Sleep Apnea

[navyjeremy]

Momma told me that I snore like a champ and at times wake up gasping for air.  I am thinking that I have sleep apnea and am currently waiting for tricare to approve my consult for a sleep study.

Just wondering if anybody can give me any advice on what to expect during the sleep study and what type of machines/masks that you use.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Jeremy

 

[smoke happens]

Sleep studies suck, big time. I don't know why they call them "sleep" studies, because I got virtually none when I had mine done.

You will have a consultation appointment with the doc first to go over everything, then the sleep study, then a follow up appointment. Expect to arrive late evening to get "settled in" to your area the night of the study. They will go over the process, room setup, show you where the head is, etc. After all that is said and done, they will start to wire you up. You will have a whole bunch of sensors stuck onto your head, chest and arms. Sensors measure vital signs as well as electrical activity in the brain. They use the little sticky pads for the electrodes/leads to attach to. By the time you lay down, you will have 20 -30 wires dangling from various parts of your upper body. It is very uncomfortable, and I found it very difficult to sleep since I toss and turn a bit before going to bed anyways. I think I was 2 or 3 Lunesta's into the thing before I got at least some sleep where they could get data samples from. When I saw the doctor after the sleep study his first words were "I'm sorry". The room will be blacked out like you sleep at home, and they have infrared cameras to observe you while you sleep.

Generally, for your first study, they just want a baseline. You should not be wearing a mask or anything. The study is designed to see if you need some sort of sleep therapy or not. If they do decide you need sleep therapy, you will be prescribed some sort of appliance (oral appliance or CPAP machine) and then they normally will do a second study to verify it is working correctly. I was initially given a CPAP and just could not sleep with the thing. Now I have an oral appliance that works awesome. It basically is a mouth guard for your top and bottom teeth with rubber bands connecting the top and bottom. The rubber bands hold your lower jaw forward (or up when laying down) maintaining your airway. It's not intrusive like a CPAP, which requires you to wear a mask and literally forces air into your airway when it detects a pressure build up from a closed airway. I have a few friends that have CPAPs though and love them, so to each their own I guess. Good luck.

 

[biggeorge50]

I have had 3 sleep studies and couldn't get to sleep worth a hoot for any of them - of course I don't get to sleep well anytime.  The last time they put some sort of cloth prewired helmut on me that made me sweat something awful.  On the other hand, when my son had his study the technician wired him up, told him to go to sleep, and he did.  In 7 seconds!!  The technician told him that had to be a new world's record!!

 

[jirodriguez]

It depends on your insurance provider. I have Kaiser and for my study they just gave me a take home monitor that was fairly easy to sleep with, it had two bungee type cords that went around the torso around the chest and belly, and a small pronged nose tube and one that hung in front of the mouth. I used it for two nights then dropped it off at the office and they extracted the data.

If you do have sleep apnia they will let you try several differant masks at a fitting, then you can pick which one best fits your sleeping style. I use the Opus 360 Nasal Pillow mask. It is a very unobtrusive mask that just fits the nostrils, very light weight - but not the quietest. It isn't super loud just a bit louder than some of the others.

Before buying the mask from the doctors office check around and see how much they are on line. My mask from the doctor was $205, then later I found it on line for $125.

I can say I am feeling a lot more rested now that I have and use my CPAP machine.

 

[quieteagle]

I had one sleep study about 7 years ago.  They hooked up a bunch of wire to my head with some kind of glue.  I slept very little but they said they had enough data.  Later a doctor said I should wear this weird mask at night that will force me to breathe if I stop.  I am clausterphobic and could not wear that device.  I said "Thank You" and left.  I have not worn one since.

 

[geerock]

Sleep apnea is no joke. It can screw you up in every day life and you can die in your sleep with severe sleep apnea. I had the severe type and was exhausted all the time. I couldn't tolerate the cpap so I just had to go another route..... lost a lot of weight and apnea disappeared. Really felt like a new man.

