Sleep Study

[tysdad]

Wife says I snore like a bear and hold my breath at night. Went to the Neorologist and he is arranging a sleep study. Sounds like I'm gonna get me an oxogen pump. Anyone have this study? How has the pump helped your sleeping? I wake up some mornings as if I've been up all night:frown:

[ampersat]

It'll be the best thing you ever did for yourself.

[trap50]

I have to call and make an appointment myself. I had one done 9 years ago and it wasn't good. The only reason I didn't follow up then is because of the lack of respect I had for the dr. Now I'm ready with a different Dr. I know lots of people who use them and are real happy.

[DAB]

Originally Posted by tysdad

Wife says I snore like a bear and hold my breath at night. Went to the Neorologist and he is arranging a sleep study. Sounds like I'm gonna get me an oxogen pump. Anyone have this study? How has the pump helped your sleeping? I wake up some mornings as if I've been up all night:frown:

Ryan Pultz uses one.
DAB

[Old Coot]

My wife couldn't tolerate the CPAP, so she tried out Breathe Right Strips. Amazing difference. I started using them too, and notice a definite difference in the morning. You might give them a try while you are waiting for the study.

[Ryan Pultz]

Originally Posted by DAB

Ryan Pultz uses one.
DAB

Yup it is the best thing that has ever happen to me I sleep like a rock when I am not sick (its been a lot as of late) nothing to do with the machine I would stop breathing and would wake up feeling like I got no sleep I would fall asleep at the drop of the hat at work, fishing in the boat, talking to the wife(yeah that’s good for a marriage) it was horrible but now I can stay awake at work, and fishing, and yes even when talking to the wife (sometimes lol) so in conclusion Go for it worst thing is they find out you have it and you have to use a machine not the end of the world. Or you cant use the machine like some people and have to have Surgery to correct it ( I have herd it hurts like a mother) or best is you find out it is sinus problems and breathing strips or meds take care of it. Good luck ohh and there are a lot of us on Ifish that use Cpap machines rp

[Fast Water]

CPAP for three years now. The study itself wasn't all that fun but very revealing.

Go for it.

[Eric W.]

Get a study!!!! Your life depends on it!! Don't think I am right?? Ask Reggie White!!! (died of sleep apnea)

As a Sleep Proffesional (I mean it), I have observed and tested and treated over 2000 people, in the last seven years. Sleep apnea is very serious!!

I have a wealth of knowledge on the subject and would love to help you out with any questions you may have!!

My bottom line is this! See your doctor, get to a lab, get treated.

Nasal strips and throat sprays do not treat sleep apnea. If they did.....your insurance would gladly pay for those treatments.

As far as compliance with a cpap. I run a CPAP compliance clinic and have employees that spend their days helping people use their cpaps with success.

"Saving more marriages than Doctor Phil" - thats our motto.

not sure if I can put a link here....if not PM me.

Contact me via the web @ http://GETSLEEPTODAY.com

Eric
(cpap user) http://getsleeptoday.com

[CW59]

I have had a CPAP for two years now, I still fall asleep at work but that another story!!!
I suggest it to anyone to get it checked out, it is kind hard getting used to the CPAP but if can be done. My wife is very happy and I get a good night rest now also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


CW

[SCOOTA]

Cpap For 10 Years. I Would Fall Asleep At Work, Almost Would Wreck The Truck From Being So Sleepy.so On, So, On, So On,.
Do Not Hesitate. The Rest Of Your Life Depends On It.
I Sleep So Well At Night. My Wife Is More Than Willing To Put Up With A Little Noise From The Cpap Machine Than Wonder If I Am Not Going To Wake Up At All. Get-r-done

[Wyndknot]

PM sent.

[Lou]

Been on CPAP for 12+ years. Didn't bother me
a bit. I did try several different hoses (noise).
Its a life saver! Many people die from unknown
causes, yep alot could have lived longer, if
they only knew!
Get the test!

[retaliate]

So what is a cpap, I have developed Allergies the past 3 years, & often wake up with a stuffy nose, & headache's, & subsequent lack of sleep, even get Sinus infections lately, will Oxygen or a cpap help for Allergy related sinus problems?

[Ryan Pultz]

Hey Eric you work where I got my test and Machine hahaha great clinic. Matter a fact I need to get in there and have my machine checked out and calibrated Small World rp

[Fast Water]

Also, I should say that I owe some Ifishers a big thank you for urging me to go to the sleep study. CPAP has really helped me.

Retaliate- CPAP is Continuous Positive Air Pressure

The mask, when placed over the nose and sometimes the mouth provides a constant source of positive air flow that helps keep the soft pallet from collapsing on the back of the throat blocking the airway.

[Don Becker]

'Tons of advice and experience on here: http://www.ifish.net/board/search.php?searchid=703578 . BTW, it's not oxygen - - 'just air. Get the study done and then go from there. I've been on CPAP for many years and it's great. To kinda' paraphrase a well known infomercial - -- - you have no idea what you have been missing until you actually get a good night's sleep. Don

[Cohodependent]

I also work in a Sleep Lab. Go on, get it done, it is not that bad. Really it is about the easiest thing you will ever do in a Doctor's office. All you have to do is sleep.

It will take 30-40 min. to get you all wired up and that is it. I tell my patients every night that nobody comes to the Sleep Lab to get the best nights sleep of their lives, but you will get to sleep. We go out of our way to make it as comfortable as possible. We have Sleep Number Beds, TV w/ DVD & VHS, so bring a movie if you want.

You never know what is happening until we get you all set up and get you to sleep. CPAP is a life changing event for those who really need it. If you don't need it we will tell you right away. At the Lab I work for you are seen in the morning by our Doctor, so when you leave our office you will know exactly what we found, and what the next step is. We have folks come from all over the Northwest for studies. My current record holder was a gal who came from Northern Idaho.

Feel free to send a PM if you have any questions.

Good luck, and remember it is just sleep. There are no needles or any thing like that...

[dixiefisher]

Do it!!!!.....I had mine done 20 years ago....and I opted for the surgery...changed my life forever.........and later we came to find out my Grandfather died from the adverse effects from sleep apnea.....

[siletzsal]

Something to take very seriously. Best friends dad died from sleep apnea & he was diagnosed a couple years ago with it. Comforting to know it is being treated.

[MikeMc]

My dad died at 52 (I was nearly 7), of a heart attack. Mom said he would snore terribly and stop breathing for long periods. In 1966 they didn't know much about this or its effects.

I'm going to be 50 next June. For nearly 10-years now I've been sleeping in a recliner propped-up with pillows to remain upright enough to breathe. This is because until recently I've not had insurance. Since I now have insurance through my employment I have had the sleep study done. My apnea is definitely confirmed and am now waiting for my machine. I can't tell you how anxious I am to get it! I've already had 2 stents installed and I feel terrible because I'm not sleeping. I wake up feeling like I've been in a prize fight all night long. I have...a fight for my life!

Do the study!

Mike

[Thumper]

If you suspect sleep apnea I would suggest an intermediate step. If you sleep on your back, change sleeping positions. Sleep on your side or on your stomach.

From The University Of Maryland Medical Center Sleep Center:

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/article...a_000065_7.htm

As a first step in dealing with sleep apnea, the patient should simply try rolling over onto the side. Patients who sleep on their backs and have 50 - 80 apneas per hour can sometimes nearly eliminate them when they shift to one side or the other. (Changing positions is less effective the more overweight a person is, but it still helps.)

I had two sleep studies done. The doctor was strongly recommending a CPAP, but I could not tolerate the continuous positive pressure as I have COPD.

So I suggested that I simply change sleeping positions. I did so, practiced a few nights and re-tested.

No more sleep apnea. Problem solved.

Just a thought.

[hawgcatcher]

I have had Sleep Apnea for 15 years and probably even before that. Someone told me to have the sleep test so I did and was told that I had it. My insurance paid for my CPAP and I loved it. In fact I am on a newer one for about a year and It is even quieter and works better for me. Not so big a mask, it just uses pillows in the nose.

I had some problems while trying to get rested every night. I would get so tired that when I stopped for a traffic light, I would find myself drowsing off. That isn't good for a truck driver. I feel that getting on this Program, saved my life.

Only problem is when you fly or travel, you need to carry it right with you or it might disappear. The airlines security will take them from you and open them up (which I don't like) but other then that, they are great.

[RogueFishr]

go get the test! My buddy's dad died in elk camp last year from sleep apnea.

RF

[bad habit]

my mother was diagnosed with sleep apnea,,turns out 2 years later it was becuz she has degenaritive heart failure,,she has very low oxygen levels and has to be on oxygen for the rest of her life,,in many cases a sleeping problem could be a biproduct of a more seriuos ailment ,all of my mothers problems started ten years ago,first they said she had asthma, then sleep apnea now heart failure. best advice i could give is to educate yourself so when you do see your doctor you know what to say and ask. its very easy for some doctors to not look beyond the obvious.

[larryb]

i go in december 2 for my sleep test can't wait

[Eric W.]

