Does Anyone Have Sleep Apnea?

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by bj1

My husband has severe sleep apnea. Surgery is not an option for him since he has so many medical issues along with a bad heart. He uses the c pap machine. There are alot different kinds of mask out there to try. He uses the one that only covers the nose. When he first started he had this big ol' mask that about covered his whole faceand he didn't like it. My x brother in law had the surgery done and I don't want to scare you but it just ruined his face. His face looks so unreconizable from what he looked like before and he has said that he still has problems not with just sleep apnea now but also with the surgeries. So I just don't know. You may want to talk with others who have had the surgery to see what outcome they had. You said you wouldn't try the c pap machine but maybe you should consider it for now since it's not so invansive like the others and just see how you like it or not. My husband did not want to use the c pap either and now since he found the right mask he doesn't mind it. I wish you the best of luck and hope you find something that helps your sleep apnea.

This is why I was asking if this surgery was similar to the TMJ surgery. A friend of mine had TMJ surgery about 5 years ago and she doesn't look like the same person. Plus the doctors accidentally broke her nose (major, mutliple breaks) and did some other damage that required several follow-up surgeries. She still has problems to this day.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by bonbon

This is why I was asking if this surgery was similar to the TMJ surgery. A friend of mine had TMJ surgery about 5 years ago and she doesn't look like the same person. Plus the doctors accidentally broke her nose (major, mutliple breaks) and did some other damage that required several follow-up surgeries. She still has problems to this day.

OMG, seriously? Why did it go so wrong I wonder?

Well, I see a new "Sleep Doc" (to help me manage the medication side of it) tomorrow...so I guess I'll ask more in depth about this dang CPAP monstrosity. Poo.

[bj1]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh my gosh, that sounds soooooo much better than what I've found online! Everything I've found is GINORMOUS! And I'm only 5'4" and very petite. So, I'd need something tiny. I would so appreciate it if you could find out the name of the model your husband has .

I'm lucky in that my apnea, right now, is called "mild" bc I only had 3 episodes (during the study, that is) where I stopped breathing more than 10 seconds; and had 42 that were < 10 seconds. But, I also have to take meds or don't sleep at all...so you know how those complicate/exacerbate the whole issue...so I need to get this taken care of, bc as you say, it's dangerous.

I will try to look some up for you and email them to you.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by bj1

I will try to look some up for you and email them to you.

Thank you so very much, I really appreciate the information .

[Breezeaway]

I have sleep apnea and have a cpap. Mine is just a small piece that is under the nose. My doctor gave me Lunesta until I got used to using the cpap at night. LOL i think actually the Lunesta worked better than the cpap. Oh and I have also found that putting a fan right in front of your face at night can help, it keeps air blowing which is what the cpap does

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Breezeaway

I have sleep apnea and have a cpap. Mine is just a small piece that is under the nose. My doctor gave me Lunesta until I got used to using the cpap at night. LOL i think actually the Lunesta worked better than the cpap. Oh and I have also found that putting a fan right in front of your face at night can help, it keeps air blowing which is what the cpap does

Do you know what model or what it is called?

Is it like this: http://www.cpap.com/viewImage.php?PN...ntlabWoman.jpg

[Breezeaway]

yes its kind of like that, they have them in what they call petit sizes.

[bjh]

Ann, I am sorry you are having sleep apnea problems. I have started having a few problems with it myself but just when I lay on my back. I know mine is probably caused from me being over weight.

Here is a interesting website that has a few ideas, you probably already know all this but I just came across it and thought I would share. I do pray you start sleeping better soon.

Sleep, alternative and complementary treatments for sleep apnea, homeopathy, 5-HTP, behavioral therapies, flower/essence therapy, sleep disorders, sleep apnea

[Breezeaway]

I think its called the Mirage swift II

[AprilLove]

Anne, I am so sorry you are going through this!! I have a brother-in-law and a co-worker who both have sleep apnea, and they wear the mask, although I am not sure which ones. One is overweight, the other one is not. All I know is that they both said it took a bit to get used to wearing it , but the the way they wake up feeling is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than before they wore the masks. Hope it all works out for you and that whatever route you choose helps you get some real sleep!!!

