Question:
Has anyone who was diagnosed with sleep apnea could not tolerate the C-Pap machine;
and how does one do with anesthesia and sleep apnea, if they can't tolerate a C-Pap during and after surgery. I tried two times doing a sleep study and using 3 different apparatus'. I have chronic sinus problems and the technician thought that may have been why I had this problem. Has anyone else had a similiar experience? Surgery is around the corner July 10. — issis (posted on June 9, 2001)
June 9, 2001
I also have trouble with that elephand trunk. I thought I was going to
smother. I tried to cough and almost choked. I will have to try it but I
dont hold out much hope for it. I hate the darn thing.
[email protected]
— [Anonymous]
June 9, 2001
Hi Irene,
YES YES YES. I too had trouble with the CPAP. I went in the first night,
fell asleep, in the middle of the sleep they woke me up to put the CPAP on.
That was it, I was awake all night. They rescheduled me, I went back, and
was awake all night, they rescheudled me for the 3rd time, giving me a Rx
medication for my restless leg syndrome and a
Rx sleep aid. Guess what? YEP, still could not fall asleep. I tossed and
turned all night, pulling the sheets off the bed and never once fell
asleep. I have a HUGE PHOBIA about anything on or near my face when I
sleep, including a sheet or blanket. They could not believe that I could
not fall asleep after taking those meds, but I guess it shows just how
fearful I am. The nuerologist and I are going round and round, he wants me
to go back again and I refused.
Why waste their time and my money? Good luck to you, I hope you can get
used to it. Helen
— Helen C.
June 9, 2001
I tried the C-PAP machine for several nights. I could not see the TV and I
was scaring my husband with the octopus on my face. I was unable to fall a
sleep and eventually took it off.
— Miss G.
June 9, 2001
I hated that damn thing. Eventually I had a UPPP with tonsillectomy and
septum repair. The recovery was hell--WLS ain't nothing compared to
<B>that</B> pain--but it solved my apnea problem permanently. I
knew the pain would be intense, but by god, I wasn't going to sleep with
that thing on my face one more night. You're not alone.
— Suzanne B.
June 9, 2001
i cannot believe the replies to this question!!!! i am shocked &
horrified. shocked that the replyers r taking the condition of sleep apnea
so lightly & horrified that u r potentially committing suicide!!!!!!
sorry for being so blunt but do u people realize the danger u r putting
urselves in by not FORCING urselves to get used to the cpap?
i was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea 2 years ago. i have severe
claustrophobia & the cpap mask was horrifing to me. i would remove it
in my sleep! but i perservered & literally talked myself into learning
how to sleep with it. now there is NO WAY that i can sleep WITHOUT it!!!!!
not even a short nap! have any of u done research on sleep apnea & its
affects on ur body? if not i suggest u do. when u stop breathing when u r
sleeping u r depriving ur bodies of the precious oxygen it needs to keep
all ur vital organs (heart,lungs, kidneys, liver etc)running smoothly,
efficiently & healthfully. do u know that sleep apnea can cause u to
have a fatal massive coronary (heart attack) in ur sleep????? am i trying
to scare u??? YES!!!!!!!!! maybe if i scare u enuf u will reconsider ur
decisions. u r trying to save ur lives with wls so why not with a cpap??
ladies please! PLEASE! do this for urselves & ur loved ones. i am the
voice of experience.
— sheryl titone
June 9, 2001
I had severe obstructive sleep apnea for 8 years and used a cpap machine
every night. My machine was set on 19 and when I did the sleep study, they
found that I stopped breathing about 375 times in 4 1/2 hours of sleeping.
It took me about a month to really get use to using it after the sleep
study. There are many kinds of masks now so depending on your situation,
you should be able to find one that works. It is very important to learn
to use it! Your health depends on it. I had bpd/ds surgery and my Dr.
took special precautions during surgery and I was constantly monitored as
to oxygen levels, etc. Many times there are patients who remain in
intensive care for several hours so that the patient can be monitored. I
got along fine and did not have to be put in ICU. The good part is that
after losing about 80 lbs. the sleep apnea is gone. I now have lost asbout
160# and am one year post - op. I would really try to get use to the cpap
machine if at all possible. I couldn't believe how much better I felt once
I was able to use the cpap. I didn't snore, didn't stop breathing, didn't
fall sleep in the chair or during a movie, didn't have sinus infections,
did not have strep throat and had so much more energy. Please feel free to
email me privately if you have any more questions. I will be glad to help
out in any way possible. Good luck on your surgery.
— Ruth M.
