Comments on: If you snore, get tested for sleep apnea. Now. http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now It's all spinning wheels and self-doubt until the first pot of coffee. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:59:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7-bleeding By: Marie Wiggins http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-359720 Marie Wiggins Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:30:05 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-359720 <p>I have a CPAP and I still can not sleep with out the aid of a sleeping pill I have always been a night person that is why I always liked to work at night even as a child my parents had to fix it so I would be safe and the other children could sleep while I played. So not all sleep disorders are solved by a CPAP. I do have sleep apnea tho so it does help.</p> I have a CPAP and I still can not sleep with out the aid of a sleeping pill I have always been a night person that is why I always liked to work at night even as a child my parents had to fix it so I would be safe and the other children could sleep while I played. So not all sleep disorders are solved by a CPAP. I do have sleep apnea tho so it does help.

]]> By: hollygirl http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-352074 hollygirl Sun, 11 May 2008 11:13:14 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-352074 <p>I wonder if i could have this. I dont snore much at all but I do have breathing problems due to chronic hyperventilation - this can affect my breathing in the day particularly when anxious. However during the last two years I have been permanently tired, put weight on and keep waking repeatedly at certain times gasping for breath. This can go on all night and I hardly get any sleep however other times I am not aware of having woken at all. Because it comes and goes and seems to be linked to stress I thought it was just anxiety making me repeatedly wake gasping for air but now I am wondering. Does anyone have advice?</p> I wonder if i could have this. I dont snore much at all but I do have breathing problems due to chronic hyperventilation - this can affect my breathing in the day particularly when anxious. However during the last two years I have been permanently tired, put weight on and keep waking repeatedly at certain times gasping for breath. This can go on all night and I hardly get any sleep however other times I am not aware of having woken at all.
Because it comes and goes and seems to be linked to stress I thought it was just anxiety making me repeatedly wake gasping for air but now I am wondering. Does anyone have advice?

]]> By: Jeffrey Mabee http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-330634 Jeffrey Mabee Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:08:30 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-330634 <p>I think I can honestly say I never got a good night's sllep until cpap (now bipap). However, I have been struggling with my machine and pressure settings for 2 years now. It may be that I also have nasal polyps that are painful after having pressurized air passing over them for a time. I also have the allergy-like symptoms really badly sometimes. I have refused to cut my beard off but it sounds like many of you found the mask unworkable anyway. It is good to hear about others experience. There is no question that when it all comes together for me it is surprisingly wonderful to get a good night's sleep.</p> I think I can honestly say I never got a good night's sllep until cpap (now bipap). However, I have been struggling with my machine and pressure settings for 2 years now. It may be that I also have nasal polyps that are painful after having pressurized air passing over them for a time. I also have the allergy-like symptoms really badly sometimes. I have refused to cut my beard off but it sounds like many of you found the mask unworkable anyway. It is good to hear about others experience. There is no question that when it all comes together for me it is surprisingly wonderful to get a good night's sleep.

]]> By: Random MomBlog :: Snoring and sleep apnea :: January :: 2008 http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-325440 Random MomBlog :: Snoring and sleep apnea :: January :: 2008 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:50:29 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-325440 <p>[...] ran across the comment, if you snore, get tested for sleep apnea. Now. My sweetie, who is not in the least overweight, snores quite a bit, and has been getting louder [...]</p> [...] ran across the comment, if you snore, get tested for sleep apnea. Now. My sweetie, who is not in the least overweight, snores quite a bit, and has been getting louder [...]

]]> By: Dr. Greenburg http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-305907 Dr. Greenburg Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:09:13 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-305907 <p>Whoops. moderator please change my above post to http://www.apnea-treatment.com/blog</p> Whoops. moderator please change my above post to http://www.apnea-treatment.com/blog

]]> By: Dr. Greenburg http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-305905 Dr. Greenburg Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:07:52 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-305905 <p>I would like to commend all of you for getting treatment and not putting it off. I recently had a person come into my practice that had waited and waited to do something, and he fell asleep at the wheel of his car killing someone. He will never be the same.</p> <p>It is a passion of mine to help others get the treatment they need before other life threatening health conditions come into play like heart attacks and strokes. You can see by the amount of press that Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disorders are getting, that the public is becoming aware... </p> <p>Congrats to all of you that take this seriously and have done something about it. </p> <p>You are welcome to visit my site at http://www.apnea.treatment.com/blog</p> <p>Take care, and good health to you!</p> <p>Dr. Jonathan Greenburg DDS</p> I would like to commend all of you for getting treatment and not putting it off. I recently had a person come into my practice that had waited and waited to do something, and he fell asleep at the wheel of his car killing someone. He will never be the same.

