Just got my first sleep study.  Lady there said I snored pretty loud.  I hate waiting for the results next week.  Heres my case.  People that knows me says I snore loud and say I stop breathing when I sleep. In short I finally saw a doctor and had my sleep study.  My symptoms are I feel tired every time I drive in the morning as well as through out the day even though I know I have good sleep.  Plus, I have vivid dreams just before I wake up.  I just want to know if sleep apnea   would enable you to know that you actually keep waking up, and have less sleep, even though you think you slept through the whole night.  Because of your breathing.  The doctor said I have an excessive blockage in my nose because I have plenty of cartiledges blocking my nose.  Plus he said my chin was underdeveloped.  Just wished I know the results now and stop waiting.  Would really help if somebody give me some heads up.  I am currently in the military and is also concern because I don't want to get discharged.  I am hoping somebody can enlighten me so I don't have to keep thinking about it this weekend.  Just want to sleep like everyone.

Hi Snipe,

First off, there's several folks here with sleep apnea who are in the military. Being discharged because of it doesn't seem to be a concern. If you have sleep apnea you will not necessarily know you are waking up. I always thought I slept well, but my first sleep study showed hundreds of arousals during the night. An underslung chin is a classic cause of sleep apnea. I understand your impatience, but that week will be up and you'll have your results before you know it. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Brian

Hi:

I was diagnosed with a severe case of sleep apnea back in 1993 and have been using a CPAP ever since. It's been a God-send.

To answer some of your questions, you can definitely feel like you're getting a good night's sleep without waking up and still have sleep apnea. I was a heavy snorer from the time I was a baby. In fact, my mom sent me into the hospital when I was 4 years old to have my tonsils and adnoids removed in the hopes that the snoring would go away. It never did. This was long before apnea was even known (it must have been 1957 or so.)

Growing up I was always tired during the day in school. I slept through the night and had all sorts of dreams, so I thought it was just "normal" to feel drowsy during the day.

Back in those days they used gas to put people under for any kind of surgery. To this day I recall when I was "put under" for my tonsil surgery. I remember it vividly because I had a very frightening near-death experience. I didn't understand it at the time, but I now realize that I had been placed in such a deep sleep that I had stopped breathing for too long. On another occasion as a child I had oral surgery to remove a bad tooth. Again I was gassed and was awakened by the nurse and dentist frantically slapping my face to bring me to.

I went for my first sleep study in 1987. They diagnosed it as sleep apnea, but I was told at that time that surgery was the only answer... and it was too risky for me. By 1993, my apnea had really gotten bad: I was physically waking up every 90 minutes or so from lack of oxygen. I went for another sleep study and by that time they had a very basic "new" form of non-invasive treatment called a CPAP. HOORAY!

Well I hope I've answered some of your questions. Let us know how you make out.


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A Happy CPAPee since 1993

Hello.
I am a Newbie too.  I have stopped driving for almost a week now because of fear of endangering myself or others.  I am so thankful for this forum because I am learning so much about SApnea.

How long does it take before one feels an improvement?  I have been on the Cpap for 45 hours now.  I was on a CPAP in September but stopped because of a bad cold.  I am back on it but still have not felt any better.

Thanks too you all for the encouragement and support.  Your messages of encouragement keep me hopeful for better health.  I am so tired of being tired all the time.  Can't wait to feel much better.
anna

I just got a heads up from my regular doctor.  She said that I do have severe obstructive sleep apnea.  She said the sleep doctor will set me up with the machine on my next apt. on Nov.8.   What is obstructive sleep apnea? She said I should stay away from alcohol and try to stay awake while I'm driving.   It kinda sucks right now cuz I live in Daly City and I drive to work every day to Santa Clara, CA.  I will be talking with my boss and see if I can get moved to Daly City.  Thanks for the answers, hope I get some more.

Sleep Eff   88.7
Stage 1     5.9%
stage 2      88.1%
stage 3/4   1.6%
Rem          4.4%
Sleep Lat    20.7/min
REM Lat      389/min

Arousal Index  12.6/ hr
RDI                 54.2/hr
RDI supine       66.0 / hr
RDI REM           82.1 / hr
Respiratory Events:     Apneas   299
                          Hypoapneas     91

Lowest Oxy Saturation               71%

Severe Obstructive Apnea

I had my second sleep study a month ago and got my first machine two weeks ago.

Once i started using the Bi-PAP, the change was immediately noticeable. Now I'm getting a whole nights sleep and have increased energy levels. After two weeks I feel almost like my old self. I got a full-face mask because I have problems breathing just through my nose. Once in a while I'll wake up in the night and findd that I've taken the mask off, but putting it back on puts me right back to sleep.

I hope everything works out for you.

Greg


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0'fer