Just diagnosed with severe sleep apnoea

[Yellaterra]

Hi all,

I went to see my sleep specialist this morning to discuss my overnight sleep study results. I don't completely understand it all, other than I have an AHI of 47.3 which is considered severe. I have an appointment to see a technician in early January, to be fitted and trained in how to use a CPAP machine, so I can begin a 4 week trial to see if it assists. I'm not overly keen on using a CPAP for the rest of my life. I'm male, 32 yrs, BMI 24, non smoker and only a social drinker. This is a bit of a blow. Have attached a copy of my results from the sleep study if anyone knows how to translate the rest of the info?!

Cheers

[zoocrewphoto]

Welcome to the group.

Your data definitely show severe sleep apnea. Your oxygen really went down. Take some time to read the various topics. Esp[ecially the section at the top for adjusting to the change. It is not an easy adjustment for most people, but it is very worthwhile. I wish I had admitted I had sleep apnea. when I was 30 or so. I am 40 now and just started this past April 30. I have already felt many improvements. It would have been nice to have those improvements 10 years ago. I would have felt better all those years, and my health would be better.

[49er]

Hi all,

I went to see my sleep specialist this morning to discuss my overnight sleep study results. I don't completely understand it all, other than I have an AHI of 47.3 which is considered severe. I have an appointment to see a technician in early January, to be fitted and trained in how to use a CPAP machine, so I can begin a 4 week trial to see if it assists. I'm not overly keen on using a CPAP for the rest of my life. I'm male, 32 yrs, BMI 24, non smoker and only a social drinker. This is a bit of a blow. Have attached a copy of my results from the sleep study if anyone knows how to translate the rest of the info?!

Cheers

Hi,

Welcome!

I am alot older than you but I wish to god I had been diagnosed with apnea at your age. Of course, I would then have wanted the cpap machines that weren't available at that time. But if both factors had been in play, my life would have been so different. It is hard not to grieve for what could have been though I try not to.

Not minimizing your adjustment issues which can be many. But if wearing a mask means you avoid numerous other health issues that apnea is known to cause, that is a deal I will take every time out.

Finally, I am sure during your lifetime, that improvements will be made that could enable you to shed the cpap machine. You never know.

Anyway, I hope I don't sound insensitive to your concerns as they are legitimate. But if you hang out on this forum and work your issues, your chances of success which of course I can't guarantee will greatly increase.

49er

[jencat824]

Welcome to the forum!

I also have severe sleep apnea, along with other medical problems, I've been on CPAP 12 years and just found this forum a couple of months ago. You are lucky, although I know you don't feel lucky at the moment.

First, you found out young about the OSA and can be treated, so your chances of developing all the medical problems that go along with OSA are slim.

Second, you found this forum at the beginning of your journey. This forum can supply you with a wealth of knowledge and a great support system. The members here care about one another, and now about you. As zoocrew said read the beginner/newbie into at the top of the forum page, and in addition to that, post you questions here and forum members will help you with those as well.

In the beginning, no one wants to sleep with a CPAP machine. After you get used to it, you won't want to sleep without it. Example - I had a power outage several years ago after Ike, and found a way to get a generator after sleeping without mine for 5 days, I really could not call it sleep, I was just 24hr miserable without my CPAP. I now have backup plans in case of power outage again. Does this sound to you like someone who hates the machine - I think not. I love my CPAP and what it does for me. Now, will you immediately fall in love with it, probably not. It takes some time & work to fine tune everything for your comfort and for you to get the most from your treatment. You will see others post here who are frustrated and still trying to get everything to work. They are all in a part of the process you are beginning - the journey to a more restful & safe sleep.

Bet you wondered why I said 'safe' - your numbers look to me as severe, you are not getting enough oxygen when you sleep. Left untreated, this will cause a whole host of health problems, such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, diabetes, etc. I know you don't want any of that, hence the reason for making CPAP work for you. I know you said it was a bit of a blow, but trust me, better now that having any of that bad stuff later. The way your numbers look to me, 'later' won't be too far off if you don't start treatment.

