AudioCircle
Community => Non-audio hobbies and interests => Health and Fitness => Topic started by: stlrman on 7 Jan 2018, 08:08 pm
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So I did a test at home . The wife checked my results , and it seems like I had 70 apnea events!!
I sent in the small machine and they want me to come into the sleep center for an overnight.
Anybody sleep with the apnea mask? I'm bummed with the prospect of wearing this machine for the rest of my life!
But I'm a heavy snorer, and I guess I stop breathing though out the night . Yikes!!
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During an unrelated hospital visit it was discovered that my heart stopped beating multiple times during sleep and the remedy was to install a pacemaker that would only kick in if the heart rate went below 60 bpm. Yikes!
That prompted three subsequent overnight sleep studies where I was diagnosed with primarily central sleep apnea (as opposed to obstructive sleep apnea), meaning that something neurological / electrical (it would seem to be the same condition that caused my heart to stop) was also causing sleep events where breathing stopped.
Yes, wearing a mask sucks. I tried a number of masks that covered both mouth and nose, but the pressure against sinuses was always too uncomfortable. I ended up with a full face mask that sealed against the forehead at the top and chin at the bottom.
Sometimes I get through the night with success while other times I awake to find I've ripped off the mask sometime during the night with no memory of doing it.
Steve
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Well, you could probably go without the mask and have the surgery, which hurts like hell. In fact, a nurse told me who had had it, it was more painful than childbirth. My wife has been wearing a mask for a number of years, now. She has no problem.
Doc
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My second ex-wife was a doctor and poked me through the sleep saying I was not breathing, but I had slow breath. I recently had headaches at sleepíng, then corrected myself and increased my breath and the situation bettered, which required education and sensitivity.
I found that if one takes tranquilizers or sleeping pills before bed more likely to have apnea.
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Well, you could probably go without the mask and have the surgery, which hurts like hell. In fact, a nurse told me who had had it, it was more painful than childbirth. My wife has been wearing a mask for a number of years, now. She has no problem.
Doc
Didn't they have option for general anesthetic and good pain pills for after?
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Stirman,
I don't know your current situation, but the most common reason for apnea is being overweight. If you are, lose the extra poundage for better sleep in the long term, as well as for many other health reasons.
There are a couple of different masks made for sleep apnea, if you go that route, try all that they offer...CPAP being preferred, generally. (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
The sleep study will show the depth of your issue and best prescribe a solution. Apnea is a health issue, for certain, and should not be ignored. It's particularly hard on the heart.
Good luck with the problem.
Mud
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I would try the mouthguard route first. Look for the type that hold your lower jaw forward while sleeping. This can open the airway and hopefully will be enough to alleviate the problem.
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Sleep apnea
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I had sleep apnea for much of the past 30-40 years. I don't know how easy this is, but I did it--I concentrated on keeping my upper and lower teeth together at the rear molars, without grinding them, and breathing out of my nose. It took about 6 weeks to be able to do this without thinking about it. I no longer have the sleep apnea. Even my wife can't believe it! But she is happy.
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Thanks to everyone!!!
I just did a bit of research, and it seems sleep apnea can lead to increased risk of Alzheimer's.
Just great !!!
Dementia scares me as my Father in law has a mild case , and many people at his old age home have Alzheimer's and it's downright SCARY!!!! I am 51 with a 11 year old daughter.
I am taking a statin now, baby aspirin, and Wellbutrin to quit smoking.
I am 5'3" 180 lbs!! With a horrible family history of heart disease!
First thing I will do is go in to get the overnight study done.
Seems I should also exercise more, lose weight, and I did quit smoking two weeks ago.
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I would try the mouthguard route first. Look for the type that hold your lower jaw forward while sleeping. This can open the airway and hopefully will be enough to alleviate the problem.
I second the recommendation. They are called snore guards and you get them from a dentist. Mine was annoying at first but now I feel strange if I go to bed without it.
I failed the sleep test because I could not get to sleep with the test octopus on my face. No way would I wear a mask.
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I'm also concerned that I may have sleep apnea as well. A couple of things I'm doing before I get into the doctor:
1) bought the SnoreLab app for my phone. Let's me track my snoring and over time can even help me identify factors associated with my snoring (drinking, exercise etc). $6.99 well spent.
2) I purchased a third type of device that can help: tongue stabilizers. Available over the counter with no teeth molds needed. The Good Morning Snore Solution involves applying suction to your tongue to keep your mouth adjusted properly to avoid/reduce obstruction. A bit over $100 but with free returns within 30 or 60 days. https://goodmorningsnoresolution.com
I'm getting a baseline measure for my snoring before seeing what improvements the tongue stabilizer provides.
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Keep in mind that snoring is not the disease. It is the symptom of an underlying structural, dietary (reflux causing), or other physiological problem. It's the breath holding (and lack of oxygen) that causes all the dangerous mischief. One doesn't have to snore to have apnea...and one doesn't necessarily have apnea if one snores.
