Hello from newbe!

[Snowmanrk]

Hi Guys!

I've just registered, and hope I don't get shouted at for posting here If I have posted the wrong thing in the wrong place or whatever, I'll happily delete.

I'm just posting to share my thoughts really - I've sickened my wife with talking about it, and it's on my mind - so I'll post here and perhaps feel a little better!

Over the past eight months or so I've realized I've got sleep apnea. I dunno how long I've had it, but I guess it's crept up on me to a point where it's became noticeable.

I've had two kids over the past five years - neither have been great sleepers and I've blamed my constant tiredness on being up through the night with them. Sure, that hasn't helped but, equally, I've always been the one out of me and my wife that hears the kids cry as soon as they start crying - like I'm never in a deep sleep and always easily awoken.

I seemed to get through the weeks at work ok, but come the weekends I'd be desperate for an hour in bed when the kids nap - I'd be the one to volunteer to cuddle them in!

Now they are growing out of the day time sleeps, my opportunities to nap are like none - and I'm moody, tired, irritable etc. during the weekends (I'm generally a dead upbeat, happy and funny - but have lost my mojo!).

I didn't ever really consider myself as overweight either - I'm not very tall (165cms) and got up to the high 80kgs (like 88 or something). I've got my weight down to about 79/80kgs now - and still want to do another 10 and get to the high 60s/low 70s. I guess I was hoping loosing weight would help my sleeping, but it doesn't seem to have made too much difference.

When I drink, it's a nightmare. I should say - when I drink, I always drink too much! I've cut right down on drinking (actually went about 7 weeks without drinking anything) - but my issue is if I have one, I get a taste for it - and keep going!! Nights where I drink, I'll sleep well (well, I think I sleep well!) for about 4 or 5 hours, and will then spend the rest of the night waking up every 20 mins or so.

Even without alcohol my sleeping is rubbish. I'm up at least twice a night (last week there was one night where I was only up once which is very unusual!), and I've noticed when I wake up my heart rate is up and I guess I know why I've woken up.

Anyway - I did a sleep study the other week, and get the results next week. Whilst I'm sure I have apnea, I have no idea how severe it is. I suspect it'll be at least moderate/severe.

I really struggled to sleep during the study - I hate hospitals and medical kinda things, so I was very uneasy about it! I took forever to go to sleep (although the nurse told me I had "slept for brief periods of time")(I suspect apneas were waking me up every time I dozed off!) - eventually I slept for I guess four hours or so, but I reckon I woke up during that time too. Jeeeeees, I have no idea. I know when I got home, I passed out in bed for about four hours!

So I guess I'll find out next week. I'm in a total panic about it though. As my wife says, it's ruining my life.

I know it is totally treatable - and there are so many horrible things that can happen to someone and this is more of an inconvenience than a problem, but I'm still getting worked up about it.

I guess I'm trying to think about what is the worst case scenario - I need to wear a mask blowing air into me when I sleep. The thought of that actually makes me sweat - but it's probably (and hopefully) just a fear of the unknown!

Can I ask - what is wearing the mask like? Does anyone actually enjoy it? Is it really full on air pressure and, if not, when it ramps up through the night what is it like if you do wake up?

I'm sorry guys - and thanks for listening!! I need to go and chill out and put things into perspective. I'm also hoping there is at least a chance the Dr says it's mild case and go and loose my 10kgs and see what happens!!

Thank you for this amazing support forum too!

[Julie]

Hi, and welcome. I'm a lot older than you, and live alone now unless you count my cat (not the one in my avatar pic), and I use the bathroom, go to bed, flip on the mask and go to sleep. That's it, no big deal at all and after this long I'd miss it if I didn't have it on! Nothing at all to sweat about. It's helping you, not the other way around! Your kids will start calling you Darth (Vader) and think it's really cool.

One thing I urge you to do that will matter to your OSA/Cpap - please, please get to AA and deal with your binge drinking - your children will thank you if nothing else... they need a full time Dad. It is serious, but just as totally treatable as OSA or anything else, not something to joke about.

And the old myth that apnea only happens to fat people is wrong - it may be responsible for extra weight, not the other way around.

We can definitely help you every step of the way here with problems, so let us know what happens when and don't be afraid or ashamed of anything... you wouldn't believe what's come up in the past.

PS - You're in the UK or Australia?

[Snowmanrk]

Hi Julie!

Thanks for your really quick reply!

I'm confused - how did you manage to work out you're older than me and that I am either from the UK or Australia from my post!? Are you a secret agent?!

Thank you also for the advice re AA - I'm not really thinking I need help with drinking though. I think you're reading too much into me saying I drink too much. To put it into context, in the last month I've drank a bottle and a half of wine over two evenings with friends two weeks apart - not sure that is excessive enough to be considered a problem.

