I stopped breathing in my sleep

[SchmittZoid]

I have no doubt you have a real issue with your autonomic nervous system however a vast majority of people can avoid a cpap with a decrease of body fat.

I have no doubt that is correct.

Both of my parents had severe sleep apnea.

My father got diagnosed when he was in his 60's, and a few years after I started wearing my machine. I think his was weight related. He wore the machine on and off until he passed at 76.

My mom's apnea was horrible (like mine). I remember watching her stop breathing at night, then gasping for air. I tried to get her to get a sleep study and a machine right after I was diagnosed. She never did go in for the study. She got cancer within a year or so of me getting the machine and that was a bigger issue for her to deal with. She passed away from the cancer and never did get a good nights sleep. I wish I had known about all this earlier so she could have gotten some relief . . . .

 

[Penfield]

Several years ago I was showing some heart irregularities for which the cardiologist couldn't identify the cause. Long story short, he recommended a sleep study to see if sleep apnea could be involved.

My sleep during the sleep study was so bad they couldn't tell what kind of pressures/flows a cpap machine should be set for. I wound up trying a machine that auto adjust to your situation. Hated wearing the mask and fought it for three nights. The fourth night was great, never woke up during the night and overslept in the morning. Felt so much more rested and didn't feel sleepy or tired at all during the day. Month later back to the cardiologist and the heartbeat irregularities were 90% reduced and within acceptable limits.

They key is to find the type of mask that you like best. I tried three before my current one that I like. It also helps to use a velcro loop or such to keep the hose up on the headboard and out of your way yet still have enough slack to let you move.

Lesson: sleep apnea can be about more than snoring and poor sleep. It is very tough on the heart for a number of reasons and can lead to death while you are asleep. If you need a cpap - get it and use it.

 

[Theodore]

I inhaled once(oxygen !), liked it so much I just can't quit

 

[SchmittZoid]

Lesson: sleep apnea can be about more than snoring and poor sleep. It is very tough on the heart for a number of reasons and can lead to death while you are asleep. If you need a cpap - get it and use it.

My biggest issue before the mask was that I would get so tired during the day, I would actually fall asleep at the wheel of my car in between job sites and home. My (then to be) wife once found me pulled over on the side of the road sleeping in my car (around 6;00pm in the evening) because I couldn't stay awake long enough to get home.

As long as work had me fully engaged and active, I was fine. The minute I would sit down, BAM asleep (and snoring/gasping). I don't think I ever made it through a movie back then unless it was Star Wars or Alien. Something that kept me fully engaged.

Now, I do most of the driving for the family. Eight to ten hours at a stretch - no problems.

YMMV . . . . .

 

[TheJ]

I have no doubt you have a real issue with your autonomic nervous system however a vast majority of people can avoid a cpap with a decrease of body fat.

Not true.

Obstructive sleep apnea is primarily an issue with the structures in the throat becoming more prone to soften/collapse while sleeping as we age. Unless someone is carrying an unusual amount of fat in their neck/throat, weight does not typically cause sleep apnea according to my doctors. If anything sleep apnea typically causes additional weight gain.

I'm sure being in great physical shape masks and/or lessens some of the side effects of sleep apnea like lower blood oxygen and high blood pressure, etc. Additionally, being in poor shape will worsen the same side effects but weight often isn't the cause of sleep apnea.


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