 

[bmudd14474]

I think the guys all covered it hear.

After your baseline if they say you have it then you will have another one to get the prescription set. If you are a mouth breather then you will want a full face mask.

The best advise I can give you is to stick with it. It does take getting use to but your health is worth it. Also be prepared for having very vivid dreams again.

 

[chef jimmyj]

I have had a CPAP applied a couple of times during hospital stays...What a NIGHTMARE! A ridiculous mask strapped to your head with what sounds like a Compressor blowing Air in your face. I wish you the best of luck with breathing management but explore all the options. Some get used to it but I never could. I have dropped weight and that has made a big difference... It was funny how frustrated the Respiratory Tech got every time I ripped the Mask off...

...JJ  

 

[markyque]

I had my sleep study about 8 years ago.  When they brought out the mask and machine halfway through the night, I thought it was a joke.  Make sure you a very tired when you go in.

I have a mask that covers my nose but not my mouth.  I took me weeks to get used to it but my wife insisted.  Now I don't sleep without it.  Before, I couldn't make it past 2 pm without a nap....everyday.  Now I couldn't nap if I had to. I feel way better.  Geerock is right...it's a serious medical issue as you can have dangerously low oxygen levels without it..be positive and give it a chance.

 

[jirodriguez]

To give you an idea I have severe apnia.... basically I quit breathing 65 times each hour for 10-15 seconds at at time. My blood oxygen would drop super low, my CO2 blood gas is high, and it would trigger a flight or fight response in my body - so my sleeping heart rate was 100-110 beats per minute! Needless to say I was like MarkyQue.... I couldn't stay awake - there were times I felt like I could just lay down on the sidewalk and nap. It got so bad my boss actually expressed concern about me dozing off several times during the day. Since I started using my machine I actually feel rested and am not falling asleep at my desk.... and as a bonus I have actually lost 9 lbs over the last month. Not enough sleep can actually lead to weight gain.

There have been many advances in technology and materials that help make testing easier and masks more comfortable - the array of mask types is truely stagering, hopefully you get a good tech that will help you find the right mask and fit it properly. Yes it takes time to get used to the mask, but they do work..... and the wife is much happier! LOL

 

[bmudd14474]

To give you an idea I have severe apnia.... basically I quit breathing 65 times each hour for 10-15 seconds at at time. My blood oxygen would drop super low, my CO2 blood gas is high, and it would trigger a flight or fight response in my body - so my sleeping heart rate was 100-110 beats per minute! Needless to say I was like MarkyQue.... I couldn't stay awake - there were times I felt like I could just lay down on the sidewalk and nap. It got so bad my boss actually expressed concern about me dozing off several times during the day. Since I started using my machine I actually feel rested and am not falling asleep at my desk.... and as a bonus I have actually lost 9 lbs over the last month. Not enough sleep can actually lead to weight gain.

There have been many advances in technology and materials that help make testing easier and masks more comfortable - the array of mask types is truely stagering, hopefully you get a good tech that will help you find the right mask and fit it properly. Yes it takes time to get used to the mask, but they do work..... and the wife is much happier! LOL

Well said. Mr Dr asked if I was trying to set a record because I had 120 a hr. Basically every 30 seconds id stop breathing. I also had a hard time staying awake. Now I have more energy and have dropped some weight too.

 

[jirodriguez]

Well said. Mr Dr asked if I was trying to set a record because I had 120 a hr. Basically every 30 seconds id stop breathing. I also had a hard time staying awake. Now I have more energy and have dropped some weight too.

Ouch.... and I thought mine was bad... lol.

Glad to hear yours is working as well.

I am still working on finding that ballance between eating healthy(ier) - and my love of all things smoked!