[Julie]

Of course I'm a secret agent - doesn't every good forum need one?

You used the word "whilst" instead of 'while' and that was a dead giveaway. Also you're not the first to be here and probably won't be the last. Also spent a few wks just outside of Melbourne 2 yrs ago... and used a friend's machine while I was there.

If you're being honest about the booze, no problem, but you don't need to answer to us but yourself (and family).

And I'm older because I'm way past the 'kids' stage.

What's important is that you get a machine that not only gives 'compliance' data (to keep either your doctor, insurance co. or the NHS happy), but that gives you full data so you can track progress to see what, if anything needs tweaking either with sleep hours, etc. as time goes on... too often pressures need changing, masks need changing, sleep habits, hours, etc. etc. and the machine can give lots of neat data to see what's what. And you can download (free) SleepyHead software here to do it with. Make sure you also get an 'auto' machine as it can run in Cpap mode if necessary, but plain old Cpaps dont do auto, which is a better option for most of us, though occasionally someone will feel better in one-pressure setting Cpap mode.

[palerider]

I need to wear a mask blowing air into me when I sleep. The thought of that actually makes me sweat - but it's probably (and hopefully) just a fear of the unknown!

Can I ask - what is wearing the mask like? Does anyone actually enjoy it? Is it really full on air pressure and, if not, when it ramps up through the night what is it like if you do wake up? !

it'll help you if you look at things positively.

for one, the mask isn't "blowing air into" you, the only air that goes in and out of you is when you inhale, and exhale... if it was blowing air into you, you'd swell up like a balloon and then pop, making a big mess on the walls and ceiling for your wife to clean up. ain't gonna happen.

the machine just provides a *gentle* air pressure to help hold your airway open. it's measured in cm of h2o, most machines only go up to 20. get yourself a tall beverage, one that's at least 20cm tall, stick a straw in... blow.. if bubbles come out of the straw, you've just blown more pressure than the cpap can provide.

I wouldn't say I *enjoy* wearing the mask, but I certainly don't MIND it. it's vastly preferable to how I used to feel before I got it. now I put it on, and go to sleep.

my machine goes to it's normal pressure within a few seconds, (the resmeds 'soft start', which I like) but I don't notice any 'pressure' it just makes it a bit easier to breath if you read enough on the forum here, you'll see MANY MANY MANY tales of people who say things like "I THOUGHT IT WAS SO MUCH PRESSURE AT FIRST... now, I have to hold my hand up to the vent to make sure it's on... " they've gotten so used to it that they don't notice anything from the bit of pressure.

hth

[SunnyBeBe]

Hi Newbe, I'm a newbie too. I just registered after seeing your post. It seems like we may be starting out together with our journey.

I have actually only used my c-pap 3 nights so far! So far, so good. It's much easier than I thought it would be.....so far. I have more apopneas than apnea. I don't need much pressure. (AP on 6) And I'm using a gel nasal pillow. The worst thing I've encountered is a mark on my cheek in the morning.

I have a lot of questions. I'm sure I'll post about them later. I bet there is a lot of good information and advice to be found here provided by experienced posters. I think I'm up for the challenge. I'm also a Type I diabetic, so, I'm used to be challenged.

I think something must be improving, because yesterday I started dancing randomly around the house!

[Julie]

Really good news... just a tip tho', the word you want is 'hypopnea', not apopnea.

[SunnyBeBe]

Thanks Julie! Hypopnea. That's right. I'm probably mispronouncing it too!

[Julie]

"High Pop Knee Ah" emphasis on the pop.

[tedburnsIII]

Your sleep study and titration, if applicable, should be your benchmark. My advice is to give the titration (usually given as an optimal fixed pressure) considerable weight, whether one goes CPAP or the APAP route. It is your 'go to' pressure under the worst scenario- supine and in REM. However, you may be able to get by with somewhat less pressure.

Best wishes!

[yaconsult]

You're damned right I look forward to putting on my mask and getting my treatment! With an AHI of 80 there is no sleep taking place without CPAP.

Believe it or not, it can be a very relaxing and comforting experience. You just need to find the equipment, mask, and settings that work for you. It is something to be enjoyed, not endured.

[tiredgrl]

[quote="Snowmanrk"]Hi Guys!



When I drink, it's a nightmare. I should say - when I drink, I always drink too much! I've cut right down on drinking (actually went about 7 weeks without drinking anything) - but my issue is if I have one, I get a taste for it - and keep going!! Nights where I drink, I'll sleep well (well, I think I sleep well!) for about 4 or 5 hours, and will then spend the rest of the night waking up every 20 mins or so.