Originally Posted by retaliate

So what is a cpap, I have developed Allergies the past 3 years, & often wake up with a stuffy nose, & headache's, & subsequent lack of sleep, even get Sinus infections lately, will Oxygen or a cpap help for Allergy related sinus problems?

When a person has allergies, the nose is stuffed up. A couple things happen that do not help sleep apnea. Because you are forced to breath out of your mouth, the mouth tends to stay open. Since the mouth is open, it now puts the jaw in a position to move backwards towards your neck. This reduces the size of the airway. Now as the patients inhales, it actually sucks the airway closed.

Remember paper drinking straws years ago............as the straw becomes soft, the more you inhale, the straw colapses. There ya go. SLEEP APNEA.

The treatment........forgive me for not explaining is CPAP. Continous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP is not oxygen in the standard terms. It is simply pressureized room air.


CPAP 101

Here is how I explain CPAP it to my patients.

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to go for a ride on your bike. You looked @ your bike and it was fine. But the moment you placed your rear on the bike.....you realized you had a flat tire. You see....the bicycle tube could not tolerate the weight of your body. So you went and got a pump, and increased the pressure in the tire. Now that there was suffucient pressure in the tube.....it was possible to hold you wieght.

Likewise....CPAP simply increases the pressure in the throat......so when you do relaxe and sleep, you tube (throat), can withstand the weight of you jaw and tongue as they relax. Putting your head in a higher atmospheric pressure. Preventing colapse.

Great Question!! Hopefully that helps.

Eric

[retaliate]

Originally Posted by Eric W.

When a person has allergies, the nose is stuffed up. A couple things happen that do not help sleep apnea. Because you are forced to breath out of your mouth, the mouth tends to stay open. Since the mouth is open, it now puts the jaw in a position to move backwards towards your neck. This reduces the size of the airway. Now as the patients inhales, it actually sucks the airway closed.

Remember paper drinking straws years ago............as the straw becomes soft, the more you inhale, the straw colapses. There ya go. SLEEP APNEA.

The treatment........forgive me for not explaining is CPAP. Continous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP is not oxygen in the standard terms. It is simply pressureized room air.


CPAP 101

Here is how I explain CPAP it to my patients.

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to go for a ride on your bike. You looked @ your bike and it was fine. But the moment you placed your rear on the bike.....you realized you had a flat tire. You see....the bicycle tube could not tolerate the weight of your body. So you went and got a pump, and increased the pressure in the tire. Now that there was suffucient pressure in the tube.....it was possible to hold you wieght.

Likewise....CPAP simply increases the pressure in the throat......so when you do relaxe and sleep, you tube (throat), can withstand the weight of you jaw and tongue as they relax. Putting your head in a higher atmospheric pressure. Preventing colapse.

Great Question!! Hopefully that helps.

Eric

Thanks, I will talk to my Doctor, & give it a try, I'm also considering getting the Sinus tap to open up the Airway's, I understand this is a painful procrdure tho, so not looking forward to that, but I'm running out of options.

[1pump]

I just looked at my CPAP machine. I've had it 2 years and it has a total of 67 hours on it. Needless to say, it doesn't get a lot of use. I just can't get used to the thing. IMHO, it's like getting CPR from an octopus clamped on your face.
I gotta try again, though. I work rotating shifts, don't get much sleep, and when I do, it doesn't do me a lot of good. I'm just as tired when I wake up. :frown:

[samiam]

i used to snore, and sometimes jolted awake feeling like i was gasping. I also have allergies to dusty, pollen, etc and generally used to have headaches and stuffiness whenever i slept laying flat. I had the surgery to fix deviated septum and clear some excess tissue from my sinus cavity and nose. worked pretty well! headaches and stuffiness, and snoring all vanished. allergies greatly diminished.

[retaliate]

Originally Posted by samiam

i used to snore, and sometimes jolted awake feeling like i was gasping. I also have allergies to dusty, pollen, etc and generally used to have headaches and stuffiness whenever i slept laying flat. I had the surgery to fix deviated septum and clear some excess tissue from my sinus cavity and nose. worked pretty well! headaches and stuffiness, and snoring all vanished. allergies greatly diminished.

So how was the surgery, as far as pain/discomfort go's?, & how long did it take to recover?

[samiam]

Recovery was painful but worth it. I slept on the couch sitting up for about a week. Took pain meds, probably more than i needed, so that first week was just like a long strange dream. if i missed a dose of pain meds, i felt it for sure. I was allowed to start walking for exercise about about 3 weeks, and I resumed running at about 8 weeks. I remember bending over to tie shoes (no-no) at about 3 weeks, and bursting some weak healing tissue in my nose, meaning a day on the couch sitting up with guaze stuffed up my nose farther than any finger could reach. a woman i know said her surgery was more painful than giving birth, but she was probably being dramatic. i had kidney stones once, and that was worse than the nose surgery.

