Severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Discussion
Have you tried propping yourself up when sleeping? I'm less restless when I'm more upright, ordered myself a foam wedge and it seems to be doing the job. With that said, I've also switched to vaping from smoking and am working on weight loss, which I definitely think is important.
Edited by BravelyKCD on Wednesday 21st February 14:54
Hi Simonium,
my AHI number when tested 3,5 years ago was 55, so also severe. I got a Philips Respironics CPAP device with humidifier, a nose mask that fits me, and have been using it for EVERY night since. It saved my life, because my heart was doing overtime going to 170 beats while trying to get oxygen to my brain every time I stopped breathing - the number 55 means I had 55 episodes of non breathing for longer that 10 seconds every hour with most of them going up to 1 minute and more. It also saved my wife's sleeping because I was snoring VERY loudly. Now when I think about it I was non diagnosed for more that 10 years. I am a fat 47 year old sedentary type, but with CPAP my AHI is usually 2-3 and sometimes goes to 5-6, but rarely.
My experience : do not over-tight the mask, it is only necessary to tighten it so it does not hiss around. Try not to eat or drink alcohol later in the evening because that causes bad sleeping and dry throat and mouth. Use the humidifier but not the heater because then I sweat too much. Try to sleep on your side, it is better than on your back.
If you think that the pressure is too much/not enough, google your Cpap machine and adjusting pressure, then do it by yourself and try a few different options and see which one work the best for you.
my AHI number when tested 3,5 years ago was 55, so also severe. I got a Philips Respironics CPAP device with humidifier, a nose mask that fits me, and have been using it for EVERY night since. It saved my life, because my heart was doing overtime going to 170 beats while trying to get oxygen to my brain every time I stopped breathing - the number 55 means I had 55 episodes of non breathing for longer that 10 seconds every hour with most of them going up to 1 minute and more. It also saved my wife's sleeping because I was snoring VERY loudly. Now when I think about it I was non diagnosed for more that 10 years. I am a fat 47 year old sedentary type, but with CPAP my AHI is usually 2-3 and sometimes goes to 5-6, but rarely.
My experience : do not over-tight the mask, it is only necessary to tighten it so it does not hiss around. Try not to eat or drink alcohol later in the evening because that causes bad sleeping and dry throat and mouth. Use the humidifier but not the heater because then I sweat too much. Try to sleep on your side, it is better than on your back.
If you think that the pressure is too much/not enough, google your Cpap machine and adjusting pressure, then do it by yourself and try a few different options and see which one work the best for you.
Jordan Peterson stops snoring when he changes his diet.
6 mins
Jordan Peterson and his all meat/keto diet
https://youtu.be/tw8Rf9h0-Sk6 mins
Halb said:
Jordan Peterson stops snoring when he changes his diet.
6 mins
This diet could help lose weight, but snoring does not equal OSA !Jordan Peterson and his all meat/keto diet
https://youtu.be/tw8Rf9h0-Sk6 mins
There are many reasons to have OSA, and not all people who have OSA are fat.
Thanks for your help guys. I have really been struggling with this lately and my sleep is disrupted to the extent that there is no difference between CPAP'd and non-CPAP'd. I have several issues. Firstly the dehydration - my machine has had the humidifier added and I have it on maximum and it is still not enough. Secondly the pressure on the machine I have is not adjustable by the person plugged into it - the hospital, however, can do it remotely. The pressure is far too much, to the extent that I often startle myself awake with a choking sensation. It's horrible. I contact them and they tell me that it's my body adjusting - I'm not expert but am not adjusting to this, I'm rejecting it.
I have been told to let it go and get used to it, but this doesn't appear to be happening. Has anyone else had similar effects?
I also find I have taken the mask off when I sleep. I have been told the DVLA require 4 weeks continuous data to be able to consider a driver's licence application but every night the sleep in interrupted repeatedly and often abandoned because I cannot tolerate the choking sensation. I have looked at various forums but again, too much information is a bad thing!
Sorry to carry on about this, but it's getting me down a little.
PS, my GP is an uninformed, opinionated anus of a bloke, whom I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw and I doubt I could even lift the corpulent oaf off the ground.
I have been told to let it go and get used to it, but this doesn't appear to be happening. Has anyone else had similar effects?
I also find I have taken the mask off when I sleep. I have been told the DVLA require 4 weeks continuous data to be able to consider a driver's licence application but every night the sleep in interrupted repeatedly and often abandoned because I cannot tolerate the choking sensation. I have looked at various forums but again, too much information is a bad thing!
Sorry to carry on about this, but it's getting me down a little.
PS, my GP is an uninformed, opinionated anus of a bloke, whom I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw and I doubt I could even lift the corpulent oaf off the ground.