Huggles!!!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh my gosh, that sounds soooooo much better than what I've found online! Everything I've found is GINORMOUS! And I'm only 5'4" and very petite. So, I'd need something tiny. I would so appreciate it if you could find out the name of the model your husband has .

I'm lucky in that my apnea, right now, is called "mild" bc I only had 3 episodes (during the study, that is) where I stopped breathing more than 10 seconds; and had 42 that were < 10 seconds. But, I also have to take meds or don't sleep at all...so you know how those complicate/exacerbate the whole issue...so I need to get this taken care of, bc as you say, it's dangerous.

So sorry to hear about the sleep apnea, you are exactly the opposite of what I would call the typical sufferer. I was just wondering how much the sleep medication is contributing to this? I thought certain sleep medications could actually cause this. I mean do you think you had the problem before the sleep medications? Hopefully, you will get some good answers before you consider any surgery – that sounds pretty awful, and still won't help the insomnia. I wish they could treat that better. My prayers are with you, I had problem with insomnia, and it can make life miserable.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

So sorry to hear about the sleep apnea, you are exactly the opposite of what I would call the typical sufferer. I was just wondering how much the sleep medication is contributing to this? I thought certain sleep medications could actually cause this. I mean do you think you had the problem before the sleep medications? Hopefully, you will get some good answers before you consider any surgery – that sounds pretty awful, and still won't help the insomnia. I wish they could treat that better. My prayers are with you, I had problem with insomnia, and it can make life miserable.

I know, that's what I thought too! Then, I just read that 50% of people who have sleep apnea are *not* overweight...so I think we're all (me included) kind of misinformed here. I always thought the most typical patient was at least a little overweight...but that is not the case at all. Who knew?

I too thought to ask about the med thing...and no, it doesn't contribute...in fact, it can actually help to uncover apnea, if you have it but it's sort of been hiding under there. So, when that happens...you have the sleep study where they hook you up to every possible wire and machine under the sun and record every biological function except perhaps your digestion - and then a sleep doc pours over it later and gives the results.

I'm pretty freaked out about the whole thing, but at least there are solutions...I'm just not that thrilled about the "solutions" that are available, to be honest . Then again, I feel like SUCH CRAP lately, my quality of life is horrible, I'm so exhausted and fatigued...that I'm also relieved to have an answer and to have possible help around the corner, so....

[luvfla]

I have sleep apnea & first they thought it was my weight so I lost 60# but I still have it! It's not so bad...the noise the machine makes is like white noise & if I have a night that it bothers me I pu in ear plugs.
Below is a site that shows a headset that is like mine. It's actually pretty small.

Swift LT Nasal Pillows Mask with Headgear

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by luvfla

I have sleep apnea & first they thought it was my weight so I lost 60# but I still have it! It's not so bad...the noise the machine makes is like white noise & if I have a night that it bothers me I pu in ear plugs.
Below is a site that shows a headset that is like mine. It's actually pretty small.

Swift LT Nasal Pillows Mask with Headgear

I sleep on my side / side of my face....and I feel like that darn mask would bother me so much...does it bother you or did it just take some getting used to? Don't you get tangled up in all those tubes and stuff as you move around, lol ? So that tube just hangs down there? I do like white noise, so that would be a plus!

[Ivy Lucille]

Originally Posted by Breezeaway

I think its called the Mirage swift II

I have severe sleep apnea. I started out with a mask similar to what you first pictured. I didn't like it but I felt soooo much better so I used it. My pressure was so high that I wasn't able to use the nasal pillows but it has since been lowered and this is the one I use now too.

Good luck with your decision!