Ages?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.

How old were you at diagnosis?

Under 20
0
No votes
20's
7
4%
30's
30
16%
40's
47
26%
50's
61
33%
60's
36
20%
70's
2
1%
over 79
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 183

Sudsy
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Re: Ages?

Post by Sudsy » Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:44 am

50 now dx at 46

Sudsy

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trike-mike
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Re: Ages?

Post by trike-mike » Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:49 am

jabman wrote:
jlk wrote:
jabman wrote:I was Dxed at 38, I am 39 now. I went in because of high blood pressure when I found out but I knew I had it for at least ten years but didn't think it was a big deal. Oh and my wife kept nagging me to get it checked out, wish I would of listened to her sooner.
Don't put that in writing, it will come back and haunt you john
Oh she reminds me every chance she gets.
Just remember, in any disagreement where it turns out that you and not she is correct.... apologize at once!!!

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adksleepygal
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Re: Ages?

Post by adksleepygal » Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:08 am

I am finding this thread very interesting. I am 59 - diagnosed at 59. But people have told me for years that I snore ( no one wants to hear that so I was sure they were wrong ) At age 21 I had tonsils and adnoids removed - every dentist I have ever seen has told me I have a very small mouth and a very tiny jaw - I have always been cold (hubby always said I was half-dead) - very thin most of my life ( a little extra cargo on board now thanks to my GYN and his hyster procedure ) but not obese or anything. Always have been tired my whole life - was actually called lazy by my mother but that is another story for another day. 15 years ago was diagnosed with clinical depression and put on medication - helped very little.
Now I realize it had to be OSA all along - just amazing! last winter was worked up for early Alzheimer's which led to a sleep study finally and here I am.....

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ymmit
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Re: Ages?

Post by ymmit » Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:28 am

I'm 38, diagnosed yesterday - My AHI is higher than my age!

Laurie1041
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Re: Ages?

Post by Laurie1041 » Fri Nov 12, 2010 12:05 pm

SnoozyQ wrote:I was curious at to what age members are now and what age they were diagnosed?
(not to be offensive, don't feel obligated to answer)
Just curious to see all the various ages that have been diagnosed.

I am 33 and diagnosed at 33.
Welcome SnoozyQ!

I was first diagnosed in 2002 at age 42. I went to my former PCP under protest and my husband proceeded to launch into this horrible diatribe about how I snored, gasped, and sounded like I was going to die. I felt a little humiliated. At that time, my PCP was not very impressed and told my husband and I that I was young and female and that there was little reason to suspect SA. My PCP even went on to say that a little snoring was normal and that if it bothered my husband he should try ear plugs! I felt victorious! However, my husband who had for years been "bugging" me about my snoring and gasping was not about to give up. My doctor was no match for my husband and decided to appease my husband by ordering the study. My study in 2002 revealed "Moderate" OSA and my doctor was still unimpressed and without a word just handed me a scribbled Rx for CPAP 9 cms and advised me to take it to my insurance approved DME. Without any support, other than my husband who knew nothing about SA, I lasted maybe 3 to 4 hours a night on CPAP and within 3 weeks it ended up in the closet.

With continued "bugging" by my husband, in 2004 I went to a different PCP, who told my husband and I that my sleep study results from 2002 were "not a big deal" and to just sleep on my side (which is my preference). My husband, once again came in for the attack. This doctor, however, was not going to deal with an argument and simply handed over orders for another sleep study. Results: "Moderate OSA". Not much help or support from this doctor - "Just use your machine and same mask - same pressure settings". Tried again (not with very much conviction) and into the closet it went.

In 2005, my husband had me convinced that I was going to die in my sleep. I saw another PCP, who although was very accommodating, told both my husband and I that I just did not fit the "profile" of the patient with OSA - meaning I was not a male, overweight, with a large neck circumference. He gave me orders for yet another sleep study (which was the worst study I have ever had in terms of constant interruptions by the tech). My PCP told me to go see an ENT. I saw the ENT who said my upper airway was "lax" and wanted to implant some type of mesh on the soft palate. Sounded really painful and dubious at best. My husband's solution - he kicked, shook, elbowed me everytime I didn't breathe. Ouch! I would get so irritated but would promptly fall back asleep.

In October, 2010 my therapist of all people, asked me several questions concerning my overall health status and the light bulb went on. I told her that I had been diagnosed with SA back in 2002 and had used my CPAP for maybe 3 weeks and gave up on it. I was completely taken aback by my therapist's knowledge on OSA and she urged me to have a complete physical and to get orders for a sleep study ASAP. Thankfully, I had copies of all 3 previous reports and showed them to my PCP who reviewed them and she had a long discussion with me about the health consequences of untreated SA and gave me several resources to find out more information about SA. My PCP requested that I wait in her office while she called one of her colleagues, a sleep specialist, and he recommended a split-study ASAP. I was scheduled for my study the following night. Dx: Severe OSA

So now I have a sleep specialist, my therapist, my PCP, my family, and this forum to help support me. I am going on day 20 with 100% compliance and I owe a debt of gratitude to all the people on this forum who give so much hope and inspiration to the newbies.

