many of us could have written similar with only minor detail changes.
Speaking for myself - my 1st wife used to complain about my snoring (I had just turned 40) on many occasions she would go sleep in another room.
On a sideline, My mother's snoring was so bad that on one occasion my paraplegic brother who had stopped by her flat to spend the night, go up at 2 am packed himself & his wheelchair by him self into his car & drove to a motel. Point here is a hereditary hint.
Anyway, 18 or so years ago 1st wife & I parted (amicable, still visit & stay at her house in another country) but I have since remarried (15 years ago) & prior to meeting my present lovely & tolerant & talented wife (as was my 1st ) I went to a sleep studies clinic to find out if I was apneatic (great new word ) - I was expecting a yes - but was told no I was quite ok.
Anyway, later that year I met my present wife. I too was working for a large international computer company & travelling continuously and extensively. At the time (in my 40s) I was not aware of any sleeping problems & apnea went right out of my consciousness.
Then about 8 years ago my wife started complaining about me snoring but also added how it seemed I would be on my back then I would slow & stop my breathing & this caused her to wake up. She would then nudge me & I would start breathing again. She also pointed out that there were other occasions when she would hear me suddenly gasp for air & splutter & stir.
In hins sight I believe she was possibly describing 3 types of events
1) Hypopneas - slowing breathing to less than 50% in 10 mins
2) Apneas - throat constriction preventing breathing in until brain sends panic signal to body
3) Possible central apnea - just slow & stop breathing altogether
There were some very obvious correlations - weight gain (I put on weight after getting married - fat & happy syndrome) - alcohol, after drinking in an evening, the sleep problems were almost guaranteed.
So a year ago I did 2 things - I lost a lot of weight (this did not seem to improve matters, I cut back on alcohol, that seemed to reduce the apnea side of the problem. I also went back for a sleep study.
Sleep specialist did an examination of me & said he thought the study would as before (15 years before) show negative.
Did the initial study & doc said uh-uh - severe OSA (AHI of 40 incidents per hour)
But it took months to get the titration sleepover.
I will shortly post one full nights output from my current xPAP machine (Autoset Spirit) on my website - there are 2 nights there already.
It does seem to show a hypopnea problem vs apnea. Leads me back to wondering re central vs osa as the real problem.
Cheers
DSM
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Titration, Hypopnea
A great story and thanks for posting it and in such color.
I am betting many of us could have written similar with only minor detail changes.
Speaking for myself - my 1st wife used to complain about my snoring (I had just turned 40) on many occasions she would go sleep in another room.
On a sideline, My mother's snoring was so bad that on one occasion my paraplegic brother who had stopped by her flat to spend the night, go up at 2 am packed himself & his wheelchair by him self into his car & drove to a motel. Point here is a hereditary hint.
Anyway, 18 or so years ago 1st wife & I parted (amicable, still visit & stay at her house in another country) but I have since remarried (15 years ago) & prior to meeting my present lovely & tolerant & talented wife (as was my 1st ) I went to a sleep studies clinic to find out if I was apneatic (great new word ) - I was expecting a yes - but was told no I was quite ok.
Anyway, later that year I met my present wife. I too was working for a large international computer company & travelling continuously and extensively. At the time (in my 40s) I was not aware of any sleeping problems & apnea went right out of my consciousness.
Then about 8 years ago my wife started complaining about me snoring but also added how it seemed I would be on my back then I would slow & stop my breathing & this caused her to wake up. She would then nudge me & I would start breathing again. She also pointed out that there were other occasions when she would hear me suddenly gasp for air & splutter & stir.
In hins sight I believe she was possibly describing 3 types of events
1) Hypopneas - slowing breathing to less than 50% in 10 mins
2) Apneas - throat constriction preventing breathing in until brain sends panic signal to body
3) Possible central apnea - just slow & stop breathing altogether
There were some very obvious correlations - weight gain (I put on weight after getting married - fat & happy syndrome) - alcohol, after drinking in an evening, the sleep problems were almost guaranteed.
So a year ago I did 2 things - I lost a lot of weight (this did not seem to improve matters, I cut back on alcohol, that seemed to reduce the apnea side of the problem. I also went back for a sleep study.
Sleep specialist did an examination of me & said he thought the study would as before (15 years before) show negative.
Did the initial study & doc said uh-uh - severe OSA (AHI of 40 incidents per hour)
But it took months to get the titration sleepover.
I will shortly post one full nights output from my current xPAP machine (Autoset Spirit) on my website - there are 2 nights there already.
It does seem to show a hypopnea problem vs apnea. Leads me back to wondering re central vs osa as the real problem.
Cheers
DSM
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Titration, Hypopnea
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
Link to the 5 nights (last week) extracted from ResMed Spirit to AutoScan software.
Select Item 1 off the menu.
For the actual night-by-night data start at pic 8 & go through to 17.
DSM
http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/
Select Item 1 off the menu.
For the actual night-by-night data start at pic 8 & go through to 17.
DSM
http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
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