Author Topic: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.  (Read 11969 times)

Doug Varrieur

  • Author
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5337
  • Commited to helping the world :)
    • View Profile
    • Best Weight Loss Book Ever Written! FAT to Skinny Fast and Easy
    • Email
Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« on: November 02, 2014, 08:40:23 AM »
This month my heart doctor insisted I go through a sleep study to determine if I have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition which occurs as you get into a very deep sleep. The soft tissue in the back of your throat closes of your airway and you actually stop breathing for a period of time. The brain catches up and forces a "gasp" for air. Many people who snore have sleep apnea but that in itself is not an accurate symptom to determine the problem. Sleep apnea cheats the body of oxygen minute by minute, breath loss by breath loss until the oxygen levels in the blood drop to dangerous levels. This in turn forces the heart to work faster to move the blood through the body delivering oxygen to the brain. As this occurs blood pressure increases.

I went to the clinic as prescribed and to my surprise I have this condition and have most likely had it for years. Over 2000 "events" were recorded by the computers wired up to all parts of my body. Around 3am in the morning the nurse on staff came into the room and placed a small nose mask on my face and started the CPAP machine which blew fresh air into my nose. I went back to sleep until 7am.

I met with the doctor to go over the results and he prescribed a home CPAP machine for me with predetermined airflow settings determined by the results of the study. I was skeptical but I trust my doctor.

2 days later I picked up my RES-MED 10 CPAP machine and the nose mask. Of course my wife laughed like hell when I put the mask on :) The machine has a water well to humidify the air and a heater to heat the air. I went to sleep that evening and surprisingly slept all through the night. My wife told me I didn't toss and turn like usual and the machine didn't bother her at all. Over a few days I reduced the airflow to lower settings and changed out the nose mask for a nostril pillow mask. The nostril pillow mask is much more comfy and completely silent.

Its now been a couple of weeks since I started using the machine, here's the results;

1- solid sleep all night long
2- higher energy levels
3- doc cut my blood pressure meds in half
4- no stuffy sinus when I awake

In short the machine is a wonderful device that if required will solve your apnea condition if you have it.

Machine-

Pillow Mask-      
Keep The Faith, Stay The Course, Spread The Word on Facebook and Twitter  8)

mouseissue

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6414
  • Low Carb for Long Life!
    • View Profile
Re: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2014, 12:21:10 PM »
Hi, Doug! :)

Sleep apnea is much more common that many might think.

Your case proves that although sleep apnea is common with people that are very overweight,
it can happen to people at or near optimal weight, too.

Some years ago, a dear friend of mine was tested and found he had it.
He never had tonsils removed as a kid.
His doctor recommended removing them to improve breathing during sleep.
The doc also said that there were other health benefits without them.

About a month after surgery, his doctor ordered another night of testing.
The following morning, the monitors showed no abnormal night-time breathing patterns.
And he does not need a machine or take meds.

So FTS family, if you suspect sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about your tonsils (if you still have them).

Tony
What you do today is what matters!




o0OSusieO0o

  • Guest
Re: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2014, 10:12:51 PM »
When I was overweight I would wake up gasping for air. This has not happened since I lost my weight, but I do snore.

umpa

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11731
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2014, 08:35:13 AM »
 I snore too Doug wants me to get tested :)

mouseissue

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6414
  • Low Carb for Long Life!
    • View Profile
Re: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2014, 12:40:28 PM »
Welcome to the log-sawing club. ;)

I snore, too!
But it's not so bad that it bothers my sleep.

But before FTS, like you Susie, I had sleep apnea symptoms at night.
Now, I just make good sound effects. :D :D :D

Tony
What you do today is what matters!




umpa

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11731
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2014, 09:11:00 AM »
me too :D :D

o0OSusieO0o

  • Guest
Re: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2014, 06:35:55 PM »
I do have one problem for years that has never gone away. I have allergy attacks daily with these symptoms- I start out yawning, then my eyes water, then my nose runs. I continue to yawn over & over until I'm away from the source. As far as I know it's something in the air, my cat's dander and dust that trigger it.

umpa

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11731
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2014, 09:58:09 AM »
dust and mold kill me! :)

o0OSusieO0o

  • Guest
Re: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2014, 01:14:23 PM »
They are horrible Umpa.

I'm concerned about yawning over & over.

umpa

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11731
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Read this if you think you have sleep apnea.
« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2014, 09:47:51 AM »
I dont get the yawning thing.My eyes itch and my sinuses go crazy when I get around dust or mold :)