Two questions from a newbie

[Chacom]

First I want to say hello to all, I am a 46 yrs old male in Sweden. My life is miserable, I get no good refreshing sleep these days, and I can´t say I very often have in the past either. Life has been a walk through thick fog all to often. I always thought it was because I´m depressed (since my life sucks generally), but I have found something out lately: I snore like an elephant!! (no one told me since I live alone)

That´s my first question: I think I´ve had this condition (sleep apnea) most of my adult life. Is that common to get a late/mid life diagnosis after such a long time of 'illness'? I haven't really got a formal diagnosis yet, but thanks to my new app on the phone I can hear (and see a graph) that I have severe problems breathing when I sleep. I have booked an appointment with my doctor.

I bought an Mandibular Advancement Device, on Amazon. It is not at all helpful since it does not fit well and feels like torture. And more that that I worry very much about mouth dryness. I can´t wet my gums with this thing in my mouth. Is this something that is a problem with the proper ones made at the dentist?

[49er]

First I want to say hello to all, I am a 46 yrs old male in Sweden. My life is miserable, I get no good refreshing sleep these days, and I can´t say I very often have in the past either. Life has been a walk through thick fog all to often. I always thought it was because I´m depressed (since my life sucks generally), but I have found something out lately: I snore like an elephant!! (no one told me since I live alone)

That´s my first question: I think I´ve had this condition (sleep apnea) most of my adult life. Is that common to get a late/mid life diagnosis after such a long time of 'illness'? I haven't really got a formal diagnosis yet, but thanks to my new app on the phone I can hear (and see a graph) that I have severe problems breathing when I sleep. I have booked an appointment with my doctor.

I bought an Mandibular Advancement Device, on Amazon. It is not at all helpful since it does not fit well and feels like torture. And more that that I worry very much about mouth dryness. I can´t wet my gums with this thing in my mouth. Is this something that is a problem with the proper ones made at the dentist?

Hi Chacom,

Welcome to the forum. It is quite common for people who thought they were depressed to end up with a sleep apnea diagnosis. It makes sense since not getting good quality sleep affects cognition which can lead to depression.

Regarding dental devices, when I tried one made at the dentist's office, it also felt like torture.

When is the appointment with your doctor?

Meanwhile, you might try sleeping on your side or in an upright position to see if that provides any relief while waiting to be assessed.

Best of luck to you.

49er

PS - I was diagnosed at 56

[michaelanthonyp]

Chacom, best of luck to you getting treatment and feeling better. Apnea is a major drain on our lives. Regarding "And more that that I worry very much about mouth dryness. I can´t wet my gums with this thing in my mouth.":

I was not able to use a full face mask that allows me to open my mouth, or anything that fit in my mouth. I could not get to sleep with those on. The only mask that I could even just barely get to sleep with only fits over my nose. I was told its the most unobtrusive.

I can't find the exact model online right now, but this is similar to the mask I have:
http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/resmed-air ... -mask.aspx

The mask is shaped like a triangle, it fits just over the nose, and there are straps that go around the back of your head to keep it on.

The challenge for me is finding a sleep position that I won't open my mouth during sleep, since when that happens, my jaw drops back and I start loud snoring and at that point the pump is useless since the air comes out my nose and ... apnea occurs.

If you go for a nasal mask, try to find one with a chin strap that gently helps keep your mouth closed, since jaw position is critical to good breathing, but not so strongly that it prevents you from getting to sleep.

Let us know how your appointment turns out.

[michaelanthonyp]

Re mouth dryness, some cpap/bipap machines come with a built in humidifier. Its just a little chamber you fill with distilled water, the air blows through it, then into your mask piping.

[Chacom]

On the 18th of Jan is my appointment, cant wait, its actually horrible to wait so long.

How long do you reckon you had the condition?

[michaelanthonyp]

On the 18th of Jan is my appointment, cant wait, its actually horrible to wait so long.

How long do you reckon you had the condition?

Hi Chacom, for me, I believe it got slowly worse over about 20 years. I got a formal diagnosis about 3 years ago, but had worsening symptoms since about 1995. Best luck with your appointment, let us know how it turns out.

[49er]

On the 18th of Jan is my appointment, cant wait, its actually horrible to wait so long.

How long do you reckon you had the condition?

The million dollar question All jokes aside, I suspect I had it for several years but of course, I will never be able to prove it.

Glad you don't have to wait too much longer for your appointment.

49er

[reolhlains]

I reckon I struggled along for about a year being tired all the time before my wife forced a dr appointment on me!
I'm sure my sleep has never really been great - but not to the point that I noticed anything during the day.
Regardless - you are doing the right thing seeing a doctor. Then no doubt a sleep study - then a diagnosis and treatment options.
Keep with us mate - a wealth of information and friendly people here to keep you going and help you conquer it!!
Best of luck.

[Chacom]

I have experimented with sleeping in a more upright position, and it does decrease the loud snoring greatly. I still have some problems breathing though. It seems I breath mostly through my nose when I sleep (from what I hear on the recording). And It sounds like I have trouble exhaling. Does CPAP machines make exhaling easier too? I´m gonna order som wedge pillows and see what they do, even though I don´t really like sleeping in this more raised up position ...

[Julie]

Cpap machines have exhale relief features - one company calls it C-flex (an adjustable setting on the machine) and the other large company calls it EPR (Exhale Pressure Relief) which is the same thing. Some people who use it on a higher setting (out of 3) find their AHI may go up slightly, so find a balance between the setting and living with e.g. an AHI of 3 vs 1or 2, but it helps many people.

[Chacom]

But does the CAP make exhale easier? Does it keep the airway open when exhaling too?

[Julie]

Yes it makes exhaling easier ("Exhalation Pressure Relief"). That's the whole point of it. And of course it still keeps your airway open, but

I put this question into Google - "Exactly how does exhalation pressure relief work in Cpap" and came up with a whole page of answers... you might want to look at it yourself, take your time with the explanations.

[OkyDoky]

But does the CAP make exhale easier? Does it keep the airway open when exhaling too?

Yes Pressure is maintained at a pressure to keep your airway open both during inspiration and expiration. It can be a constant pressure, a variable pressure, or a pressure where the expiration pressure (EPR or Pressure Support in a bilevel) is decreased to make it easier to exhale. These settings are adjusted to prevent your apnea and to make therapy more comfortable.