mild apnea success stories?

Hello: I am in the process of getting a prescription from my family doctor for an apap. My sleep doctor told me i have mild sleep apnea with an AHI of 14.8. Are there people here that were in that range of AHI and had success with cpap's ? Have you seen an improvement in your life? Thank you

ainsle14 wrote:Hello: I am in the process of getting a prescription from my family doctor for an apap. My sleep doctor told me i have mild sleep apnea with an AHI of 14.8. Are there people here that were in that range of AHI and had success with cpap's ? Have you seen an improvement in your life? Thank you

So if you are trying to sleep say seven hours per night then your case of "mild" means you are choking and arousing about 100 times per night. Do you think the medical professionals are justified in calling this "mild"?

I think that I would consider myself lucky to start cpap with "mild" apnea. That might mean that you can prevent all the dreadful things that untreated apnea can do to your body and mind.

Properly treated "mild" apnea will certainly improve your health. You will most likely feel better, but the most important thing will be that you won't feel worse over the years if you don't treat it.

Lots of people here have suffered the effects of untreated apnea, myself included. Perhaps one can only appreciate having the diagnosis after the fact.

Stick around and learn how to help yourself treat apnea with your cpap. You will find great help and encouragement from this group.

Best wishes,

Catnapper - Joanie

Ainsle.........

About 10-years ago, my girlfriend convinced me to have a sleep study done, She said that my snoring was awful....and that I sometimes stopped breathing.

I had the sleep study done at the local hospital (facilities equivalent to Motel 3), the doctor charged me about $1000.....for "reading" the sleep study report......and said that I didn't have a problem. I went merrily on my way...still snoring.....and my wallet was relieved of having to carry around about $2000....the cost of the night at "Motel 3" plus what I paid the snake who told me I didn't have a problem.

In early 2006, my new girlfriend warned me....just as my previous love had done......that I had a problem. My blood pressure seemed to be a little high (measured during the daylight)....but nothing to get alarmed about. But...when I experienced increased stress in my life (both parents died within 11-days of each other).....I started experiencing strange events in the middle of the night. I'd wake up with my heart racing....and I felt "funny". Also....the frequency of the trips to the bathroom....in the middle of the night....was increasing.

In the middle of one night....during one of these "events"....I strapped on a blood pressure monitor....and was shocked to find that my BP was over 200. DAMN!

I realized that heart attack or stroke was about to become a part of my life....and that if I was lucky....I might survive as a drooling vegetable....in a nursing home.

I pushed my GP to help me get an emergency appointment with another local ENT who ran a "sleep center".....I then pushed HARD for the first available opening at the sleep study facility....and slept upright in a chair (before the sleep study) to prevent more "events" during the night. During the day, I frantically researched everything I could find on "sleep disordered breathing"....and found this forum.

The 2nd sleep study I did was at a facility equivalent to a "Motel 2-1/2". To help make the study as accurate as possible, I obtained the crappy little mask I was to wear during the study....and wore it at night for a week (no hose....just the mask)....so that I could get familiar with the way it felt.

The 2nd study was done by Medicare......and the "results" were that I was "normal"......and that I didn't qualify for further treatment. My AHI came in at about 4.8....just under the cut-off score of 5.0. The sleep center said that they could do no more for me....because they knew that Medicare wouldn't pay.

By this time, I was getting pretty familiar with my situation....because I was reading every post....and every "yellow lightbulb article" on this forum....plus I had obtained a couple of books from Amazon.

I learned from CPAP.com what needed to be in a prescription that would allow me to purchase the equipment I needed from them.

I determined that I needed a quality auto CPAP because I wanted full data capability....and I decided on the Respironics "M" series auto with CFLEX.....with integrated humidifier. I then wrote my own prescription....handed it to the sleep center tech who had been handling my "case"....told him that I wanted a prescription like what I had written.....got a "deer in headlights look".......and a day later I got the document I wanted. One day after that, CPAP.com delivered my equipment, and I started my treatment that night. I've worn it EVERY night since then.

During all this work with the 2nd ENT, he obtained a copy of the "study" done by the first ENT......and learned that the jerk had just "slopped out his work"....and that I should have taken action 10-years ago to correct a dangerous condition. The first doctor simply robbed me.

Essentially, I have managed my own care. I've purchased all equipment, software, and books associated with my treatment. I have extreme contempt for the "sleep industry"....but, extreme respect for the outfit called CPAP.com....the sponsors of this forum. For the most part, the people who post on this forum are fantastic.......and I've learned so much from everyone. I try to "give back".

My blood pressure is now normal, I no longer have to pee in the middle of the night, I'm more rested, and my AHI stays under 1.0......my average is about 0.4. I periodically check my O2 saturation levels with a recording oximeter......and I check the software generated report from my smart card every day.

I took charge of my own treatment......and you can do the same. Don't believe them when they say that what you have is "mild". What you have will shorten your life....and make what's left of it unhealthy.

"Git-r-done"

Gerald

Mild is a relative term........milder than those with severe apnea but much worse than those with no apnea. There are pros and cons both ways. PROS....improved health ..BP,heart attacks,stroke,etc, better sleep, more energy during the day, fewer headaches,more productive at work and at play,eliminate snoring that may bother a partner, etc CONS...inconvenient,noise,soreness around the nose,expensive,clausterphobia,mask leaks,air in the stomach, air blowing on your partner,etc
Forty percent of the people on cpap quit within 5 years ..usually related to one of the con reasons or they just don't want the hassle. On the other hand thousands stick to it for life...for all of the Pro reasons. It's your choice.