Just dx'ed

[carolanivey]

Hi there,

I've just been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. My pulmonologist is having me try a month of Flonase and serious dedication to weight loss before trying the CPAP. (Pardon me if you hear me laughing - I've been SERIOUSLY trying to lose 15 lbs. that abruptly appeared out of nowhere after I hit menopause last year, so good luck with losing it in a month, but that's another rant...)

Has anyone had surgical correction of the soft palate, and has it been successful? I'd rather not have surgery - that'll definitely be a very LAST resort. I also won't consider a dental appliance b/c I already have tooth problems and don't need the additional ones I hear an appliance can cause.

I'm really nervous about the CPAP because I'm claustrophobic about having anything on my face. Just the thought of having to wear a mask makes my stomach turn over.

Hoping to eliminate a lot of trial and error, I was hoping to pick your brains about the lightest, quietest machines and masks. I'm a continual flip-flopper in bed and have never been able to fall asleep on my back (though, obviously, I end up on my back which exacerbates the SA). Which is the best type of mask for the flip-flopper-side-sleeper?  

Also, I travel a lot, so what do you guys do to make traveling with a CPAP easier?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for your advice!

Carolan

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello,

Good to see you are working towards improving your apnea. Oral appliances are not as consistently successful as CPAP treatment, but they may be useful in selected patients, with mild sleep apnea. Oral appliances which are employed for the treatment of OSA are available in two types: mandibular advance devices and tongue-retaining devices. So, you could continue with lifestyle measures and then have a repeat sleep study and if there is no improvement you can progress to other therapies. Take Care.

[carolanivey]

Thank you, Paderla. Since I am menopausal, I can't tolerate warmth of any kind - it triggers hot flashes. For me, the cooler the bedroom, the better I sleep. I sleep with two fans blowing on me, and a gel cool-pad that I can grab when a hot flash starts. For two nights I have used the Breathe Right strips and have slept much, much better; however my husband reports that I'm still having snoring/choking episodes during my REM cycles, and after looking at the anatomy of the head and neck, I realize nasal strips alone aren't the answer.

Caffeine - only one cup of coffee or green tea in the morning, occasionally a diet coke at lunch, and nothing but water after that. If I have any alcohol, I'll take a sip of my husband's beer rather than drink a whole one myself.

I've never smoked, though throughout my childhood, until I left home for college at 18, I was exposed to a lot of second-hand smoke.

I am doing better about going to bed at the same time and setting my alarm even if I don't have anywhere to go in the mornings. (I work from home)  

Thanks again for your thoughts. I'll keep you posted.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your concerns. But mild sleep apnea can be helped with lifestyle measures and if that does not help, you can opt for CPAP therapy. For starters you could avoid taking alcohol and try to sleep on your side as this keeps the airways patent. If any nasal blocks try to keep them patent with OTC nasal decongestants. Aim for optimum weight with exercises or long walks and walk your way to sleeping well. Also, follow good sleep hygiene measures like going to bed at the same time, waking up at the same time, avoidance smoking and caffeinated beverages. Maintain warm, comfortable bedroom environment and engage in relaxing activities like a warm bath before bed time. This promotes sleep and reduces the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[carolanivey]

I don't know if this is significant or not, but on the advice of my rheumatologist, last night I tried one of those nasal strips that hold your nose open. (My nasal passages tend to be extremely dry and stuffy, which forces me to mouth breathe at night)  I slept better than I have in a long time! Is it possible that something so simple could alleviate mild sleep apnea?

[carolanivey]

Thank you, Bob!

[bobdylan1958]

Hi try not to worry about CPAP i was the same as you claustrophobic i  would get the nasal mask that way to start with get to use CPAP in the daytime to get used to it on face so night time is easy for you. All so what helped me was to have the RAMP low that makes it easy to breath also with the  nasal mask you can sleep on your side.......You can ask me anytime just leave me a note  i shall get back to you asap...Take Care....Bob