Help: New ASV user. Here's my story.

[Mr Bill]

I have to have a colonoscopy and an endoscopy on Thursday.
I just realized that I have to have sedation.
Is it OK to have sedation with central apnea?
Thanks. wB

Be certain you discuss this with your doctor. Explain that you will need ventilation during the procedure. Be VERY clear about this. Explain that you do NOT breathe while asleep - not just from obstructions - you simply make no effort to breathe. Tell you doctor / anesthesiologist that you make no effort to breathe while asleep. If they sound as if they do not understand, explain that it is a mild form of "Ondine's Curse". For the longest time a lot of doctors were never taught about sleep apnea, let alone central sleep apnea. But most have heard of "Ondine's Curse".

While trying to get my central sleep apnea treated, I even ran across one doctor that told me that I could not have central sleep apnea because it is so rare. *GADS*. I asked him if my sleep studies showed central sleep apneas. He answered "Yes, but you can't have it because it is so rare." Always remember that no one else is as concerned about the healthcare you receive as you do. You sometimes have to push for the right answers.

The good news is that most anesthesiologists are VERY good at what they do. They will help you maintain your breathing.

This reminds me of waking up after surgery back in 2000, before my CSA came along. My friend was there and I kept asking him to tell the nurse that I was breathing but I felt like I was suffocating. She comes by and says 'your pulse oximetry says your blood has plenty of oxygen'; boy was that uncomfortable. That feeling took quite a while to go away and it went away faster when they let me sit up. I have had other surgeries prior but never before that reaction.

[Woolybugger]

Sedation is a weird thing. I was real nervous about it, but it went fine. The Dr. is checking me for celiac's disease. Does anyone else have that? I hear there is a connection with celiac's and central apnea. Has anyone else heard that?

I was also wondering if anyone else experienced gas from there machine. I am way more gassy now that I use my machine. It doesn't bother me that bad, and my wife is sorta OK with it ....... , but I just was wondering if that was a normal thing to getting used to a VPap machine?

It's been 15 days now and I am getting used to, and, actually like my machine. Althoug I don't feel rested yet, I feel like I'm sleeping better.

Sleep on! -wB