[stlrman]

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!!

[srb]

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

[Devil Doc]

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

[FullRangeMan]

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.

[guest61169]

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?

[Mudslide]

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

[cliffy]

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. 

[fridays]

Sleep apnea

[Bob Stark]

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.

[stlrman]

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.

[Don_S]

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.

[roscoeiii]

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.

[Mudslide]

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.

[roscoeiii]

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...

[Doublej]

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).

[mresseguie]

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.    Both of us wear earplugs.

[Wind Chaser]

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

[thunderbrick]

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.   

[Wind Chaser]

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.   

[Doublej]

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?