Hello everyone, I finally registered after lurking for the last couple of weeks. I hope to become active on the message boards, because I have really enjoyed everything that I have read so far.

I am a 28 year old male, approx. 50 pounds overweight. I have been wearing a CPAP for nearly three months now, although I have noticed some improvement I still am tired through out the day. The symptom that basically lead me to a sleep specialists was rapid heartbeat during the evening hours. I went to the emergency room and they were basically unable to find anything after a series of tests. So the emergency room doctor suggested that I get in contact with my family doctor to find a solution. Well at that point he prescribed a 24 hour halter monitor test. The test did show a few rapid heartbeats. So between the test and the fact that my wife has complained that I snored since the day we got married, he sent me to a Pulmonlogist to be evauluated for a sleep study. After a two sleep studies, I was set up with a CPAP machine with a pressure of 8.

I have worn the CPAP every night since I received it (with the excepation of the occasional removal during my sleep) and I do honestly feel like I have more energy, not the same energy I had 10 years ago, but definitely better than 6 months ago. So I have been routinely seeing my family doctor as well as Pulmonlogist, because my heart still races. They have done every test you can imagine, and have found nothing, until recently.

I once again wore a 24 halter monitor (presribed by family doctor), but this time it showed brachycardia (Brachycardia is a condition in which the heart beats at a rate that is below normal, below 65 beats per minute) in the early morning hours. He feels that I am not receiving enough pressure. Has anyone had similar symptons/diagnosis?

Also, my family doctor after a series of blood tests found that I have an extremely low testosterone level (I am at 220 and normal for someone my age is 550). And boy do I have the symptoms of that. Loss of strength, depression, stamina, lack of facial and chest hair, and it took my wife nearly 22 months to get pregnant (she was tested as normal). Through my research on the internet I found a few sites that state that low testosterone levels could cause sleep apnea. Has anyone ever heard this before, or are there any males taking the Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to be detail and share my experience.

Any comments or suggestions will be great appreciated.

John

John, I can't believe there is some else out there with my symptoms.  My testosterone level is at 147 and I am 42 years old. Have you had any hormone therapy?  I am desperate to know what to expect.  I have had rapid weight gain, testicular shrinkage and constant fatigue.  The doctor also found some breast tissue.

Tod wrote:

John, I can't believe there is some else out there with my symptoms.  My testosterone level is at 147 and I am 42 years old. Have you had any hormone therapy?  I am desperate to know what to expect.  I have had rapid weight gain, testicular shrinkage and constant fatigue.  The doctor also found some breast tissue.

Thanks for the reply. The doctor gave me a prescription for Androgel. The pharmacy had to order it, and I will not receive it until Monday. I am really looking forward to giving it a try. The gel is rather expensive, $255 per month, $50 with my insurance card, but at this point I am willing to give anything a try.

My weight problem is that I have cut my calorie intact by 750 on a daily basis and I have not lost any weight (with moderate exercise). So all of the research I have read, I think my doctor is finally heading in the right path.

errr, I thought I was logged in, that was me that posted above.

I'm not male, but have a friend with apnea and similar symptoms. He uses a testosterone patch with good results.