I'm embarrassed, not sure, got ???s HELP

[Chilimon]

I'm new here, been reading a lot of the posts. This seems like it could be a good support group as I may be getting into the Cpap life.

Five years ago, I had a Sleep study done, they said I was not a good candidate for Cpap, still not sure what that meant.

Friday night I had another study done and the technician said I am in bad need of a Cpap, she put one on me after 2 hours of sleep. My ENT Dr still needs to call me.

My dilemma is I know I need the Cpap and I have read a lot of posts on here but have not found any that compare to my issues other than the obvious, where to put it, hard breathing through the nose, etc.

The Embarrassing part Another problem I am having is TMJ where my jaw locks and cracks, my lower jaw is actually moving back, not enough that a person can see it. I grew a goatee to hide my chin. Every couple years I need to have my esophagus stretched and opened up more by my Gastroenterologist so I am not choking on the smallest thing. She said if it gets too bad, surgery is the next option. Another problem I am having is with my mouth changing, I am starting to drool or when I drink something, a little slips out the corner of my mouth

So has anyone else had these issues with their Apnea and could they all be related that maybe surgery is the real option here ? I would be interested in hearing of others. Or do I need to look into retiring to a nursing home and giving up on independence. Sad part is I am not even old, I am only 60, still a lot for me to do.

[bjcyorkiemom]

What kind of mask (patient interface) did the sleep tech use on you during the 2nd half of your recent sleep study? Did you fall back asleep ? and if so, how well did you sleep? That's a place to start for a mask.

Make a list of your concerns and issues, make and extra copy and take it with you to your doctor's visit, give them the copy and make notes on your copy so you can reference it later. You may be a candidate for surgery, but they probably have to do the "try the pap" and see if you fail, before they proceed to surgery.

[Chilimon]

They used a nose piece that looks like a Cannula for Oxygen, two little metal prongs that go in my nose, forget what she said it was called, similar to the pillow. I can't use a face mask due to my goatee and mustache. After I fell back to sleep (20 minutes maybe) I slept good I think until she came in a readjusted my straps. I am a heavy sleeper unless I get touched. Come 4:30 - 5:00 I was awake because that's my usual time to get up in the mornings. I did get about 6 hours sleep that night which is the usual amount of sleep I get.

Dr said the same thing about the Insurance and trying the Cpap first when I did the test 5 years ago. Now that I got worse with my conditions, we are down to the nitty gritty of taking action.

[SleepingUgly]

Five years ago, I had a Sleep study done, they said I was not a good candidate for Cpap, still not sure what that meant.

Not enough information to know.

The Embarrassing part Another problem I am having is TMJ where my jaw locks and cracks, my lower jaw is actually moving back, not enough that a person can see it. I grew a goatee to hide my chin.

No idea what this is. Seems like something a dentist could shed light on.

Every couple years I need to have my esophagus stretched and opened up more by my Gastroenterologist so I am not choking on the smallest thing. She said if it gets too bad, surgery is the next option.

What's your diagnosis (the reason that you need your esophagus stretched)? Not sure what surgery you're referring to.

Another problem I am having is with my mouth changing, I am starting to drool or when I drink something, a little slips out the corner of my mouth

I don't know what this is either. Have you mentioned this to your doctor?

So has anyone else had these issues with their Apnea and could they all be related that maybe surgery is the real option here ?

These do not sound like issues that have anything to do with apnea.

In short, I don't think I've been much help.

[jweeks]

The Embarrassing part

Chilimon,

When it comes to your health, don't worry about embarrassing. You can trust that most doctors and nurses have seen just about everything, and their main goal is to help you. Put another way, don't let this prevent you from getting treatment. If you are sleepy and drive a car over a bicycle rider or school child, embarrassing won't make it all better. It is easy to sleep through 5 or 10 years of life with a sleep disorder, so do what it takes to get it fixed. The rest of your life is waiting on you, and you don't want to miss it.

-john-

[Chilimon]

Five years ago, I had a Sleep study done, they said I was not a good candidate for Cpap, still not sure what that meant.

Not enough information to know. That's all I know

The Embarrassing part Another problem I am having is TMJ where my jaw locks and cracks, my lower jaw is actually moving back, not enough that a person can see it. I grew a goatee to hide my chin.

No idea what this is. Seems like something a dentist could shed light on. Also known as TMD, A Dentist wont touch it other than to diagnose it which he already did, its the joint in the lower jaw bone wearing and sometimes it can lock causing pain and a loud crack if you force it open. Wearing of muscles and tendons around the joint, the joint can also dislocate while you are sleeping. Only an Oral Surgeon will deal with it from what I'm told. My ENT also told me an Oral Surgeon would do the surgery for my Sleep Apnea. I'm sure in some of the big cities around the country you may have these new medical centers that do everything in one building. I live in an area where places like that are not even heard of without traveling a good distance.

Another problem I am having is with my mouth changing, I am starting to drool or when I drink something, a little slips out the corner of my mouth

I don't know what this is either. Have you mentioned this to your doctor? Nope, not yet but I feel now is a good time. This issue only started a few months ago. I just read where this could be related to the TMJ by wearing of muscles and tendons, weakening the muscles around the mouth.

