How was your OSA/CSA discovered?

JDR: I too have been playing the "what if" game. Tough game to play cause the answer never changes the "WIN" which is accepting treatment for OSA. I have never looked forward in anticipation for medical treatment before now. Tonight will be my first night under the hose.

caffeinatedcfo wrote:JDR: I too have been playing the "what if" game. Tough game to play cause the answer never changes the "WIN" which is accepting treatment for OSA. I have never looked forward in anticipation for medical treatment before now. Tonight will be my first night under the hose.

Naw, not going there, just the mere thought of having OSA since a child was a bit mind blowing though.

Anyway, didn't mean to derail the thread. Still interested in hearing from others on how their OSA came to light..

In trying to determine the root of my Low Testosterone, I was sent for a sleep study..

And was surprised at the results..

The fight with the CPAP is a daily battle...

I was getting sore ribs from my wife poking me to get me to start breathing. She high-jacked my doctors visit and told him I snored and stopped breathing. Had a sleep study (split study because my breathing , um irregularity and AHI of 96. Been on the hose since last May. Feel so much better, more alert and lowered my golf handicap 8 strokes. Seems thinking is conducive to golf as well as work! Sheesh go figure.
-tino

I wanted to lose weight so I'd have more energy. I'd just finished getting my vitamin D levels up to the minimum range and was still so tired. I bought a BodyMedia Link armband from Costco. I did everything I was supposed to but I didn't lose weight. My sleep kept looking weird, the Link showed that I was waking up from 8-27 times per night. That seemed wrong but I didn't think anything about it until my Dr and I started really trying to figure out why I was so tired. It came down to I was depressed or I had some sleep issues. I would have gone with depressed as it runs in my family, but the BodyMedia made me think that I should see if there was something up with my sleep. I saw the sleep Dr and he said that I've never had a good nights sleep in my life due to the shape of my tongue, throat, and jaw. I did the sleep study and found that the Bodymedia was probably only recording the major events, but I'm glad it gave me that. The study showed I woke up 17 times per hour when I was not in REM and 42 when I was. Now I'm just waiting on my machine.

Went to my ENT for constant nasal congestion. Just so happen to mention to him that I found myself waking up gasping for air (didnt even know what OSA was at the time) and asked him if that was normal?!

My wife had been telling me that I was stopping breathing at night, and it was scaring her. Just after that I went in for my annual physical examination, and my doctor asked me if I'd ever had a sleep study, apparently what he saw when he looked down my throat prompted him to ask. I told him about my snoring and my wife mentioning that I stopped breathing at night sometimes, and my doctor gave me a referral to a sleep doctor who set up a sleep study for me. And that was it.

My husband very hesitantly told me I snored... &... gasped ... and snorted. He thought I'd be offended. Sleep apnea! I was appalled since my dad did that & died @ 57 of a MI. I told my internist immediately. It took 7 mo. to get diagnosed and get a Bilevel. I've had so much trouble with the DME and the doc. This forum has been a life saver. I am still working out the kinks but getting there. Thanks to all of you.

Spoke to my GP about constant morning headaches and fatigue. She sent me for a sleep study and then on to a sleep specialist. Was totally surprised to find out I had severe SA.

Wow. my story is so, so similar to all. My DH told me occasionally that I stopped breathing over the last several years, but I just never gave it thought, because I was a snorer and he was as well. I am 52 and about a year ago, my health just seemed to be going in a downward spiral. Yes, I did stop going to the gym, and did gain a bit of weight (mostly around my neck). Thankfully I have wonderful insurance. It started with my heart. I went to Brigham and Womens hospital in Boston. My sister drove me, I thought I was truly having a heart attack. Now please know, that before all of this, when I was exercising, I was never sick, I never had any "weird" feelings. So I had every test imaginable related to the heart. I'm talking expensive procedures. Nothing. Everything came back negative. Ok...so a few more weeks go by. I am still not feeling well. I have always got myself out of bed at 6:30. But gradually, I found myself sleeping later and later. It was easier, because our kids were now in college. I work full time out of the house. But waking up at 7:00 a.m. to wish my husband to have a great day, and then crawl back into bed and sleep to 9:00 was simply just "getting to me". What in the heck was going on. I thought it was depression...but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what in the heck I was depressed about. I was a happy person. So...once again, my hubby said,, Donna...I am telling you...you stop breathing for a very, very long time during the night. To the point where he got scared and woke me.

Ok enough. Went to my primary, suggested a sleep study. Fast forward.....I have "severe sleep apnea". I have been on cpap for 8 weeks, and I am truly feeling the benefits. However, I have been experiencing severe stomach bloat. My doctor called me 2 days ago and told me that I need to go for another sleep study because my oxygen levels where still very low during the night when they did the testing at home. I may need to switch to a bipap machine instead of a cpap. At first, I was so upset that I had to go for another sleep study, but I am ok with it now. I want to live. Plain and simple. I hope that I do lose weight and perhaps it will help. But for now, I want to live. I have two children, and a hubby that I love so much. I am determined to make this work. Whatever it takes. So Bipap, here I come.

For all of you reading this, contemplating whether or not you need OSA therapy. I urge you to get it checked out. It could save your life. Not to mention...you will feel like a new person. It can truly be magical for most peeps. Ahhh...to feel rested. Oh, did I mention..I now start my day at 6:45 and I am walking by 8:00 a.m. Happy again. Good luck!