Completely off topic!!!!!!

[Bills/Sabresfan]

Completely off topic and nothing to do with the Bills, but this may really help some out there who do not get quality sleep.

Three years ago, I decided to have surgery to help my sleep apnea(sp?) and snoring problem. The surgery was very painful and I still snored like a bear.

Recently after my wife begged me, I went and had a sleep study to confirm I still had the same problems and to see if i could get a C pap machine. A c -pap machine is a device that allows you to breathe in air through your nose while you sleep. The air flow helps you get more oxygen while you sleep along with preventing your tongue and the soft tissue around it from vibrating ( aka snoring)-bottom line, you get large amounts of deep quality sleep. For the first time in years, sleep is a wonderful thing. I look forward to going to bed and awake refreshed and ready to start the day.

The change this machine has made in my life is unreal. I am so much more alert,awake and pleasant to be around. To be honest even my level of depression is milder since using this machine.

I am writing this to help others who suffer from sleep apnea and walk around tired and grumpy. Insurance companies realize this is a major problem and pay for the sleep study and for the machine ($1,000). For the first time since being married, i am able to share a bed with my wife. My snoring was so loud, I would wake her up from the other side of the house.

The C pap was offered to me and I decided instead to have the surgery. What a mistake!!!!!!! I recently found out the surgery works for less then 50% of people who have it done.

If you are experiencing the same problems, consider this machine. It has help me more then I can explain.

Write back if you have any questions about it. PS. Poor oxygen levels while sleeping is very bad for the heart and other organs. Doug

[rovey1961]

I can't agree with you more Doug!

 

I had sinus surgery about 4-5 yrs ago, corrected a deviated septum, filed down the tubine bones in the nose, removed some excess adnoid tissue and inserted

tubes in both of my ears.

 

After the surgery my ENT asked how i was feeling and told me my breathing

sounded heavy, I tole him I felt tired most of the time and had alot of trouble

waking up in the mornings.

 

I too snore, have since I was a kid, but when I was a kid I was a very heavy

sleeper, my mom used to say "A bomb could go off under your bed and you

wouldn't wake up!"

 

But anyway, my ENT sent me to have a sleep study done, results showed I have

the worst type of sleep apena, Obstructive Sleep Apena, the tech said durning the

test I stopped breathing upto 1 minute at a time about 100 times! No wonder I was

tired!

 

The ENT saw the results and sent me back to the sleep center to have them determine just how strong a CPAP I needed. I think my CPAP is set for 14 psi,

when the CPAP compnay deliveried the CPAP the nurse showed me how to use it

and had me put it on and see how it felt...

 

What a difference! Sitting upright I do not have much broblem breathing, unless

my sinuses are acting up or i have a cold.

 

For about 3 months after I had been using the CPAP I noticed I was waking up in the morning with headaches, lower back ache and very dry mouth , I found out this was normal until I got used to the CPAP, 6 months into using the CPAP I asked the ENT if I could get a humidifier for the CPAP, just a water bath that the

air flows over before it foes into yoru nose, made quite a difference in the dry

mouth.

 

I do still wake up with headaches and lower back ache, but this usually only happens if I sleep too much (>8 hours)

 

I still have alot of problems with my sinuses and the ENT has suggested surgery

to go in and scrape the maxilary sinus out and pack the frontal sinus cavities

with fat, but I know a few people that have had that surgery and are worse off

now than before the surgery. SO I will forgo this and just deal with my

chronic sinustitus and take benedryl or extra-strength tyenol when the headache hurts too much

 

man is this a long reply or what!

 

Completely off topic and nothing to do with the Bills, but this may really help some out there who do not get quality sleep.

Three years ago, I decided to have surgery to help my sleep apnea(sp?) and snoring problem. The surgery was very painful and I still snored like a bear.

Recently after my wife begged me, I went and had a sleep study to confirm I still had the same problems and to  see if i could get a C pap machine. A c -pap machine is a device that allows you to breathe in air through your nose while you sleep. The air flow helps you get more oxygen while you sleep along with preventing  your tongue and the soft tissue around it from vibrating ( aka snoring)-bottom line, you get large amounts of deep quality sleep. For the first time in years, sleep is a wonderful thing. I look forward to going to bed and awake refreshed and ready to start the day.

The change this machine has made in my life is unreal. I am so much more alert,awake and pleasant to be around. To be honest even my level of depression is milder since using this machine.

I am writing this to help others who suffer from sleep apnea and walk around tired and grumpy. Insurance companies realize this is a major problem and pay for the sleep study and for the machine ($1,000). For the first time since being married, i am able to share a bed with my wife. My snoring was so loud, I would wake her up from the other side of the house.

The C pap was offered to me and I decided instead to have the surgery. What a mistake!!!!!!! I recently found out the surgery works for less then 50% of people who have it done. 

If you are experiencing the same problems, consider this machine. It has help me more then I can explain.

Write back if you have any questions about it. PS. Poor oxygen levels while sleeping is very bad for the heart and other organs.      Doug

661761[/snapback]

[Bills/Sabresfan]

Completely off topic and nothing to do with the Bills, but this may really help some out there who do not get quality sleep.