We are here for you as you begin your journey, just post your questions, issues, feelings & frustrations & someone here will try to help. Good luck,
Jen

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

See if the information here helps you understand your sleep study a little better. If not post back with specific question and someone will try to explain things.
http://adventures-in-hosehead-land.blog ... -test.html

[cosmo]

z

[Todzo]

Hi all,

I went to see my sleep specialist this morning to discuss my overnight sleep study results. I don't completely understand it all, other than I have an AHI of 47.3 which is considered severe. I have an appointment to see a technician in early January, to be fitted and trained in how to use a CPAP machine, so I can begin a 4 week trial to see if it assists. I'm not overly keen on using a CPAP for the rest of my life. I'm male, 32 yrs, BMI 24, non smoker and only a social drinker. This is a bit of a blow. Have attached a copy of my results from the sleep study if anyone knows how to translate the rest of the info?!

Cheers

Hi,

Take time to get used to your CPAP during the day before you use it at night. Learn to go to sleep breathing gently - not letting the pressure make you breath more.

I have been on CPAP for nine years. Pressure was bumped twice from 13 to 15 cm/H2O. Doing the following for a year saw the first reduction - now using 8 cm/H2O!

What works for me:

Reduce Stess (50%)
eucapnic breathing (30%)
move well** (10%)
eat well* (10%)

I am 58 - you are younger. I think it may be possible to get off CPAP. One way or the other you will need to rig to use your CPAP data to see how things are going. Work to be able to see not only AHI but breathing stability and CO2 maintenance issues in your data.

** 10,000 steps a day goal (current 70% of) - aerobics - interval training (85% max heart rate training) - resistance training - balance
* I have worked with a dietitian several years - I really did not know how to eat well!!

May you have your wish!

Todzo

[johnthomasmacdonald]

You definitely can't ignore it, not with your oxygen level dropping to 76%. If you do nothing you'll be doing a lot of damage to your body. You could look into dental appliances ( i've got one that i use with cpap but it allows me to drop the pressure from 12 to 5 which is MUCH more comfortable) . It seems that for about 50% of people with dental appliances, they can skip the cpap machine altogether. Another option is surgery to increase your throat opening - also about 50% effective with various pluses and minuses. Also at 32, you probably won't be using cpap for the rest of your life since there is a lot of ongoing research looking to develop alternatives since compliance on cpap is so poor (one is an electric stimulator that will keep your throat muscles "open") . Make sure that you are still alive and not disabled when these new discoveries come online.

[yamar2001]

Well, sorry to hear you are bummed about needing the CPAP my friend. I was diagnosed about six years ago, and it hasn't always been the easiest of times...that's for sure. But I can with a huge amount of confidence that my life is so much better with the CPAP, its amazing. You are also *extremely* lucky to have found this forum in the early stages. I went through the first several years of apnea treatment only receiving advice from the Drs. I can safely say I learned more about my machine/apnea/psychological issues caused due to apnea in the first month here than I did in the three years prior learning from the "professionals."

Come here often and don't be afraid to ask questions.

As someone who has gone down this path, and ran into many road blocks... this would be my advise list for you.

-reduce stress

-track the data on your machine, or perhaps even external software like sleepyhead etc. My Dr never told me I could look at the data on my machine to see how much my mask was leaking, and how many apneas per hour I was having. Why? They want every penny of yours. In the three years I saw the Dr's for sleep apnea they never once talked to me about leak rate or apneas per hour. All they did was shift me around on different medications, and takl about "compliance" (how long you wore the mask for at night) All the data and help I could have asked for was on my machine, but like many others...I did not read the 200+ page manual so I had no clue that the machine was recording the data. Sounds criminal that the "professionals" didn't tell me huh? I thought so too.

-reduce alcohol intake

-once you find a mask that works, stick with it.

-don't get a second sleep study done even if your Dr reccomends it. I received a false negative my last sleep study,and I'm now 100% on my own. Insurance refuses to help me. They have no answer when I ask them how I could have gone from 30+ interruptions per hour, down to less than 4. They don't have an answer. I was never over weight and life style changes were minimal. I received a false negative, which apparently are pretty common. That is in the past now though, and I havea social worker trying to get my insurance back on board.