It is a passion of mine to help others get the treatment they need before other life threatening health conditions come into play like heart attacks and strokes. You can see by the amount of press that Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disorders are getting, that the public is becoming aware...

Congrats to all of you that take this seriously and have done something about it.

You are welcome to visit my site at http://www.apnea.treatment.com/blog

Take care, and good health to you!

Dr. Jonathan Greenburg DDS

]]> By: Kathleen Bowman http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-230450 Kathleen Bowman Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:52:42 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-230450 <p>Was diagnosed several months ago and had initial trouble adjusting to sleeping with a mask, buy am currently using the SNAPP nasal pillow system which isn't too bad in terms of comfort.</p> <p>I note that one person has had success with CPAP/PRO. Has anyone else tried that? It would be wonderful not to have the medieval torture straps to contend with all over your head.</p> <p>Thanks.</p> Was diagnosed several months ago and had initial trouble adjusting to sleeping with a mask, buy am currently using the SNAPP nasal pillow system which isn't too bad in terms of comfort.

I note that one person has had success with CPAP/PRO. Has anyone else tried that? It would be wonderful not to have the medieval torture straps to contend with all over your head.

Thanks.

]]> By: morty http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-109316 morty Thu, 22 Mar 2007 22:40:19 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-109316 <p>Thanks for the info. I've just been diagnosed with sleep apnea - I wake up 71 times an hour. How much do overweight problems contribute to sleep apnea? If I lose weight, how will I know if it reduces the apnea? Will I be wearing a sleep mask unnecessarily after that?</p> Thanks for the info.
I've just been diagnosed with sleep apnea - I wake up 71 times an hour.
How much do overweight problems contribute to sleep apnea?
If I lose weight, how will I know if it reduces the apnea?
Will I be wearing a sleep mask unnecessarily after that?

]]> By: Evan http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-102736 Evan Fri, 16 Mar 2007 18:09:10 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-102736 <p>thanks for that. I was diagnosed in October with apnea and got the machine mid-november. that lethargicness you are talking about is absolutely crazy. i thought i was depressed for years. turns out it wasn't me. i can tell now when i haven't had a great night sleep, because i know what a good day should feel like. thanks for writing.</p> thanks for that. I was diagnosed in October with apnea and got the machine mid-november. that lethargicness you are talking about is absolutely crazy. i thought i was depressed for years. turns out it wasn't me. i can tell now when i haven't had a great night sleep, because i know what a good day should feel like. thanks for writing.

]]> By: Gail Drayton http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-82944 Gail Drayton Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:14:54 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-82944 <p>This board is very helpful. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in November and I am still waiting for my CPAP machine. My insurance has denied it and I have appealed it. I am to the point of being somewhat scared with the following symptoms that I am having. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has them. Everytime I wake up my whole body is numb, my mouth is so dry I I have no saliva in it. This makes me try to gasp for air. Another thing is my body sometimes gets so weak I feel like I can barely walk or even lift my arms up. Are these symptoms familiar? My oxygen level goes down to 70 and I also, get no REM sleep. I am bi-polar and thought my clinical depression was caused by that until I found out sleep apnea also causes it. My memory is so bad that I can't even finish a sentence without forgetting what I was saying and I have gained a tremendous amount of weight, which my DR. said could also be caused by sleep apnea. Will check back for any responses that may be helpful. Please don't suggest that I buy a CPAP machine due my difficulties with the insurance company, I am on disability and receive only $700.00 a month, so, that is out of the question.</p> This board is very helpful. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in November and I am still waiting for my CPAP machine. My insurance has denied it and I have appealed it. I am to the point of being somewhat scared with the following symptoms that I am having. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has them.
Everytime I wake up my whole body is numb, my mouth is so dry I I have no saliva in it. This makes me try to gasp for air. Another thing is my body sometimes gets so weak I feel like I can barely walk or even lift my arms up. Are these symptoms familiar? My oxygen level goes down to 70 and I also, get no REM sleep. I am bi-polar and thought my clinical depression was caused by that until I found out sleep apnea also causes it. My memory is so bad that I can't even finish a sentence without forgetting what I was saying and I have gained a tremendous amount of weight, which my DR. said could also be caused by sleep apnea.
Will check back for any responses that may be helpful. Please don't suggest that I buy a CPAP machine due my difficulties with the insurance company, I am on disability and receive only $700.00 a month, so, that is out of the question.