Simonium said:
Firstly the dehydration - my machine has had the humidifier added and I have it on maximum and it is still not enough.
Maybe you should go the other direction - stay low with the humidifier because it uses heater to heat the water thus having more steam in air. Also, try not eating and not having alcohol after 18h. And maybe you are opening your mouth and breathing there too - if you are using a nose mask maybe you need a full face mask - but then it would be prescribed to you after the sleep test. Simonium said:
Secondly the pressure on the machine I have is not adjustable by the person plugged into it - the hospital, however, can do it remotely. The pressure is far too much, to the extent that I often startle myself awake with a choking sensation. It's horrible. I contact them and they tell me that it's my body adjusting - I'm not expert but am not adjusting to this, I'm rejecting it.
If you are choking, then you are not getting enough air - I had this sensation when I tried using nose "plug" mask - I was not getting enough air so I was choking. I use an old type of nasal mask - Respironics Comfort Classic - not available anymore but surely there are others similar - the key is to go OVER the nose, not to the middle of the nose like the Respironics Pico they are now selling me as the substitute - tried it and I choke !Simonium said:
I also find I have taken the mask off when I sleep. I have been told the DVLA require 4 weeks continuous data to be able to consider a driver's licence application but every night the sleep in interrupted repeatedly and often abandoned because I cannot tolerate the choking sensation.
Sorry, I should have had made it a little more clear. I already have the largest full face mask because I can't breathe through my nose at all (I've an appointment at ENT next month).
The amount of air going into the mask is amazing. I sincerely doubt I need more air going in - I thought I was going to vomit a couple of evenings ago. It was set at start at 11 and I subsequently complained and they changed it 10! Why not 5 and work up?
I will have a look and see where the nearest dedicated sleep clinic is. This whole situation is doing my head in.
The amount of air going into the mask is amazing. I sincerely doubt I need more air going in - I thought I was going to vomit a couple of evenings ago. It was set at start at 11 and I subsequently complained and they changed it 10! Why not 5 and work up?
I will have a look and see where the nearest dedicated sleep clinic is. This whole situation is doing my head in.
ST565NP said:
Hi Simonium,
my AHI number when tested 3,5 years ago was 55, so also severe. I got a Philips Respironics CPAP device with humidifier, a nose mask that fits me, and have been using it for EVERY night since. It saved my life, because my heart was doing overtime going to 170 beats while trying to get oxygen to my brain every time I stopped breathing - the number 55 means I had 55 episodes of non breathing for longer that 10 seconds every hour with most of them going up to 1 minute and more. It also saved my wife's sleeping because I was snoring VERY loudly. Now when I think about it I was non diagnosed for more that 10 years. I am a fat 47 year old sedentary type, but with CPAP my AHI is usually 2-3 and sometimes goes to 5-6, but rarely.
My experience : do not over-tight the mask, it is only necessary to tighten it so it does not hiss around. Try not to eat or drink alcohol later in the evening because that causes bad sleeping and dry throat and mouth. Use the humidifier but not the heater because then I sweat too much. Try to sleep on your side, it is better than on your back.
If you think that the pressure is too much/not enough, google your Cpap machine and adjusting pressure, then do it by yourself and try a few different options and see which one work the best for you.
Thanks for your response. I am not a lot overweight (6'2" / 100 kg) and have a small jaw and apparently narrow air column. I rarely drink so don't need to worry about alcohol, but snack a lot. I always sleep on my side.my AHI number when tested 3,5 years ago was 55, so also severe. I got a Philips Respironics CPAP device with humidifier, a nose mask that fits me, and have been using it for EVERY night since. It saved my life, because my heart was doing overtime going to 170 beats while trying to get oxygen to my brain every time I stopped breathing - the number 55 means I had 55 episodes of non breathing for longer that 10 seconds every hour with most of them going up to 1 minute and more. It also saved my wife's sleeping because I was snoring VERY loudly. Now when I think about it I was non diagnosed for more that 10 years. I am a fat 47 year old sedentary type, but with CPAP my AHI is usually 2-3 and sometimes goes to 5-6, but rarely.
My experience : do not over-tight the mask, it is only necessary to tighten it so it does not hiss around. Try not to eat or drink alcohol later in the evening because that causes bad sleeping and dry throat and mouth. Use the humidifier but not the heater because then I sweat too much. Try to sleep on your side, it is better than on your back.
If you think that the pressure is too much/not enough, google your Cpap machine and adjusting pressure, then do it by yourself and try a few different options and see which one work the best for you.
Simonium said:
Sorry, I should have had made it a little more clear. I already have the largest full face mask because I can't breathe through my nose at all (I've an appointment at ENT next month).
