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Does anyone have sleep apnea or a DH that does?

MRBXXXFVVS1

Brilliant_Rock
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I think my DH may have sleep apnea. Sometimes he stops breathing for 20 seconds or so at night. The other day, he stopped breathing for a little bit, so I moved around in the bed to wake him enough to breathe. It's super scary. I don't want to wake up a widow!

Are there any at home sleep apnea tests or trackers? I know there are sleep studies, but I'm concerned given COVID-19. Is the only thing that helps a CPAP machine?
 

SandyinAnaheim

Brilliant_Rock
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Feb 8, 2014
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1,117
I think my DH may have sleep apnea. Sometimes he stops breathing for 20 seconds or so at night. The other day, he stopped breathing for a little bit, so I moved around in the bed to wake him enough to breathe. It's super scary. I don't want to wake up a widow!

Are there any at home sleep apnea tests or trackers? I know there are sleep studies, but I'm concerned given COVID-19. Is the only thing that helps a CPAP machine?
My husband has apnea. As a chronic insomniac I would hear him stop breathing for 30-40 seconds at a time. His PCP sent him to an ENT that removed a couple of polyps in his nasal cavity, but the problem persisted. He went to a sleep study and they determined he had severe apnea. I wouldn't worry re Covid. Those types of facilities are required to maintain sanitation and he will only be lying on clean sheets somewhere for a few hours. The problem with apnea, as I see it and based on my research, is that the brain is starving from lack of oxygen for multiple long periods throughout the night. This means that the brain doesn't go through its normal sleep cycles and the subject wakes up as tired as when they went to bed. This is VERY damaging in the long term and could lead to early-onset dementia. However, not everyone can sleep with a CPAP on. My husband used it for a year while it was being monitored by insurance, and then quit once it was paid for. I cannot force him to use it. If he prefers to shorten his life by not using it, so be it.
 

kgizo

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My husband was able to do his sleep test at home. The gave him a head band that tracked everything. This was 10yrs ago so hopefully the at home option is still available. The CPAP is wonderful and has made a huge improvement for him, and his case was mild.
 

OoohShiny

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Does obesity cause or make worse apnea?

Mind you, we know of a newborn that seems to have it (at any time of day) and is now on 24/7 oxygen just in case - O2 saturation stats of 11% after an episode made the hospital finally take notice! :o
 

Mekp

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Does obesity cause or make worse apnea?

Mind you, we know of a newborn that seems to have it (at any time of day) and is now on 24/7 oxygen just in case - O2 saturation stats of 11% after an episode made the hospital finally take notice! :o

That's scary about the baby. I hope he or she is doing better now.

Weight is a risk factor for the most common type of apnea, called obstructive sleep apnea.
 

MeowMeow

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My dad and my husband both have it. Both use machines. My husband was lucky enough to be tested and have all his parts right before COVID lockdown. And I mean right before it. I think it was only a couple weeks prior. Both of them say the breathing machines really help.
 

autumngems

Ideal_Rock
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My hubby has it and I used to, we both use CPAPs. Don't worry about COVID-19, they send you to do a sleep study nearby and should be very safe to do. It helps tremendously.
 

AprilBaby

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Sometimes sleep studies can be done at home through your dentist, most insurance companies now Want a home sleep test before they will pay for one at a sleep center. Cpap is best , If the apnea is not severe there are mouthguards that can be made by the dentist to correct the position of your jaw and keep your airway open.
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
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That's scary about the baby. I hope he or she is doing better now.

Weight is a risk factor for the most common type of apnea, called obstructive sleep apnea.
The baby is doing pretty well, AIUI - it's just a faff with the trailing O2 wires around their house! lol

Hopefully he'll grow out of it :))
 

kenny

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I've had apnea for 15 years or so and use a CPAP every night.

Many people stop using their CPAP because they don't like their mask.
To them I say, "Get your CPAP provider to fit you with a new mask you are comfortable with. There are many different designs."
If your insurance won't pay, pay out of pocket as masks are not that expensive ... it's the CPAP machine itself that's expensive.

The mask I like is the ResMed Swift with "nasal pillows" at $79 retail.
Insurance will often pay for a new mask every 6 months.

1.png
 
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kenny

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Keeping the mask and hose clean and bacteria free is important so you must follow directions for cleaning it..

One wonderful tool to help is a machine called SoClean.
It pumps ozone through your mask, hose and CPAP machine that kills bacteria/mold/mildew/fungus.

All living things need oxygen to survive.
SoClean deprives everything is your CPAP's system of oxygen, replacing it with ozone, for 2 hours every day.

Pricey, but on sale now for $70 off.


2.png
 

TooPatient

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I have sleep apnea. They had me wear a thing at home for the sleep study. Then visit with the sleep specialist. She is doing virtual appointments now and even the thing to do the study is so simple you could easily do without having to be shown in person.

