Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread

[Emjaysmash]

Just an update-
After cancelling my last sleep study due to poor scheduling on my part, I have re-scheduled for this tuesday. I am going to ask them for the lseeping pil- I want to get this done in one go. Hopefully I can get all of my apparatus (if I have apnea) by the beginnning of the smester.

[hotreds]

After a month I must admit I'm not finding any difference. The sleep doc said that he did want me to continue to use the contraption, so I will.

[Tenor CS]

Give it time, hotreds. Took me about 3 MONTHS to make it through a night without yanking the mask off. Now, I love my CPAP machine.

One of the big issues I had at first was waking up with a dry nose. I had to turn the humidifier to max to feel good when I woke up.

YMMV, of course.

Before my CPAP machine, I had no idea what it felt like to sleep a full 8 hours. Or to wake up WITHOUT a sore throat from snoring. Or what it was like to NOT have your wife elbowing me to get me to get me to shut up my snoring. She used to wake up, NOT hear me snoring, and get scared that I had died in my sleep. This, of course, led to her sleeping poorly.

It does take time to get used to, but I'm glad I stuck it out.

Yeah i have/had sleep apnea. Mine was pretty severe. When i was tested i averaged 25-30 obstructions per night. My O2 levels were pretty low as well. I used the mask for awhile and although i never really felt more rested i did have better peace of mind knowing that i was not going to die in the middle of the night!

I got frustrated that the machine did not work as the people told me it would. I was still chugging red bulls and cuban coffee whenever i got a chance. So i started to exercise hard freakin core. I did cardio 5 times a week 40 min a session and a yoga routine 2-4 times a week on top of it all. it worked!!

Last time i got tested they said my apnea was no where to be found! So i guess not only is my heart stronger and my O2 level increased to maximum but I'm sleeping better and honestly having better sleep as well.

Try it out guys you never know - medicine is not always the answer. Oh and if anyone is interested I still haven't tried an Opus X (hint hint Xmas gar list!)

[Tenor CS]

Originally Posted by Midwestian

When i was tested i averaged 25-30 obstructions per night.

Actually that number is usually given per HOUR, not per night. My RDI (Respiratory Disturbances Index) was 10.2, which means that I was stopping breathing about 10x per hour, or every six minutes. If your RDI was in the 30 range, you were stopping breathing every 2 minutes or so. That is scary.

yeah thats what i meant - that was my avg every hour! can you believe it! i really wonder some times how i am still alive after crazy all nighters in South Beach!

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by Emjaysmash

I am going to ask them for the lseeping pil- I want to get this done in one go.

Are you sure you wanna do that? Don't you think a 'natural' sleep will give a more honest result?

[pnoon]

Well, add me to the list.

I had my sleep study and my followup with the specialist to review the results is tomorrow. I fully expect to be using some sort of CPAP machine and mask. I'll see what the doc recommends and then go from there.

[Don Fernando]

a cpap isn't that bad Peter, you'll get used to it in a few weeks and you'll feel much better once you get a full night sleep.

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

Are you sure you wanna do that? Don't you think a 'natural' sleep will give a more honest result?

They thought just like you, Ferd. I wasn't allowed to get a sleeping pill, unless I had a lot of trouble sleeping.

For an update: I had my sleep study and they sent me home telling me I didn't have sleep apnea (very surprising to me and my family!) It was only after I had gone to work when the nurse called back, telling me the had scored my full sleep study and I actually DO have sleep apnea.

I am scheduled to go in this friday for another study with the CPAP.

[chicken]

My name is Jerry and I have sleep apnea. Getting the sleep study done and using the CPAP machine have been great!

[CigarNut]

I love my CPAP. So does my wife . I actally bought a second machine (on my dime) -- I have a "full size" Respironics at home:




and a much smaller, lighter weight Respironics for travel:



The pictures are not to scale -- the travel unit is much smaller than the home unit. The catch with the smaller unit is that it makes more noise.

Peter, make sure you try several different kinds of masks to get one that fits well and that you can sleep with.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

Peter, make sure you try several different kinds of masks to get one that fits well and that you can sleep with.

I will. Thanks.

You can bet I will be using this thread and speaking with one or more of you to get feedback on this life-changing step.

[Don Fernando]

I got the same (full sized) one as you have Michael, just in a different color.

I hope that in a few months, when I am down to a healty weight, I won't be needing it any longer.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

I love my CPAP. So does my wife . I actally bought a second machine (on my dime) -- I have a "full size" Respironics at home:

Does health insurance typically cover CPAP machines and masks? And what did the second machine cost you?

[PeteSB75]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Does health insurance typically cover CPAP machines and masks? And what did the second machine cost you?

The big machines are not that expensive as medical supplies go, usually run about 3-400 I think. I just pack mine up and carry it with me when I travel. The extra bag is a pain when going through airport security, not heavy, but frequently inspected. I ALWAYS carry it on - I don't want them to lose it on me... I might have to look into that travel one, but I don't know how Sarah will like it, she is typically a fairly light sleeper.

Not sure about your insurance, but mine covered the machine and covers replacement filters/mask/hose about every 3 months. Mine also gave me the option to switch to a new mask (nose pillows in my case) since I didn't like my first one. The DME (durable medical equipment) supplier calls me every few months to ask if I want new supplies, which they ship to me.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by PeteSB75

The big machines are not that expensive as medical supplies go, usually run about 3-400 I think. I just pack mine up and carry it with me when I travel. The extra bag is a pain when going through airport security, not heavy, but frequently inspected. I ALWAYS carry it on - I don't want them to lose it on me... I might have to look into that travel one, but I don't know how Sarah will like it, she is typically a fairly light sleeper.

Not sure about your insurance, but mine covered the machine and covers replacement filters/mask/hose about every 3 months. Mine also gave me the option to switch to a new mask (nose pillows in my case) since I didn't like my first one. The DME (durable medical equipment) supplier calls me every few months to ask if I want new supplies, which they ship to me.

Thanks, Pete.

[PeteSB75]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Thanks, Pete.

Not a problem. It's amazing to me how many people, especially men, seem to have this problem, most of them undiagnosed and/or untreated. Glad to hear you are doing something about this - I know after my diagnosis and starting treatment, I felt massively better and had the energy to get my azz to the gym and start working out for the first time in about 10 years. My health is definitely the better for it.

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Does health insurance typically cover CPAP machines and masks? And what did the second machine cost you?

My insurance covered the first machine and covers and a mask and filters every three months. My mask (Aptiva) runs about $100 if I have to pay for it.

The second machine cost me about $1,500 (you can get it for less without the heated humidifier, but I strongly recommend the humidifier -- and you need to make sure your doctor includes that on the prescription if you want one). I got it in 2006 when my job changed and I was going to be traveling more (I got my first CPAP in 1999, and the home machine that I have now I got in 2005).

It was painful trying to carry my CPAP, laptop, and clothing, etc. in one bag, so I opted for the smaller machine.

[BeerAdvocate]

I work for a medical supply company that provides CPAPs and supplies, so if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask!