Discussion
Bit of a Unit said:
Blib said:
OP, I doubt that the mouthbrace would work with your friend. Anyway, it has to be "prescribed" by the apnoea specialist once a cpap machine has been shown to work.
They don't need to be prescribed and decent ones can be bought for less than £200. Get him a somnoguard. Could make a huge difference.If he's on anti depressants a bit of exercise, just walking with the dog, will help.
Blib said:
Bit of a Unit said:
Blib said:
OP, I doubt that the mouthbrace would work with your friend. Anyway, it has to be "prescribed" by the apnoea specialist once a cpap machine has been shown to work.
They don't need to be prescribed and decent ones can be bought for less than £200. Get him a somnoguard. Could make a huge difference.If he's on anti depressants a bit of exercise, just walking with the dog, will help.
PomBstard said:
I'm afraid your mate sounds a bit like one of my uncles - and sleep apnea is the least of his problems. It took a heart attack for him to realise the consequences of not losing weight. And stopping smoking. And doing more exercise. He was 52 I think when it took hold, and within 12 months he was a changed person, but he had spent the previous 15 years being medically obese and was lined up for stomach stapling. Nothing anyone could say or do could get him to change his ways - lived on his own, had a few friends, but spent most of the time indoors feeling sorry for himself. He lived to be 68 I think, not a great age, but probably about 15 years more than anyone was previously willing to gamble on.
Seriously, if he can't be arsed, then he can't be arsed. And no amount of cajoling or moaning at him is going to make the slightest difference. When it gets close to fatal, then he might change, but lets just hope its only a scary event, not the real thing.
Hi yeah I agree, I think the Sleep Apnea is the least of his problems as he uses this as a reason for not doing anything. He will be 45 this year, so still a young man. But he says he can't go to work in case he falls asleep. This has only ever happened once in his life before he gave up work for good. He does smoke and drink a lot as well. I can't see him reaching 50 but who knows. I think if he was willing to try things then that would be half the battle but the answer is always no to every single thing suggested. Seriously, if he can't be arsed, then he can't be arsed. And no amount of cajoling or moaning at him is going to make the slightest difference. When it gets close to fatal, then he might change, but lets just hope its only a scary event, not the real thing.
Well, I have just phoned him and told him about the mouth brace. He said he had tried that already a couple of years ago and it didn't work as it depends on your 'bite' and his was too big. I haven't a clue what he is talking about. He said when he put the guard in it made his chin stick out too far and caused his throat to close up even further. I suggested he go back to his specialist and he said no. So I said again would he consider trying to lose weight and was met with a resounding NO! I asked why and he said he doesn't have the energy to count calories. I told him it was time to for me to take a step back. He wasn't amused but I said I was taking a step back from his problems, not from him as I think I am more stressed than him!
MadOne said:
PomBstard said:
I'm afraid your mate sounds a bit like one of my uncles - and sleep apnea is the least of his problems. It took a heart attack for him to realise the consequences of not losing weight. And stopping smoking. And doing more exercise. He was 52 I think when it took hold, and within 12 months he was a changed person, but he had spent the previous 15 years being medically obese and was lined up for stomach stapling. Nothing anyone could say or do could get him to change his ways - lived on his own, had a few friends, but spent most of the time indoors feeling sorry for himself. He lived to be 68 I think, not a great age, but probably about 15 years more than anyone was previously willing to gamble on.
Seriously, if he can't be arsed, then he can't be arsed. And no amount of cajoling or moaning at him is going to make the slightest difference. When it gets close to fatal, then he might change, but lets just hope its only a scary event, not the real thing.
Hi yeah I agree, I think the Sleep Apnea is the least of his problems as he uses this as a reason for not doing anything. He will be 45 this year, so still a young man. But he says he can't go to work in case he falls asleep. This has only ever happened once in his life before he gave up work for good. He does smoke and drink a lot as well. I can't see him reaching 50 but who knows. I think if he was willing to try things then that would be half the battle but the answer is always no to every single thing suggested. Seriously, if he can't be arsed, then he can't be arsed. And no amount of cajoling or moaning at him is going to make the slightest difference. When it gets close to fatal, then he might change, but lets just hope its only a scary event, not the real thing.
Get your mate to sort himself out and pronto
My dad had sleep apnea and one of those CPAP machines, however he didnt have it diagnosed for decades resulting in decades of interrupted sleep, the diagnosis and CPAP machine did wonders for him however on Christmas eve just gone he didn't wake up.
He died of an enlarged heart; can't remember the exact medical terminology, the enlarged heart condition was caused by decades of suffering with sleep apnea and it being undiagnosed.
There are symptoms of an enlarged heart, however these symptoms can also be attributed to just being over weight or other unrelated issues. An enlarged heart cannot be reversed; only a transplant can rectify it and you only really find out if you have an enlarged heart if you are looking specifically for it.
My sister is overweight, she suffers from sleep apnea, she has one of these machines, my stepmum has been on at her to get her heart tested and to lose weight, so far she is ignoring it.
My dad had sleep apnea and one of those CPAP machines, however he didnt have it diagnosed for decades resulting in decades of interrupted sleep, the diagnosis and CPAP machine did wonders for him however on Christmas eve just gone he didn't wake up.
He died of an enlarged heart; can't remember the exact medical terminology, the enlarged heart condition was caused by decades of suffering with sleep apnea and it being undiagnosed.
There are symptoms of an enlarged heart, however these symptoms can also be attributed to just being over weight or other unrelated issues. An enlarged heart cannot be reversed; only a transplant can rectify it and you only really find out if you have an enlarged heart if you are looking specifically for it.
My sister is overweight, she suffers from sleep apnea, she has one of these machines, my stepmum has been on at her to get her heart tested and to lose weight, so far she is ignoring it.
Blib said:
Truck71, I notice that you do not have the humidifier which attaches to the Res Med S9. Do you have any problems with a dry or sore throat when using your machine? Adding the humidifier really helped me. As well as adding moisture it also heated the air before I inhaled. You can set the temperature manually. This really helped me. In fact, it completely changed my cpap experience.
They are not available on the NHS. They are quite expensive to buy new (£200+ IIRC) But, you can find them occasionally for sale on the forums.
Interesting, thanks for that. I hadn't noticed a dry throat etc but having said that like most blokes I tend to get on with life and don't notice things sometimes. Something to consider.They are not available on the NHS. They are quite expensive to buy new (£200+ IIRC) But, you can find them occasionally for sale on the forums.
truck71 said:
Interesting, thanks for that. I hadn't noticed a dry throat etc but having said that like most blokes I tend to get on with life and don't notice things sometimes. Something to consider.
I don't have a humidifier and have no problem. I do have to change the nose pad around every six months as mine start to leak. I was staggered to find that the small nose pads cost over £40 each. Guess it another case of suppliers ripping off the NHS!!forest07 said:
I don't have a humidifier and have no problem. I do have to change the nose pad around every six months as mine start to leak. I was staggered to find that the small nose pads cost over £40 each. Guess it another case of suppliers ripping off the NHS!!
Yep sounds like it. Where was it leaking from? I find the mask needs regular adjustment to keep it flush against my face and not shaving for a few days doesn't help either!MadOne said:
Well, I have just phoned him and told him about the mouth brace. He said he had tried that already a couple of years ago and it didn't work as it depends on your 'bite' and his was too big. I haven't a clue what he is talking about. He said when he put the guard in it made his chin stick out too far and caused his throat to close up even further. I suggested he go back to his specialist and he said no. So I said again would he consider trying to lose weight and was met with a resounding NO! I asked why and he said he doesn't have the energy to count calories. I told him it was time to for me to take a step back. He wasn't amused but I said I was taking a step back from his problems, not from him as I think I am more stressed than him!
Is he actually depressed, in which case his attitude problem is all understandable, or is he just a mardarse?truck71 said:
Yep sounds like it. Where was it leaking from? I find the mask needs regular adjustment to keep it flush against my face and not shaving for a few days doesn't help either!
It starts to leak between the nose pad and my nostrils. I don't think it helps that my nose isn't straight. I agree it does need regular adjustment and I find if you over tighten the straps it will leak. It causes more problems for my partner who often complains about the noise from the mask when it leaks.TonyR
SpeckledJim said:
MadOne said:
Well, I have just phoned him and told him about the mouth brace. He said he had tried that already a couple of years ago and it didn't work as it depends on your 'bite' and his was too big. I haven't a clue what he is talking about. He said when he put the guard in it made his chin stick out too far and caused his throat to close up even further. I suggested he go back to his specialist and he said no. So I said again would he consider trying to lose weight and was met with a resounding NO! I asked why and he said he doesn't have the energy to count calories. I told him it was time to for me to take a step back. He wasn't amused but I said I was taking a step back from his problems, not from him as I think I am more stressed than him!
Is he actually depressed, in which case his attitude problem is all understandable, or is he just a mardarse?Just been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I've never been great at sleeping but it has got far worse.
Utterly listless, everything seems an effort, fall asleep just about anywhere. Rather embarrassing at work.
(Though it's always been hard keeping awake in the many endless meetings).
I scored 63.8, which apparently i'm woken every minute and lowest o2 level was 78. No great shock i feel terrible.
I've also got to inform the DVLA and stop driving until it is under control, which is going to be a nightmare with work.
Referral for CPAP is normally 6 weeks, though the consultant is pushing for an emergency 2 weeks slot. Assuming it works that's 4 weeks without driving.
Hopefully occupational health will be sympathetic, public transport is poor and i cannot get to work on time using it.
Utterly listless, everything seems an effort, fall asleep just about anywhere. Rather embarrassing at work.
(Though it's always been hard keeping awake in the many endless meetings).
I scored 63.8, which apparently i'm woken every minute and lowest o2 level was 78. No great shock i feel terrible.
I've also got to inform the DVLA and stop driving until it is under control, which is going to be a nightmare with work.
Referral for CPAP is normally 6 weeks, though the consultant is pushing for an emergency 2 weeks slot. Assuming it works that's 4 weeks without driving.
Hopefully occupational health will be sympathetic, public transport is poor and i cannot get to work on time using it.
The_Burg said:
Just been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I've never been great at sleeping but it has got far worse.
Utterly listless, everything seems an effort, fall asleep just about anywhere. Rather embarrassing at work.
(Though it's always been hard keeping awake in the many endless meetings).
I scored 63.8, which apparently i'm woken every minute and lowest o2 level was 78. No great shock i feel terrible.
I've also got to inform the DVLA and stop driving until it is under control, which is going to be a nightmare with work.
Referral for CPAP is normally 6 weeks, though the consultant is pushing for an emergency 2 weeks slot. Assuming it works that's 4 weeks without driving.
Hopefully occupational health will be sympathetic, public transport is poor and i cannot get to work on time using it.
Surprised about informing the DVLA. I scored 31 and wasn't advised to do that, was a few years ago now though.Utterly listless, everything seems an effort, fall asleep just about anywhere. Rather embarrassing at work.
(Though it's always been hard keeping awake in the many endless meetings).
I scored 63.8, which apparently i'm woken every minute and lowest o2 level was 78. No great shock i feel terrible.
I've also got to inform the DVLA and stop driving until it is under control, which is going to be a nightmare with work.
Referral for CPAP is normally 6 weeks, though the consultant is pushing for an emergency 2 weeks slot. Assuming it works that's 4 weeks without driving.
Hopefully occupational health will be sympathetic, public transport is poor and i cannot get to work on time using it.
truck71 said:
Surprised about informing the DVLA. I scored 31 and wasn't advised to do that, was a few years ago now though.
I scored 63.8, this was after week of no drinking as well. Anything over 30 is considered serious.Though i've never come close to dozing off on the 7 miles to the station or on the way back, i put a letter in my notes to the DVLA saying this was the least likely time i would fall asleep as in the morning i had just got up and evening i had a snooze on the train.
Just waiting to hear back, been a week now.
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