Need Some Answers on Sleep Apnea

[Countrync1986]

Hi everyone, I went into the doctor on base and informed them that i was having sleep issues. I told her that i would wake up numerous amounts of times during the night, often sweating, having to urinate, or just awaken and feeling like i was gasping for air. I also said that when i wake up in the morning, i literally have to drag my self out of bed and that i feel like i haven't even slept at all. I constantly have bags under my eyes and I am ALWAYS tired! So the doctor on base set me up with a sleep study downtown.

I just did the sleep study 2 nights ago at the Sleep Lab at our hospital around here. The technician that did the sleep lab said that she stopped counting how many times i stopped breathing after about 30 times. She said that i am probably going to be one of them border line patients (no idea what that means), but i have to wait a whole month to actually go back in for the consultation  with the doctor. When i woke up the morning after the Sleep study the technician was like omg your eyes are soo puffy. all i said is welcome to my life. they will be this way all day long as i am struggling to stay awake as the puffiness turns to bags. then i will go home lay down to go to bed and not be able to sleep, when i finally get to sleep i will continually wake up, finally get up and do it all over again!

Can somebody help me out on this? What does border line mean? Will i more than likely get a CPAP mask to help me sleep? Has anyone else had this same thing happen to them? What do you think the possible treatment will be? i am just tired of being tired all the time. i want a normal life back!

[madgirl]

i have just been told that i have severe obstructive sleep apnoea, i had some tests done and was basically told that i stopped breathing 57 times in an hour. am now waiting to get a cpap machine but there is a waiting list of at least 2 months.
i have found the worst bit of this complaint is that u suddenly drop off to sleep and wake up gasping and choking its very frightening.
i now cannot drive after dinner as i am prone to falling asleep at the wheel, this i hate as i love driving.i wish all other people with this luck in getting help, i only hope that my life can get back to normal soon.

[KatEyes]

There is something called AYR Gel and other products sold at most drug stores that can be used with the nasal pillow masks to help with irritation. The size may be wrong. Hold your supplier to task and keep telling them what's not working. They need to stick with you till you find what works for you. There's a ton of helpful hints on this kind of stuff on a forum called cpaptalk and many other sleep forums. Hang in there - it will get better.

[Countrync1986]

ok. i have a question for you guys. i went in and got a new mask because the other one would not fit on my head. it kept falling off. this one fits comfortably and everything, but i wake up about the same time every night and have to end up taking it off because the inside of my nose is so sore. the last mask i had, the nasal piece was an extra small and fitted my nose perfect. this one is a small. i am wondering if the piece is maybe to big, or could it just be the mask or what? when i put the piece in my nostrils at night they are super sore. any reasoning behind this?

[Countrync1986]

just an update. I got the CPAP machine yesterday. It fitted fine in the office but when i got home, i had the straps for the head adjusted all the way down and it was too big. I called them today, and i am bout to leave to go swap out the head part. I will keep you guys informed. Thanks for your continued support.

[Suri123]

Hi Countrync1986, How are you? Hi Jules77733, Thanks for sharing your valuable experience and updates on your medications. I agree, CPAP has done wonders in helping out many patients who are suffering with the sleep apnea. The residual effect of not having proper sleep at night is always to be born by the patient. Once own stress level worsens the things when it comes to coping with the daily activities and sleep. I appreciate your positive attitude towards life and also suggest Countrync1986 to live behind all the past bad times and to cheer up in life to lead a happy successful life once again. I hope you might have received your new CPAP machine and start using it. Feel free to post any clarifications. Take care.

[Jules77733]

I hope everything goes well with the CPAP machine, countrync1986. I just turned 22, but was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few months ago, when I was also 21. CPAP has helped me a lot, but since there are many days where I still feel exhausted, even after a good night's sleep (possibly due to my current thyroid problems), I am also taking Provigil, which has been phenomenal for combating the daytime urge to take a nap anytime, anywhere. I would recommend seeing how CPAP works for you over the next few weeks and if you're still feeling excessively tired after you wake up from 7 - 8hrs of sleep, or at any point during the day, talk to your doctor about potentially taking Provigil, too--because this might be really helpful if CPAP isn't able to make you feel 100% well-rested.

As for the soon-to-be ex-husband...I'm very sorry to hear this, and hope you're hanging in there. You're still really young and you have your whole life ahead of you. If he couldn't see what he had when he had it, then he doesn't deserve to have it! Consider this the trial run--when Mr. Right comes along, you'll be ready. Until then, take your soon-to-be-newly-rested-self out, and have some fun! We're only young once...;)

[Suri123]

Hi Countrync1986, How are you doing? Well, its great you think positively. Yah, it takes some time to get adjusted to the new CPAP machine; it's more to do with your Psychological acceptance rather than physical adjustment. I am sure you will do great and be back with your pretty good jolly days. Just keep going with your exercises and good luck to your yoga program. Regularly follow up with doctor. Take care.

[KatEyes]

LOL. At least you haven't lost your sense of humor. Feeling better for you is within sight now. Be diligent about your cpap therapy, follow up on any possible residual limb movements of concern, and you're on your way. Also, it may be helpful to make sure your Ferritin level stays at least 60 and preferably higher. Please keep us posted.

[Countrync1986]

I go to get fitted for the machine tonight, then they said it will take another 7-10 days to receive it. I just want to not feel like i am 80 years old. I am 21 for God sakes. Hopefully it will help with these huge bags i have under my eyes, and the death look that i have had for almost a year now day in and day out.  I will give yoga a shot to. i need to be a whole new me. Man my soon to be x-husband is going to hate that he let this one go!

