Question:
Has anyone out there been diagnosed with sleep apnea?

My doctor has ordered me to where a cpap mask to sleep and im having a terrible time adjusting to wearing it im not getting any sleep it is supposed to help my breathing when i have my surgery on March 26 i am really trying to wear it part of the night but just cant stand to keep it on. Any suggestions please anyone!    — Bonnie H. (posted on March 5, 2001)

March 5, 2001
Hi Bonnie, and Welcome, You are not alone. I have servre Sleep Apnea also. I went for my sleep study last Sep, and was put on a C-PAP machine which is currently set at 18. At first I had the mask type (one that goes over mouth and nose) and I couldnt wear it. I felt like I was trapped, and everything closing in around me. So my PCP wrote an order for the Adams Headgear type, which is like a snorkle that just fits in the nose only. I was able to adjust to this type but now that I have had my surgery since Jan 15, I cant wear this one either now. would start out with it on and within 1-2 hrs later I am jerking it off and trowing it on the floor. I dont know what to do. Currently I am not using it at all and I am back in the boat of waking up extrememly tired. and finding I naps and doze on and off during the day again. and I walk around yawning all the time again, And my mood swings are awful again. I go back to my PCP the 12 of this month I think we are going to have to do another study possible I need to have the setting turn down. Just hang in there because I know soon that I will get better once I loose more weigh. My PCP told me once I loose this weight that he couldnt see why I couldnt go off it permittly. I sure hope so. I wish you luck. (stop by and see my profile) If you wish to email please do. Take care and God bless you on your journey.DREAMS DO COME TRUE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVES Jay Biller
   — jay B.

March 5, 2001
I have been using nasal CPAP sine last June. I had RNY surgery in January. I did not use it postop-I was advised that it could fill my new stomach with air and put tension on the suture line. The only down fall was when then come in to take your vital signs in the middle of the night my O2 saturation was low and it would freak out the nursing assistants. Explain to them you have sleep apnea-what it is and take a few deep breaths-your O2 sat will rise quickly. Anyhow-I have not used my CPAP since surgery. I also have had no snoring, or apnea. My family is happy about that. I never really got used to sleeping with the mask and would often find I had taken it off in the middle of the night. The nights I did keep it on I did sleep somewhat deeper. SO-all things considered, you won't be needing it long and I hope that thought brings you some comfort.
   — Margaret S.

March 5, 2001
I wasn't allowed to use my own cpap in the hospital that was calibrated just for me and couldn't be "turned up" so I refused to use the hospital one. I had my machine with me and it was inspected and brand new but they refused. They wanted to put a bi-pap on me. I have heard of two cases where a nurse came in and turned up the pressure on a patient and blew their sutures. There is a website by Daryl Davidson that describes what happened to him and the other case was in Charleston, WV. I was assured that this could not happen but yet.....it did in those two cases. So I would not use their machine. I had surgery in Nov 2000 and I am not snoring at all now! I turned in my cpap as soon as I could! Since our oxygen level is monitored closely in the hospital, I felt safe. Another thing to be careful with is when you go home from the hospital. If you have sleep apnea, be very careful not to overmedicate yourself with pain meds. You could possibly invalidate your own body saying "Wake UP!!" when the o2 level gets low. Just be careful and be proactive in your care. The issue is a personal one. Some people love their cpaps. I could never get used to it either. Good luck and God bless.
   — Marilyn C.

March 5, 2001
I had to do a sleep-study pre-op and my surgeon said I had a mild case of sleep apnea. I never slept very well before surgery, but now I sleep very sound. It's GREAT! P.S. I didn't have to wear a cpap mask.
   — Betty Todd

March 5, 2001
Hi, I have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea also. I am very claustrophobic so the nose gear was out. They now have what they call "nasal pillows" for people like me, but I have not yet gotten them so I don't know how they work. I am willing to try anything to wake up feeling refreshed for a change.
   — Helen C.

August 30, 2001
I had 2 sleep studies that were abnormal due to high amts of apnea. I had a 3rd one to see if bipap or cpap would help and I still had the apnea with that! So I decided to have the sleep apnea surgery done by a ENT. WOW!! What a difference it made. I felt so much better after about 1 month. I didn't realize how very tired I was from poor sleep. I know my husband is very happy now too!!! LOL
   — Karen M.