So has anyone else had these issues with their Apnea and could they all be related that maybe surgery is the real option here ?

These do not sound like issues that have anything to do with apnea. I would think the TMJ would seeing how an Oral Surgeon does both the surgeries, why pay twice for 2 surgeries that could be related and fixed with one surgery.

Just thought it might be worth it to ask the questions on here to see if anyone had similar issues, that's all, before my Dr sets up an appointment this week or next to discuss my sleep study results.

[quietmorning]

My locked jaw and severe tmj is what led to my diagnosis of apnea - the oral surgeon that I saw for the tmj said that my jaw and neck muscles were not getting enough oxygen and were clenching in stress.

I had the sleep study, got my cpap, then decided to try physical therapy for my jaw - there has been much improvement. I also drooled because my jaw was being pulled sideways and my mouth couldn't seal correctly.

Now, when my jaw and neck gets stiff, the first thing I look at is my apnea/hypopnea index (ahi) - it's usually high.

I'm wondering if your airways are also small, since you have may have to have your esophagus stretched and opened. My grandaughter has had this once, and will probably have to do it again.

Once you get onto cpap, see a physical therapist for the tmj, you will be so surprised at the results.

And goodness. . . don't be embarrassed . . .at least not until you go to work ALLLLLL day with your skirt caught up in your underwear and panty hose . . .so that your backend is showing to the whole world. . .as a public speaker, no less, and not find out about it until after the seminar is over (eight hours later) and your coworker says, "pull your skirt down."

**laughs**

Life is full of little embarrassing things. . .that's what makes us wonderfully human.

[SleepingUgly]

I wonder if a full face mask is contraindicated if you are having this much trouble with your jaw... You may be better off with a more minimal mask.

[Chilimon]

My locked jaw and severe tmj is what led to my diagnosis of apnea - the oral surgeon that I saw for the tmj said that my jaw and neck muscles were not getting enough oxygen and were clenching in stress.

I had the sleep study, got my cpap, then decided to try physical therapy for my jaw - there has been much improvement. I also drooled because my jaw was being pulled sideways and my mouth couldn't seal correctly.

Now, when my jaw and neck gets stiff, the first thing I look at is my apnea/hypopnea index (ahi) - it's usually high.

I'm wondering if your airways are also small, since you have may have to have your esophagus stretched and opened. My grandaughter has had this once, and will probably have to do it again.

Once you get onto cpap, see a physical therapist for the tmj, you will be so surprised at the results. Sounds exactly like my symtoms, thanks

And goodness. . . don't be embarrassed . . .at least not until you go to work ALLLLLL day with your skirt caught up in your underwear and panty hose . . .so that your backend is showing to the whole world. . .as a public speaker, no less, and not find out about it until after the seminar is over (eight hours later) and your coworker says, "pull your skirt down."

**laughs** Bet you never live that one down

Life is full of little embarrassing things. . .that's what makes us wonderfully human.

[quietmorning]

**laughs** Bet you never live that one down

I think my coworkers were actually more embarrassed than I was. . . .**laughing**.

But seriously. . .if we were all the perfect mold we expect ourselves to be, there would be absolutely nothing for us to truly enjoy life about.
I drooled. And after a hard night, sometimes still do. . .but you know. . .there are some people who have to have their whole face replaced due to hideous injury. . .I got off very easy.

[archangle]

They used a nose piece that looks like a Cannula for Oxygen, two little metal prongs that go in my nose.

That sounds like an airflow sensor, not a CPAP mask or any kind of air delivery device. Those are usually used when you are not getting pressurized air for the CPAP part of the test.

bjcyorkiemom is asking about a CPAP mask of some sort. It would probably have clear silicone of some sort and go over or in your nose and make a seal to your nose or to your nose and mouth.

[Chilimon]

I believe she put two items on my nose, the sensor and another thing, either way there was a lot of air delivery. There was no mask over the mouth or face, it was small and just at the nose with a hose hooked to it. She showed it to me in the lobby and I remember it being very small and fits right under the nose.

[cflame1]

I have TMJ as well... and I wear a bite guard from my dentist to deal with it (never needed my esophagus stretched... that never shows up in documentation about TMJ)

If you've got a full face mask, it probably won't be good. A lot of them put a lot of pressure on your bottom jaw, pushing it in, especially when it's worn tight (which newbies tend to do). If you're looking for something that covers your mouth, try for one that goes under your chin instead.

[archangle]

I believe she put two items on my nose, the sensor and another thing, either way there was a lot of air delivery. There was no mask over the mouth or face, it was small and just at the nose with a hose hooked to it. She showed it to me in the lobby and I remember it being very small and fits right under the nose.

Did it look anything like the masks on these pages?

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-p ... p-mask.php
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-cpap-mask.php

Either the nasal or nasal pillow masks shouldn't affect your TMJ, in theory, but a full face mask might.

Have you seen a dentist or other specialist for the TMJ?

Is the gastro stretching your upper esophagus where you breathe through it or is he stretching your lower esophageal sphincter (LES)? The LES shouldn't directly affect your breathing. When you get food stuck, can you still breathe? I had LES problems and it was miserable, but I could still breathe when I had food stuck.