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Sleep Apnea

Zac495

Zac495

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
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Location
Philadelphia, PA
So on top of everything with my folks, my dad doesn't sleep. Sometimes he looks at me... so tired... almost begging me with his sad, lonely eyes to help him. As you know my mom panicked and decided not to move him.

Now he needs a sleep study because the doctors think maybe the reason he never sleeps (well - he says he doesn't sleep though he sleeps a lot during the day so maybe it's "just" old age) is sleep apnea.

If he does have it, he will have to go to assisted living. Part of me hopes that happens because I feel he is silently begging us to save him.

Anyone know much about this sleep study he's going to have and the contraption he might get to help him?

I'm taking him Thursday because Mom can't see well enough to go at night since she needs cataract surgery - I need to go read the thread that just went up about that.

This getting old stuff is not for sissies and it's scary because it's either going to happen to me or worse - it won't.

I'm going to Italy next summer with the kids - determined to live every minute I'm healthy to the fullest while making sure my kids are safe and go to college and my parents live well in their old age.

And I love my TUG friends. Thanks for listening.
 
I have sleep apnea. I had my sleep study 2 years ago.

At the sleep study, they monitor your sleep overnight. You show up about an hour before bedtime. They put those pads with goo on them on your legs, skull and chest. They have wires hanging off of them so it is a little difficult to sleep. They monitor your sleep for restless leg syndrome as well as sleep apnea. For me, they took me off the monitor and sent me home after about 4 hours. It was really apparent that I had sleep apnea.

Once you have been diagnosed, they have you come back to the sleep study. At the second sleep study, they do the same routine, but this time they put the apparatus on you. So, you get to enjoy the benefits of the CPap or BiPap machine. It was the best sleep that I had had in years.

The contraption is a little difficult to get used to. Because you are sleeping with something on your face. I wish that I had asked to try several different "inputs" - the most common thing is a pyramid shaped thing that covers your nose. I slept with it for about a year. At my second sleep study, I asked for something different so that it would not set off my claustraphobia. Now I have a soft thing that fits into my nostrils and I like it much better.

The first sleep study is a little worse than your dad's average night sleep. The second one may be the best sleep he has had in years.

I am so glad that I did this. I no longer fall asleep just because I am some place cool and quiet (church, theatre, passenger in a car - and sometimes while the driver!!!).

I do not know why he would need to go into a home just because he has sleep apnea.

elaine
 
My husband didn't go for an official sleep study. Basically he went in to see a cardiologist who suggested he see a sleep specialist. They outfitted him with a CPAP with a chip to monitor his sleep, and hooked him up with little electrodes for his heart and stuff. (On second thought, I guess that's a sleep study but he did it all at home).

Definite sleep apnea in the severe category. He notices a big difference if he doesn't use his CPAP machine for more than a night or two - as do I. He naps way more during the day and just doesn't feel as well. Also definitely affects his mental acuity - he's more confused when he doesn't use it.

Not sure what your dad's underlying health issues are, but Greg's nephrologist (kidney specialist) said it's especially important for people with other chronic health issues to have it checked out if suspected - they're already battling enough so not having enough oxygen in their bloodstream all night is harder on them than it would be on, say, me.

It's one more thing to lug along when we travel and frankly, I find it annoying at night, sometimes it whistles if it's not sealed around his nose and mouth properly. But I'm so used to moving into the other bedroom in the middle of the night from his snoring, it's not really that different. And a lot of people start using them and give up - I suppose it takes getting used to.

I take it it would require assisted living because for some reason he's not capable to make sure he uses it and your mom may not want to deal with it? I mean, it's pretty minor, just wash out the little water container, put fresh water in it, use a wipe on the thing on your face and then once a week give the hose and reservoir a good cleaning.



Bev
 
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DW says that about sums it up. She's had several over the years as I insisted she get checked way back when sleep apnea was first being recognized. Hope things work out. She certainly feels better since wearing one. Fortunately she has always slept on her back and doesn't move around much. She has had problems getting masks to fit properly. Several people I know have real problems adjusting because they roll around or sleep in positions which make wearing a mask difficult. There are many different style of masks available so don't give up it one doesn't seem to work well.
 
I don't know anyone who went for a sleep test who didn't end up getting one, including myself several years ago...so I'm a little suspicious. The doc's diagnosis was that I was borderline sleep apnea but his main concern was that my oxygen level dropped to an unhealthy level while in REM sleep which could cause brain damage. That scared me and I bought in to it because a basic machine is virtually free in Canada and I can get a new one every five years. The machines are about $2000 and our medical plan covers all the tests and doctor visits. The newest one I got about 6 months ago is much quieter.

I did not like the nostril version and eventually got used to the mask that covers the nose. It does take a while to get used to it...at first you feel like an elephant with that 6 foot tubing which does nothing for your love life, but you will have a more restful sleep.

