Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Tonight's the night--depending on how tired I am tomorrow :o I'll post up some "educational" information & pictures for those of you who are being evaluated or considering an evaluation.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I have a consultation scheduled tomorrow with the sleep wellness institute, then an appointment for the study will be made

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Good luck!

Great news!!

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My dad finally got his results, I'm not sure of all the details, but I think he said he got a 99 so he does in fact have sleep apnea.

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If he had an AHI of 99 he does indeed have some pretty severe sleep apnea. Anything over 30 is considered severe.

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My wife read thru this thread, and is now going to talk to her doctor.

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Your post just made my day. I have a huge smile right now. Tell your wife, thank you, from me.

Keep us posted please.

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I had my consultation today and scheduled my sleep study for 5/26, they showed me the sleep rooms and WOW they are nicer than my bedroom at my apartment :ro

Updated List:

eber - Erik (5/26)
beeradvocate - Travis - (Father-In-Law)
dentonparrots - Carl
kaisersozei - Gerard May 14
tripp - Tripp
ggainey - Greg
emjaysmash - M.J.
awsmith4 - Albert
jkim05 - Jeremy - (Dad - awaiting results)
junior - (wife)

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I went in for my study Thursday night. Thought I would chronicle my experience for those of you thinking about this.

The sleep center is part of my doctor’s office, and I arrived there just before 10pm. The sleep tech took me back, got my vitals and then escorted me back. The room itself was very comfortable, complete with an adjustable bed, flat panel DirectTV and a well appointed private bathroom. There was also an infrared camera mounted high up on the wall (kinky,) a voice activated intercom system, the clinical monitoring device & associated electrodes (seen on the bed in the picture below,) and a CPAP machine tucked away in the nightstand.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...i/Sleeplab.jpg

Once I got settled in and changed into my sleeping clothes (you can’t sleep nude…. so what's the purpose of the camera?) the tech returned to hook me up. The monitoring device itself looks like this:

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...controller.jpg

The diagram on the device gives you an idea of all the electrodes and where they are placed. I don’t know how many were attached to my scalp—a lot--but there were also electrodes on my calf muscles, an EKG heart monitor, one on my throat, two on my chin, one next to each eye, and a nasal canula with a breathing sensor. I also had elastic bands around my chest and stomach. All of the electrode leads were pulled out of the way and collected up behind me, so they weren’t as obtrusive as I expected. Once I was hooked up, the tech made me get right into bed so she could test the equipment. I didn’t have a chance to take any pictures. Lucky me. Or lucky you.

The night before my study I stayed up later than normal and I was restricted from drinking caffeine after noon on Thursday, so I ended up being much more tired than normal. Fell asleep pretty quickly and only woke up once in the night. I had to sleep on my back or side, but wasn’t nearly as restricted in my movements as I thought I’d be. The head & face sensors felt a little awkward but not painful. I felt like Pinhead. I was also concerned about the room being too quiet or too hot (we have a floor fan in our bedroom that runs constantly for white noise & air circulation,) but it was very comfortable. Was also surprised when the tech called in to the room at 6:30 to wake me up—I normally get up at 5:30. I felt better than I expected when I awoke.

This was supposed to be a split-night study, meaning that if the tech witnessed apnea episodes, she would come in and hook me up to the CPAP and continue to monitor me. She didn’t do that, and wouldn’t tell me why, but did say that she saw some things on my study which “the doctor will discuss” with me. Whatever that means, probably that they’ll want to bring me back in for a second full night with the CPAP. Or perhaps the apnea she saw wasn't severe enough for CPAP. We’ll see.

I also found this short video that does a better in demonstrating what goes on in sleep studies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZTzrVGSOvw

In my former professional life, I set up a number of sleep centers as hospital businesses. I knew what to expect as a patient, but I was still anxious to undergo the study. Turns out it really wasn’t that bad. Maybe my experience will help take away some of your concerns.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Thanks for sharing you experience. It's always nice to know as much as possible before going into something like this.

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First, thanks to the OP for starting this thread and to all who have replied thus far. I've found this to be very informative.

I was advised to go to a local sleep clinic a year or three back, but when I found out it costs at least my $250 annual per person deductable and I needed to have a colonoscopy as well, I opted for the latter. Perhaps I'll schedule an appointment in the near future.