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Keep in mind that snoring is not the disease. It is the symptom of an underlying structural, dietary (reflux causing), or other physiological problem. It's the breath holding (and lack of oxygen) that causes all the dangerous mischief. One doesn't have to snore to have apnea...and one doesn't necessarily have apnea if one snores.
Yes, very good points. I suspect that I have apnea due to the combination of fatigue and snoring. So in the time being, I'll check out the tongue stabilizer to see how it impacts both my snoring and energy level. This is only a stop-gap measure until I can get in to see a doctor about this. And it will provide additional data that my doctor could potentially use...
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Yikes is right. You'll be lucky if you make it to dementia unless you make some significant lifestyle changes ASAP! I'd ditch the car ASAP if you can and go on one of those 90%+ plant based diets that all the former 100% vegan superstars are now recommending.
If you have a smart phone it should have a built in step tracker. I would make sure you hit your step number every day without excuses as if you life depended on it...because it does!
The good news is I have seen many folks who were 30-50 lbs overweight drop it quickly once they got motivated which for them meant simple dietary changes like moderating their food and alcohol intake and becoming active (e.g. walking).
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I did the overnighter a few years ago. They said I was below the threshold, so I didn't qualify for the machine/mask. However, they did tell me that I was one of the 2 or 3 loudest snorers who had ever done the study there. :scratch: Both of us wear earplugs.
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Well, you could probably go without the mask and have the surgery, which hurts like hell. In fact, a nurse told me who had had it, it was more painful than childbirth.
My sleep specialist cautioned me against going that route for reasons as you say plus that it doesn't work in every case. It's been 10 years since I was diagnosed with moderate OSA and I refuse to wear the mask. I've tried dental appliances to no avail but I deal with it by sleeping on my side and a little green herbal remedy.
Has anyone tried throat exercises... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJysIYGbLc&t=7s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJysIYGbLc&t=7s)
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I've been using a CPAP for almost a decade. Made a huge difference in being able to function and be mentally alert because of much-improved rest.
I used a variety of masks and found the small one that goes in my nostrils to be very comfortable, as if it's not even there. The date shows my cycles of stopped breathing are down to 3 a night, and the Dr. is very pleased. So am I. Very glad I have it and I'm almost 67 y/o.
Also, I'm told the surgery is NOT such a simple option and should be avoided. I think they said something about taking one's face off to do it. :surrender:
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I don't know your current situation, but the most common reason for apnea is being overweight. If you are, lose the extra poundage for better sleep in the long term, as well as for many other health reasons.
The sleep study will show the depth of your issue and best prescribe a solution. Apnea is a health issue... It's particularly hard on the heart.
Losing weight - easier said than done. Regardless everyone can benefit from more exercise. Might not be a bad idea to keep tab of your BP, if it's trending upwards, you definitely need to look at your diet and get more exercise. Doing these things can greatly help. Avoid statins if you can.
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Losing weight - easier said than done. ...
That is what I have heard from ever single person BEFORE they lost their weight. You don't understand, I have tried everything, all of the other people that have lost weight are different than me blah, blah, blah.
Step one is to be brutally honest with yourself but most people can't. How many calories are going in vs. how many are being burned up?
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That is what I have heard from ever single person BEFORE they lost their weight. You don't understand, I have tried everything, all of the other people that have lost weight are different than me blah, blah, blah.
Step one is to be brutally honest with yourself but most people can't. How many calories are going in vs. how many are being burned up?
+1!
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I have had sleep apnea for 15 years. I was so bad I would fall asleep driving. My first sleep study had me on oxygen within a hour into the test and a mask. When I left the test, I felt like a million bucks. I was severely deprived of oxygen when I slept. I no longer feel tired and I can't sleep without the Cpap machine. With the added energy, it is easier to loose weight. I use a nasal mask that is less cumbersome. Realize, some people die from sleep apnea, usually from the stress on the heart. My brother laid down one day without his Cpap and never woke up.
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I probably have apnea. I'd wake up with headaches. I bought this air purifier and I no longer wake up with headaches. Just throwing this out there.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sharp-air-purifier-white/4399000.p?skuId=4399000
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I probably have apnea. I'd wake up with headaches. I bought this air purifier and I no longer wake up with headaches. Just throwing this out there.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sharp-air-purifier-white/4399000.p?skuId=4399000
If an air purifier rid you of your symptoms, then sleep apnea was not the cause of those symptoms. Pure air does nothing to fix sleep apnea. I know this because I am a registered sleep technologist with 17 yrs. in the field.
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Have had 6 overnight studies at a sleep center over the course of 25 years (should repeat every 5 years). 31 electrodes, infrared camera, professionally monitored. They've come a long way in evaluating the results. I also have cardiac concerns: leaky heart valve, enlarged aorta, and slow heart rate at rest. So having 'events' during the night is not good for me. Also now married to a registered sleep tech with over 20 years of experience, so doomed to wear a CPAP.