]]> By: sleepswell http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-72068 sleepswell Wed, 24 Jan 2007 07:56:58 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-72068 <p>It seems like everybody is not 100% happy with their apnea treatments. Why don't you tell your doctor about it? He might be able to provide some alternatives, a BiPAP maybe, or surgery. CPAP masks can really be a problem sometimes even if it fits you snugly. </p> <p>You can also check out this site http://www.askthesleepexperts.com to know more about sleep apnea and other possible treatments.</p> It seems like everybody is not 100% happy with their apnea treatments. Why don't you tell your doctor about it? He might be able to provide some alternatives, a BiPAP maybe, or surgery. CPAP masks can really be a problem sometimes even if it fits you snugly.

You can also check out this site
http://www.askthesleepexperts.com
to know more about sleep apnea and other possible treatments.

]]> By: Jill Stoffel http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-63558 Jill Stoffel Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:34:58 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-63558 <p>Does anyone know the best/fastest way of getting rid of the "imprints" left on the face in the morning? I just started using my CPAP machine a couple of days ago. So far, I have a nasty neck ache (I guess I'm afraid to move at night) and the line problem...which is not a big problem... I just don't want to advertise at work that I wear a contraption on my face at night. I loosened up all the straps but I think I will have imprints no matter what I do. Any Ideas?</p> Does anyone know the best/fastest way of getting rid of the "imprints" left on the face in the morning? I just started using my CPAP machine a couple of days ago. So far, I have a nasty neck ache (I guess I'm afraid to move at night) and the line problem...which is not a big problem... I just don't want to advertise at work that I wear a contraption on my face at night. I loosened up all the straps but I think I will have imprints no matter what I do. Any Ideas?

]]> By: David http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-62333 David Wed, 27 Dec 2006 07:09:58 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-62333 <p>I've been on CPAP now for about 3 years. I se the REMStar Plus. I'm one of the lucky ones in that I adapted almost instantly to the mask. My sleep was so interrupted (46 wakings/hr in the test) and the benefits were so dramatic that I would have found a way to adapt to wearing a volkswagon on my face if thet was what it took. I too have had some sinus issues occasonally but find that if I clean the mask, tube and water chamber regularly and use nasal spray sparingly (I emphasize sparingly - that stuff can be addictive and do more damage than good if used continuously) the side effects are dwarfed by the benefits. My life was in a serious downward spiral before CPAP and I can tell you that if you have only mild symptoms now they will likely get worse with age. When they get really bad you will likely lack the clear judgement to understand what's happening to you. So if you're wrestling with sleep problems keep working with the doctor until you find a workable treatment for you.</p> <p>If CPAP is problematic for you, try a heated humidified unit (as opposed to non-humidified or pass over humidified) and try different masks or nasal pillows. If none of that works, talk to the doctor about surgery. Surgery is only effective in a limited percentage of patients, but when it does work I'm told it is a true cure sans machines and masks. Also note that in recent years the technology has advanced a lot. There are now machines that continuously vary pressure to remove exhale resistance and also vary inhale pressure based on breathing patterns. These can help with many patients who have problems tolerating generic CPAP. </p> <p>I saw one person asking about self adjusting a REMStar Plus pressure. You can trick it out a bit by changing the altitude setting but there is a reason this is set by the physician. You can do more harm than good tinkering with the pressure without understanding the factors involved. You might want to try one of the new REMStar M Auto units which monitor your breathing patterns and adjust pressure accordingly. I've never used one of these, but I've read reviews that speak highly of them.</p> <p>Sleep Well!</p> I've been on CPAP now for about 3 years. I se the REMStar Plus. I'm one of the lucky ones in that I adapted almost instantly to the mask. My sleep was so interrupted (46 wakings/hr in the test) and the benefits were so dramatic that I would have found a way to adapt to wearing a volkswagon on my face if thet was what it took. I too have had some sinus issues occasonally but find that if I clean the mask, tube and water chamber regularly and use nasal spray sparingly (I emphasize sparingly - that stuff can be addictive and do more damage than good if used continuously) the side effects are dwarfed by the benefits. My life was in a serious downward spiral before CPAP and I can tell you that if you have only mild symptoms now they will likely get worse with age. When they get really bad you will likely lack the clear judgement to understand what's happening to you. So if you're wrestling with sleep problems keep working with the doctor until you find a workable treatment for you.