As an aside, about 3 years ago I had shortness of breath, called an ambulance and got on the bed with my CPAP until they arrived. The doc said it probably saved my life as I had a PE with 3 clots. Coumadin fixed me up. :)

Brian
 
I have Apnea and was diagnosed last November. The description of the test is accurate. It's very hard to sleep with wires plugged in all over your body. But, I was permitted to use Ambien to help me sleep. I use a CPAP, but it has not improved my sleep. In fact, I probably only get about 4-5 hours of sleep each night. I use what's called a pillow nasal mask and it shifts as I move (I'm a side sleeper) causing air leaks that wake me up. I've tried about 10 different nasal masks without any improvement. The full nasal mask and full face masks drive me absolutely crazy. I can't keep them on. On the positive side, some people not only reduce their Apnea events, they sleep much better with them. There's a board you can read at cpaptalk.com. The user's on that board are actually more knowledgeable than most sleep & pulomonary doctors about CPAP's and how they work. I actually met with a Doc conducting a clinical research study on an implantable device this morning that is hoped to cure Apnea in certain situations. It's a 5-year study, and I have to take a 4th sleep study to continue the evaluation process for volunteers. Those selected will be required to have quarterly sleep studies for a very long time and almost monthly doctor/patient meetings.
 
My FIL has sleep apnea. He really did not want to do the sleep study but after putting it off for awhile, he finally went through with it and has the machine. He is SOOOO glad that he did it. He hadn't slept well in years. He would prop himself up with pillows and sleep sitting up. He is much happier and alert now that he gets a full night's sleep.

Deb
 
pwrshift said:
I don't know anyone who went for a sleep test who didn't end up getting one, including myself several years ago...so I'm a little suspicious.
Click to expand...

Count my DH as one! He had a sleep study earlier this year and I really thought they would say he had it because he has a number of the risk factors for sleep apnea (male, over 40, overweight, smoker). But he didn't have it.

Glad to hear, Brian, that your machine saved the day for you!

Susan
 
They also have hybrid masks so if there is a problem try, try again. Not to say one will work well but don't give up too soon. My wife found a fairly small (less than a 1/2lb loaf of bread) CPAP online for under $300 brand new. Insurance will probably cover one but she wanted a small one with which to travel while leaving her main one set up with it's humidifier. Of course we don't even know if he needs one yet.:rolleyes:
 
I had a sleep study 4yrs ago. Said I had mild sleep apnea but don!t need a c-pap. I don't sleep well but not sure of reason. Thanks for computer to amuse me when I wake up during the night.:)
 
Good luck Ellen

My Dad has been using a CPAP for 10-15 years and I'm convinced it's the reason he's alive today. He has a full face mask (looks like he's going scuba diving or something) and has added some foam here and there to make it comfortable for him. It took some adjustments and trying different things to find something that worked for him.

He won't even nap without. He has taken it on flights, and checks first to make sure they have 12 volt outlets (some do, some don't). He once ended up on a flight without an outlet (home from China) and was afraid to sleep.

My DH has friends he plays cards with (for over 30 years - he went to kindergarten with some of these guys). Every Super Bowl they rent and cabin and play cards, etc. They used to stay up all night and come home exhausted. Over the years they started sleeping, can't stay up all night any more. Now they have a room for the guys with the CPAP's and a room for the non-CPAP guys.
 
My husband, his brother and father all have/had sleep apnea. (As does a BIL)
DH chose to get his tonsils and adenoids out and lose 60 pounds. He sleeps great about 95% of the time and does not need a C pap nor does he snore anymore. His brother uses the C pap and does very well. Their Dad refused to do anything and died at 69 of massive obesity, heart failure and uncontrolled diabetes. None of them were/are smokers.

At the hospital I work at we screen pre-operatively with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale as well as for the different risk factors (obesity, smoking, male, over 40, snoring, daily alcohol intake) and if we have any suspicion of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea), we monitor oxygen levels for at least 24 hours post op. It is amazing how many people do drop their oxygen levels but some may or may not have OSA.

Good luck with the test.
 
I have been a CPAP and now a BIPAP user for approaching 25years and I am a resolute believer in this therapy. Back when I was initially diagnosed the machines were much more limited, only CPAP. Since my diagnosis I felt better, slept MUCH better and have better general health than previously. I have traveled throughout USA, Canada, Europe, and even to New Zealand with my trusty machine. I seriously believe that I likely would not be living if I hadn't been diagnosed and fitted with mask and machine all those years ago.
I will admit that it takes some time to adjust to wearing the mask, but it is well worth the effort. And I am a champion of the machine having an integrated humidifier-it makes the process much more tolerable.
Good luck on the testing, and on adapting to machine use. By the way I am now a healthy active 81 year old.

TheDuke
 
The "new" masks are much more usable than the old ones. The provider needs to work with your dad to see which of the options he can handle or if he can't manage, what help he will need. Husband's new one snaps on and starts automatically when placed on face and snapped. This might be difficult for him to manage. Good luck.
 
My Dh hwas diagnosed with mild sleep apnea a few years ago. We are sure it's worse now, although he's actually lost a few poinds (still overweight though). He's going for another test when he gets back from traveling for work. He actually hopes he qualifies for a machine as he's already convinced he'll get better sleep, which he desperately needs.
 
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