I snore a lot and currently use Breath Rite strips that seem to help a little. I often wake up two to four time a night, but most often at least once around 02:30 - 03:00. I have some lower back issues as well and frequently switch from left to right side during the evenings rest. I'm not a very sound sleeper and when I travel, which is very seldom, I have much difficulty sleeping through the night, often waking up hourly or more. I don't know that I could sleep well or at all in a clinic regardless of the setting and comforts.

Again, thanks to all who have shared their experiences.

Respectfully,
Michael

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Great pics Gerard...my sleep study clinic wasn't that nice (plush recliner). But equipment looked identical. When do you find out your results?

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:tpd:

Seeing people getting the info, helping a family member, going for their tests or getting info for a more comfortable head set truly makes me smile. I really do hope you can get your test soon. I have traveled a lot with my sons hockey over the years and I never leave home without my machine.

I need to post up some travel tips for the traveling Apnea members. :hm

Thank you for the very nice PM.

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Updated List:

eber - Erik (5/26)
beeradvocate - Travis - (Father-In-Law)
dentonparrots - Carl
kaisersozei - Gerard TEST DONE! AWAITING RESULTS! :dance:
tripp - Tripp
ggainey - Greg
emjaysmash - M.J.
awsmith4 - Albert
jkim05 - Jeremy - (Dad - awaiting results)
junior - (wife) - Read thread and is going to schedule test! Great news!
nozero - Michael

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Folks,

Tom is an example that sleep apnea can happen to anyone. The majority of the sufferers are people that are overweight.

I am overweight...morbidly obese as a matter of fact and I have obstructive sleep apnea. I primarily sleep on my back. I am congested almost every night if I don't use some sort of nasal spray or decongestion medication. Recently I have adjust my sleep style and sleep on my side. (I place something annoying behind me just i ncase I roll on my back to wake me up or readjust my position) This had made a huge difference and the loved ones have noticed less snoring and I have had a deeper sleep. But I know I have to shed lbs as additional treatment to reverse my OSA.

t.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Those are nice pics of your sleep study.

The infra red camera in the ceiling monitors any movements that would correlate to any episodes you might have during the night.

They should have taken you through steps to calibrate the monitor. Wiggle your feet..your hands...your head ...etc etc.

I had 92 sleep episodes avg per hour.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Well fellas, my doc called this morning to review my test results.

Turns out that I do have sleep apnea. It's not severe in its frequency (avg 17 episodes/hr,) but it is rather dramatic when it occurs: my O2 sats fall to 84%. :( Apnea is more prevalent when I'm sleeping on my back, and during the second half of the night during my deepest "dream sleep." Which is exactly why my wife pressured me to investigate this in the first place. Guess she knew what she was talking about...!

Next steps are to complete a CPAP titration study. This is the same set up as last week's evaluation, just hooked up to a CPAP for the night. The tech will then adjust the pressure to determine the right setting to correct my problem. Once that's completed, it will be off to home health to get my own equipment.

It's hard to capture my emotions about all this right now. On the one hand, I'm glad to have been diagnosed and am actively seeking treatment for this problem. As my wife & I discussed, it might explain a lot that's been going on with me in the last 6 months or so. Maybe longer. On the other hand, I'm anxious about this life-changing diagnosis and what it will mean. At the ripe young age of 46, I'm getting set in my ways. And this will definitely be a change. I suppose it will be a change for the better, but it will still require an adjustment. My family tells me that I'm kind of a stubborn old guy. "Old dog, new tricks" and all that stuff.

Oh well.

Hopefully I'll be a positive influence for some of you guys reading this. I never would have pursued testing if my "sleep partner" hadn't pointed it out in the first place. That seems to be a big influence a lot of times in making these diagnoses. As I said before, I don't fit the body profile of your typical apnea patient, although I suspected that there was some inherited trait. That I just ignored. Probably for too long.

In any event, I'll post up more once my second study is completed.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

My father in law completed his Oximetry test this weekend. He dropped all the way to 67% at one point, and spent around 40% of the night below 90%.
Needless to say, this convinced him and he is contacting his Dr.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Gerard, I was a couple of years younger than you when I found out. All it means is you sleep with a mask of some sort and you feel a hell of a lot better when you wake up! :D Plus little things like you live longer and the wife sleeps better. :D

It's a change for the better trust me.

