A question about sleep apnea

How do you know if you have it? I know that I snore and I have big tonsils and adneoids but I dont think I have apnea. Is there a blood test that checks for this or do you have to request a sleep study? I have read that if you have it it is dangerous to go under anesthesia. I am kind of freaked out about going under in the first place,and this makes me even more nervous. I see my surgeon on friday so I will ask him, but I would also like to hear from anyone else who has had questions,has apnea and had the surgery,or anyone with any info on this. Thank you so much in advance for your reply, this message board is an awesome support system!!!!! thanks again rachel.

Hey Rachel. This could be a serious problem. I had sleep apnea before WLS, but I was shocked that I had it! My husband (also obese) has suffered with it for many years, and I FINALLY got him to see a doctor and have a sleep study. He bought a CPAP, and after using it regularly, my own sleep improved, but it wasn't fully restful. It wasn't until later when I had my own sleep study done that it was discovered that I also had sleep apnea. Here's a link for more information about sleep apnea: http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/brochure.html Only a doctor can tell you if you might have it....and only an overnight sleep study will give that doctor the complete results they need to form your best course of treatment. If you are lucky, your insurance may pick up 100 percent of this procedure. The sleep study is painless and easy. It's like staying over night in a hotel room----only your hooked up to monitors and someone watches you on a camera all night and monitors your vitals, etc. You can liken it to being in ICU but with no pain. If your insurance only pays 80 percent, then you'll have to fork out about $400+, and you may have to have two complete sleep studies before your neurologist can make an accurate prediction about your treatment options. If you DO have OSA (obstructive sleep apnea), you will probably have to use a CPAP or similar machine. Take your time and do your research. Talk to others who have machines. Find the mask that best works for you and your sleeping habits. You'll need something that WORKS and is comfortable because you will need to wear this thing every night without fail. I guarantee you that for your trouble, you will not regret it. It will make a tremendous difference in your life if you are fully rested and your brain is getting all the oxygen it needs at night when you rest. You will feel years younger and many people say it's like waking up from a 20-year nap! I think you'll discover the same. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. ~Laura

Hi Rachel, Do the sleep study. I had undiagnosed sleep apnea and went into surgery. when the procedure was over they woke me up, then i completely stopped breathing. I ended up on a vent for over a week, and believe me, i was very lucky to be alive. the docs had a hard time getting me off the vent, every time they tried my throat would close up. They thought i was gonna end up on life support. Then a month later , i woke up and had a terrible breathing attack...i was rushed by ambulance being resussitated and put on a vent again. I was in a coma for four days and on the vent for a week....the scariest time of my life. Please, do the sleep study...i know it's a pain in the butt, but be safe. anesthesia and sleep apnea mixed is deadly! Hugs Linda