Hi Everyone,

As a quick introduction, I'm male, 31, 6', 190lbs.  Over the last 3-4 years, my production at work has been steadily falling, and it seemed to be a result of lack of concentration and inability to focus.  At first I thought it was a result of a dwindling interest in my profession, but I began to notice that I was also tired every morning and throughout the day.  I also had begun snoring, and my wife noticed that I would stop breathing during sleep.  

So finally, at the behest of my wife, I went to my doctor last month, and he scheduled me for a sleep study.  However, my medical carrier didn't have me come in to a sleep center, instead they sent me home one night with a monitoring device.

Apparently I had qualified for the next level, although the technician would not disclose the results of the test to me.  Fortunately, another technician was willing to show me the chart, and the results were interesting (to me at least).  So they sent me home for a single night with a cpap machine, and it turned out to be extremely uncomfortable, to the point where I couldn't sleep until I removed it.  The problem was the headgear, so I'm assuming that I will be able to tolerate it once it's properly adjusted.  Unfortunately, it turns out that the oximeter wasn't functioning properly, so I have to wait two more weeks before they can send the cpap home with me again for the night.

I look forward to using the cpap after it's adjusted more comfortably, now that I have some experience with it.  I do have a few questions though:

-According to their scale, above 33 events per hour is considered severe.  I recorded 45 events per hour, and I was wondering how this compares to other sufferers of sleep apnea.

-Although I wouldn't be considered overweight currently, it seems that the onset of sleep apnea occured with some weight gain for me approximately 4-5 years ago.  Has anyone had any experience in minor weight loss (~5-10%) helping eliminate/partially eliminate sleep apnea?

-It seems that sleeping on my back causes much more snoring, would sleeping on my side reduce the number of events per evening?

-Does anyone have any experience with Kaiser Permanente, and what they cover towards the expense of a cpap machine?  Also, what are the typical costs of the cpap?

-It may be several months yet before they get me fully set up with a cpap.  In the meantime, is there anything else I can do to improve my sleep?

Overall, this has been a long, hard struggle for me, especially since my performance at my job is directly tied to my income, so I'm really looking forward to any solution that may help.  

I can't remember the last time I woke up refreshed.....  

Hi Brooklyn -

 I had 81 events per hour, O2 went to 69% (should not be lower than 92%).

Some people have noticed changes in apnea with weight loss/gain.   I wouldn't count on losing weight curing the apnea.

Apnea episodes tend to be more numerous while sleeping on one's back.  Changing sleep positions can help, but with your being severe, I don't think that will control the apnea completely.

I have no experience with Kaiser Permanente.  My insurance did not cover any equipment.  I had to pay $1250 out of my pocket for CPAP, humidifier and mask.  You can find much better prices on the internet if you're comfortable with that.

While I was waiting for my CPAP machine, I slept in my recliner using a rolled-up towel under my neck instead of a pillow.  This helped, but was nothing compared to my first night sleeping with CPAP.

All I can say is - there is hope.  I have been on CPAP for 8 months now and feel better than I have felt in years!

NoSleepTilBrooklyn wrote:

Hi Everyone,

As a quick introduction, I'm male, 31, 6', 190lbs.  Over the last 3-4 years, my production at work has been steadily falling, and it seemed to be a result of lack of concentration and inability to focus.  At first I thought it was a result of a dwindling interest in my profession, but I began to notice that I was also tired every morning and throughout the day.  I also had begun snoring, and my wife noticed that I would stop breathing during sleep.  

So finally, at the behest of my wife, I went to my doctor last month, and he scheduled me for a sleep study.  However, my medical carrier didn't have me come in to a sleep center, instead they sent me home one night with a monitoring device.

Apparently I had qualified for the next level, although the technician would not disclose the results of the test to me.  Fortunately, another technician was willing to show me the chart, and the results were interesting (to me at least).  So they sent me home for a single night with a cpap machine, and it turned out to be extremely uncomfortable, to the point where I couldn't sleep until I removed it.  The problem was the headgear, so I'm assuming that I will be able to tolerate it once it's properly adjusted.  Unfortunately, it turns out that the oximeter wasn't functioning properly, so I have to wait two more weeks before they can send the cpap home with me again for the night.

I look forward to using the cpap after it's adjusted more comfortably, now that I have some experience with it.  I do have a few questions though:

-According to their scale, above 33 events per hour is considered severe.  I recorded 45 events per hour, and I was wondering how this compares to other sufferers of sleep apnea.

-Although I wouldn't be considered overweight currently, it seems that the onset of sleep apnea occured with some weight gain for me approximately 4-5 years ago.  Has anyone had any experience in minor weight loss (~5-10%) helping eliminate/partially eliminate sleep apnea?

-It seems that sleeping on my back causes much more snoring, would sleeping on my side reduce the number of events per evening?

-Does anyone have any experience with Kaiser Permanente, and what they cover towards the expense of a cpap machine?  Also, what are the typical costs of the cpap?

-It may be several months yet before they get me fully set up with a cpap.  In the meantime, is there anything else I can do to improve my sleep?

Overall, this has been a long, hard struggle for me, especially since my performance at my job is directly tied to my income, so I'm really looking forward to any solution that may help.  

I can't remember the last time I woke up refreshed.....   :-(

Hi,

I can remember the drop in work performance prior to diagnosis, falling asleep while driving, and meeting clients......not pleasant by any means particularly when you get those 'looks'..........'on the beer again' etc...

They probably sent you home with a finger oximeter to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels, or maybe a limited home study. I'm inclined to think it was the oximeter ?

Second night was probably an auto adjusting machine.

I'll try and answer your questions:

Normal AHI rates, per hour, for Sleep Apnoea are as follows:
10-15...mild
15-30...moderate
>30....severe
My own were 62 per hour, with a drop in blood oxygen saturation levels to a low of 58%
Some patients have been recorded at over 100 events per hour.

Depending on the patient weight loss can be beneficial, particularly with obese patients. Normally weight loss can bring about a reduction in air pressure on cpap. Substantial weight loss can, in some cases, result in not needing cpap. I once asked a DME supplier about this and he thought (in his experience) that no more than 2% of patients managed to get off cpap through weight loss.

The airway is more likely to 'collapse' when sleeping on your back, so lying on your side could help.

Sorry, can't help you on the insurance issue, but I suggest that you hound them. I have discovered in matters medical that the squeekiest wheel gets the most oil.

It is not a good idea to hold back on the cpap therapy. The quicker you start the quicker the benefits become apparant. See if your sleep doc can do anything for you, even a 'retooled' machine for the short term. Remember sleep apnoea is not just about 'sleep'. It is quite possible that there is ongoing cardiac damage being done.....you need to get going ASAP.

It's a vicious circle. If you don't get the benefits of cpap your income will suffer.....so you need to push things.

Kind regards,

Daniel

Hi Brooklyn,

Gosh, you need answers, in my opinion.  Can you call your insurance and ask if they cover sleep studies?  That's the most comprehensive method of testing you, and I feel you should have that if at all possible.  And if it does cover it, can you find a doctor, perhaps a specialist connected with a sleep lab, that could find cause to order a sleep study or at least speed up the process of getting your cpap?  I don't know much about such stuff either, but my doctor was a pulmonary doctor connected with a sleep lab, so things were scheduled in a timely manner, and I had insurance.  

Just ask lots of pesky questions.  Tell them your job is in the balance.  Sure, you may have had this condition for awhile and the medical/insurance community thinks what's another few weeks.  But if your job and your income are in jeopardy, then something should be done and fast.  It's just not right!  You can bet if one of them were in your shoes, things would go a lot quicker and easier!  

End of soap box speech.