Scared

[drj130]

Greetings to all whom might read this. I've had two studies done. One in the hospital, and one here in my room (I'm a Soldier who lives in the barracks). I have the results of both tests, the second one i got this morning when I went to turn in the machine, and no matter how many times I asked the doctor, she wouldn't tell me what everything meant and how bad my results are. She just said that it was very bad. Tomorrow I'm to call the Army hospital here in Germany and set up another appointment, knowing my luck for another test.
I know that it sounds funny that someone who is 38 years old saying they are scared, but I really am. The only reason i had the first test done was because my Soldiers complained about my snoring. My wife, bless her heart, never said much, except that I can't snuggle with her anymore because of the noise, is a real trooper.
Ok, I think that i'm just going on here. If anyone could help me figure out what the first test says, that would be great. I'd ask about the second one, but it is all in German.

Thanks

[DBoone]

What information do you remember from the results?

Btw, we've all been scared over this at one time or another. I can remember many (too many!) years ago before I'd heard of sleep apnea when my wife woke me up to tell me I wasn't breathing. At the time I figured there was nothing I could do about it. It wasn't until a few years ago when a friend was diagnosed that I started looking into SA to see what it was. Then I got scared too! With all the headaches at night over the years I was afraid that I was starting losing brain function due to lack of oxygen. And I certainly don't want to stroke out.

Anyway, do study the forums here. Read, read, read! The more you find out before going back the better off you'll be.

[Hawthorne]

Well, you haven't told us what information you have about the first test, (that I assume was in English) said except that you were told it was very bad.

Was the first test without a mask and machine? I am assuming that the second one was with mask and machine.

No need to be scared, even if you were told it was very bad. Many of us (including myself) have severe sleep apnea. Getting it treated is the important thing. You need to get set up with a machine, find a mask that works well for you( that might take some time) and use the machine and mask every night!

[drj130]

I have many numbers from the first test. All of that test, though it was done at a German hospital, is in english. I will put (what I think is important) information in this post. I've not been fitted with anything yet. From my understanding, they are going to send me to Landsthul Army hospital for that and maybe more testing.

I think that this is the information you all asked about:
A. Indices
Parameter Phases / hour Correlation with RDI
RDI 38 -
Apnea index 11 29%
Hypopnea indez 27 71%
Desatyratuib index 50 49%
Heart rate variation index 93 67%
Mobility index 3 2%

I can provide the Apnea analysis results as well if that is needed.

Thanks again

[sepool]

Although I am not qualified to comment on the data you have posted, I'll comment on being scared.

The doctor in charge of my sleep study, in a large city in North Texas, told me I had the worst apnea case he had ever seen in his practice. The technician told my wife that she was praying that I wouldn't die before she could get my mask on ( I ended up with a split study, where by the middle of the night, I was bad enough that they called the doctor and did the second half of the night titrating my new CPAP).

I think they thought it was a good idea to scare me, so I'd take it seriously. So many people give up on using their CPAP machine. The numbers I had were scary.

So take it seriously - but if your problem is treatable with a CPAP, the CPAP does work very very well, even though it takes a while to get used to it. My wife is so pleased I didn't give up, and the mask and hose evidently doesn't bother her as much as being afraid of me stroking out.

I think most people here would agree with me that even mild cases treated well with CPAP are worth the trouble.

I'm not scared any more, just taking the treatment seriously.

[drj130]

I'd like to thank everyone who has commented so far. Though it will take me a while to accept and get use to this problem, knowing that I'm not the only one with this is a load off my mind. I've always known that i snored, I just thought that it was something related to my cleft pallet. Seems that I don't know as much about my body as I thought I did.
Hope that I don't scare my wife the first time she sees me wear this thing after I get it. It will be interesting to say the least. She's a trooper though. Even with me snoring right into her ear, she didn't say much, or push me away. How could you not love a lady like that.

[Hawthorne]

This looks like it might be the test to diagnose whether or not you have sleep apnea. I assume you not wearing a mask and on the machine during this test.

If you were not hooked up to a machine, with a mask on and just had a bunch of wires on you, then it was a diagnostic test. Were you on a machine and did you have a mask on for the second test? It sounds like you were sent back to barracks with a machine and mask to wear use for what appears to be one night.

That would be to determine what your titrated pressure should be. That is what pressure the machine has to be at to prevent as many apneas and hypopneas as possible. They will want to get your AHI (the sum of your apneas and hypopneas below 5). That's generally the goal of treatment.

You have another appointment. That may be to have you try a machine. learn how it works, and select a mask. It also may be for another sleep test to be more sure of your titrated pressure.

I'm not sure of some of the terminology in your study so I will leave that to forum members who may be able to help you more with that data.

Many people don't sleep well during sleep studies. You have wires, etc all over and are in a stange situation.

