Sleep Apnea

[UGetPaid]

Does anyone here suffer from sleep apnea?

I was just recently diagnosed and had a second sleep test last night where they monitored my night using a CPAP breathing machine.  I think it went pretty well, but have to admit that the machine and mask are going to take some time to get used to! I am actually relieved with the diagnosis as it will likely solve another medical riddle that first came up a few months ago during a routine doctor visit.  I prefer this treatment to the uncertainty and other tests that the specialist outlined as necessary if the sleep apnea test came back negative.

My dad also had sleep apnea, but was only diagnosed a few years before he died this past February. He also had early onset Alzheimers and a number of other heart and lung issues that also required additional treatment, and a feeding tube on top of all that.  So even though he was still aware (Alzheimer's attacked his memory, but he still recognized all of us right up to the end) but he was not really able to articulate in great detail how he handled the apnea treatment -- nor was he able to isolate that treatment from the other unrelated treatments and feedings.

So I am just looking for any isolated impressions from others with experience.

[aflyingmonkey]

My Uncle has sleep Apnea & brings his machine when he stays over.  One of my cousins was also diagnosed with sleep Apnea when he was under 8, he stopped breathing like 30x an hour.  That cousin was diagnosed with mild autism & qualified for aid, but now he is just fine.  I would think him being able to have undisturbed sleep while developing helped him tremendously in being diagnosed, and being able to function.  I'm just guessing that there is a correlation there. 

I am thankful that he isn't a blood relative as it tends to run in families.  My cousin is genetically related to my Uncle (his grandson).

Sorry it's not a direct report.

[CharmedPhoenix]

I had a friend who needed a CPAP machine to sleep.  She smoked medicinal pot and consumed Ramen and other things with MSG.  Smoking paralyzes the cilia in the bronchial tubes so they stop removing the gunk in the lungs.  MSG gives you asthmatic symptoms.  (I saw first hand what it can do when I was a caregiver for a man with COPD who liked Accent on his food.)  I wish I could have advised her to stop smoking (Bach flower remedy White Chestnut quiets the mind without smoke or getting high.), stop consuming MSG and cook with thyme.  I would also have recommended that she drink thyme tea or breathe the steam from thyme tea before bed.  Perhaps this advise will help you or someone else here. 

[sherryinutah]

I had a problem with sleep apnea and I used a CPAP machine for a while.  It was a joke.  I couldn't sleep with the mask on and eventually my CPAP machine crashed and burned.  Instead of replacing the machine I requested a tonsillectomy.  I had my tonsils removed when I was 52 years old.

Then I increased my B complex and I began to breathe normally when I was awake and asleep.

Long story - Short...I no longer need a CPAP machine. 

Don't let anyone tell you that once you begin to use a CPAP machine....you'll need it for the rest of your life.   

[UGetPaid]

Thanks for the thoughts and opinions.  I did some looking around, and found a couple of message boards online that are 100% devoted to sleep apnea and have many users who are new and old to the condition with first hand experience to share.

Onward and upward!!!