-stay positive. It sucks sometimes but it REALLY is worth the patience. Your life is going to drastically improve, count on it.

[yamar2001]

oh, and my last point... even if you are tempted early on... I would advise against taking any sleep medications. For the most part they do not help in anyway... they certainly don't address the apnea, most medications in fact will make for more apneas per hour.

Good luck!

[chunkyfrog]

Welcome, yellaterra.
It can be hard to accept the fact that sleep is no longer simple.
I miss being able to just curl up somewhere and grab a few winks.
But I know if I did, I would be knowingly harming myself.
Life has too much potential to miss any of it.

[sleepnasta]

Hi all,

I went to see my sleep specialist this morning to discuss my overnight sleep study results. I don't completely understand it all, other than I have an AHI of 47.3 which is considered severe. I have an appointment to see a technician in early January, to be fitted and trained in how to use a CPAP machine, so I can begin a 4 week trial to see if it assists. I'm not overly keen on using a CPAP for the rest of my life. I'm male, 32 yrs, BMI 24, non smoker and only a social drinker. This is a bit of a blow. Have attached a copy of my results from the sleep study if anyone knows how to translate the rest of the info?!

Cheers

hi and welcome. i'm newly diagnosed as well... started cpap about 6 weeks ago. we have a lot in common. i'm also at a healthy weight with a BMI of 25, 32 years old, non-smoker. when i was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea (AHI of 58) i was stunned and bummed out. but within a week of starting cpap i felt like a new person and felt so happy to finally have an answer to why i felt like crap all the time, and a treatment that would help me get well. no joke! it has changed my life. i finally feel human. and the nasal pillows i use are completely un-intrusive (trust me, i'm claustrophobic and having things on my face flip me out). within a couple of minutes of putting on my mask i don't even feel it any more. best of luck to you. this is a great forum and there are many experienced cpap users and newbies alike who are very happy to answer questions.

[DavidCarolina]

Im sure you can get up and running soon. Make sure to think about if you want a full face or nasal mask. If you have blocked sinuses in the nose on a regular bass you know which way to go.

A couple other things

1. social drinking--alcohol is a MAJOR depressant. Maybe consider quitting until your comliant. Your numbers are significantly low, so you need to correct this.

2. make you you stomach sleep or side sleep. Absolutely no back sleeping.

3. Dont eat after dinner. No need to be digesting food while your trying to breathe.

4. watch any meds carefully. Some will depress your respiration.

5. Beware of other chemicals such as mold, MSG, aspartame, etc. You may have some lurking allergies making it worse.

[BlackSpinner]

oh, and my last point... even if you are tempted early on... I would advise against taking any sleep medications. For the most part they do not help in anyway... they certainly don't address the apnea, most medications in fact will make for more apneas per hour.

Good luck!

Actually if it causes you anxiety at first DO get some sleep meds in order to show your body mind it is safe too sleep with all this stuff on your face. Many people need all the help they can get to make it through the first few nights. The meds may make your apneas worse but if you are not using the machine that would be far worse.

[kismet210]

I'm severe as well, diagnosed a couple of months ago. I love my machine and what it's done for me! It may not feel like it right now, but the fact you've found out at a young age is such a bonus for you! I've got about 20 years on you. There are so many things that can change for the positive with the use of a CPAP machine, some of which you won't even realize were happening until they aren't.

I wrote an article for our newsletter at work telling my story so hopefully I could help someone else out there and save them from going through the agony of watching yourself slowly "disintegrating" and not knowing what's happening to you. One of the first things I wrote was that I wish that my friends hadn't been so "nice" to me and played it all down so they didn't hurt my feelings. It could have killed me.

As stated by other users here...if it had been diagnosed years ago instead of now, there's no telling how different my life may have turned out. Sleep Apnea doesn't play favourites. It affects millions of people whether or not they appear otherwise healthy, unhealthy, children, all backgrounds, all builds. Whether it's mild, moderate or severe, it's an awful thing to live with undiagnosed and only gets worse with time.