Seems everyone has Cpaps now

[jess]

Since I was diagnosed last month I've been telling all my friends ---- and to my surprise LOTS of my friends have apnea and cpap machines. They are not overweight. It kind of reminds me of the TMJ panic of years ago or the Vitamin D panic of today. Do you think that the number of people with apnea is greater than the number of people without apnea. Now I'm beginning to wonder if most people over 40 would be diagnosed positive if tested. Have you found that many of your friends have apnea?

[archangle]

A lot of people sort of reluctantly admit it if the subject comes up. It's almost like it's a "dirty secret." A few more guiltily admit they have a CPAP machine they don't use any more.

Maybe we need "Ask me about my CPAP" bumper stickers.

There is a stigma attached of a sort. You may not be able to get insurance or some jobs if you have apnea.

[soundersfootballclub]

Since I was diagnosed last month I've been telling all my friends ---- and to my surprise LOTS of my friends have apnea and cpap machines. They are not overweight. It kind of reminds me of the TMJ panic of years ago or the Vitamin D panic of today. Do you think that the number of people with apnea is greater than the number of people without apnea. Now I'm beginning to wonder if most people over 40 would be diagnosed positive if tested. Have you found that many of your friends have apnea?

I've read that 90% of the population that has it still hasn't been diagnosed. I think I also read that 20 million Americans most likely have it but again only a small % have been diagnosed. I know of 3 people who have been on CPAP for a long time.

I would love to come up with some ideas for low cost products or services for this industry but I am still a newbie and just learning the ropes. Where are the gaps? Have any ideas?

[jess]

I've read that 90% of the population that has it still hasn't been diagnosed.

I don't think doctor's discuss it with patients unless they complain of sleep problems. ---- or maybe are very, very overweight. I never considered that I might have apnea until one night when my throat closed just as I was falling to sleep.
The guy that does yard work for me gets so tired and sweaty ---- he told me he was diagnosed and put on a very high pressure about 3 years ago, but quit because he couldn't stand the pressure. Another friend told me last night that she tried and tried and finally gave up using the machine --- she was diagnosed 4 years ago. Some people are too shy to go back to the doctor --- it doesn't occur to them that there may be help. Why can't the doctor lower David's pressure until he gets used to it and then increase it slowly. My doctor told me that he never had a sleep test ---- he put himself on the machine and started on a pressure of 3 and worked up to a 7. Seems that would be pretty easy. I think the take home test equipment should be available to everyone over 40 ----doctors should recommend it to their patients. Apnea certainly seems to possibly be a silent killer. We test everyone for cholesterol and diabetes -- why not apnea. I read that most people who die of a heart attack between midnight and 6:00 a.m. had sleep apnea. I know a man who died of a heart attack while taking a nap one afternoon --- wonder if he had apnea. I'm rambling now.

[moresleep]

Are we the "silent majority?" (Well, maybe not so silent...) If so, perhaps we should form a political party, vote only for fellow sufferers, and take over the country. Couldn't do much worse than the clowns who presently run things. If nothing else, we probably have a slightly more mature perspective on the things that really matter...

[katcw]

I would love to see some data on how many people that are tested for apnea are determined NOT to have it. Seems like if you get the test, you have it - which makes me think it is the new popular condition in the medical field.

[NightMonkey]

I would love to see some data on how many people that are tested for apnea are determined NOT to have it. Seems like if you get the test, you have it - which makes me think it is the new popular condition in the medical field.

That statement is way off base. An experienced sleep doc has a ten-minute interview with a patient and observes their jaw structure and looks into their mouth. After this they can already be 95% certain whether a patient has sleep apnea. If they believe he has sleep apnea, they schedule a sleep study. More than 90% will be determined in the lab to have sleep apnea. This is because the doctor is good at screening and it is actually easy to screen because there are some obvious indicators.

A doctor who sends many people to the sleep lab who test negative for sleep disorders will get in big trouble with the insurance companies within the first month. So they learn quickly or face insurance companies who refuse to deal with them.

I believe what the researcher say that 90% of the cases are undiagnosed. Even with people my age I come into contact with many who have obvious signs. But it is difficult to get them to consult with a sleep doc.

No, this will not fade away like many of the vitamin and supplement fads.

[xenablue]

Ditto what NightMonkey says - if you've been sent for a sleep study, it's not because you're looking for something fun to do for a night - in many cases it's to confirm a diagnosis for symptoms being suffered.

In my case, as a diabetic, it was a mystery to why my fasting (early morning) glucose numbers were always high, despite trying everything. When my endo questioned me about my sleep habits, he suspected OSA - but just slightly. After we had exhausted all other avenues regarding my fasting BG numbers, he sent me for a sleep study. Sure enough - CPAP therapy has reduced my fasting BG numbers, but it took a few months.

Also, I now know 2 people who've had sleep studies, but absolutely no sign of a sleep disorder.

