What Triggered Your Need for CPAP?

[SDBud]

For years I've had trouble sleeping - frequently waking up, trouble falling asleep, restless sleep, insomnia.

As I've aged, I had what I thought were normal sleep patterns. But when I was hospitalized for a minor (relatively) surgery, THEY noticed that my O2 sat was down to about 70% when I slept. Got referred to the CPAP people at the VA, did a home test, and sure enough, 58+ events. Went on the machine not long after.

I DO sleep somewhat better, and feel better, but can't attribute ALL that to CPAP, as I've had heart surgery, and a change in heart meds as well recently.

[colomom]

. . . sounds normal to fall asleep . . .

This is the problem--it is not, SHOULD NOT be considered "normal".
Work should not be all you can bear--there is more to life.
If not, why bother?

I agree 100%!

I was surprised by the STOPBANG and Epworth questionnaires i received from the sleep doc once I finally got my referral to sleep medicine. Inspite of overnight oximetry that clearly showed that I had sleep apnea (ODI of 33 and O2 sats under 88 for <4 1/2 hours), according to the standard screening questionnaires I was at low risk for OSA. I was surprised to learn that the STOPBANG questionnaire gave witnessed stops in breathing a measly 1 point; equal points are given to being male, having a big neck, being overweight, and having high blood pressure. As a young healthy female in spite of witnessed apnea’s and excessive snoring the questionnaires showed I was low risk because I was not an obese elderly man with a big neck and high blood pressure.

The Epworth sleepiness scale was equally as ridiculous. My favorite:
What is your likelihood of dozing in a car when stopped for traffic
0. Would never dose
1. Slight chance of dozing
2. Moderate chance of dozing
3. High chance of dozing

So if I understand this questionnaire correctly if you only fall asleep on occasion when sitting at a red light, you only score a one on that part of the questionnaire, WTF?

[chunkyfrog]

Never took their silly test; but---
I had a moderate chance of dozing off WHILE DRIVING--several times, in fact.
Only momentarily, fortunately, with no damage except a lost hub cap.

[Arlene1963]

Colomom, I also only scored 2 on the STOP- Bang questionnaire and 2 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Not useful in my case either.

[Aretino]

wife warned me that my snoring was increasing and it seemed like I was gasping for air.

[rkt88edmo]

Waking up at 0230-0300 or waking up in the morning with a headache.
Very difficult staying awake in mid afternoon as well.

Getting diagnosed and being CPAP compliance fixed those issues.