SnoozyQ, you are so fortunate to have been diagnosed in your 30's at a time where SA knowledge is growing and growing. I wish you all the best. Again, Welcome! Laurie

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spinifex
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Re: Ages?

Post by spinifex » Fri Nov 12, 2010 12:24 pm

I am 63 and was diagnosed at 63. In my case the Handbrake had been nagging me for years to go see a doctor.
She told me i snore, stop breathing, and other symptoms, like bein lethargic, morning headaches, etc.
Just finished my second (home) sleeptest (first one was in hospital). Still trying to get used to the mask, though it doesn't annoy me as much as it did at the beginning.
I'll be happy when i get my own machine. Ordered a ResMed S9 AutoSet & H5i, so i can then start looking into the software and see what is happening.

Jon

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boosmum
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Re: Ages?

Post by boosmum » Fri Nov 12, 2010 2:15 pm

I'm 31 and just diagnosed. I think though it's quite possible that i've had this for many many years. No one has ever really said that I did the classic "stop breathing" thing but my sleep study showed I very clearly have OSA. I recall way back in grade 5 at primary school on camp that the girls in the dorm room with me all threw things at me to wake me up because of my terrible snoring.

I'm so glad to be on cpap now and no longer snoring. I now look forward to going on holidays with my daughter and not worrying that other people can hear me snoring!! My daughter has wanted to go camping for a while now but I knew with how loud I snored sleeping in a tent was not a good idea in the interest of comfort of fellow campers. Now I can see that all this is possible for me

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BusyLyn
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Re: Ages?

Post by BusyLyn » Fri Nov 12, 2010 2:20 pm

Diagnosed last month at 61, but I suspect that I've had sleep apnea since childhood. I have a lifelong history of ENT problems, and severe allergies / asthma as well. I never felt overly tired during the day -- it was just the way life was. A kidney specialist to whom I was referred for better treatment of my hypertension finally put all the clues together and sent me for a sleep study last month.
"That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger." -- Friedrich Nietzsche

lbw
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Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Ages?

Post by lbw » Fri Nov 12, 2010 2:26 pm

I'm 46 diagnoses at 46 (well that when my sleep study was done) Based on what I know now have had problems >10 yrs.

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elena88
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Re: Ages?

Post by elena88 » Sat Nov 13, 2010 10:00 pm

Im fifty four, diagnosed at fifty three in february..

although Im sure Ive had this since I was in my twenties or even teenage years.. It got really bad twenty years ago, but back then,
not many people could figure out what caused the osa symptoms.

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Jaylee
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Re: Ages?

Post by Jaylee » Sat Nov 13, 2010 10:21 pm

Diagnosed at 31, now I am 32.

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Jaylee
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Re: Ages?

Post by Jaylee » Sat Nov 13, 2010 10:23 pm

Am I the only one who can't get the "Suzy Q" song out of their heads?

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rested gal
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Re: Ages?

Post by rested gal » Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:11 pm

Diagnosed myself in 2003 a few months before my 60th birthday:

How I got started on cpap:
Jan 25, 2005 subject: not diagnosed yet, many ? brand new here
my story and Poisson's reply with good reasons why a PSG sleep study is important.


There's no question in my mind that I had undiagnosed OSA starting as far back as my early teenage years. Reallllly LOUD snoring -- all my life. All my life, that is, up until that magical night in October 2003 when I started using an old borrowed CPAP. Best thing I ever did for myself!
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deerslayer
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Re: Ages?

Post by deerslayer » Sun Nov 14, 2010 12:15 pm

rested gal wrote:Diagnosed myself in 2003 a few months before my 60th birthday:

How I got started on cpap:
Jan 25, 2005 subject: not diagnosed yet, many ? brand new here
my story and Poisson's reply with good reasons why a PSG sleep study is important.


There's no question in my mind that I had undiagnosed OSA starting as far back as my early teenage years. Reallllly LOUD snoring -- all my life. All my life, that is, up until that magical night in October 2003 when I started using an old borrowed CPAP. Best thing I ever did for myself!
Laura that's a good specimen of one of your Rotts , but it ain't you girl lol.........& you have helped soo many others --THANK YOU !!! my spouse ordered me to the doc & was promptly diagnosed with OSA after sleep study 3 years ago. am now enjoying 65 !....Therapy without this forum is like driving blindfolded IMHO. tim

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charliemack
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Re: Ages?

Post by charliemack » Sun Nov 14, 2010 12:55 pm

like a lot of the posts on this subject, I probably had sleep apnea at least 20 years ago. From the poll it seems that sleep apnea is being diagnosed earlier which is nice.

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