OT:Unbelievable! | Arthritis Information

Everyone here knows from my posts that I've been feeling pretty bad the last several months. Well on a recent visit to a neurologist he said he would like to do a sleep study on me. The results? I stopped breathing over thirty times that night and "normal" people should be in REM sleep about 24% of the time. I was at 8%!!!! No wonder I feel like I've been hit by a bus all the time.

Last night, I went in for the follow up sleep study with the CPAP machine. I honestly cannot believe how much one night made with this thing. Now it may be psychological only but I feel pretty good after finally getting a good nights sleep. I was started on a pressure of 5 and only had to be adjusted to 9 over about an hour or so and then the nurse said I didn't snore or even move again until she came in to wake me at 6am. If that's possible after one night...I can't wait to see what happens after a few weeks of using it. I honestly had no idea of how much lack of quality sleep affects every aspect of our health.

Bob

its amazing what a good nights sleep will do...I suspect even your pain levels will start to decrease That's great news Bob! I have known other people with CPAP's and they LOVE them!The worst thing about CPAP is getting used to the pressure when trying to exhale. I don't really know what to compare it to. It's a different experience to say the least. The worst thing was that I'm coming off an ear infection and still have the fluid and "stuffy" feeling in the ears so it was a little more intense. I've never flown but I'm told it's exactly like the pressure in the ears from altitude.

By the way, I love your signature line. That's something close to what I tell people when they ask why about all my tattoos.

Bob

My father has used his for years. Please do me one favor, replace the tubing when they recommend it to be replace, My father who is wealthy cleans his out himself and "saved" money. Until he ended up with fungus in his throat and stomach. He has been using this machine for man, many years. So it is not something that happens frequently, but please just change the tubing on a regular schedule. I am glad your doctor is on the right track for you. Good news. You will feel so much better with a good night sleep. You will have more energy, be able to physically do more. I am happy for you.

Tink

My husband had severe apnea and I tell you the CPAP saved his life and our marriage!!! He slept all night starting the first night and has slept great for the last 2 years. Uninterrupted sleep will make you feel so much better. Your fatigue level will decrease and maybe even your pain level. Tinker is so right about changing the tubing, pads, etc. on schedule. Happy dreaming. LindyThat is GREAT news! I'm sure with a few weeks of solid rest you are going to feel amazingly better!!!!!!I am on CPAP Bob but I do not use it because I wake up with water running down the back of my throat. I need to get a tube that is heated. When you buy your machine, make sure your tubing is heated in such away that does not allow moisture to come up into our nasal passages during the night. I'm also on a pressure of 9. I also have REM apnea. Remember, REM is restorative sleep and is so important to the health of your immune system. I think that everyone that snores or does not feel they are getting a good night sleep, should get a sleep study. Also, sleep apnea can lead to a person being overweight due to the stress hormones. Once on the machine, you will find that you will be dropping the weight if you are overweight and you may not be stress eating during the day. There is a lot of info out there on the consequences of sleep apnea on pretty much every system in the body. Also, there are support groups out there that can help answer any questions you may have. Bob, I'm so glad you had a doctor who explored that possibility. It should make a world of difference, getting better all the time.

I have severe apnea, too, but I can't tolerate the CPAP. I have claustrophobia, apparently, but the air blowing into my face feels like I'm suffocating. I got a mouthpiece, instead, that brings my lower jaw forward and opens the airway so I get more oxygen. But the CPAP is supposed to be more effective, I just can't stand it.

I'm so glad you got an answer! It obviously changed your life and should continue to do so.

I'm very happy for you.

Lorster, that's the same pressure that the sleep lab nurses stopped me at. She said that she went slowly from 5 and I stopped snoring at 9 so that's probably where I would be. They order the machine for me and said that it would be able to deliver either cool mist or warm it a bit as in their opinion this is really the best way to go to avoid sinus irritation. I won't object since I have sinus issues anyway.

Tink, I was told by the nurses to clean my mask and tubing daily and that the company that I'm getting it through would send me replacement tubing and a new mask every 90 days. I hope that medicare will pay for it and I don't have a huge copay on it as I've checked the prices of some of these machines and they aren't what one would call cheap. At least not by my standards.

I don't know about saving my marriage, but saving my life I believe 100%. I think sleep apnea is what killed my mom. She always used to snore something awful, just like me. And she did complain about sleeping but still feeling like crap. Then in Jan of 2007 at the age of 59 she suffered a fatal heart attack. Now, she was overweight and she flat out refused to get regular check ups. But I believe she had sleep apnea and that is what lead to such early heart disease. I guess I'll never know now. I also believe that my wife has it as I've heard her stop breathing. She won't go because she has no insurance. I'm going to make her go, we can fill out applications for assistance if need be.

Thanks

Bob

Bob, my mom is like yours was... only she went through the sleep test and was diagnosed and given a CPAP and she refuses to use it knowing the consequences! I am so happy you have found all of this and I am really hoping it makes a big difference in your RA too! Wouldn't that be wonderful! You so deserve a break! Make your wife go, it may save her life too.

Keep us up to date, Bob, and good luck!

Bob, I'm glad that you are feeling so hopeful and got to experience a truly good night's sleep. Fortunately, I can sleep with the best of them, but when the pain interferes with my sleep, I can barely function so I can't imagine how you've been doing it all this time. I am good friends with a couple who have "dualling CPAPs" which have changed their lives. Hopefully same will be true for you and your wife.

I'm not expecting a miracle as far as the RA goes, but maybe better rest will help the meds to work a little bit better for me. Does anyone know if sleep apnea can cause tremors from all the fatigue in the muscles? I ask because over the last few months I've developed tremors from head to toe that seemed to be better yesterday and today when I woke up it was back with a vengeance. I think it's from a combo of high dose prednisone and extreme lack of sleep.

Bob