[cheeseburger]

I have sleep apnea and have had a cpap machine for at least two years and i would highly recommend getting one. My wife would always tell me i would choke and gasp for air alot during sleep. And i was getting to the point that i need a nap after work bad or i could not stay awake. After getting the machine i rarely need a nap during the day...maybe just on a sunday during a sports game on the couch...lol
The mask is not the most confortable thing in the world, but after you get relaxed, you dont even notice it, and you will sleep harder than you have ever before. A great subject!

[retaliate]

Originally Posted by samiam

Recovery was painful but worth it. I slept on the couch sitting up for about a week. Took pain meds, probably more than i needed, so that first week was just like a long strange dream. if i missed a dose of pain meds, i felt it for sure. I was allowed to start walking for exercise about about 3 weeks, and I resumed running at about 8 weeks. I remember bending over to tie shoes (no-no) at about 3 weeks, and bursting some weak healing tissue in my nose, meaning a day on the couch sitting up with guaze stuffed up my nose farther than any finger could reach. a woman i know said her surgery was more painful than giving birth, but she was probably being dramatic. i had kidney stones once, and that was worse than the nose surgery.

Thanks, thats generally what I 've been hearing, not something to look forward to, but everyone say's it's worth it.

[salemg]

Originally Posted by 1pump

I just looked at my CPAP machine. I've had it 2 years and it has a total of 67 hours on it. Needless to say, it doesn't get a lot of use. I just can't get used to the thing. IMHO, it's like getting CPR from an octopus clamped on your face.
I gotta try again, though. I work rotating shifts, don't get much sleep, and when I do, it doesn't do me a lot of good. I'm just as tired when I wake up. :frown:

I work in the industry also and one thing that we see alot is when people first get their machines it takes a while to get used to the masks. A lot of people think that it is going to leak air so they clamp the straps down harder, and this does not help. The masks are usually made to have a comfortable fit. If you feel that the current mask you have is not working, give your provider a call and let them know. Also it is really important that you are up front with your doctor about what is going on.

[Cohodependent]

The thing to remember about the surgery is that it only works about 1/2 of the time. I am not trying to talk any one out of the procedure, but be sure to ask lots of questions before you decide.

The other thing that I would recommend, is get a study prior to the surgery just to see what is actually happening. I have done a couple of studies on folks who had the surgery and did not get any relief. Turns out the Restless Legs and or Periodic Leg Movement Synd. and really did not have apnea to begin with, so the surgery was never even needed. Imagine how upset those patients were after going thru such a painfull procedure that was not even indicated...

The biggest reason most folk are not compliant with their CPAP is the mask. If you are not able to tolerate the mask, you will never use the machine. There are dozens of different mask on the market and I am sure that you and your provider will find one that works. The mask have come a long way, even in the last couple of years. I have done a lot of studies on patients who come in and say that they tried it, they hated it and they will never do it again. After asking lots of questions it almost always comes down to an issue with the original mask that they were sent home with. With some patience and lots of discussion I am usually able to find them a mask that they can tolerate.

But, then again there are some folks who start ripping stuff off and run out of lab screaming into the night. Fortunatly that is a pretty rare event. But, it is not for every one.

[Leatherneck]

Great post. I will be calling Kaiser in the morning to see a Doctor about my snoring problem which im sure that I have sleep apnea. I wake up every now and then gasping for air. It really freaks my wife out and also scares the hell out of me when this happens.

[Eric W.]

"The thing to remember about the surgery is that it only works about 1/2 of the time. I am not trying to talk any one out of the procedure, but be sure to ask lots of questions before you decide."

You are right!!

One must remember! Doctors make their boat payments doing surgery. If you go to the Doc..........he will say. "Sure, lets give a shot" . CHA Ching - (cash register sound)

I work with an Ear Nose and Throat Doc. He probably does more surgery for Sleep Apnea than anyone in Portland. And guess what......HE WEARS A CPAP!!

A good rule of thumb is this. Generally surgery can reduce the amount of cpap required to support the airway. Usually surgery can reduce your pressure by about 4 cm h2O. Surgery may only be able to reverse your apnea if you are quite mild. ie - cpap of 7 or 8.

Here are some stats that I use when educating people about surgery and apnea.

200 people want surgery for apnea
100 of them are canidates
50 of the actually get some releif
25 of them have get it done again due to scar tissue or other complications.


