I'm so confused….!
Question:
Brian, Your questions are certainly very valid. Fortunately, there is a growing amount of information about our problem up here on the Web. I did a search on "apnea" and turned up a lot of good pages. One of the most useful (for me, at least) is – http://www.sleep-apnea.ab.ca/ – the Sleep Apnea Society of Alberta. Their page has excellent articles on the diagnosis, physiology, and treatment of OSA. This page will help you understand both the surgical and non-surgical treatments. (BTW – I am not affiliated with them.) From my understanding (totally non-professional), your doctor’s concerns are well founded. You really do want to do something about this problem!! OSA may not kill you directly, but the side affects can! Drowsiness leads to accidents (car and otherwise), and sleep deprivation leads to increased blood pressure, increased tendency to gain weight, depression, et al. And those things lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other unpleasantries. And the tie-in with weight gain seems to be circular, with weight gain increasing the apnea, and apnea increasing the tendency to gain weight. For myself, I would tend to prefer the non-surgical treatments (such as CPAP) over the surgical ones, at least as a first attempt. Besides being less invasive (and cheaper), it actually has a better rate of success, both long term and short term. If you go the CPAP route, your doctor does need to do that followup study – if for no other reason than to determine the proper pressure setting for your machine (a process they call "titration"). Too high a pressure setting is no better than too low of one. Should anyone be reading this who has not been tested yet, inquire about a "Split Study", where they do both the diagnosis and the titration in one overnight visit. As far as traveling with a machine, most of the machines are pretty small (5 to 10 lbs), come with nice carrying cases, and can fit in the overhead rack. I like to camp out, and I’ve heard it is possible to get battery packs that will run a CPAP for a night or two. As far as the dating game goes, you may be limited a little bit as far as the partners you choose. Namely, those with a sense of humour and a real sense of caring. A CPAP machine and facemask may not be fashionable as intimate apparel goes, but jackhammer snoring doesn’t enhance our appeal too much, either. You are certainly not alone as far as that concern goes, as a quick read of this newsgroup shows. Good luck, Dave
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -WolfBearVA wrote: > Hi. I just found this message board, hoping to find some answers that > seem to be so evasive. I thought I had insomnia–hard time sleeping, > waking up at night, falling asleep during the day. I’ve been told i sound > like I have the "death rattle" when I sleep, but I’m single, so I don’t > notice it. > To make a long story short, I went to a sleep clinic in DC, and the > neurologist told me I had soemthing called Sleep Apnia (which i thought > meant that I snored!). He said I stopped breathing on average of 46 times > per hour for periods ranging from 16 secs. to 36 secs. I could tell he > seemed somewhat taken aback by my lack of concern about this, but then, I > didn’t think this was a serious problem. He order a CPAP Trial. > Unfortunately, I had some minor surgery the day before the trial, and they > tried to give me a general anesthetic. Apparently, they had a big problem > getting the trache tube in, and finally had to go through my nose, which > casued a significant amount of bleeding. They blamed the Sleep Apnia for > the trache problem. (Can this be right?) Anyway, becasue my nose was so > congested, I couldn’t participate in the CPAP trial. > The neurologist explained that I would need this trial to get the machine, > but the prospects of carrying a machine everywhere I go (I travel a lot) > sound grim. Also, being single, I can imagine hooking up everynight while > trying to "court" someone. The Neurologist agreed, and said there were > surgical rememdies that are available, but he did not elaborate. In > looking through this message board, I’ve seen only reference to > thracheotomies (sp?)—isn’t that a hole in the throat? That sounds even worse! > I don’t have tonsils anymore, and had a deviated septum corrected several > years ago. I’m starting to think this is going to be a bigger event in my > life than I bargained for. Does anyone know about other surgical > techniques that can….i don’t know….make it easier to breathe or > whatever? Am I asking completely naive questions? > Brian
Hi Brian, Welcome, don’t take that in a bad way. It sounds as though you’ve had about the problem I have. I just had surgery last week because I have had an obstructed airway in my nose for years. It had caused problems complicating my apnea for years too. I reached the point I thought I had insomnia about a year ago. Even though I knew I had apnea and was on CPAP. I finally cabe to realize it was because my nose was obstructed there was not enough air flowing to keep my airway open at any pressure. I have allergys also but I have never been able to breath well even at best. They did a procedure called Nasal turbunate cauterization. Which is a fancy way of saying they cook part of the passageway in your nose to make more room to breathe. I hope you do better on CPAP, but be careful of nasal obstructions of any kind they can destroy the best CPAP therpy. Brian, I had to dump your written text because my server has some kind of problem. It doesn’t like it if your reply is not longer than the origional so it dumps it back and will not send. Can anybody tell me what to do about that? Gary
Response:
Ron: Thanks for your response. A fella named Frank also responded thru e-mail with an article that I believe has made its rounds through this group. What a shock this all is for me. I didn’t know this condition existed at all. I merely thought I was having insomnia and snoring becasue of allergies. My neurologist is on the teaching staff at the George Washington Univ ospital in DC, but I’ll still check out his credetials. He did not want me to even approach an ENT surgeon until the CPAP trial was completed. But then, of course, i didn’t know there could be different casues for this condition. Someone here told me to go through with the whole CPAP thing cuz it really would make a difference in how I felt. I’m wondering now if I’ve had this problem for quite a long time, becasue I’ve never had much energy, never woke up feeling rested (usually coveredw ith sweat). I always thought maybe there was soemthing everyone else was eating that seemed to make them appear so vivacious. All I wanted to do was make it htru the day! I don’t like hyperbole, and I’m always suspicious of people who describe their symptoms (or recoveries) melodramtically, but you know, at least on this bulletin board, I can really relate to what i’m hearing—except all the talk about the machine thing, which I can’t even visualize yet. The more i educate myself on this issue (as you suggested) the more I realize I need to learn, and the more dreadful it all sounds. But there’s a part of me that is kind of excited about the prospect of going to sleep and waking up refreshed (in spite of the machine hassle). At this point, I’d do almost anything to feel good. Thanx for your suggestions and taking the time to respond. Maybe someday down the line, I’ll be able to help someone else who happens to stumble onto a problem like this. It is surely eye-opening to me! Wolf <Brian>
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -WolfBearVA wrote: > Ron: > Thanks for your response. A fella named Frank also responded thru e-mail > with an article that I believe has made its rounds through this group. > What a shock this all is for me. I didn’t know this condition existed at > all. I merely thought I was having insomnia and snoring becasue of > allergies. My neurologist is on the teaching staff at the George > Washington Univ ospital in DC, but I’ll still check out his credetials. He > did not want me to even approach an ENT surgeon until the CPAP trial was > completed. But then, of course, i didn’t know there could be different > casues for this condition. > Someone here told me to go through with the whole CPAP thing cuz it really > would make a difference in how I felt. I’m wondering now if I’ve had this > problem for quite a long time, becasue I’ve never had much energy, never > woke up feeling rested (usually coveredw ith sweat). I always thought > maybe there was soemthing everyone else was eating that seemed to make them > appear so vivacious. All I wanted to do was make it htru the day! > I don’t like hyperbole, and I’m always suspicious of people who describe > their symptoms (or recoveries) melodramtically, but you know, at least on > this bulletin board, I can really relate to what i’m hearing—except all > the talk about the machine thing, which I can’t even visualize yet. > The more i educate myself on this issue (as you suggested) the more I > realize I need to learn, and the more dreadful it all sounds. But there’s > a part of me that is kind of excited about the prospect of going to sleep > and waking up refreshed (in spite of the machine hassle). At this point, > I’d do almost anything to feel good. > Thanx for your suggestions and taking the time to respond. Maybe someday > down the line, I’ll be able to help someone else who happens to stumble > onto a problem like this. It is surely eye-opening to me! > Wolf <Brian>
Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. I was doing CPAP setups for a respiratory home care company when I accidentally discovered I had obstructive sleep apnea. Then I setup a home sleep test division for the company. Then I worked for an accredited sleep lab for 3 years. I am still amazed at the lack of knowledge about sleep disorder in both the public/private and professional sectors of society. I do not recomment surgery. The results are less than positive and in some cases quite negative. Be glad to help you how ever I can. Just ask. –Joe–
Response:
Brian… get a cpap as soon as possible.. i got one without any kind of stinkin’ trial, but i had a best friend who was a sleep tech that spent enough nights at my home to know i had a problem. guess i was lucky. damn machine changed my entire sleep life. i used to wake up every hour to pee, had bad digestive problems, snoring, fatigue all day, etc…..it took me about a week to get used to having one on, and my subsequent girlfriends prefer the wooshing sound of the cpap to my snoring. just wait till they’re asleep before you put it on. also, explain to them in advance, and if they’re worthy, they’ll understand. the only downside is that i have to pick campsites that have electricity…a smnall price to pay for quality sleep. good luck dan WolfBearVA wrote in article <19970829101601.GAA16…@ladder01.news.aol.com>… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi. I just found this message board, hoping to find some answers that >seem to be so evasive. I thought I had insomnia–hard time sleeping, >waking up at night, falling asleep during the day. I’ve been told i sound >like I have the "death rattle" when I sleep, but I’m single, so I don’t >notice it. >To make a long story short, I went to a sleep clinic in DC, and the >neurologist told me I had soemthing called Sleep Apnia (which i thought >meant that I snored!). He said I stopped breathing on average of 46 times >per hour for periods ranging from 16 secs. to 36 secs. I could tell he >seemed somewhat taken aback by my lack of concern about this, but then, I >didn’t think this was a serious problem. He order a CPAP Trial. >Unfortunately, I had some minor surgery the day before the trial, and they >tried to give me a general anesthetic. Apparently, they had a big problem >getting the trache tube in, and finally had to go through my nose, which >casued a significant amount of bleeding. They blamed the Sleep Apnia for >the trache problem. (Can this be right?) Anyway, becasue my nose was so >congested, I couldn’t participate in the CPAP trial. >The neurologist explained that I would need this trial to get the machine, >but the prospects of carrying a machine everywhere I go (I travel a lot) >sound grim. Also, being single, I can imagine hooking up everynight while >trying to "court" someone. The Neurologist agreed, and said there were >surgical rememdies that are available, but he did not elaborate. In >looking through this message board, I’ve seen only reference to >thracheotomies (sp?)—isn’t that a hole in the throat? That sounds even worse! >I don’t have tonsils anymore, and had a deviated septum corrected several >years ago. I’m starting to think this is going to be a bigger event in my >life than I bargained for. Does anyone know about other surgical >techniques that can….i don’t know….make it easier to breathe or >whatever? Am I asking completely naive questions? >Brian