Did lose 50 pounds 8 years ago when I become type 2 diabetic and went without the CPAP for a couple of years, but then put half of that back on, so back onto the CPAP again. Have tried various masks to avoid leaks. Using CPAP allows me to get by with one hour per night less sleep and I pop right out of bed at 5AM.
Falling asleep too easily could be fatal (such as while driving)! That's why commercial truckers are required to have routine sleep studies done. And don't forget that Reggie White (former NFL defensive lineman) died of sleep apnea.
Lots more folks use CPAP than you realize. Just look for small bags (roughly 12" x 12" x 6" bags) at the airport.
Try going to the professional who will give the best answer. By that I mean the answer that makes the most sense to you in your situation. Surgeons will recommend surgery, very very painful with no guarantees of success. Dentists will have you put something in your mouth, a cheaper/low impact approach if it works for you. Those chin straps you see on TV won't stop snoring through your nose, which wouldn't eliminate the problems for your sleep partner. Unfortunately most obstructed sleep apnea is due to excess fat in the throat, which is combination with relaxed muscles during sleep blocks the airway, which no nasal surgery, mouth piece, or chin strap can help.
Note that there is a great deal of scams out there relating to this. Ineffective studies is just the tip of the iceberg, which Medicare continues to go after for fraud. Unqualified centers/staff is another problem. (My mom had a study done at a 20 bed hospital where they had her sleep on a stretcher - ridiculous.) Those home studies can only be used as a first screening and not a definitive diagnostic. Cut happy surgeons are some of the worst. Most general practitioners don't know or do anything about sleep apnea. I like my GP but have to ask for the next study. My wife works at a Veteran's Hospital where they take all this very seriously. They have all the vets come in every 6 months, with their machines, to follow-up.
The good news is that you've caught it in time and it's easily treatable.
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I had the sleep apnea surgery years ago and it didn't work. All that happens now due to the removal of my uvula is I choke easily on the slightest crumb.
Also, after having it done a different ent consultant informed me " if you have a neck measurement over 17" then it doesn't work". Mines 18-19".
I'm cpap intolerant as in I STILL stop breathing with the machine on, it just inflates my cheeks!
I had a mouth guard for a while, a lightweight one but it wore out. A second trip to the orthodontic department presented me with one that would wrangle Lecter and was blocked by my tongue dropping forward so I essentially suffocated.
I'm currently losing weight AGAIN, I'm 6'3" and 276 lbs, need to get down to about 220.
Tired of being permanantly tired.
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I've known several people with weight related sleep apnea. They've all had very good success dealing with both conditions by following the Wheat Belly diet. I strongly recommend it, it does work very well:
https://www.amazon.com/Wheat-Belly-Lose-Weight-Health/dp/1609614798
The main advantage of this diet is that it reduces hunger - so you lose weight without feeling like your starving all the time. It also reduces bloat and puffiness pretty quickly. You'll see results within just a few weeks.
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I had the sleep apnea surgery years ago and it didn't work. All that happens now due to the removal of my uvula is I choke easily on the slightest crumb.
Also, after having it done a different ent consultant informed me " if you have a neck measurement over 17" then it doesn't work". Mines 18-19".
I'm cpap intolerant as in I STILL stop breathing with the machine on, it just inflates my cheeks!
I had a mouth guard for a while, a lightweight one but it wore out. A second trip to the orthodontic department presented me with one that would wrangle Lecter and was blocked by my tongue dropping forward so I essentially suffocated.
I'm currently losing weight AGAIN, I'm 6'3" and 276 lbs, need to get down to about 220.
Tired of being permanantly tired.
I've been using the Good Morning Snore Solution (https://goodmorningsnoresolution.com/), which is available over the counter and is an alternative to a mouth guard or CPAP. Simple device that applies suction to your tongue and pulls it forward. Good return policy too (90 days IIRC).
Tracking my snoring with the awesome SnoreLab app, I can see drastic reduction in my snoring levels when using it.
Going to the sleep lab tomorrow to get an official diagnosis of whether I have apnea or not...
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Looks good, unfortunately I'm a mouth breather :duh:
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On the weight loss topic, I'll throw one thing out there. I saw a dietitian who monitored what I ate. I eat very healthy foods, quinoa, salmon, vegetables, etc. What struck me is when you actually weigh and measure what you eat, you realize that portions are the elephant in the room. No one makes money telling you to just eat less though. But consider spending a week writing down not just what you eat, but how much of it. Then you can find all sorts of online calculators that tell you (based on your age, activity, etc.) how many grams of carbs, fats and protein you ought to be consuming in an average day. Odds are, if you're like me, the problem was simply that you were WAY over. Just because olive oil is good for you - you can still get fat from it.
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I've been using the Good Morning Snore Solution
roscoeiii - What did your Dr. think about this tongue device and how effective was it for you?
Did you use it during your test?
I've used a CPAP for years and HATE it! If I can find an effective alternative device I will try it.
I just ordered something similar from Zen Sleep.
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My doctor, okay, one of my doctors, just ordered a sleep study for me. I'll schedule it for next month.