Cheers,
xena

[jess]

An experienced sleep doc has a ten-minute interview with a patient and observes their jaw structure and looks into their mouth

That is interesting. What does a doctor look for in the jaw structure and throat? If a person is not overweight and doesn't have sleep problems what are the other signs ---beside snoring?

[NightMonkey]

An experienced sleep doc has a ten-minute interview with a patient and observes their jaw structure and looks into their mouth

That is interesting. What does a doctor look for in the jaw structure and throat? If a person is not overweight and doesn't have sleep problems what are the other signs ---beside snoring?

This is not meant to play games with you but just to satisfy my own curiosity. You apparently are a newbie and I am interested in what newbies think the cause of their condition is.

So please humor me and tell me what do you think causes obstructive sleep apnea?

Please don't research for an answer but just give me your immediate thoughts.

Thanks so much.

[NightMonkey]

I am leaving the office now and may not get back to the forum for some time. But I will answer your question the first chance I get.

[jess]

I honestly don't know anymore. Before I was diagnosed I knew that obese people had a better chance and I heard that people who snore may have apnea. I never really thought about it much, because I slept well. However, I have always snored. Now, after being on the board I have learned that older people have a better chance because of (I think) throat muscle age or something like that. I do know that no doctor has ever suggested testing for me ---- that is a concern because, as the previous poster mentioned ,"90% of people with apnea are not diagnosed". This board seems very concerned when people post that they are giving up trying to use there machines for one reason or another. If it is so dangerous why are so many people still not diagnosed??? If doctors can tell by looking at a persons jaw or throat why aren't more potential apnea cases caught in the GP' or internist's offices? I am curious why vitamin D is the biggie these days and apnea still seems to be ignored unless you complain of sleep problems. As I write this it occurs to me that I am a little angry that I was not diagnosed years ago --- especially since a potential diagnosis can be made by looking at a persons jaw and throat.

[cowlypso]

A doctor who sends many people to the sleep lab who test negative for sleep disorders will get in big trouble with the insurance companies within the first month. So they learn quickly or face insurance companies who refuse to deal with them.

Agreed. I had to jump through major hoops to get a sleep study, because I did not meet the insurance company's prerequisites. According to them, excessive daytime sleepiness alone was not enough to merit a sleep study. I had to also have obesity, high blood pressure, snoring, heart problems, or a host of other complications. I had absolutely none of those symptoms other than the sleepiness. My sleep doctor had to speak with the insurance company's doctor before the study was approved.

If there isn't strong evidence that something is wrong, the insurance company won't pay for a sleep study.

[Guest]

Yes, I have wondered if sleep apnea is becoming the new diagnosis, maybe because since I was diagnosed I hear about it more and more. I am being 100% compliant since I started using my machine about six weeks ago, but I still kinda wonder if I really have sosa. I guess denial, because I do have most of the symptoms... extreme fatigue, morning headaches, waking to go 3-4 times a nite, older person.

I'm waiting for that miracle... waking up and feeling great... which so far isn't happening. I am waking up less... that's a good thing. I have an appointment with the sleep specialist in September, and I'm looking forward to having a chat with her.

Honestly, I do find it strange that sleep apnea has become so "popular".

[Emilia]

Someone posted several months ago that in the medical curriculum at Harvard Medical, a student get about 2 hours of study on 'sleep.' Unless you find a doctor who truly understands sleep medicine or has taken it upon him/herself to learn it via continuing education, it may be something that goes undiagnosed for a long time. I complained to my family doctor about extreme fatigue for a decade. I slept 'well' ... meaning I'd sleep for 8 hours and wake up more tired than I went to bed. I was told.... it was peri-menopause, then it was menopause, then I was past all that and still suffering. I did have low thyroid...now corrected. I did have low D3...now corrected. It was not until I took myself to a cardiologist for a stress test that, FINALLY, he suggested an overnight oximetry test....and voila! I bottomed out at 80% which made him send me to a sleep specialist.... the rest is history.

Now, upon going back to my family doctor after my Dx, I kinda put my cards on the table, and told her how remiss I felt she had been for a decade. I told her that in all the years I complained, sleep was never investigated. A simple Epworth sleep inventory would have been the first red flag...followed by a very inexpensive oximetry test done overnight at home. She was a little defensive.... but I made my point. I asked that she PLEASE add these diagnostic tools to her practice....since so many have OSA unDx'd. Is she doing that now? Not sure.... hope so, tho.

Besides throat architecture, a large tongue (too big for small mouth) with scalloped edges is a sign. The scalloping is usually more visible upon awakening, and is due to the tongue pressing up against the teeth. Snoring is a classic symptom but not everyone with OSA snores, and not everyone who snores has OSA.

You can be any age, any size and have OSA. Shaq has it; Katy Perry has; Jack Hanna has it; many NFL players have it...... and so on. As the population gets older we will see more of it; as the obesity epidemic increases we will see more of at all ages; let's hope that diagnoses increase and unnecessary strokes and deaths decline.