Three years ago, I decided to have surgery to help my sleep apnea(sp?) and snoring problem. The surgery was very painful and I still snored like a bear.

Recently after my wife begged me, I went and had a sleep study to confirm I still had the same problems and to  see if i could get a C pap machine. A c -pap machine is a device that allows you to breathe in air through your nose while you sleep. The air flow helps you get more oxygen while you sleep along with preventing  your tongue and the soft tissue around it from vibrating ( aka snoring)-bottom line, you get large amounts of deep quality sleep. For the first time in years, sleep is a wonderful thing. I look forward to going to bed and awake refreshed and ready to start the day.

The change this machine has made in my life is unreal. I am so much more alert,awake and pleasant to be around. To be honest even my level of depression is milder since using this machine.

I am writing this to help others who suffer from sleep apnea and walk around tired and grumpy. Insurance companies realize this is a major problem and pay for the sleep study and for the machine ($1,000). For the first time since being married, i am able to share a bed with my wife. My snoring was so loud, I would wake her up from the other side of the house.

The C pap was offered to me and I decided instead to have the surgery. What a mistake!!!!!!! I recently found out the surgery works for less then 50% of people who have it done. 

If you are experiencing the same problems, consider this machine. It has help me more then I can explain.

Write back if you have any questions about it. PS. Poor oxygen levels while sleeping is very bad for the heart and other organs.      Doug

661761[/snapback]

 

 

 

WOW 14! I am on 7 and thought that was a lot. I feel bad for you. I wonder about the headaches and backaches???? Are there other medical issues that need to addressed?? This will sound stupid, but do you need to look into a new bed??? We recently spent about 2k on a great new king bed. It is expensive, but so so worth it. We figure we will use it every night for 15 years what is 2k??

I looked for my post under stadium wall and didn't see it. Where did you see it??

[Live&DieBillsFootball]

I've been using a c-pap for about 5 years. Sleep Apnea is one of the most under diagnosed problems out there.

[rovey1961]

Doug

 

I bought a new bed last year, one of those visio elastic beds

like the tempupedic ones only cheaper

 

as for other medical conditions....

 

I have a lot!

 

PM me and I can fill you in

 

I saw your original post on the "Off the Wall"

 

John

 

WOW 14! I am on 7 and thought that was a lot. I feel bad for you. I wonder about the headaches and backaches???? Are there other medical issues that need to

*** SNIP ***

661781[/snapback]

[aussiew]

I'm wondering how many of you that have these problems take in a lot of dairy products? Just a suspicion....

[rovey1961]

Aussie

 

I used to take ALOT of dairy products as a kid, 1/2 gallon a day

of milk or more, then the cheese and ice cream...

 

After my first go round with radiation/chemo I became lactose

intolerate

 

Now I very rarely drink cows milk, its rice or soy milk now

I do eat alot of organic yogurt and cheese

 

I have done some research and have not found any

corralation for dairy and OSA doesn't mean there isn't

any just I haven't found any

 

I have been Dx with chronic sinustitis, chronic ear infections

neither are responsive to antibiotics anymore so they are

not treated.

 

I also have a history of cancer, Hodgkins, Dx @ age 9

ITP, just do a google for it

and arthritsis in most of my major joints, caused by

long term steroid usage, part of the theraphy for the

ITP

 

so just a few "other" ailments

 

but I am too stubborn to let any of it get to me, to

much anyway

 

does that answer your question?

 

John

 

I'm wondering how many of you that have these problems take in a lot of dairy products? Just a suspicion....

661977[/snapback]

[The Dean]

I also have sleep apnea and am now on a CPAP. A few years ago I tried the CPAP and could NEVER fall asleep with it. The mask was just wrong for my sleeping style. I sleep on my side and the traditional mask always came "loose" from the pillows. Also, in the beginning, they didn't etll me about hitting the reset after you woke up (and went to the bathroom or whatever).

 

Since then, CPAP machines have improved. First of all, the technician at the place in SF spent a LOT of time fitting me with the right mask (nasal pillows were right for me). Also there's a new thing called CFlex (other brands call it something else) that decreases the pressure when you exhale. That's made a WORLD of difference for me. So did the humidifier.

 

I've been on the titration maching (which I may end up keeping/going back to) but I'm going to try a fixed pressure (12) for a while to see if I can use it. i really like the slow build op of the titration machine as it's tough to fall asleep with all that pressure. I know the fixed pressure machines have a step-down button for when you wake up, but I understand the pressure is not as low as on the titration machine...so I'm a little worried.

 

Here's the thing. While I understand the surgery is painful and doesn't work as consistantly as the CPAP, there HAS to be a better, easier option IMO. There are dental options ( a mouth piece...no power...no mask) but they are VERY expensive and my insurance will only pay for it if the CPAP does not work.

 

Doesn't a simple mouth piece seem like a better first step than this freakin' machine? it does to me. BUT, I'm happier now and get a better sleep...and no more snoring. So...for now, big ups to the CPAP!

[The Dean]

I'm wondering how many of you that have these problems take in a lot of dairy products? Just a suspicion....