[Suri123]

Hi Countrync1986, hope you are doing better. I do understand the stress you are going through due to personal life coupled with the sleep deprivation. Concentrate on your overall health and care your foot with proper dressing and full course of antibiotic. Do not worry about the new CPAP machine you would be using to assist sleep, as there can be initial hesitency and discomfort, which you need to overcome with regular use. Keep updating and share your initial experience with the CPAP machine. I would suggest you to do yoga and meditation for about half an hour daily, which is helpful to overcome the stress. Take care.

[KatEyes]

With effective treatment for your sleep apnea and RLS, life will begin looking up. I've been where you are, and am now grateful that I was diagnosed and am getting better rest. Makes life seem less overwhelming when one sleeps well.

[pennst8r]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in February and finally received my BiPAP last month. I was not at all happy about sleeping with that thing on my face. But I toughed it out and forced myself to wear it. It has made a big difference in my life. I no longer go into work in the mornings looking like "nigh tof the living dead" (except on Mondays, of course, lol!)
I have more energy.  

As a side benefit, my blood pressure has gone down. I have been on BP meds, but have been told I may someday be taken off. With my meds, my BP had been around 119/78. Since I have been using my BiPAP, it has been around 105/67.

It does take some gettign used to, but it's really worth the effort.

Penn

[Countrync1986]

update! i went in for the follow up, turns out i have sleep apnea and that restless leg syndrome stuff. i am going in sunday night to get fitted for the CPAP machine....my foot is getting better from the surgery, although they have me on antibiotics right now bc it got infected....and i am going through a divorce....so yeah life pretty much ***** right now....

[Suri123]

Hi Countrync1986, how are you doing? Hope you are doing better and able to get good sleep? How is your ankle and are you discharged to home? It would be too early to comment whether you really need the CPAP machine to assist your sleep as you have not be evaluated by the sleep doctor nor the sleep study has been reviewed by the doctor. Anyway, you need to relax and take rest till you consult your doctor. Keep physically active by stretches and brisk walks if your ankle lets you. Avoid sleeping on your back and late night bed habit. Take care and keep updating your progress.

[Countrync1986]

just a lil update to everyone. i haven't had my follow up yet with the doc to go over the results step by step yet, but the clinic did call me today and tell me that they are placing an order for a CPAP machine for me. i will update farther after the app with the readings from the test.

[Suri123]

Hi Countrync1986, how are you doing and how is your ankle? Hope you would recover soon. Relax and try to overcome your stress with rest. Your sleep might be disturbed if you are still in hospital due to change in place and your routine. You can see your sleep doctor as scheduled and know your sleep study assessment. Do update on the opinion of the doctor and take care.

[jimgreg]

yea if ur borderline..then you should be on the cpap..cuz if ur having that much problems staying awake during the day..ur brain will wake you to shake ur legs so you can breath  the more you stop breathing  the more oxygen it robs from ur heart...SLLEP APNEA CAN MAKE YOU REAL OLD QUICK..if left untreated...and once ur on a cpap  or bi pap  your  blood pressure will go down...you need to have a 2nd study with the cpap nasal mask...GOOD LUCK TOO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Countrync1986]

thank you for your help. I won't know the results until 5 June is what it is looking like. i really haven't had a chance to get up with the doctor yet. I actually just had re constructive surgery done on my ankle and foot the other day so i am pretty laid up right now, but when i get a chance i will call to find out if they can tell me anything sooner. The tech that did the night study said that the doctor will review the whole night study before they see me on the 5th. i guess i will find out soon enough. i will keep yaw all posted!

[Suri123]

Hi Countrync1986, how are you? Have you consulted the doctor who would probably be attending to evaluate your sleep problems? Can you post the result of the study in detail? I do agree with KatEyes, the observation of the study should have been complete and incomplete or inaccurate data might mislead the physician in arriving at correct diagnosis and to plan the care accordingly. CPAP is also advised for severe cases and not otherwise, so need not get fussy about it right now as you need to wait for doctor's interpretation and opinion. Take care and update your progress.

[KatEyes]

I don't understand why the tech stopped counting after 30 - EVERY event is counted to reach a diagnosis. But it is a scoring tech who will interpret your results and give them to the doctor. If your results come back borderline, ask the doctor to review the data for the night to see if the results were accurate. If your study meets the criteria (and you describe what certainly sounds like apnea) you will probably be given a cpap machine. Some people adjust easily, others take time and effort. The consequences of not making treatment work can be harmful to ones health. I've been using cpap for a few years now. I no longer wake up feeling as if I'm suffocating, and I'm more alert during the day.

[Suri123]

Hi Countrync1986, how are you doing? Sleep apnea is a disability, caused by upper airway blockage, usually when soft tissue at back of throat collapses during sleep resulting in no breathing during sleep for anywhere from 10 seconds to more than a minute and happens hundreds of times over a single night. Habitual snoring and gasping for breath during night is a usually earliest sign with excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, feeling unrefreshed, night sweats, morning dry mouth or sore throat and headaches. There may be a family history. Overweight, large neck circumference, an overbite, enlarged tonsils, a recessed chin, and a structurally abnormal airway, smoking, alcohol and sleeping pills can be some causes. Losing weight is one of the best things to do, avoid alcohol, smoking and sleeping on to your back. There are few devices to assist you sleep and in severe cases, a surgical correction can be done depending on the cause. You need to wait till the sleep specialist reviews the sleep study results. Take care.

[Countrync1986]

anyone out there that can help at all?