 

[grampyskids]

As others have said, Sleep Apnea is a very serious condition! I tried a CPAP machine and I had problems with it. For the last 16 years I have been using a Bi-PAP machine. The difference is that a Bi-PAP does not use a continuous flow of air, but it adjusts to your breathing pattern and allows you to exhale normally. I use a comfort gel nasal mask and it works great.

 

[navyjeremy]

Well finally my referral came in today.  Have an appointment with the Doc on 01 May and then sleep study on 05May.

Have to be there by 2000 and then are going to wake me up at 0530.  Then sit around until 0700 to have the Doc read the results and tell me wether or not I am going to be needing a mask.  SO in the mean time I have been sleeping on my recliner....Momma is happy that she gets to sleep and I have not had to take a nap in the last two days from sleeping semi sitting up

 

[dward51]

Been on CPAP since 1993.  No problems adapting to a standard mask, but could not stand the nasal pillows.  My O2 level tanked below 20% saturation about 2 hours in on my test (which was as low as their machine would read) The techs freaked when that happened so I got a machine on the first night instead of coming back for a fitting.  Slept with it every night ever since.  Doctor said I was living on borrowed time with oxygen levels dropping off the chart like that.

And everyone is right about it being serious, if you have apnea and ignore it so go ahead and get the test done.  It's painless and they only put a few sensors on you (no needles, just stickum on the pads).

 

[mds51]

Good Comments by All!!

 I work for a Sleep Specialist and have see the positive results a sleep study and being fitted with the right mask and equipment can do for a person with sleep apnea or related sleep disorders. This can be great preventive medicine to avoid serious illnesses like heart problems and more. Listen to your doctor and have the study done.. The new masks and nasal pillows are amazing compared to 5 years ago and the new machines and humidification make the usage even more comfortable. Wearing a mask and using the machine is a small price to pay for avoiding serious major illnesses.

mds51

 

[jirodriguez]

Been on CPAP since 1993.  No problems adapting to a standard mask, but could not stand the nasal pillows.  My O2 level tanked below 20% saturation about 2 hours in on my test (which was as low as their machine would read) The techs freaked when that happened so I got a machine on the first night instead of coming back for a fitting.  Slept with it every night ever since.  Doctor said I was living on borrowed time with oxygen levels dropping off the chart like that.

And everyone is right about it being serious, if you have apnea and ignore it so go ahead and get the test done.  It's painless and they only put a few sensors on you (no needles, just stickum on the pads).

Says you! I got a furry body.... pulling those stikum pads off hurts!

 

[baldeagle567]

I have had two separate sleep tests and I agree with others, it is hard to sleep with all of he wires hooked up to your head, body and legs. They had given me sleep aids both times which helped.  I have been on a CPAP for the last 8 years and it does wonders. Although the first CPAP machine I had I didn't stay with, because it took me over three hours to try to get to sleep and when I turned it off I went right to sleep. I have used the nasal pillows, nose mask and the full mask.  Nasal Pillows were good until the air was increased for me.  Then I tried the nose and full mask and I decided on the nose mask.  My wouldn't let me sleep without it.  She finally gets a good night sleep as well.

I have also tried a mouth piece from a dentist and sleep doctor.  The way it works is a mouth piece is made that will hold your bottom jaw out further then it normally is and it keeps your tong away from the back of your throat.  At least in my case that is what it did.  It did work, but the last time I had it adjusted it held my jaw out too far and I would keep cramps in my jaw bone muscles.  My insurance ran out and I didn't go back.  But it did work for the time I had it. You can also buy these over the counter and hope they fit and work.

No matter what you decide on, it is well your health to take Aa serious look at anything that will help you and your mate get a good nights sleep.

 

[navyjeremy]

Well sleep study was done last night and doc told me this morning that i have an average of 17 episodes per hour, what he classified as moderate sleep apnea.  I have another one scheduled for 20MAY with a mask.

 

[mds51]

Keep up the good work and I  hope the May 20th night using a machine makes a big difference in your quality of sleep and how it will positively affect your life.

mds51