661977[/snapback]

 

 

I have a lot of strange chronic respiratory problems. I tried stopping dairy for a while to see if it helped...it didn't. Some things (inhaled steroids and other meds) work for a short period of time...then stop working. I'm hoping the CPAP starts to address these issues. I'm also going to start flushing my sinuses with a saline solution regularly to see if that helps.

[rovey1961]

are you going to use a neti pot or a mechnical irrigation device,

they are like a water pik for the sinuses

 

I have a lot of strange chronic respiratory problems.  I tried stopping dairy for a while to see if it helped...it didn't.  Some things (inhaled steroids and other meds) work for a short period of time...then stop working.  I'm hoping the CPAP starts to address these issues.  I'm also going to start flushing my sinuses with a saline solution regularly to see if that helps.

662506[/snapback]

[The Dean]

are you going to use a neti pot or a mechnical irrigation device,

they are like a water pik for the sinuses

662539[/snapback]

 

Do you have a recommendation? i have a friend who has a condition similar to mine and I was going to find out what she uses...I think neti pot.

 

I've used the big power spray saline cans and they work, but are expensive.

[ieatcrayonz]

I was aware that women over certain ages had to have cpap's annually but did not know why.

 

Why is it that all older women have periodic sleeping problems? Does this occur when they go in to heat or heat flashes or whatever?

[Live&DieBillsFootball]

Do you have a recommendation?  i have a friend who has a condition similar to mine and I was going to find out what she uses...I think neti pot.

 

I've used the big power spray saline cans and they work, but are expensive.

662541[/snapback]

 

I recently started using a neti pot and it seems to help with my sinuses. It's a lot easier to use than I thought it would be. Very inexpensive too...the pot was $17, and you just add warm tap water and some salt.

[aussiew]

I was aware that women over certain ages had to have cpap's annually but did not know why.

 

Why is it that all older women have periodic sleeping problems? Does this occur when they go in to heat or heat flashes or whatever?

 

Well I don't have sleeping problems. But I have a great mattress and that memory topper.

 

I also don't have heat flashes.

 

But I sometimes go in heat when my team runs on the field in those tight white pants.

[Bills/Sabresfan]

Dean,

It would be nice if there was a dental device or procedure, but there isn't. Snoring and apnea is clearly an Ear,Nose and Throat issue. When I made the decision to have the surgery, I was stupid. I was young and simply didn't want anything that would cover my mouth and nose and anything that might mess with my sex life. I was also never told how apnea affects your heart. We never even got into Oxygen levels or things like that. I had a young doctor and I was insistant of having the surgery. I wish my insurance company would have demanded that I try C pap first, but they approved surgery right way. All in all, I feel lucky to have found it.

The goal of me posting this message is to spread the word that machines like this are available and can help people. I know there are thousands if not millions worldwide who have this and not even know about it. This simple machine could be a life saver for tons of people. - in my opinion.

[The Dean]

Dean,

It would be nice if there was a dental device or procedure, but there isn't. Snoring and apnea is clearly an Ear,Nose and Throat issue. When I made the decision to have the surgery, I was stupid. I was young and simply didn't want anything that would cover my mouth and nose and anything that might mess with my sex life. I was also never told how apnea affects your heart. We never even got into Oxygen levels  or things like that. I had a young doctor and I was insistant of having the surgery. I wish my insurance company would have demanded that I try C pap first, but they approved surgery right way. All in all, I feel lucky to have found it.

The goal of me posting this message is to spread the word that machines like this are available and can help people. I know there are thousands if not millions worldwide who have this and not even know about it. This simple machine could be a life saver for tons of people. - in my opinion.

662639[/snapback]

 

 

I agree with you on the surgery part. From what I've been told by all my sleep specialists, the chances that surgery will be effective on relatively small percentage of people. That's not a good bet for wurgery, IMO or in the opinion of any of the doctors (even surgeons) I've talked to.

 

OTOH, despite what you may have been tolod, there ARE dental approaches to sleep apenea...I'm looking at a pamphet from the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine right now. (Google "Dental sleep medicine" if you still have doubts.)

 

From what I've been told, the CPAP works best for most people. It is, however, terribly problematic for many people to use (I've seen compliance estimated at 50% or lower). As I mentioned, before some improvements were made, I simply could NOT use the machine. My brother still can't.

 

In medicine individual differences are SO important...what works for some does not, necessarily work for others. Speed actually makes some people (a small percentage) drowsy...downs make some restless.

 

I have no problem with those preaching getting tested for apenea. It's s very important and, my guess is far more people suffer from it than are currently diagnosed. As far as treatment is concerned, nothing works for everyone. Just because something was successful for you (and something else wasn't) doesn't mean that will be the same for another person.

 

OK...off my soapbox now.

 

My point about the dental approach is, it seems as though it would be a good place to start...at least for me. I travel and lugging this machine around SUCKS. (I'm going to buy a smaller travel machine once they have CFlex available...but, it will still be a LOT bigger than a dental device.) Also, let's face it...I'm single and this big machine is no incentive to for a woman to spend the night. I'm not saying it's a deal breaker...I'm just saying...