The CPAP took a bit of adjusting, but isn't awful. My grandfather and two cousins also use CPAPs and are happy with them.
 

TooPatient

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Does obesity cause or make worse apnea?

Mind you, we know of a newborn that seems to have it (at any time of day) and is now on 24/7 oxygen just in case - O2 saturation stats of 11% after an episode made the hospital finally take notice! :o

Weight can impact it. My sleep Dr has told me that I may be able to stop the CPAP if I can lose a bit of weight. I lost some weight and was feeling great and breathing better. Gained weight (yay for back injury and serious illness...) and definitely notice a difference plus can see the difference on my sleep logs.
 

TooPatient

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I've had apnea for 15 years or so and use a CPAP every night.

Many people stop using their CPAP because they don't like their mask.
To them I say, "Get your CPAP provider to fit you with a new mask you are comfortable with. There are many different designs."
If your insurance won't pay, pay out of pocket as masks are not that expensive ... it's the CPAP machine itself that's expensive.

The mask I like is the ResMed Swift with "nasal pillows" at $79 retail.
Insurance will often pay for a new mask every 6 months.

1.png

That is the type I found most comfortable too. So many options!

Also, take the time to adjust temperature and humidity. I found that changing the humidity made me much more comfortable. Same for air pressure (Dr can set this remotely) and how fast it comes up. Lots of adjustments possible. No need to settle on "okay" as there is probably a setting that will make it better.
 

doberman

Ideal_Rock
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Weight is a big factor in apnea and snoring. Jaw position too, and you can have a dental guard made for this. My parents both have a CPAP. You need a sleep study first. It's not something you want to ignore, it can lead to cardiovascular problems.
 

kenny

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Back when I got my CPAP, the optimum air pressure was determined during my sleep study, at their location.
Then the machine was set to that pressure setting, 10 IIRC.
I can't change it, nor am I supposed to or qualified to.
It's an Rx setting, prescribed by a doctor, and set by the provider of your CPAP machine.
 

Karl_K

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Have it bad, went undiagnosed for a long time and is in part reponsible for some of my lung problems today. I slept kneeling over a couch so gravity pulled my airway open for 10 years due to crappy docs and lack of insurance.
Use cpap anytime I lay down now.
I use a mask that covers both my mouth and nose as I breath thru my mouth a lot and can't stand straps to keep my mouth closed..
 

Karl_K

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Keeping the mask and hose clean and bacteria free is important so you must follow directions for cleaning it..

One wonderful tool to help is a machine called SoClean.
It pumps ozone through your mask, hose and CPAP machine that kills bacteria/mold/mildew/fungus.

All living things need oxygen to survive.
SoClean deprives everything is your CPAP's system of oxygen, replacing it with ozone, for 2 hours every day.

Pricey, but on sale now for $70 off.
I'm really bad about keeping mine clean.
Have looked at those machines but have been out of reach.
 

kenny

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Speaking of dental guards ...

My dentist had been telling me since 1982 that I grind my teeth, aka bruxism.
He could tell by the wear patterns on my teeth.
He recommend a custom made acrylic night guard with thick built in stainless steel thingies that snap onto to certain teeth to keep it in place.
I balked.

Years later the sleep study doctor said their video camera showed I grind my teeth when I sleep.
So I finally agreed to get the night guard, aka splint.
Great idea!
It saves your teeth from grinding-related fractures (feathers? LOL) and loosened fillings and crowns, so you're more likely to take all 30 of your precious teeth to the grave.
 
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kenny

Super_Ideal_Rock
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I'm really bad about keeping mine clean.
Have looked at those machines but have been out of reach.

Please Karl, get really good at keeping your mask/tube/machine clean.
You can get serious respiratory infections from the yuckies that quickly breed in the warm humid bacteria-laden environment.
 
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Karl_K

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Please Karl, get really good at keeping your mask/tube/machine clean.
You can get serious respiratory infections from the yuckies that quickly breed in the warm humid bacteria-laden environment.
Part of the reason im bad at it is I use a memory foam cushion, super comfortable and way less leaky than other kinds with my higher numbers.
But cant wash it with soap and water like the others.
Also found out soclean will not work with it.
 

PreRaphaelite

Ideal_Rock
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Feb 2, 2015
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I have sleep apnea, and no devices to handle it. I know I need to move forward on treating it, but I have no insurance, and with Covid, now is not the time. Hopefully things will improve soon.
 

TooPatient

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Back when I got my CPAP, the optimum air pressure was determined during my sleep study, at their location.
Then the machine was set to that pressure setting, 10 IIRC.
I can't change it, nor am I supposed to or qualified to.
It's an Rx setting, prescribed by a doctor, and set by the provider of your CPAP machine.

The machine I have is variable and adjusts itself as I sleep. The Dr set the range and adjusted as I sent her feedback about comfort level. I think mine is set to 8-16. I'm not sure how it works exactly, but it is comfortable to use and I do see it at different numbers when I check the info screen.
 
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