Sleep Study

Elisabethsew · May 28, 2006

Hubby had his Dr apt today, Our family Dr. said yup thats what it sounds like and yup it can cause high blood pressure his heart never rests. He has a apt w/ Dr when we get back into town to pick up a home sleep test. Atleast thats what the Dr said, we are actually seeing another Dr. So we'll find out! Thanks so much guys I feel much better knowing he's going in to be seen!

It might be a good idea to make an appointment for your husband to see a pulmonologist. They specialize in this area and would refer your husband to a sleep center for proper evaluation. Home tests are NOT reliable.

Elisabethsew · May 28, 2006

C-PAP (continuous positive airway pressure) consists of a mask that is attached to a machine. The machine has the ability to deliver air or oxygen or air and oxygen at the same time and has settings that determine the flow of the air into the body that are individualized to the patient. Apnea (no breathing for 6 seconds or longer) is prevented by the pressure of the continuous flow of pressure into the airway.

GeezerSue · May 28, 2006

What everybody--mostly Elizabeth--says, but adding...

I was also sure I did not have sleep apena. Imagine my surprise when on a machine that scaled from 1-20, I needed a setting of 18. That's pretty close to maxing out the current technology...

Anyway, I have a Bi-PAP machine. It's a CPAP that assists you with one level of pressure on inhaling and a different level of pressure on exhaling.

I'm ashamed to admit that I stopped using it and I NEED to go for another STUPID test or just have the techs keep lowering the settings...because with my BMI changing from about 49 to about 35, the current settings about blow me out of the room.

OOOHHHHH!!! The purpose of all this is that sleep apnea can kill you. Essentially, your heart's lack of oxygen sends an "emergency alert" to the brain which then jolts you into breathing. The body is not built to do this on a regular basis. And, after years of receiving too many of these signals, the brain will stop "listening" and not send the message and you stop breathing and die.

And sleep apnea on someone under or coming out of general anesthesia is a really bad idea. Because the message to breathe doesn't get sent or received very well when we're drugged up.

And...even though a lot of skinny people DO have sleep apnea, a very high percentage of the morbidly obese have it...so we are prime candidates for that testing.

Kiana38 · May 29, 2006

Also, it needs to be said that untreated sleep apnea can result in mortality, cardiovascular disease (pulmonary hypertension), and quality of life deficits. It can be very serious.

Josette · May 31, 2006

how long does it take to get used to the cpap? I have one now and it's at a setting of 7 and I keep finding myself having taken it off in the middle of the night. I'm getting frustrated with it.

Northernsun · May 31, 2006

My machine is at a setting of 16- yes i have it bad.

You will get used to it - it might take a bit of time. All masks are different but try to make sure yours is adjusted correctly and is as comfortable as a mask on your face all night can be. Keeping it clean will keep it from sliding all over at night and if you "break the seal" it will whistle. That sound is guarenteed to wake you and everyone else! The most important thing in the world is to continue to wear it everynight without fail. When i first got mine i cried and swore a lot, but I slept and finally got a good night sleep. And my brain which was running away from home came back. There are still some nights when i fight with the mask but I can not imagine ever sleeping with out it! My dr says that 80% of his patients loose the apnea when they loose the weight. That alone keeps me going!

fishy · May 31, 2006

Getting a good fit in a mask is key. I had started out with the standard gel mask, but because I generally sleep on my side it wouldn't stay sealed. My wife said I was whistling like a tea kettle in the middle of the night.

I switched to the nasal pillows, and have been using them for over a year - love them. I sleep so much better now.

Also, once you have lost a significant amount of weight, don't be lulled into thinking your apnea is gone - you may need adjusting, you may not need the CPAP at all - but the majority of people still need it after the weight loss as well, so it's important to do another sleep study.

I did the home test, they delivered the unit to my house and showed me how to hook it up (plus it came with detailed instructions). Slept hooked up one night, then they came and picked it up. Turns out I was also waking up over 70 times an hour - no wonder I felt like crap all the time.

My CPAP travels with me whenever I'm away from home - all I need is an electric outlet and I'm good!

Josette · May 31, 2006

I'm claustrophobic and my mask goes over my mouth and nose because I'm a mouth breather and I swear it blows my cheeks out and it's only set at 7. I don't get how to make it stop. hahaha. Makes me feel like I can't breath.