Scared

[BlackSpinner]

Wow, didn't realize that I'd started a small war here.

Nah we just all have strong opinions. That is why we are here on this board and why we care as much. I was on another list where everything was moderated into mush. Lack of sleep causes lots of strong emotions, finding your own healing path can turn people into "Born Again XXXX path" missionaries. I have my own strong believes and sometimes I have to breath deep before posting.

As far as your wife is concerned - Google translations can create readable documents in many languages - They may not be literature and will fail the "proper English" test some people are so uptight about but they will deliver the information. I wouldn't be surprised if there are videos in her language some where on the net.

As you may have noticed the biggest problem people have is getting the mask to fit and adjusting mentally to sleeping with a squid on your face. While awake you can face down anything - when falling asleep however the inner toddler takes over and doesn't feel quite the same.

Good luck

[drj130]

Thanks for the good laugh BlackSpinner, I needed that. With the programs you mentioned, I know about them, but what I think some people aren't understanding, is that me and my wife don't share the same bed because of my snoring, but because we're not in the same country. Right now I'm stationed in Germany while she's living in Russia. Problems with getting her here, tis a pain to say the least. As far as falling asleep with a squid on my face goes, I'm a Soldier and I've slept with a gas mask on before. Not the same I know, but not too much different. Life is going to be fun, that is for sure.

David

[drj130]

Not too much longer now before I do the final stages of tests and receive my machine. I hope. I've a question for you all. Is heavy sweating a normal part of this problem? I've noticed in the past few days, and they have been very cool evenings, that I've been sweating so much that my pillows and my sheets are soaked. I hope that I didn't gross anyone out on this.

Thanks for any replies to this.

David

[Pugsy]

Is heavy sweating a normal part of this problem? I've noticed in the past few days, and they have been very cool evenings, that I've been sweating so much that my pillows and my sheets are soaked.

Yes, it is normal side effect. Your body comes under stress with each apnea episode. Extra adrenalin, stress, faster breathing, etc can and does create extra perspiration. Night sweats is listed as a symptom of sleep apnea.

[drj130]

Thanks for the fast reply Pugsy. I think that things are getting worse cause I seem to be sweating more each night. I'll see what I can do to try and cut the sweating down for now.

I think that I need to stop seeing doctors. Every time I see one, something else is wrong with this body. Anyone know where I can trade it in for a new model?

[BlackSpinner]

CPAP therapy is very renewing. Once it starts to work you will feel 10 years younger. That can take anywhere between a month to a year depending on the damage. It is like your body has been running on crappy diluted fuel and soon you will get super octane fuel.

[drj130]

Hmmmm, then that would put me about the same age as my wife. Which in most cases is not a bad thing at all. lol. I think that tonight I'll try sleeping with a fan on, maybe that will help me stay a little cooler than I am right now. My ex always told me that I generated a lot of heat while I slept. Now I know why. Makes me wish I'd went and gotten my snoring checked out sooner. Of course, knowing my luck, the Army would have kicked me to the curb. I've lived with it this long, I can wait 13 days or so to get the last testing done.

[BlackSpinner]

The last few weeks waiting I found the hardest. Before I could just tel myself there was nothing wrong, just getting older, or whatever but the last month, knowing and waiting for appointments and the machine I felt so much worse. I wanted that machine NOW I resented every lost hour. I was pretty unbearable to live with that last month.

[drj130]

BlackSpinner, I'm already that way. or so my Soldiers tell me. I've had a few run ins with people who have said that I've 'lost my temper' with them. If I'd done that, more than just those people would have called my commander. lol. You're right though. I'd like to get this over with so that I can go and start healing myself. I've seen a few people who also use a pulseox machine as well. Is that a good idea as well, or would it be a little bit of a waste of money. I know, i don't have much information to give anyone as to where I stand, but all advice is taken to heart and thought about till it is pointless to think about it anymore.

[BeanMeScot]

Irritability is a also a symptom of SA. You are becoming the poster child for Apnea .

The Pulse O2 just gives you additional information. It will tell you if you are desturating during the night. But it can't tell you why.

[drj130]

BeanMeScot, thanks for the laugh. I think, though I could be wrong, that part of my irritability is related to not having seen my wife for over 16 months. Long story, I'll explain later if anyone wants to know. Right now I've only one form of relaxing and that is my motorcycle. Too bad I can't ride it all of the time, else I might not have the 'anger' problem. Been talking with a 'shrink' and that has seemed to help some as well. I've a lot of issues that I've let build up over the years and i think that everything is coming together to a very ugly end. I'm glad that my platoon sergeant is gonna be gone for a while. Else we'd have a problem and he might end up in the hospital.

Anyways, I again pass my thanks on to you all. The information that I've learned here has helped me out so much. I'm really glad that I've found this site.

Then next step will be getting the doctor to let me get the correct machine so that I can monitor things correctly and over come this problem.

Oh, for those who might be wondering, I told the wife that I can't cuddle with her anymore, hoses and such getting in the way, but she is more than welcome to cuddle me instead. I could hear the smile in her voice and knew she understood. She's so happy that I won't be keeping her awake anymore.

David

[Muse-Inc]

...I think that things are getting worse cause I seem to be sweating more each night. I'll see what I can do to try and cut the sweating down for now...

I heartily recommend a large sheet of plastic under your sheet and then a ( or 2 ) large absorbant towels on top of the sheet. With any luck you'll wake up before you saturate the top towel. When I used to get those sweats (also tachycardia & hyperventilation, doc says panic attacks in my sleep...just lovely ), I'd sit up & dry off before checking out the towels. I found a fan helpful; I got one with a remote control so I could control the fan without turning on a light and walking to the fan.

Might try sleeping ONLY on your side; most with apnea have most events when sleeping on their back. I ended up clutching a pillow to my chest to help stay on my side (back sleeper for many, many years) and sleeping uncovered except for my calves and feet.

Good luck!

[Pugsy]

Give the fan a try, it will help a bit. I went through menopause hot flashes and undiagnosed sleep apnea a couple of years ago. There were times that I thought I had wet the bed it was so soaked.
Good luck. I know the waiting is so hard.