+- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com)
+-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? (/showthread.php?tid=202346)
Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - MacArtist - 03-01-2017
My doctor wanted me to get checked out for possible sleep apnea. She said it could be contributing to my high blood pressure and there are other health issues it could lead to if it goes unchecked.
Work is a nightmare with mandatory overtime so I opted to wear a portable pulse/ox overnight and my O2 counts dropped indicating I could have sleep apnea.
Now my Doc wants me to go through a sleep study but my insurance won't pay for it conducted at the clinic. Evidently, they can perform this at home thru home healthcare?
I need to lose 40-50 lbs., 6 down so far. If I lost all the extra weight, would the sleep apnea go away completely?
I would appreciate any information from your experience.
Re: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - mrbigstuff - 03-01-2017
Sounds kind of similar to my situation, inc the high blood pressure. I could not use the machine after a few attempts. The one thing that did help was having a dental night guard made, which seems to relax my jaw enough to avoid the worst. But I'm scheduled to revisit the doctor this month, so I may end up with a machine to try again.
Re: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - Drew - 03-01-2017
I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea and now use a machine every night for sleeping. After finding the best mask (I use a simple nose pillow type now), it has changed my life. Seriously. Losing weight will help in a lot of ways, but many skinny people have sleep apnea.
I took my test at home, but I live overseas so I can't comment about insurance coverage.
Here's a great forum full of good people who know a lot about it, including insurance issues.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/index.php
Re: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - jdc - 03-01-2017
its more than weight. My father is 5' 8", 125 lbs (maybe 145 lbs at his heaviest) and has always had an issue with breathing at night. Snored like a freight train. He just has a small throat.
Hes had a CPAP for many, many years.
Sadly, I have the same issue, a small throat -- but Im over 200 lbs. I need to lose weight as well. Although I have always snored like crazy, I never really had an issue sleeping until about 6-7 years ago. I would be tired all day -- especially at 10 AM and 3 PM.
Thankfully all the med tests are normal -- BP, sugar/salt/etc
I tried the night guard first, cant say it really did anything -- and it wasnt comfortable. Admittedatly it was from my dentist, who prob didnt know enough about sleep apnea to really make a good one.
The test for a CPAP was pretty simple -- I wore a finger tip heartrate monitor for a few days, then a trial CPAP for a few days after that. Worked great.
I have a CPAP now, its been a life saver. Sure, it took a little getting used to, but the full nights sleep was worth it.
I use the over nose mask, as opposed to a full face mask, and getting ready to try a nose pillow one.
Im not sure theres a good answer to this, I think every ones experince is going to be different.
Re: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - Drew - 03-01-2017
jdc wrote:
Im not sure theres a good answer to this, I think every ones experince is going to be different.
Fully agree with that. First, it's important to be tested. Then, if they recommend a machine, take some time getting used to it. When you need it and it works, it's a life changer.
Re: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - davemchine - 03-01-2017
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea when I was fairly young and not overweight. At the time I was falling asleep during 15 min work breaks and during my lunch break. Sometimes I was not able to wake up and I would miss work in the afternoon. At night my wife was constantly shaking me because I snored so much.
The sleep study itself was a nightmare. Despite being super tired I could not sleep with all of those wires attached to me and knowing I was being monitored. Awful experience and I've done it twice. Someone on this forum did a home study and that sounded great to me. Maybe you can search the forum and find that discussion.
Getting the CPAP machine home and using was a bit awkward. It isn't comfortable at first. I had to learn to sleep in certain positions that make the hose more comfortable. It took me six weeks till I could wear it all night. Now they say I'm doing excellent at 7.5hrs a night average.
Insurance will pay for a company to ship you a CPAP machine. Ask them for a 2nd used machine. They sold me a spare unit for around $200 and I use it when traveling so I don't have to pack up my main unit. I also leave it in the guest room in case I'm sleeping there. I have back problems that make me restless at night so I sometimes end up in the guest room.
I hope that's helpful.
Edit: You can buy supplies such as the water tank, hose, and parts of head gear from companies on the internet and it's cheaper than buying through insurance most of the time. I use http://respshop.com
Re: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - Ombligo - 03-01-2017
Been on a CPAP for six years. I won't say it was a huge change for me, but it sure lets my wife sleep better. No more snoring and gasping for breath, that was keeping her up.
My insurance (BCBS) wouldn't accept a home study, and wants a new study every five years.
The mask is the secret, you have to get one you are comfortable with. I started using the Dreamwear mask, and it is so much better than my old one. It is very comfortable, low profile, hose isn't in your face - I highly recommend it. It costs about $100.
My current machine is from Fisher-Paykel, it works fine but I prefer my older Responics for a few reasons mostly related to the humidifier. You will likely want a humidifier for your machine - otherwise the air will dry out your nasal cavity and throat, vary uncomfortable.
Buying a machine, full mask, humidifier requires a prescription. Mask parts, headgear, hose, etc, does not. Very few online dealers will file insurance. So if you go that route, you will have to send the forms in yourself.
Re: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - Michael - 03-01-2017
Whatever you do, please do it.
We had a colleague die last year in the middle of the night. He had mentioned that he was having sleep problems, snoring, etc. and his doctor thought he had sleep apnea. He was considering what to do. He was fit, late-30's and a great guy. And he died.
Re: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - RecipeForDisaster - 03-01-2017
I'm young and thin and expect to always need my APAP (that's automatic, adjustable pressure which is common now). My husband lost weight and still needs his. His neck is just large (mine is not).
Some things that help with comfort are a heated hose to reduce rainout, EPR or CFlex which make it easier to breathe out, and in my opinion, turning off the ramp so that you start with a decent pressure for comfortable breathing. Most ramps start at four and it's hard to breathe with that low pressure.
Federal Blue Cross was happy with my home study. I didn't sleep very well but surely much better than I would in a lab.
I've learned a great deal about the machine, masks, therapy (fortunately or unfortunately I have tried almost every one ) ... and even have a couple of unused masks that would go for far less than a copay, if I can be of help.
Re: Sleep apnea...what can you tell me? - GeneL - 03-01-2017
MA, I've been using a device for over 30 years and after trying a variety of mask designs, I've ended up using a RESMED full face mask. It's the most comfortable for me.
I am using a Respironics BIPAP machine, which is more comfortable for me than a CPAP.
With a BIPAP you can set it to have less back pressure when you breathe out.
I have an almost new BIPAP machine in addition to the one that I'm using. A while back, Medicare switched providers for my supplies, so I ended up with a new machine, as well as the one that I received from the former supplier.
Let me know if you'd be interested in my extra BIPAP machine. It can be set either as BIPAP or CPAP.