The amount of air going into the mask is amazing. I sincerely doubt I need more air going in - I thought I was going to vomit a couple of evenings ago. It was set at start at 11 and I subsequently complained and they changed it 10! Why not 5 and work up?
Well, that changes the situation, mine is set to start at 4 and goes till 12, starting at 10-11 really looks too much. But maybe is different for the full face mask ? On the other hand, they must have had some test results and then decided what pressures to give you. You really should check it all at another specialist.The amount of air going into the mask is amazing. I sincerely doubt I need more air going in - I thought I was going to vomit a couple of evenings ago. It was set at start at 11 and I subsequently complained and they changed it 10! Why not 5 and work up?
I posted on here a few weeks ago about the jaw operation, but you didn't respond. Has the op been considered by you or even discussed with your consultant?
My nose was broken and out of shape too, so when I had my jaw op, they filed out my nose box. Never had a problem sleeping since.
My nose was broken and out of shape too, so when I had my jaw op, they filed out my nose box. Never had a problem sleeping since.
bernhund said:
I posted on here a few weeks ago about the jaw operation, but you didn't respond. Has the op been considered by you or even discussed with your consultant?
My nose was broken and out of shape too, so when I had my jaw op, they filed out my nose box. Never had a problem sleeping since.
No, I must apologise for not replying - there has been a lot on. I would not consider this operation unless there was literally no other choice. I play the euphonium (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphonium) and this operation could very well (would?) ruin my playing. I get precious little joy in life at the moment and playing the euphonium is one simple pleasure, although I have now developed what appears to be severe stage fright (never had it before). So I might as sodding ruin that as well! My nose was broken and out of shape too, so when I had my jaw op, they filed out my nose box. Never had a problem sleeping since.
Simonium said:
No, I must apologise for not replying - there has been a lot on. I would not consider this operation unless there was literally no other choice. I play the euphonium (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphonium) and this operation could very well (would?) ruin my playing. I get precious little joy in life at the moment and playing the euphonium is one simple pleasure, although I have now developed what appears to be severe stage fright (never had it before). So I might as sodding ruin that as well!
Blimey, that's a bummer. I guess you really need to sit down and consider an awful lot and work out whether your quality of life will continue to slip through lack of sleep, in which case your playing will probably cease to be important anyway.My wife didn't want me to have the operation, but I said I wasn't much use to her dead. Late onset diabetes, strokes and heart attacks are all caused by apnea, not to mention you may not be able to drive. I now sleep with no assistance, have no jaw issues and she thinks I'm better looking!
Simonium said:
The amount of air going into the mask is amazing. I sincerely doubt I need more air going in - I thought I was going to vomit a couple of evenings ago. It was set at start at 11 and I subsequently complained and they changed it 10! Why not 5 and work up?
I feel like I'm being suffocated at that pressure (too low), my VPAP is set to 23.bernhund said:
Blimey, that's a bummer. I guess you really need to sit down and consider an awful lot and work out whether your quality of life will continue to slip through lack of sleep, in which case your playing will probably cease to be important anyway.
My wife didn't want me to have the operation, but I said I wasn't much use to her dead. Late onset diabetes, strokes and heart attacks are all caused by apnea, not to mention you may not be able to drive. I now sleep with no assistance, have no jaw issues and she thinks I'm better looking!
Out of interest, how does the op work with your teeth? Did your lower jaw and therefore teeth used to sit behind your top teeth before the op?My wife didn't want me to have the operation, but I said I wasn't much use to her dead. Late onset diabetes, strokes and heart attacks are all caused by apnea, not to mention you may not be able to drive. I now sleep with no assistance, have no jaw issues and she thinks I'm better looking!
If so, and you moved your jaw forward, do your (front?) teeth not clash or did you have to wear braces etc?
Interested to understand. As previously mentioned, I manage my condition with a splint that moves my jaw forward when I'm in bed, so an op would be a permanent fix for me. I'm also in the process of replacing my two front teeth (due to a historic sporting injury) so my teeth on the agenda at the moment which made me think of the potential issue/conflict.
Resurrecting this thread as I have a few questions.
I went to ENT about snoring. I had a sleep test and was getting 29 on the test. So was setup with a Resmed Airsense 10 and had an operation on my nose, a septoplasty & turbinate reduction.
I now score around 5 when using the machine. So the NHS has done its bit.
However, I really dont like the machine and am looking in to surgery. These are the private procedures that Ive found:
1). Pillar Procedure (soft palate implants) - two plastic splints placed at the back of your throat under local anaesthetic to support the throat. No longer available in the uk, but can be done aboard.
2). Laser assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP procedure) - trimming on the back of the uvula & soft pallet.
