Update on Sleep Study / Apnea / CPAP results (1 Viewer)

[Randy Tennison]

Well, I had my sleep study. Two words describe the experience . . . It Sucked!

Of course, the 27 different wires glued to my body was bad. The strange (too short) bed was bad. But what was worse was the guy in the room next to mine, who was going through a sleep study. Apparently, his sleep disorder is loud talking and screaming in his sleep. So, you can guess how much actual sleep I got.

After I did manage to dose off, the tech comes in to hook me up to the CPAP machine, due to my apnea. I was almost excited to try the machine, after reading all the comments from people on the forum who have used one. So, I lie there, trying to get used to the machine. For the next hour, I try not to think about my breathing, not to think about the fact that it is blowing air into my stomache, causing painful gas pains, or the sinus headache I am now getting, or the nasty sweaty feeling in my mustache, where the plastic mask is sitting. Let alone the claustrophobic feeling I am getting (which is weird, cause I have never been claustrophobic in my life!). Finally, after hour, I feel like I can't breathe, and I signal the guy to come in and take it off of me. He does so, and then tells me to try to go back to sleep.

Yeah, sure, between being wide awake for the last hour, the dryness of my nose and mouth, and the screaming of the guy next door, I get maybe another 1 hour of sleep. And then, it happens . . . gotta pee! Well, by now, it's just 10 minutes before my requested wake up time, so the technician unhooks me. (It's obvious he knows I got no sleep, because he is very calm and pleasant with me, and apologizes for the guy next door. Apparently, the tech had to go into his room every 20 minutes to reattach a wire that the guy has pulled off in his sleep.)

So, after all this, I've learned I truly do have apnea, and that the CPAP is not a treatment for me. Guess surgery is on my horizon.

 

[Richard Travale]

Wow, sounds like you had a rough night. What kind of surgery is in order for this?

 

[Ashley Seymour]

Butthead: Hey Beavis, let me hook you up to this CRAP machine.

Beavis: No way Buthole!!! I'll go find my own place to take a crap!!!

 

[Marc S Kessler]

Randy

For about 10 years now I've been using a CPAP. I'm sure it saved my life since I must have fallen asleep 5-10 times each day even a couple of times when driving. I do agree that it does take somewhat of an effort to get accustomed to using one but it is well worth that effort. After awile it gets as routine as wearing a pair of glasses. If surgery or a fitted prosthetic can work for you that would be great. However you shouldn't dismiss the CPAP based on the one time you used it during the sleep study. A good respitory specialist can fit you and adjust the equipment (which has greatly improved in the last few years) so your discomfort will be minimized. Good luck.

Marc

 

[Randy Tennison]

Thanks, Marc. I'm not sure if the CPAP is for me, or not. The thought of having to have that machine with me all the time to sleep sure doesn't sound like fun. I'm sure I'll have to give it try before they will do other things, but I sure didn't like it the other night!

There are two surgeries right now that have been discussed (very prelimanarily, though). One is a radio frequency proceedure where a needle is placed in the draping part of my soft pallate, and rf is introduced from the needle. It tightens the pallate up, and thereby helps eliminate the closing of the throat.

The second is more invasive. It involves elongating my jaw buy adding a section of material to it, and keeping the tongue attached to the front section. It is now pulled forward, and is won't close my airway. So, I get my apnea cured and a new jaw line (I don't have much of a chin right now).

I guess I'll find out soon what the doctors want to try.

 

[Marc S Kessler]

Surgery is a big step especially the second procedure you metioned notwithstanding the cosmetic benefit. I'm not saying it's easy to get used to a CPAP. It's easier now then when I got one 10 years ago.

If you're set on getting the surgery and you're a viable candidate by all means go for it. OTOH your insurance will probably allow you to rent a CPAP to see if you can adjust. By no means am I trying to influence your decision one way or another but having had surgery twice I can tell you it's no picnic.

Marc