Sleep Apnea Questions

It's pretty much like all have said! I finally gave in & went for the sleep study, some 15 + years back. Was afraid I'd kill someone falling asleep, driving. Mine is listed as severe, & I rate around 60 breathing stops per hour. Pretty much every minute, though I'd never realize it. Took at least 6 months to get used to using the cpap, & now, I have a hard time sleeping, Without it! Sleep Apnea, does cause high blood pressure, & heart disease, plus some other forgotten complications. I wear the nose mask, but want to try the mouth/nose mask. Because sometimes my mouth falls open too, leaving me a dry mouth. Odd thing is, I can open my mouth & even talk, with cpap On, & the air no longer gushes out! I've mentioned this a couple times to the Specialist, & they don't even comment on this. Guess I've grown so accustomed to it. I had a repeat sleep study done, about 3 years back, to see if the psi needed to be increased. I have continued to be tired, & sleepy, with the machine, though I can tell it helps. But they said the settings are correct. The last study, I probably didn't sleep with out the machine, more than 3 hours, before the Tech, woke me back up, & told me to put the cpap back on. They had seen enough! One thing I've always remembered, the first time I went to a Specialist, he told me I had SA, with out testing me. I wasn't more than 15 pounds overweight, but me neck was 18-19 inches. He claimed anyone over 18" would normally have SA. PS: I've been under care of two different Hospitals, & both have used an outside vendor, for the Cpap, & equipment! You just have to go back once a year, for a follow-up visit, to keep insurance coverage. New patients, probably have more visits, until you get adjusted to sleeping with the machine.
 
Y'all have helped me a lot with what questions I should be asking.
I am not looking for a snake oil cure, but I dearly want to feel like I rest when I lay down. Waking up feeling ran over and being mostly foggy for hours has really worn me down. I don't feel like I have to many addictive traits but I don't really want to take meds for better sleep. I'll Definately try this mechanical route. Me putting cigarettes down again has helped. Never ever smoked heavy but even at 6-12 a day really screws up my sinus. Dang I enjoy smoking on a break or chillin out.
@rodney eppes. I'm not a real big guy but my wife jokes about my noggin....my neck measures 18 inches plus....

If this really is a health issue I want to deal with it. The bigger issue of stress and heart health is key. I wish my dad would have had a study. I could hear him snore downstairs. He had moderate blood pressure issues and high stress from work. I'm hoping to punch my ticket well after 52.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Dang I enjoy smoking on a break or chillin out.
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Would be better off to never touch them again. I quit after close to 30 years when I was 40, now 49. I will never go back to tobacco.
 
Black Bear said:
I have noticed that any congestion that I have goes away when in the machine.
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CasterTroy said:
On a positive note...I've had BAD allergies all my life. 5-8 sinus infections a year my whole life...but haven't had either in a couple of years now
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This is very interesting to me. I have had bad congestion for years, even though I'm reasonably healthy and very active. I just assume it's something genetic (I am a Cystic Fibrosis gene carrier), but I also am tired more than I should be and ache too much for my age.
 
jeepinmatt said:
This is very interesting to me. I have had bad congestion for years, even though I'm reasonably healthy and very active. I just assume it's something genetic (I am a Cystic Fibrosis gene carrier), but I also am tired more than I should be and ache too much for my age.
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Me in a nut shell.
 
jeepinmatt said:
This is very interesting to me. I have had bad congestion for years, even though I'm reasonably healthy and very active. I just assume it's something genetic (I am a Cystic Fibrosis gene carrier), but I also am tired more than I should be and ache too much for my age.
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I need to add, just before my Cpap I had deviated septum surgery. That ALSO attributed heavily to my lack of allergies. But also the fact that I'm essentially hooking a humidifier directly to my sinuses is also a great contributor to lack of infections and ability to breathe. I think you need to see an ENT doc (personally)
 
Do you guys with sleep apnea sleep on your back? If I sleep on my back, my mouth falls open and I begin snoring IMMEDIATELY when I fall asleep. Therefore I have to sleep on my side.
 
drkelly said:
Do you guys with sleep apnea sleep on your back? If I sleep on my back, my mouth falls open and I begin snoring IMMEDIATELY when I fall asleep. Therefore I have to sleep on my side.
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typically on my back or my side.
 
jeepinmatt said:
This is very interesting to me. I have had bad congestion for years, even though I'm reasonably healthy and very active. I just assume it's something genetic (I am a Cystic Fibrosis gene carrier), but I also am tired more than I should be and ache too much for my age.
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About the only 2 things my Doctors ever say, is "More exercise & loose weight". Matt, I know you get plenty of exercise!:)
 
drkelly said:
Do you guys with sleep apnea sleep on your back? If I sleep on my back, my mouth falls open and I begin snoring IMMEDIATELY when I fall asleep. Therefore I have to sleep on my side.
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I'm mostly a back sleeper, but I do turn on 1 side or the other, at times. I may have to "wiggle' the mask for seal, but not a problem.
 
If I fall asleep on my back, my wife will wake me up as soon as the snoring begins. Therefore I never sleep on my back.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
I'm pretty sure I need a machine, but am a stomach sleeper. Not sure that I can keep a mask on at night?

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I was a stomach sleeper for many years, this position was the only way I could sleep "better" once I got the CPAP, i started sleeping on my back and side. however there are times that I still sleep on my stomach. you will find a way..

Also, on my Ins. the will monitor your usage of the machine. I have to average more then 4 hours a night for 10 months or they will not pay fr the unit. From what i have read on the facebook pages this is a standard.
 
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