June 9, 2001
I was diagnosed over a year ago with mild obstructive sleep apnea and there
was no way I could adjust to the C-Pap. Low and behold it was getting
worse as I put on some weight and the Dr. told me that chronic episodes can
eventually lead to heart damage. I had headaches that lasted for weeks
since the lack of oxygem can cause this. Hence, I started the machine
again and I am now able to use it. I got a smaller mask and FYI they even
have nostril pillows that can be used rather than the face. Good Luck and
I would suggest trying to use it, even if it doesnt stay on all night.
— Lisa L.
June 9, 2001
Sheryl
Yes I DO KNOW what can happen if I can not get used to the CPAP. Believe
me, I ALWAYS do my research, and also have a medical backround. I TRIED the
nasal pillows also. The band that is put on your head is hard plastic and
metal and extremely PAINFUL to lay your head down on a pillow, and after
only an hour I had a rash on my upper lip were the apparatus sat. I
understand your attempt to let everyone know the dangers, but even without
the backround, I am sure their physican's have told them. It is ONE MORE
problem that goes along with MO. I NEVER had any problems when I was thin,
and anticipate improvement, if not a cure, by having this surgery.
— Helen C.
June 9, 2001
oh my helen! the apparatus they had u using sounds like a torture
device!!!! request a 'mirage' headset. elastic bands around the head &
a very light wieght mask over ur nose. no wonder u feel the way u do! good
luck
— sheryl titone
June 9, 2001
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago-I really dislike
having that thing on my face, however, the health ramifications of
not using it are just too high. My husband is actually able to sleep
because I forced myself to get used to it. I am investigating AGB and
hope
it will be paid for by insurance, I also hope it will eliminate the need
for
the CPAP. My brother was diagnosed with sleep apnea about a year ago,
suffers
from hypertension (severe) as well, he absolutely refuses to use the
machine. The
last time he came to visit, his snoring sounded like a frieght train-It
woke me
out of a dead sleep, and he was down stairs. He is interested in AGB now
that I
have assured him the gains far outweigh the risks. I think AGB would be a
God send
for both of us.
I would urge you to try to get used to the CPAP-The risks associated with
Sleep
Apnea are very frightening and according to scientific and medical data
VERY REAL.
Good Luck--V
— Virginia J.
June 10, 2001
I have sleep apnea too, and TRIED the thing fr a couple nights. Adams with
nasal pillows HURTS at my pressure of 17.
It gave me a sinus and ear infection with constant runny nose and
allergies. I have had these my entire life but the machine brought this
out full force. I am now on antibiotics and flonase and still coughing with
upset stomach.
I will try again when I feel better, with stuffy nose theres no way to use
it.
Pulmonary breathing doctor said if I dont overcome this they will keep me
on vent for awhile after surgery. I wouldnt mind iintensive care for a
night to know I will be ok.
Since they dont give anything to drink for at least a day after surgery how
do they handle the dry mouth the machine gives you. I gag its so dry and
cant imagine not having water at that time.
Incidently although my apnea is severe I have no symptoms, not tired or
anything although I do snoar loud.
— bob-haller
June 10, 2001
Gawd, did I have a love-hate realtionship with my CPAP. I kept having to
have the thing adjusted until it blew harder and harder. If it wasn't
blowing hard enough I was taking it off in my sleep. Then when it was
adjusted higher I couldn't fall asleep because of the pressure. Three
things helped -- one was a prescription for Flonase. The second was a
humidifier. The third, and most important, was changing to a SMART CPAP
machine. The Flonase helped keep my sinuses open. The humidifier helped
keep them, my nasal passages and throat from drying out. The SMART CPAP
was truly a gift. It could tell when I started to snore and increased the
pressure of the air passing through it as needed. It could also tell when
I needed less pressure and adjusted to that as well. Mine was set on a
variable pressure of 3 to 17. I could fall asleep easily. I didn't take
the mask off at night anymore and I didn't wake up gasping for air because
it wasn't blowing hard enough. (Notice I am using the past tense, now 11
months post-op I haven't had to use the CPAP for at least 6 months!)
I used my machine for almost a year before my surgery. I sure that it
helped the oxygen levels in my blood and was a benefit to my surgery and
played a part in my fairly easy recovery. Of course there were other
benefits that came from using it -- lowered blood pressure, increased
oxegyn going to brain and heart, increased mental clarity, positive
personality changes that came from not being sleep deprived, not sleeping
20 hours a day on the weekends, keeping my job (I was chronically late and
falling asleep at work), my husband got to sleep without ear plugs and
certainly not least, not falling asleep while driving and possibly killing
someone or myself.
So, my advice is work with your doctor. Check out the smart CPAP, try
different masks and nose pieces. My CPAP was nusiance, it was a bother to
travle with, etc. But it also saved my life and the quality of my life.
Once I found a mask and machine that worked for me, I couldn't sleep
without it. Sleep apnea is neither minor nor a laughing matter.
— Sharyle L.
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