Feeling Down After Sleep Study

Bless your little pea-pickin heart!    HUGS

I didn't know I had sleep apnea (I lived alone and thus had no one to tell me I snored like an elk).  I was tired all the time, and the doctors kept attributing it to my stressful job (stupid Group Health Plan!).  You'd think someone would have thought of sleep apnea since I was so fat at the time. One day, I collapsed at home while on a step stool.  Apparently, my body was so tired I just fell asleep.  Ended up in the hospital for four weeks with congestive heart failure and pulmonary issues secondary to the sleep apnea. I went on BiPAP, and later on CPAP.  It's a hassle being a hosehead, and I'm single.  I haven't met anyone since I was diagnosed, so I haven't had to address the issue should I "get lucky."  How do you tell a potential partner, "Oh, by the way, I sleep with a vacuum hose hooked to my face.  Hope that works for you!"  Lately I have noticed I'm having problems sleeping with the CPAP.  I had another sleep study done a few months ago, and I'm still having apneas, although not as bad as before.  Now that I'm off the daytime O2, I may ask for another study to see if I need the CPAP at all.  I look forward to the day when I can throw it in the driveway and run over it several times, but I also have to face the possibility that I will always need it. My HMO doesn't hook you up to wires, they use a computerized Auto PAP that you take home and do the sleep study in your own bed, returning the Auto PAP the next day so the sleep technician can interpret the results.   I actually like the Auto PAP because it automatically calibrates itself to the pressure you need throughout the night and isn't a steady pressure like a CPAP.  However, Auto PAPs are very expensive and most insurers won't cover them.   I didn't realize so many of us in the group were hoseheads!  Maybe we need a motto or something. Kix

Well I'm certainly glad to know you are better with treatment. Believe me I am not worried that DH will be turned off (he's Italian and horny all the time LOL) Maybe less would be better...lol anyway...I am discouraged that you say you lost so much weight and STILL need the damn hose???  God that would make me ultra pissed.  You seem to deal with it OK..I know I need to get a grip on this feeling and with you girl's help...I am doing better.  Thank you all so much.  Take care sweetie!

Hi Ladies! I'm so glad you had this conversation.  I started a thread last night about sleep apnea but this pretty much answered a lot of my questions.  This is what I wrote above. Hi Everyone, I had a colonoscopy today and that part was fine. However during the procedure which they put you to sleep for, they had to hold my airway open for me to breathe. Glad it wasn't a long procedure. They said I needed to get a sleep study ASAP and get treated for sleep apnea. If any of you know anything about this, please let me know what you had to do for the test and what treatment you are getting. They also said I would feel SO much better and be able to lose weight easier and faster. That part I definitely don't get. They said something about a mask while you sleep. I am a back, side and stomach sleeper. I change positions every hour or so through the night. Not sure how I would even keep the mask on! Thanks for any help! Lori So my question after reading all your posts is did it REALLY make you feel a whole lot better and did it help in the weight loss do you think? THANKS! Lori

I can recall when I had sleep apnea 11 yrs ago...absolutely it gives a better night sleep and you feel less tired during the day...more refreshed and not so sluggish, but for the life of me I can't understand why they would tell you it would help with weight loss????   I don't see what one has to do with the other.  But I was glad to read your post since I have to have a colonoscopy 10/23...so I better tell them I have sleep apnea. I won't have my c-pap by then to even bring with me.  As for the mask...it attaches with an elastic band around your head so it wont slip off. It takes some getting used to and I am told they make them more comfortable than they did 11 yrs ago...I certainly hope so.  Good luck to you and let us know how you feel after you've slept with it a few nights.

Thanks Jeanine! Yes, definitely tell them when you have your colonoscopy.  My neck by my jaws literally hurts today from them pulling on it during the procedure.  I'm just glad they did.  If not I guess they would have had to stick a breathing tube down my throat. I'm going to get the sleep study.  It will be great to feel refreshed during the day instead of dead tired and gasping for a deep breath.  It seems that I breath so shallow. My husband has been gasping for breath for a long time during his sleep.  I keep telling him to have the sleep study, but no way.  He won't do it.  I'm hoping after I do it, he will.  Then we can be twins with the masks!  LOL! I'll keep you posted!

Oh gosh....you have GOT TO talk him into that sleep study!!  The risks of ignoring sleep apnea are fatal!  I'm a nurse, so I know this for a fact.  He could have a stroke or heart attack from oxygen deprivation during sleep..no lie!  Its not a matter to be taken lightly.  Twin masks would be so much easier to take than just one of you feeling odd wearing it.  Tell him how much you love him and don't want to be a widow any time soon...after all...if you can do it...he surely can!  Prayers to the both of you!!!

Hi Jeanine, I know what you mean!  I've been with this man for 35 years and believe me he is as hard headed as they come.  We are all German in this area and I always tease him that he's just like an old German man sitting on his front porch bi--ching about everything under the sun!  LOL!  That's him in a nutshell.  Old school - believe me.  And his dad would have never worn a mask and he won't either type of thing! And NO I do not want him to pass.  Our best friend has been gone for nearly 2 years - he died in his sleep.  You would think it would make dh think about it, but he won't.  I'm going to have this study and MAKE him go!  After all, we have a 21 year old, two 11 year olds a 10 year old and a 9 year old!  Thanks again! LOri

ATTA GIRL!!!  Tell that crusty ole German he isn't too orny for a damn stroke and to stop being so damn selfish and think of his wife & kids!  LOL....Did I sound mean enough?  LOL

Hi Jeanine! LOL!  I'm not sure if that was mean enough for the old man or not!  I think I DID get through to him though last night.  I told him about all you ladies on here and this discussion and how he could actually have congestive heart failure, lung issues and all sorts of problems.  He's at least considering it now - sigh - men, aren't they lovely?? Lori