If CPAP is problematic for you, try a heated humidified unit (as opposed to non-humidified or pass over humidified) and try different masks or nasal pillows. If none of that works, talk to the doctor about surgery. Surgery is only effective in a limited percentage of patients, but when it does work I'm told it is a true cure sans machines and masks. Also note that in recent years the technology has advanced a lot. There are now machines that continuously vary pressure to remove exhale resistance and also vary inhale pressure based on breathing patterns. These can help with many patients who have problems tolerating generic CPAP.

I saw one person asking about self adjusting a REMStar Plus pressure. You can trick it out a bit by changing the altitude setting but there is a reason this is set by the physician. You can do more harm than good tinkering with the pressure without understanding the factors involved. You might want to try one of the new REMStar M Auto units which monitor your breathing patterns and adjust pressure accordingly. I've never used one of these, but I've read reviews that speak highly of them.

Sleep Well!

]]> By: Dave http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-55847 Dave Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:30:32 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-55847 <p>I had forgotten how good it feels to rub the sleep out of my eyes.... After a plane crash & automobile accident - both I'm sure now were the direct result of poor sleep, daytime drowsiness & slow response times, I went for help to a sleep disorder clinic.</p> <p>They wired me up & did the overnight sleep study - Results came back that my sleep was interrupted (on average) 25 TIMES / Hour !! Which means I was getting 2-3 minutes of sleep before I quit breathing. This event (stop breathing) causes a chain reaction of things to happen in the body:</p> <p>Brain (normally resting at night) senses the low ogygen level & sends a message to release adrenalin & start the heart pumping. (which is also suppose to be taking it easy during a normal nights rest) And finally, the lungs - sensing the increased activity, get in the action & call for more air. Which usually results in that classic snoring / gasping for breath. This cycle repeats itself - ALL THRU THE NIGHT</p> <p>After using a CPAP maching for 4-5 weeks now, I notice a big improvement.</p> I had forgotten how good it feels to rub the sleep out of my eyes....
After a plane crash & automobile accident - both I'm sure now were
the direct result of poor sleep, daytime drowsiness & slow response
times, I went for help to a sleep disorder clinic.

They wired me up & did the overnight sleep study - Results came back
that my sleep was interrupted (on average) 25 TIMES / Hour !! Which
means I was getting 2-3 minutes of sleep before I quit breathing.
This event (stop breathing) causes a chain reaction of things to happen
in the body:

Brain (normally resting at night) senses the low ogygen level & sends
a message to release adrenalin & start the heart pumping. (which is
also suppose to be taking it easy during a normal nights rest) And finally,
the lungs - sensing the increased activity, get in the action & call for
more air. Which usually results in that classic snoring / gasping for breath.
This cycle repeats itself - ALL THRU THE NIGHT

After using a CPAP maching for 4-5 weeks now, I notice a big improvement.

]]> By: Mark http://decafbad.com/blog/2004/12/03/if-you-snore-get-tested-for-sleep-apnea-now#comment-48168 Mark Wed, 08 Nov 2006 18:30:56 +0000 http://www.decafbad.com/blog/?p=571#comment-48168 <p>There is a new product on the market called CPAP Pro (www.nomask.com). I have been using for about 3 months now and find it to be the best interface I've tried. It is much more comfortable than the other masks I have tried. Just wanted to share. Check them out...</p> There is a new product on the market called CPAP Pro (www.nomask.com). I have been using for about 3 months now and find it to be the best interface I've tried. It is much more comfortable than the other masks I have tried. Just wanted to share. Check them out...

]]>