Congrats for having the courage and the open mind to do the testing.

Anything we can do going forward just let us know.

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That is great news Travis!!

:dance:

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I have been using my CPAP for almost a year now...everyone says you will wake up refreshed and feeling great. I feel the same, no better, no worse, then before the use of the CPAP. i use it religiously, every night. Wife sleeps a lot better, but I still don't see the great improvement everyone speaks of.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Sorry to hear that Michael. Before my study and getting on the machine I would wake up and be so tired it was hard to stand up.

Maybe your settings are off. Any chance for another study to check if your pressures? I know have a study done every three years to check for changes.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about three years ago. I never used my CPAP faithfully until the last year or so. I sleep much better and snoring is about zero (according to the wife). I use the nasel pillow and definitely with water. :tu

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Have you had your mask,cushions, tubing,filters replaced in the last year. If not, you might be experiencing some leaks. Or you may need your pressure changed. Ecspecially if you have lost weight since you 1st got your CPAP.

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Any updates?

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I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. During my sleep study my oxygen levels dropped down into the 50's. I've apparently had it for a while. My wife diagnosed me with it a while ago, but I didn't take it seriously.

I've had blood pressure issues for a while, but I never felt any symptoms of high blood pressure. My blood work always turned out ok, and I never had any cholesterol issues or anything so the doctors just gave me medication and sent me on my way. I haven't had a regular doctor since I was a child. I always went to a walk in clinic.

A few months ago I started having these spells where I would be short of breath and feel faint. It only happened a couple of times and never lasted long so, again, I didn't take it seriously. Then, one night it hit me again and it didn't go away. The wife drove me to the emergency room and my blood pressure was at 200/105. An EKG turned out fine as well as some blood work. My blood pressure went down a bit after a while. They couldn't determine what caused the episode and told me to go see my doctor the next week.

I went to the walk in clinic a few days after. They upped the dosage on my blood pressure meds and referred me to a regular doc. After a short interview with the new Doc he was pretty sure I had sleep apnea and it was causing my blood pressure issues. He referred me to a sleep clinic.

It turns out my wife was right. I've been on my CPAP 2 1/2 weeks and my energy level is noticeably higher. I haven't had anymore of those spells. My blood pressure has maintained in check with the help of medication. Hopefully I'll be able to get off of the medication soon. All-in-all, I just plain feel better.

I was originally fitted with a full face mask as I am a mouth breather. I think it's the mirage quattro. I've been having problems with leakage during the night. It's started waking both me and my wife. I'm thinking of switching to the mirage liberty which has the nasal pillows and a mouth mask. Anyone have any experience with that one? Any Suggestions?

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I have it and think it is great. I believe they come in small and large and I use the small even though I have a big face. It was actually what I was sent by my DME and I thought it was going to be a problem at first, but I gave it a try and it fits. I do make one slight modification though to the nasal pillows - it wrap them in dental floss to pull them a little closer together. Without that, I was getting leak problems with the pillows flaring out of my nostrals a bit and that was annoying. A little dental floss and I was all set. I think its a great mask. And I had the hybrid before it and found that decent, but not as good as the liberty for me. What works for you will depend on your face, the pressure you are set at, etc. My pressure is at a 10.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Links or pics to the models you use would be a big help for those looking.

With a gotee I have leak issues. Interested in options for those of us with goats. :SS

I'm a mouth breather as well so not sure if pillows will work for me. What is this "mirage liberty which has the nasal pillows and a mouth mask" you speak of? Any links or pics?

Thanks for all the info!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I'm glad to hear you are on track to a new life!!! Keep up with the CPAP and just remember.... PERSEVERANCE!!! CPAP tends to seem overwhelming at first, but once you find the right combination of masks and sleeping positions you will have a new life! I know this from experience.

I used the Liberty for one night and did not like it at all, but I personally can not tolerate any form of a full face mask. I was a mouth breather all of my life, but I've found the Micro Mirage nasal mask works best for me. The full face masks tend to put too much pressure in my mouth. When I woke up, it always felt like I was trying to blow up a tight balloon all night.

