wAggie August 14th, 2005, 08:35 PM mom has been recently diagnosed with it, it's really severe. She will be going in for more tests in mid-sept to find out if she needs to be hooked up to a machine when she's sleeping....
needless to say, she's quite stressed over this.
does anyone have stories to share? some useful information?
Freyja August 14th, 2005, 08:41 PM The only thing I know is that being overweight makes it worse.
raingirl August 14th, 2005, 08:45 PM I'm pretty sure my BF has it (but he won't go to the doctor about it). I have read a ton about it, and know a few people with it. The machine (CPAP) is actually kinda cool, and really helps people with sleep apnea to sleep much better. Basically, it's like an oxygen mask you sleep with that forces air to keep your breathing. Takes some getting used to, but everyone I know who started on it felt 200% better after one night with it, because their sleep was so much better.
wAggie August 14th, 2005, 09:00 PM my mom is no where near overweight, she's actually in much better shape then I am.... (and I'm not a afraid to admit it.. it shows, lol, :o )
anyways, raingirl, do know of any good books I could read up on?
my mom just stresses, and stresses more since, God forbid, she stops breathing, she could get brain damage!
mona_b August 14th, 2005, 09:03 PM My BIL has it.It was a while before it was diagnosed.The reason they were able to was because he was falling asleep at the wheel.Well needless to say he had to stop driving.He did use the nose mask.Not sure if he still does though.My sister did say something about it running in the family.I'll have to ask her about that one.
mona_b August 14th, 2005, 09:10 PM Here are some links.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhatIs.html
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sleep_apnea/sleep_apnea.htm
http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/apnea.html
Luba August 14th, 2005, 10:54 PM wAggie don't worry there is very easy treatment :D
My mom has it as well, went twice to sleep clinics for proper diagnosis.
Your body wakes you up when you stop breathing so tell her not to worry. She probably snores a lot too huh.
If her situation warrants they will recommend a machine that is called a cpap to help her sleep more comfortably and assist with her breathing. It may take some time getting used to but it works well.
A family friend uses one and now has very wonderful sleeps. His case was severe though he was falling asleep while walking, working or driving.
There are also dental devices, sort of like mouth guards that athletes wear that assist in lining your jaws up so that the airway keeps open while you sleep.
In addition mom can purchase a pillow to help align her neck and again keep the airway open.
A great many people have sleep apnea, and are never dianosed. Almost anyone and everyone that snores has it...so pls tell mom not to worry! :D
What are moms symptoms and who diagnosed her, her family doctor or a neurologist/otolarangologist (ENT) ? Who told her it's severe? She may be worried or overly worried. The only way to really diagnose is through a sleep clinic study, like my mom went through. If she hasn't been there yet, they can come to the conclusion by her symptoms but not really diagnose. Thus, they shouldn't be telling her it's severe...unless she's doing like that family friend of mine and falling asleep during the course of the day just anywhere.
:D I hope some of that helps. If I can answer any other questions or something let me know. Try not to read up too much on the internet about it, often companies selling cpap and other machines make it seem like everyone needs one or you'll die and thats just not true. Let the sleep clinic set your mom up for some tests before anyone jumps to conclusions and she gets herself and you worried!
Hugs
mafiaprincess August 15th, 2005, 12:06 AM My dad has sleep apnea. Uses a CPAP nightly. Until he got his machine 4 or so years ago he went through life drained.. since he was never getting a good sleep ever.
You get used to the machine fairly fast, and it is such a dramatic improvent in how you feel *he raves about how much better things are*.
Only downside for him was the sleep clinics, and the check ups for the first year of the machine. It has a recorder in it. Proves how long it was used on what nights. If one's apnea is bad enough to cause driving impairment, and you refuse treatment they can pull your liscence like they can over epilepsy.
He usues his full time like you are supposed to, but they check up to make sure. Some people are mortified that they need a CPAP and get the machine but refuse to use it apparently.
jjgeonerd August 15th, 2005, 12:14 AM My dad had/has (?) it. It was either a machine to sleep or surgery to clean up his sinuses...I think to remove a bunch of scar tissue. He chose the surgery. It looked pretty miserable when he was healing and now he has to flush his sinuses with saltwater every night...BUT, the sleep apnia is pretty much gone, he sleeps MUCH better, and he also no longer gets sinus infection like he used to. It took forever to get diagnosed. He even went to Scripps Clininc in San Diego a couple times to be monitored while he slept. Anyways, he says he feels much better now.
oh yeah...mom says he snores much less now...for which she is grateful! :)
Luba August 15th, 2005, 12:25 AM Good point about the nasal thing and surgery
My fathers nose was broken and reset improperly causing a deviated septum issue and breathing problems. Easily corrected with surgery can also aleviate apnea. :D
GsdDiamond August 15th, 2005, 11:54 AM I've been tested for it as well, and find out the results in 2 weeks. If I do have it, I will buy the CPAP machine immediately!!!!! If I don't have it...that just means that I sleep crappy and need pills. Now there's a lovely thought!!!
According to what the sleep centre told me....it can be hereditary, "most often" caused by weight, but can also be just the way the throat is shaped... causing the toungue to slide back and block the airway.
I know a few people who already use it...and they wouldn't trade it in for all the tea in China!
badger August 15th, 2005, 05:25 PM jjggeonerd, that is so interesting about your dad's salt water cure. My grandmother swore by salt water, gargled with it, bathed in it (she lived on the beach in Vancouver), it was her remedy for everything. I know when I feel a cold coming on, I gargle with it, you can also draw it up through your nose so it reaches the sinuses and the back of the throat, a bit messy but definitely works.
Prin August 15th, 2005, 05:26 PM REALLY?? Doesn't that KILL? I mean doesn't it burn?
jjgeonerd August 15th, 2005, 06:50 PM REALLY?? Doesn't that KILL? I mean doesn't it burn?
Hurts like hell IMO! I tried it once because my allergy doctor said it would help with my allergies and my dad now swears by it. NO WAY!! My eyes must have watered for 10 minutes straight!
For my dad it came out of necessity. Doctor said he could flush his sinuses daily or in a few years he could be right back where he started prior to surgery. After a little while he got used to it and he now claims it's not uncomfortable. Like with most things I suspect you can get used to it.
maddoxies August 17th, 2005, 04:27 PM I have narcolepsy, and two folks at the office have Sleep Apnia. In my research for maximizing the quality of my sleep, I often run across apnia info too. One of the "natural" suggestions for SA was singing. Apparently it helps to strengthen the throat muscles and help the airways/breathing etc.
Good luck. I have had narcolepsy for 30+ years and, luckily, was diagnosed about 20 years ago. Double check whatever info you find, there are a lot of quacks out there.
wAggie August 18th, 2005, 07:52 PM thanx everyone!
I called my mom earlier today. She said she will never again go to a sleep clinic, it was completely stressful for her, a total nightmare.
She went to see her doctor after she woke up from her sleep choking, trying to catch her breath.
and I found out her major concern is the surgery. She's got this medical book that states the procedures of every surgery/operation imaginable. The problem is is that the book was copyright in 1970 (approx.)!!!!!
Needless to say, I continued talking to her about it. I told her about all of ur feedback.
Hopefully she's calmed down by now (I HOPE) and whatever decision the doctor makes next month will ease her breathing (and worry). :fingerscr
but most likely, she will be getting the machine for a trial basis to see how her breathing goes....
I'll keep y'all updated. and thanx again!!! :grouphug:
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