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| Author |
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jaklumen
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Sleep disorders
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Aug 22 00:51 UTC 2003 |
Well, I thought I'd write some on the wonderful little process I'm
going to embark on.
I finally checked in for my appointment to the sleep clinic today and
saw the doctor. First the nurse came in and did the usual stuff
nurses do-- checked weight and blood pressure, but she measured my
neck as well. Neck measurement *is* a factor: here's why. The
problem with sleep apnea is caused by the epiglottis relaxing during
sleep so much that it restricts breathing-- and the brain somehow
doesn't tell those muscles to constrict to allow freer breathing.
Obesity puts fatty tissue on the muscle, making the problem worse.
Fortunately, I am on an eating plan that is reducing the fat on my
body, so hopefully that will help.
I saw the doctor next, who listened to my lungs and asked a lot of
questions about my sleep, health, (allergies) family history, and
such. My sister grinds her teeth, for example, REALLY bad. She
couldn't escape braces forever (long story behind that comment). He
also explained about the sleep study and the monitoring equipment
they'd attach to me for the night-- if I remember right, there will be
two electrodes on my head, two sensors just inside my nose, some on my
chest, a oxygen sensor on the tip on my finger, and some on my legs
and feet.
I asked about the breathing machine and about a humidifying option.
He said that would be a good idea, especially for folks with allergy
problems like me.
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| 48 responses total. |
glenda
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response 1 of 48:
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Aug 22 01:31 UTC 2003 |
The only thing that could be found as a possible cause of STeve's stroke about
2 years ago was sleep apnea (I had been telling him he should have it checked
for years, but...) He is on a CPAP at an impressive pressure. His is
humidified with the water heated, it is adjustable so he can turn the heat
down when it is hot outside. I think he can adjust the amount of water used
as well. He had a hell of a night last Thursday when the power was out.
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jaklumen
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response 2 of 48:
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Aug 22 05:51 UTC 2003 |
Thank you for the information. Some of this is a little scary for me,
so every piece of experience helps. I'm wondering if perhaps I should
just humidify my bedroom waiting for the study right now-- it will be
eight weeks until I get in unless there's a cancellation.
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glenda
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response 3 of 48:
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Aug 22 06:32 UTC 2003 |
If you get a machine, and your reaction is anything like STeve's you will see
marked improvement the first night. He picked the machine up on a Friday.
I got up as usual on Saturday and did computer stuff waiting until a
reasonable time to start coffee and wake him. Before I had even fully settled
at my desk I heard him get up. About 8 hours after he went to bed. And he
was wide awake and rested for the first time in about 15 years. He usually
slept 14 hours and still wasn't rested. It continued for many months. When
we noticed that he was sleeping longer and wasn't as rested we mentioned it
to the doctor who sent him back to neurology who sent him back to the sleep
clinic. They raised the pressure on the machine a bit and he went back to
less sleep, more rested. We will watch for needing more sleep again and talk
to the doctor sooner rather than later.
It is amazing the change it has made in his quality of life, our quality of
life. He now has energy to do things that he hasn't had in a very long time.
He can almost keep up with me again. (I think competing with college kids
has kept me going.)
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tod
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response 4 of 48:
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Aug 22 13:20 UTC 2003 |
This response has been erased.
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flem
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response 5 of 48:
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Aug 22 15:11 UTC 2003 |
Just out of curiosity, what it STeve's pressure set at?
I strongly recommend getting a heated humidifier attachment
for anyone using a cpap machine, especially at high pressure.
Having your sinuses dried out sucks, and if you already have
sinus issues (allergies), it's even worse. OTOH, if you keep your
equipment properly cleaned and use good distilled water,
you may find your allergy problems somewhat lessened, since the
air through a CPAP is filtered.
For sleeping better now, a humidifier may help (again,
filtered air), as will a thorough cleaning of your home.
Allergies make things in your breathing passages swell,
which doesn't help anything. :) Also, I don't know if
this will help you at all, but if you're desperate, I find
that without my machine, I sleep better sitting up most of
the way, like in a recliner or a couch. ymmv.
I also had a septoplasty, and I may yet have my uvula and tonsils reduced,
though probably not removed altogether.
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tod
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response 6 of 48:
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Aug 22 16:00 UTC 2003 |
This response has been erased.
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