Good luck and keep trying all kinds and brands of masks until you find something that is comfortable and usable.

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

>>ResMed Mirage Liberty<<

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-mask...sk-resmed.html

Here you go!

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Thanks for the link. Never knew they made such a mask. Never done the pillows, seems like they would "hurt" but might try it to get away from the full mask.

Thanks again.

Edit: Adding a thought.

Maybe I should ask what type works best for a mouth breather with a goat? Any thoughts on this?

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Just saw the doc two months ago...told him I didn't feel any different. He checked everything and said I was fine. I didn't feel tired before the CPAP machine...wife says I feel better, I just don't know it...now that she doesn't have to hear the grizzley bear every night!!!

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She is going to the doctor on Thursday. I will update when I know something.

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Thumbs up to the Mrs!!

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well I had my sleep study and I was diagnosed with "severe sleep apnea" I had 85 respiratory issues per hour. I must say that the sleep study sucked, it felt like I was awake every hour. I have the CPAP machine now and I will have my first night with it tonight.

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Good luck with it Erik...hope it makes you feel well rested.

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Good luck man. It might well take you some time to get used to using it. You will also see the biggest results within the first 2-3 weeks. It's amazing how much more rested I am than before I was being treated.

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Updated List:

eber - Erik Tested - Sever Apnea - Has his machine!!!
beeradvocate - Travis - (Father-In-Law)
dentonparrots - Carl
kaisersozei - Gerard TEST DONE! AWAITING RESULTS! :dance:
tripp - Tripp
ggainey - Greg
emjaysmash - M.J.
awsmith4 - Albert
jkim05 - Jeremy - (Dad - awaiting results)
junior - (wife) - Read thread and is going to schedule test! Great news!
nozero - Michael[/quote]

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

Came across an interesting feature in today's Washington Post, thought I'd share:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...id=smartliving

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http://avon.verzorgingsproducten.inf...esje2-avon.jpg

:ss

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I use my CPAP just fine with my goatee...just have to test it every now and again to ensure the seal is tight. Does your machine self test?

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Ummmmm :confused:

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My wife is going in for her sleep test tonight.

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Please tell her congrats from me!!


Anyone else have any updates? :tt

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

I use the nasal pillow... works well with my beard/goatee. The wife says I was a mouth-breather when I slept prior to getting the machine. I have always had a deviated septum and some congestion issues that caused me to breathe through my mouth when asleep.

Since getting the machine, I don't breathe through my mouth anymore. The positive pressure of the air has opened my nasal passages enough that I don't need to open the mouth. Plus, the mask seems to "encourage" me to keep my jaw closed. Not in an uncomfortable way, but it does help.

The nasal pillow:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...asalpillow.jpg

Hope you find something that works, bro! :tu

Re: Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread
 

My name is Christian and I have sleep apnea.

I went to a well-regarded ENT and told him about my sleep difficulties. My wife often noted that I choke or gasp in my sleep. The ENT ordered a 2-part sleep study. I have completed both parts and have my follow-up with the ENT tomorrow. I'm guessing he will order me to get a CPAP machine.

We'll see what happens next.

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Saw the doc today. I have mild/moderate apnea. My RDI was 10.3. My lowest O2 saturation was 86%, which was the number that disturbed him. I should have my CPAP machine in less than 2 weeks.

On a positive note, he said that with the CPAP machine plus losing weight (I am severely overweight, almost 375 lbs at a height of 5'8") I will be able to avoid surgery. They also scoped my nose and throat and found normal anatomy. No polyps, ulcers or lesions. A little bit of allergy-related redness, but nothing to worry about. Oh, and I have a deviated septum because of breaking my nose so many times in wrestling.

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Christian...don't you just love doctors?

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Actually, I lost my teaching job and am currently on Cobra. I'm trying to get as much medical stuff done as possible while I can afford it, since I've already met my deductible. I've had 4 surgeries in 5 months, stocking up on my BP and thyroid meds, got allergy tests and the sleep studies done.

The thing that SUCKS for me is that because of the surgeries (which were on a tender area,) I am in horrible pain and can't exercise even though I want to. There are times when literally every step is agony. I'm practically living on Vicodin and muscle relaxers. I see that doc tomorrow.