CPAP works 100% of the time. In the thousands of studies I have performed and over seen. I have never seen it NOT work. It is simple physics. It is a matter of tolerance.

Working where I work I have also seen guys and gals after surgery. Sometimes it works.........sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes we can reduce the amount of pressure required. Sometimes it can increase it.

Bottom line. Surgery is not 100%. The succes rate decreases the higher your BMI (body mass index), and the higher your pressures are.

I am off my apple box now.

[Eric W.]

[Snoring: therapeutic options]

DE LA CHAUX R, KLEMENS C, PATSCHEIDER M, DREHER A. MMW Fortschr Med 2007;149(39):33-5.
Interdiszip-linaren Schlaflabors, Klinik und Poliklinik fur HNO, Klinikum Grosshadern, LMU Munchen. richard.de.la.chaux@med.uni-muenchen.de
Abstract:
Primary snoring is mainly the bed partner's problem and not that of the snorer. The request for treatment arises from how annoying the snoring is and how sensitive the bed partner is to noise. In addition to a thorough medical history and an ENT examination, a polysomnography should be always performed to differentiate between primary snoring, upper airway resistance and obstructive sleep apnoea syndromes. Primarily weight loss and avoidance of alcohol in the evening as well as devices and surgery are used in the treatment of snoring.



This an article I just came across that I thought would interest some of you. The key to this paper is this............IF it is JUST snoring.......then weightloss, reducing alcohol intake may assit along with devices and surgery.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Eric W.

[Snoring: therapeutic options]
IF it is JUST snoring.......then weightloss, reducing alcohol intake may assit along with devices and surgery.

And for cripes sake quit sleeping on your back. That will "cure" you in the vast majority of cases.

Simple --- lose weight, slow down on the booze, sleep on your side. Then figure out if you have a medically-significant apnea problem.

There are a lot of people wearing CPAP masks every night that are wasting their money (IMHO).

[retaliate]

Originally Posted by Eric W.

"The thing to remember about the surgery is that it only works about 1/2 of the time. I am not trying to talk any one out of the procedure, but be sure to ask lots of questions before you decide."

You are right!!

One must remember! Doctors make their boat payments doing surgery. If you go to the Doc..........he will say. "Sure, lets give a shot" . CHA Ching - (cash register sound)

I work with an Ear Nose and Throat Doc. He probably does more surgery for Sleep Apnea than anyone in Portland. And guess what......HE WEARS A CPAP!!

A good rule of thumb is this. Generally surgery can reduce the amount of cpap required to support the airway. Usually surgery can reduce your pressure by about 4 cm h2O. Surgery may only be able to reverse your apnea if you are quite mild. ie - cpap of 7 or 8.

Here are some stats that I use when educating people about surgery and apnea.

200 people want surgery for apnea
100 of them are canidates
50 of the actually get some releif
25 of them have get it done again due to scar tissue or other complications.


CPAP works 100% of the time. In the thousands of studies I have performed and over seen. I have never seen it NOT work. It is simple physics. It is a matter of tolerance.

Working where I work I have also seen guys and gals after surgery. Sometimes it works.........sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes we can reduce the amount of pressure required. Sometimes it can increase it.

Bottom line. Surgery is not 100%. The succes rate decreases the higher your BMI (body mass index), and the higher your pressures are.

I am off my apple box now.

So other than the obvious pain, & recovery time from surgery, & 50% or less success rate, what other risks should we know about? For me my allergies are year round & prety much every day...all day, altho worse when laying down, seems to drain some while up-right, maybe I should get one of those Conehead type beds, & sleep up-right.Woke up congested with a headache again last night, cost me a couple hours sleep...again, this is happening waaay too often.

[samiam]

i had the surgery, and the doc said there was always a chance the tissue would grow back.... it's been a few years, and many good nights of sleep. worth it so far to me. i'm still sensitive to sinus issues more than the normal folks i know, but only a few nights in the past few years have i had to sleep with my head elevated on extra pillows. but anyways, that's the only other "bad news" i could think up :tongue:

Originally Posted by retaliate

So other than the obvious pain, & recovery time from surgery, & 50% or less success rate, what other risks should we know about? For me my allergies are year round & prety much every day...all day, altho worse when laying down, seems to drain some while up-right, maybe I should get one of those Conehead type beds, & sleep up-right.Woke up congested with a headache again last night, cost me a couple hours sleep...again, this is happening waaay too often.

[Got One!]

Interesting topic, I never tried what you are talking about, but I went down and bought 12 hr nose spray, and use one blast at night before bed and that cured it. Now if I could only sleep longer than 2 hours at a time....