I have had severe sleep apnea for about 7 years now and use my machine every night. It works well for me and it will for you too, if it turns out that you have sleep apnea.

Just take it one step at a time. There is lots to read on the forum. You can do searches and read from "Our Wisdom"- the yellow light bulb at the top of the forum page.

Ask questions on the forum. There are lots of people here able and willing to help you. We all have sleep apnea.

Good luck! Sounds like yo have a good wife who will be there for you!

[BleepingBeauty]

Hope that I don't scare my wife the first time she sees me wear this thing after I get it.

Just tell her you've enrolled in flight school and have to practice wearing your gear at home.

Welcome to the forum. You're in good company here. (And it sounds like your spouse is more than supportive, which will help you adjust to therapy. You're a lucky guy.)

[drj130]

Hawthorne,
Both test were about the same. no mask or anything like that, just stuff attached to me. I do have a very good wife. I'm still surprised that she married me. I'm sure that I'm not the only who has thought that of their spouse.

BleepingBeauty,

Thanks for the laugh. I really needed that. I'm still chuckling at what you suggested I tell her.
It's been a few months from the last time we were together (part of the problem of being married to someone from Russia )

[Sleepy Taz]

Drj130,

First I want to thank you for your service to our country. It is because of people like you that we can live in freedom here in the states. Next, I was in a simular state on my first night of testing. Around 1 AM the tech came in and put on a mask . When I woke up in the morning she said that my oxygen levels were critically low. That was twenty years ago and because of my cpap I live a normal life so do not be scared as the therapy works and you will feel better soon.

[Babette]

There's nothing scarier then being told "it's bad, and we'll get back to you." YICK!!!!!!

What a thing to do to someone who is already pumping enough adrenaline through them to cause a heart attack. (Sleep apnea involves being flooded with adrenaline several times a night when you stop breathing and your body panics and floods you with adrenaline to force you to breathe.)

You have my sincere sympathy. Glad you found us. Keep us posted, even if it's just to check in now and then and say no news. Now that we "know" you, we're all here rooting for you and praying for you. No going underground without notice.

Be persistent with your docs, and remember: It is a FEDERAL LAW that they give you copies all test reports. Demand them. Be civil, but PERSISTENT. Show a sidearm, if necessary.

Once you have more info, we can help you more.

Just a little info for you - the phraseology you need to pass to your doctor is "data capable Xpap machine." If they offer the Respironics brand, demand an M Series Auto. I can't tell you what the names are in the other brand lines.

The reason is this - You will be sleeping every night with this machine. You as the end user need to know what your statistics are, in order to report to your medical team any anomalies that might present. Do not tell them you may be adjusting your settings yourself. Keep that quiet. We will help you in that department.

No one expects a Diabetic to just shoot insulin without reading stats. Effective cpap therapy requires constant vigilence and tweaking. There's more to it than just learning to sleep with a mask on your face and air blowing up your nose. Though that's the big fun part.

We've all been through it here. Many of us have survived it and are doing pretty darned okay. Some of us were always mental and cpap hasn't helped (read, ME).

Stay strong soldier, but let us help guide you through the rough country. We're good at that. Think of us as the loyal patriots helping your side win the war.

Cheers,
Barbara

[BeanMeScot]

An RDI over 30 is considered severe sleep apnea and yours is 38. Your AHI number would also help. Anything over 10 is considered Sleep Apnea, although most people find <5 makes us feel the best.

No need to be scared, but do take CPAP seriously. It can be difficult to get used to but your life will be much better if you do. Not treating SA will lead to many health problems that you can avoid. Whatever problems you have with the machine and the mask, come here and get help. Chances are nearly 100% that someone has experienced the same thing and you can learn from their experience.

[DoriC]

I also thank you for your service. I can't add anything else to the wonderful replies you've gotten already, but I remember when I was so frightened after my husband's diagnosis, someone here telling me, "it's only air pressure he'll be breathing". That kind of brought it into perspective. Give your wife a hug for me. Dori

[OwlCreekObserver]

The good news in all this is that your snoring will most likely disappear as long as you keep using the machine. Oh, and those drowsy times you're likely experiencing during the day? They'll probably happen far less often. You'll sleep better (once you get used to the equipment) and you'll feel better when you wake up in the morning and throughout the day as well.

Hang in there, brother.

OCO

[preemiern]

I too want to first say Thank you for your service to our country...wish I could send you a big hug for all that you and your comrades do to allow us to live in a free country.
Next...as everyone here has already said...your sleep apnea may be severe, but CPAP therapy can help, and your health will benefit.
The only thing I would like to add is until you get set up with a machine, try to sleep on your stomach or at least your side with your head kind of tilted down towards the bed...not with your chin down towards your chest though. This will at least help minimize obstructions.
Good luck, and let us all know what you find out!!!
Cindy