This is classic alcoholic drinking. "Normal" drinkers don't always drink too much when they drink, nor count how long they've gone between drinks. Alcoholics count how long they've gone between drinks to prove to people that they don't have a problem. And "normal" drinkers don't keep right on going after they've had one drink. A normal drinker can have one drink, and then let it go. Even if you have only one drink, I'll bet you're obsessing about when you can have the next one.

If you won't do it for yourself, do your family a favor and find an AA meeting. Growing up with an alcoholic parent is hell.

[Snowmanrk]

This is classic alcoholic drinking. "Normal" drinkers don't always drink too much when they drink, nor count how long they've gone between drinks. Alcoholics count how long they've gone between drinks to prove to people that they don't have a problem. And "normal" drinkers don't keep right on going after they've had one drink. A normal drinker can have one drink, and then let it go. Even if you have only one drink, I'll bet you're obsessing about when you can have the next one.

If you won't do it for yourself, do your family a favor and find an AA meeting. Growing up with an alcoholic parent is hell.

Where in my original post did I ask anyone for i) personal opinions in relation to alcohol consumption; ii) whether I had "classic alcoholic drinking" symptoms, and iii) whether I am a responsible father or not? As you'll see, I didn't. However, as you have decided to offer your unsolicited opinion, I will respond.

My post was asking for help to elevate my concerns pre consultation with a sleep specialist. I mentioned the effect alcohol appears to have on my sleep as I have noticed it is extremely prevalent. That is my understanding about what this forum was for. The night before last I was drinking late at night and ended up waking up countless times through the night, after an initial good few hours of sleep.

"Do your family a favor and find an AA meeting?"

Really?! My wife would love me to drink alcohol more than I do, rather I generally opt to be the designated driver. I am a senior first officer for an international airline and therefore have to be very careful with regard to how much alcohol I consume and when I consume it. When I have a weekend off work, I generally take the opportunity to fly my family somewhere for the day/weekend. My wife would much rather we were able to enjoy going for a drink together (I think it was Christmas since we last went to a restaurant and shared a bottle of wine) - circumstances with both of our jobs and lifestyles just doesn't often allow it. And contrary to your "bet", no - if I have one drink for whatever reason (maybe a flight the next day or whatever), I am certainly not obsessing about when I can have another drink. I doubt I'd even cross my mind.

Rather than ignore your very unhelpful and off topic post, as I probably should, I want to explain to you how being so publicly judgmental can adversely impact people. I understand from your last comment that you may have possibly had some personal experience living with an alcoholic (which I have no doubt was a horrendous experience and I wouldn't wish that on anyone), but one shouldn't assume that anyone that talks about alcohol consumption is displaying "classic alcoholic drinking" (underlying the classic)!

As you might understand, the diagnosis I might receive next week may have a very material impact on how my aviation medical is handled and, consequently, my job. I am terrified of this and I am doing everything I can to make sure I am ready for that.

Palerider - your reply was very helpful and really eased a little of the stress and made me smile - thank you I have been flowing bubbles in water all morning!!

[palerider]

As you might understand, the diagnosis I might receive next week may have a very material impact on how my aviation medical is handled and, consequently, my job. I am terrified of this and I am doing everything I can to make sure I am ready for that.

you shouldn't be. the treatment for apnea may look scary, but just think of it as fighter pilot gear, as opposed to commercial airline gear you'll sleep better, feel better, and be safer while doing everything, your job included.

Palerider - your reply was very helpful and really eased a little of the stress and made me smile - thank you I have been flowing bubbles in water all morning!!

that really is all the pressure that the machine provides. it *SEEMS* like it's a huge amount of air when you turn on the machine without a mask, that's because the machines have pressure sensors in them, and they run their little fans fast enough to achieve whatever pressure they're trying to maintain. when you take the mask off, pressure drops, fan speed of course goes to max, trying to ... basically, pressurize your whole room... so the air FLOW increases hugely. most machines will do a couple hundred liters per minute against no back pressure, but as soon as you put the mask on, pressure comes up, fan speed goes down, and it's just that blowing bubbles amount of pressure, and just enough flow (20-50lpm ish, depending on pressure) to maintain the pressure. the fan speed varies with your breathing, as you inhale, it speeds up to maintain pressure, as you exhale, it slows a bit. some of the machines are so quiet while doing this, you have to put your ear against them to hear it.

[tedburnsIII]

I wouldn't worry very much about your First Class Medical if you have sleep apnea under control. You'll likely be an even better pilot- more alert, better cognition, etc. At the worst you will likely need to prove through documentary evidence to your AME that it's under control.