Response:
Hi. I just found this message board, hoping to find some answers that seem to be so evasive. I thought I had insomnia–hard time sleeping, waking up at night, falling asleep during the day. I’ve been told i sound like I have the "death rattle" when I sleep, but I’m single, so I don’t notice it. To make a long story short, I went to a sleep clinic in DC, and the neurologist told me I had soemthing called Sleep Apnia (which i thought meant that I snored!). He said I stopped breathing on average of 46 times per hour for periods ranging from 16 secs. to 36 secs. I could tell he seemed somewhat taken aback by my lack of concern about this, but then, I didn’t think this was a serious problem. He order a CPAP Trial. Unfortunately, I had some minor surgery the day before the trial, and they tried to give me a general anesthetic. Apparently, they had a big problem getting the trache tube in, and finally had to go through my nose, which casued a significant amount of bleeding. They blamed the Sleep Apnia for the trache problem. (Can this be right?) Anyway, becasue my nose was so congested, I couldn’t participate in the CPAP trial. The neurologist explained that I would need this trial to get the machine, but the prospects of carrying a machine everywhere I go (I travel a lot) sound grim. Also, being single, I can imagine hooking up everynight while trying to "court" someone. The Neurologist agreed, and said there were surgical rememdies that are available, but he did not elaborate. In looking through this message board, I’ve seen only reference to thracheotomies (sp?)—isn’t that a hole in the throat? That sounds even worse! I don’t have tonsils anymore, and had a deviated septum corrected several years ago. I’m starting to think this is going to be a bigger event in my life than I bargained for. Does anyone know about other surgical techniques that can….i don’t know….make it easier to breathe or whatever? Am I asking completely naive questions? Brian
Response:
Hi Wolf………..Think in terms of USING A CPAP regarless. This would be your home-sweet-home. Traveling should not be a problem because you can get a small Remstar by Respironics. Cleaning the machine once a week is a chinch too. Dating is a problem depending upon the girl. You dont use the machine on those nights. You made reference to the fact that you didnt know what you bagained for. Turn that around and say to yourself" Geeeeh Is the Lord good or what" "Im glad I now am diagnosed and can be cured." The CPAP will give you a remarkable boost that you can only dream about. People spend tons on vitamins,ginseng roots,elixers,and not to mention health clubs. Your new machine will do it all and all you have to do is sleep. Its a win win situation here for you. So the most important thing to do now is to dont let anything stand in your way of using the machine. If the forsed air in the nose is a problem, go to a hynotist, if the nose piece is too small or hard, get a large-soft rubbery nose piece. Do it Do it Do it Do it. In article <19970829101601.GAA16…@ladder01.news.aol.com>, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -wolfbea…@aol.com (WolfBearVA) wrote: > Hi. I just found this message board, hoping to find some answers that > seem to be so evasive. I thought I had insomnia–hard time sleeping, > waking up at night, falling asleep during the day. I’ve been told i sound > like I have the "death rattle" when I sleep, but I’m single, so I don’t > notice it. > To make a long story short, I went to a sleep clinic in DC, and the > neurologist told me I had soemthing called Sleep Apnia (which i thought > meant that I snored!). He said I stopped breathing on average of 46 times > per hour for periods ranging from 16 secs. to 36 secs. I could tell he > seemed somewhat taken aback by my lack of concern about this, but then, I > didn’t think this was a serious problem. He order a CPAP Trial. > Unfortunately, I had some minor surgery the day before the trial, and they > tried to give me a general anesthetic. Apparently, they had a big problem > getting the trache tube in, and finally had to go through my nose, which > casued a significant amount of bleeding. They blamed the Sleep Apnia for > the trache problem. (Can this be right?) Anyway, becasue my nose was so > congested, I couldn’t participate in the CPAP trial. > The neurologist explained that I would need this trial to get the machine, > but the prospects of carrying a machine everywhere I go (I travel a lot) > sound grim. Also, being single, I can imagine hooking up everynight while > trying to "court" someone. The Neurologist agreed, and said there were > surgical rememdies that are available, but he did not elaborate. In > looking through this message board, I’ve seen only reference to > thracheotomies (sp?)—isn’t that a hole in the throat? That sounds even worse! > I don’t have tonsils anymore, and had a deviated septum corrected several > years ago. I’m starting to think this is going to be a bigger event in my > life than I bargained for. Does anyone know about other surgical > techniques that can….i don’t know….make it easier to breathe or > whatever? Am I asking completely naive questions? > Brian
