Sleep Apnea

Father in law uses the machine. Says its wonderful. He wont even nap without it.

 

Dr. Bob has mentioned using that Saggy! He's away but when he's back, I'm sure he'll be happy to share his thoughts.

My sister in law now uses one and I feel sure hubby needs one.

Diane

 

Actuall Saggy it is called a CPAP machine. That stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressue. The machine basicly provides positive air pressure into your airway all night long keeping the airway open. The CPAP only works for obstructive sleep apnea (this is the most common form in adults).

Jeanne has been using one for about 9 months now. The only time she dosn't is when she has a cold. She sleeps much better while using the CPAP, and I don't even notice the hum of the machine. It did take her a couple of weeks to get used to the mask. She started out with it for a couple of hours and increased the time each day until she used it all night.

Bill

 

Yes I did have it, I was able to have a sinus operation them go onto a weight loss programme which solved the problem. If you are overweight your neck has to much mass that can block over your airway at night and restrict your breathing, by reducing it, you have alot better sleep and not to many sore throats first thing in the morning.

I was initially refered to a Sleep Apnoea specialist who did a sleep study test and confirmed it. Yet it was my experience that their offers of treatment were not really all that helpful and I got results when I went to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist. Based on my experience I would encourage anyone who has sleep apnoea to consult a ENT.

 

I would have thought the machine would cost more, Dr. Bob. My health insurance is paying 203.00 a month to rent Jeanne's CPAP. It seems to me it would have been paid for about now if they had just bought it outright for her.

I would also like to add for any parents that the form of Apnea we are talking about here is different from the type infants suffer from. What we are discussing here is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, meaning that something is blocking your airway.

Babies suffer from Central Sleep Apnea, meaning that their brain forgets to breath. Most infants will outgrow this form of apnea as their brain developes. A CPAP will not help Central Sleep Apnea, the infant is put on a monitor and an alarm will go off to aleart you if they stop breating. I went through a VERY sleepless year when my daughter was on an apnea monitor. Then it took me a month to be able to sleep when she got off the monitor because I keep waiting for it to go off.

Bill

 

I have a CPAP machine too. I've been on it for several years. I had problems usung the mask at first, and developed abrasions on the bridge of my nose because I had to have the mask on tight to seal. Then I changed to what the call "nasal pillows" which fit in the nostril and provide air that was. I found them MUCH lighter and more comfortable. As has been said weight loss may correct the problem, yet I also have an extended soft palate which won't go away with weight loss.

 

We believe I had apnea since my teenage years. I was not fat then. In fact, I have gained weight in the last 4 years. (but, I am losing it at a rate of about 10 pounds a week for the last 3 weeks. Thank God) Had my CPAP since Sept. Set at around 10. blood oxygen was dropping to below 50 %. now stays in the high 90's. Falling asleep on the way to work, and at work, and everytime I sat down quietly. Wife could not sleep for the first 2 weeks I was on it because she was so used to waking up and kicking me to make me breath. The insurance company rented mine for 3 months then paid for it. I was worried because at the time they were supposed to pay for it my employer changed insurance companies and i made it clear I would never give it up. My deviated sceptum makes the nasal masks inappropriate for me so I use the full mask which is a pain, but worth it. Dr has talked about corrective surgury and a jaw strap to be able to try the pillows, but I am not sure that is required. I am praying about it.

 

Hubby isn't overweight but has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. He will gasp or choke during the night after not breathing for a few seconds. There's a 'click' sound when he takes that first breath. Needless to say, the VA doesn't offer 'sleep studies'.

Diane

 

Sleep Studies are fun!!! They hook up a whole pile of wires to you that detect facial movements and where the pupils in your eyes are at, then once you are all plugged in you are monitered with a camera as well. Normally there are several people going through at once, so all the information goes through to their central lab where they calculate episodes of not breathing. It is really remarkable how much data and stuff they can calculate.