Is sleep apnea a REAL illness????

UnderWaterBabe wrote:I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but I'm still not sure if I believe in it... I'm having a hard time believing all my problems could be from 'lack of sleep.'

I'd agree that we can't blame every problem from a poor love life to bunions on sleep apnea, but it -can- impact a number of facets of a healthy life that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

The key thing (for me, anyway) was to make the connection between sleep apnea being closely associated with a great reduction in oxygen getting to your bloodstream. Once you accept that connection, it is easier to accept the large number of chronic conditions that could be made worse by not getting enough oxygen.

John

UnderWaterBabe wrote: I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but I'm still not sure if I believe in it... I'm having a hard time believing all my problems could be from 'lack of sleep.' (I have most every problem related to apnea, except I have not had a stroke--thank goodness.) I think I have early onset Alzheimer's, to tell the truth. I am 5 days C & S (Clean & Sober). I started using my new c-pap machine 5 nights ago. So far I don't see ANY improvement with the machine, in fact I feel worse, so I feel like my fears might be justified...? Any comments?

It's pretty normal to be in a state of shock and disbelief, and it's also not unusual that you'd feel worse rather than better when you first start sleeping with a cpap machine. You'll see that as you start perusing the discussions here. I don't see you as being in denial, or else you wouldn't have posted to this forum. Disbelief, of course, who hasn't had some of that at the beginning -- but go ahead and stick with the cpap machine even if you're having a hard time believing the diagnosis. Give it time. If you have a copy of your full sleep study report, looking at it can help you absorb the reality of your sleep apnea -- especially if you look at the graph of your oxygen desaturations. Very sobering for most of us.

There are some great, knowledgeable folks here who can help you with adjusting to cpap therapy and monitoring your progress. Welcome.

With all the horrific symptoms my husband was displaying, not to mention 2 Triple Bypasses and other medical issues, we were almost relieved to get the diagnosis of Sleep Apnea which can be treated successfully, rather than be told there's nothing that can be done to help him. Please take time to read the success stories at the top of this forum.

I never knew anything about sleep apnea. I had heard my mom mention it before but I never researched it. Yes, it is a very real and serious disorder. The 3 things you need to live is Breathe, food and sleep. Sleep does more for our bodies than we even realize! Lack of sleep does more harm than we realize as well. It puts a lot of pressure on your heart, lack of oxygen to your brain can kill of cells, high blood pressure etc. I had terrible headaches, sleep paralysis, nightmares, dry mouth, constant night time bathroom breaks and falling asleep whenever and where ever. It does take time to get use to your cpap and to feel the full affects. You have to pay off the amount of lost sleep. Do some research and ask questions. Thats what were here for!

UnderWaterBabe wrote: I think I have early onset Alzheimer's, to tell the truth. Any comments?

Oh, UnderWaterBabe, I've got a lot of comments!
From Personal Experience I thought I had Early Onset Alzheimer's too! The brain fog was so bad I had to leave myself notes at work so I could pick up the next morning where I had left off the night before! I made so many mistakes my boss removed those responsibilities and assigned them to a co-worker! My life went downhill from there! It was suggested that I might consider employment some where else! I'm the sole bread winner in the family. To say I was scared to death is an understatement.
I could barely function at home. I couldn't think. People would ask me questions... All I could do was stare blankly at them while internally struggling to understand the question... struggling to find the words to answer! And 12+ hours of sleep on weekends didn't save my butt anymore. I felt no better on Mondays.
Apnea causes a slow downward spiral. First one thing happens then another. Perhaps it's a slowly increasing BP, then heart arrhythmia, getting up a lot at night to pee... or so out if it I wet the bed. My feet began to burn and tingle and I was diagnosed with Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy. Within a year this awful pin-n-needles feeling engulfed both legs up to the hips and from finger tips to shoulders. I needed prescription drugs to kill the pain so I could sleep.

It took three months of xpap to begin to begin feel good. My oxygen levels probably had been down to 83% during sleep for years.
After 17 months on xpap I didn't need the drugs. After 2+ years on the hose my BP is 125/72. Pulse is 60. The nerves have recovered in arms and legs...only some tingling in my feet.
The only thing that changed is this body is getting 90% + oxygen at night.
The third Heart attack in 5 years killed my Dad. He had severe OSA. Mom has had 3 mini strokes, heart arrhythmia, a pace maker for 20+ years, uncontrollable hypertension, severe Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy and she struggles to find the right words, or the right names for things.
Our bodies evolved with this percentage of O2 in the air we breath. And we need it to stay healthy. Doesn't it make sense that if we don't get enough oxygen while sleeping (or at any time) parts begin to get sick and fail?
It appears the lower your O2 the longer it takes for your body to heal and recover from this lack.
I hope you find the courage and perseverance... dig deep inside... It's there! You deserve to feel better. Stick with it! I did and sure glad I did. I got my life and my brain back.
Wishing you the best,
Cindy

To me anything that can REALLY kill you is a REAL illness.

UnderWaterBabe wrote: I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but I'm still not sure if I believe in it... I'm having a hard time believing all my problems could be from 'lack of sleep.' (I have most every problem related to apnea, except I have not had a stroke--thank goodness.) I think I have early onset Alzheimer's, to tell the truth. I am 5 days C & S (Clean & Sober). I started using my new c-pap machine 5 nights ago. So far I don't see ANY improvement with the machine, in fact I feel worse, so I feel like my fears might be justified...? Any comments?

Using CPAP therapy is a start, but you could have several other issues affecting your health. Unlike the tooth fairy or Santa Claus, sleep apnea is VERY real, so it should be taken seriously. If you ignore your sleep apnea, you're only kidding and hurting yourself. Good luck with your therapy.

Trolling . . .

Wikipedia--Obstructive Sleep Apnea: It is there, in black and white.

Cindy Lou, thank you for sharing your amazing story. You've said it all. I'm so glad you're enjoying life again!

Think of it this way: if you couldn't get enough water, would it surprise you that your organs would start to shut down and eventually you would die? Oxygen is required for life, and long-term deprivation for many hours each night takes a major toll.

greatunclebill wrote:to me illness means like a illness that you catch and cure. this is more of a permanent medical condition, a physical defect that that you have always had. i think the word illness sends out the wrong message to those that are just learning about this.

Greatunclebill, there are many "illnesses" that you don't catch and cure - at least for now. However, I see sleep apnea that causes many illnesses - if you don't "catch" them soon enough, they will kill you. Diabetes, cancer, stroke, for example. If you do "catch" sleep apnea (or at least "wake-up" to the need for treatment, there is a good chance that you will "cure" at least a significant number of those other "illnesses." The problem with labeling apnea as a permanent medical condition seems to me that it gives the "patient" the right to ignore it - I have always snored, ho ho ho! Awareness of the realities of the progression of our medical condition to serious disorders needs to be increased - among doctors of many specialties, as well as with patients. The "cure" for our condition is simple - increase the flow of oxygen into our blood stream. Give the body the oxygen it needs to keep away all those illnesses and conditions that will kill us if left unattended.

SleepyToo2 wrote:

greatunclebill wrote:to me illness means like a illness that you catch and cure. this is more of a permanent medical condition, a physical defect that that you have always had. i think the word illness sends out the wrong message to those that are just learning about this.

Greatunclebill, there are many "illnesses" that you don't catch and cure - at least for now. However, I see sleep apnea that causes many illnesses - if you don't "catch" them soon enough, they will kill you. Diabetes, cancer, stroke, for example. If you do "catch" sleep apnea (or at least "wake-up" to the need for treatment, there is a good chance that you will "cure" at least a significant number of those other "illnesses." The problem with labeling apnea as a permanent medical condition seems to me that it gives the "patient" the right to ignore it - I have always snored, ho ho ho! Awareness of the realities of the progression of our medical condition to serious disorders needs to be increased - among doctors of many specialties, as well as with patients. The "cure" for our condition is simple - increase the flow of oxygen into our blood stream. Give the body the oxygen it needs to keep away all those illnesses and conditions that will kill us if left unattended.

i won't argue about it. that's silly. i stand by what i said.

Feels pretty darn real to me

Amen!