3). Radio Thermotherapy (Radio Ablation) - toughens soft palate with radio waves.
4). Injection in soft palate
5). Jaw extending surgery.
I doubt Im a candidate for the jaw surgery as my jaw line is resonably strong and I have no over bite. Ive read that the injection comes with risks and only lasts a year. My NHS consultant told me he didnt recommend the injection. The pillar procedure is no longer available in the UK due to supply of the plastic splints. But can be done abroad.
Has anyone had any of the above procedures?
Im not sure how I find out which of the above would work best on me. Its seams different private clinics and ENT specialists offer different solutions. So don’t know how to find advice on which to go for.
I went to ENT about snoring. I had a sleep test and was getting 29 on the test. So was setup with a Resmed Airsense 10 and had an operation on my nose, a septoplasty & turbinate reduction.
I now score around 5 when using the machine. So the NHS has done its bit.
However, I really dont like the machine and am looking in to surgery. These are the private procedures that Ive found:
1). Pillar Procedure (soft palate implants) - two plastic splints placed at the back of your throat under local anaesthetic to support the throat. No longer available in the uk, but can be done aboard.
2). Laser assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP procedure) - trimming on the back of the uvula & soft pallet.
3). Radio Thermotherapy (Radio Ablation) - toughens soft palate with radio waves.
4). Injection in soft palate
5). Jaw extending surgery.
I doubt Im a candidate for the jaw surgery as my jaw line is resonably strong and I have no over bite. Ive read that the injection comes with risks and only lasts a year. My NHS consultant told me he didnt recommend the injection. The pillar procedure is no longer available in the UK due to supply of the plastic splints. But can be done abroad.
Has anyone had any of the above procedures?
Im not sure how I find out which of the above would work best on me. Its seams different private clinics and ENT specialists offer different solutions. So don’t know how to find advice on which to go for.
Mortgage_tom said:
Resurrecting this thread as I have a few questions.
I went to ENT about snoring. I had a sleep test and was getting 29 on the test. So was setup with a Resmed Airsense 10 and had an operation on my nose, a septoplasty & turbinate reduction.
I now score around 5 when using the machine. So the NHS has done its bit.
However, I really dont like the machine and am looking in to surgery. These are the private procedures that Ive found:
1). Pillar Procedure (soft palate implants) - two plastic splints placed at the back of your throat under local anaesthetic to support the throat. No longer available in the uk, but can be done aboard.
2). Laser assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP procedure) - trimming on the back of the uvula & soft pallet.
3). Radio Thermotherapy (Radio Ablation) - toughens soft palate with radio waves.
4). Injection in soft palate
5). Jaw extending surgery.
I doubt Im a candidate for the jaw surgery as my jaw line is resonably strong and I have no over bite. Ive read that the injection comes with risks and only lasts a year. My NHS consultant told me he didnt recommend the injection. The pillar procedure is no longer available in the UK due to supply of the plastic splints. But can be done abroad.
Has anyone had any of the above procedures?
Im not sure how I find out which of the above would work best on me. Its seams different private clinics and ENT specialists offer different solutions. So don’t know how to find advice on which to go for.
Whats your height and weight?I went to ENT about snoring. I had a sleep test and was getting 29 on the test. So was setup with a Resmed Airsense 10 and had an operation on my nose, a septoplasty & turbinate reduction.
I now score around 5 when using the machine. So the NHS has done its bit.
However, I really dont like the machine and am looking in to surgery. These are the private procedures that Ive found:
1). Pillar Procedure (soft palate implants) - two plastic splints placed at the back of your throat under local anaesthetic to support the throat. No longer available in the uk, but can be done aboard.
2). Laser assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP procedure) - trimming on the back of the uvula & soft pallet.
3). Radio Thermotherapy (Radio Ablation) - toughens soft palate with radio waves.
4). Injection in soft palate
5). Jaw extending surgery.
I doubt Im a candidate for the jaw surgery as my jaw line is resonably strong and I have no over bite. Ive read that the injection comes with risks and only lasts a year. My NHS consultant told me he didnt recommend the injection. The pillar procedure is no longer available in the UK due to supply of the plastic splints. But can be done abroad.
Has anyone had any of the above procedures?
Im not sure how I find out which of the above would work best on me. Its seams different private clinics and ENT specialists offer different solutions. So don’t know how to find advice on which to go for.
Metric or Imperial both good
Cheers
Mortgage_tom said:
5' 11"
11 and a 1/2 stone.
Not what I was expecting 11 and a 1/2 stone.
Id actually recommend going to an NHS specialist who doesn't do private work and ask about the treatments you mention.
With no conflict of interest to generate cash he/she should give you impartial expert advice on what actually works
Good luck
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff