Re: Sleep Apnea - I'm Scared!

[Guest guest]

Carol, I'm sorry that your dealing with so much, and now to find out

you have sleep apnea:( I am glad that you did find out about it,

because it can be very dangerous.

I will keep you in my prayers, Tawny

> Dear Group,

> I am MAD and very SCARED all at the same time. During the tongue

course -

> which is still pending-Iam off pred and really feeling every

movement- I

> started to have a strange gasp/shudder like I couldn't breathe, I

always had it at

> night but now in the day time.My husband was giving me a bad time

about

> gasping at night and jerking, and loud snoring. I was having

problems with the

> tongue and blamed it on that, but it continued. I called my Dr.

and he sent

> me to a sleep clinic, after completing their forms they wanted to

do a sleep

> test (spend the night there-wired for sound, etc.) immediately,

but I waited

> until the next night. I did not expect to have it. I have few of

the typical

> symptoms. Well, the tests showed that I stop breathing 275 times

per night,

> and it is for longer than 10 seconds. All the gasping, jerking,

choking,

> sitting up, etc. were my bodys' way of making me breathe! I now

have a machine

> CPAP that I wear at night, I am really having trouble with it, to

keep my

> airway open. It helps me get " deep " sleep and real rest, but

really scares me.

> My Dr. said I MUST use the machine, even if I nap in the chair!

I know

> this is a small thing, and it is good that I found out, but I am

really feeling

> sorry for myself about it. I'm just now doing well with it, I

feel

> overloaded and I can't get the blooming thing adjusted right - I

get red welts on my

> face (if it is too loose the air blows in your eyes and doesn't

work). I just

> don't like this.

>

> If you have loud snoring at night and your partner complains, or

if you

> wake up choking and gasping for air please talk to your Dr. You

don't always

> have to fit the criteria to fit the illness. It is too easy not

to wake up.

>

> Please take care,

> Carol M. in CA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Carol, I'm sorry that your dealing with so much, and now to find out

you have sleep apnea:( I am glad that you did find out about it,

because it can be very dangerous.

I will keep you in my prayers, Tawny

> Dear Group,

> I am MAD and very SCARED all at the same time. During the tongue

course -

> which is still pending-Iam off pred and really feeling every

movement- I

> started to have a strange gasp/shudder like I couldn't breathe, I

always had it at

> night but now in the day time.My husband was giving me a bad time

about

> gasping at night and jerking, and loud snoring. I was having

problems with the

> tongue and blamed it on that, but it continued. I called my Dr.

and he sent

> me to a sleep clinic, after completing their forms they wanted to

do a sleep

> test (spend the night there-wired for sound, etc.) immediately,

but I waited

> until the next night. I did not expect to have it. I have few of

the typical

> symptoms. Well, the tests showed that I stop breathing 275 times

per night,

> and it is for longer than 10 seconds. All the gasping, jerking,

choking,

> sitting up, etc. were my bodys' way of making me breathe! I now

have a machine

> CPAP that I wear at night, I am really having trouble with it, to

keep my

> airway open. It helps me get " deep " sleep and real rest, but

really scares me.

> My Dr. said I MUST use the machine, even if I nap in the chair!

I know

> this is a small thing, and it is good that I found out, but I am

really feeling

> sorry for myself about it. I'm just now doing well with it, I

feel

> overloaded and I can't get the blooming thing adjusted right - I

get red welts on my

> face (if it is too loose the air blows in your eyes and doesn't

work). I just

> don't like this.

>

> If you have loud snoring at night and your partner complains, or

if you

> wake up choking and gasping for air please talk to your Dr. You

don't always

> have to fit the criteria to fit the illness. It is too easy not

to wake up.

>

> Please take care,

> Carol M. in CA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Carol, you hang in there. Sleep apnea is a frightening thing to go

through. The CPAP unit is VERY important to use ANY time you

sleep. It forces air into your airway to help keep your airway

open. You have had a lot to go through and have every right to feel

sorry for yourself. You need to give yourself time to process what

has happened to you before you can begin to accept it. When it

becomes so overwhelming that you don't know what to do, just step

back, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Remember, we are all

here for you. Take care and blessed be......Marina in Ohio

> Dear Group,

> I am MAD and very SCARED all at the same time. During the tongue

course -

> which is still pending-Iam off pred and really feeling every

movement- I

> started to have a strange gasp/shudder like I couldn't breathe, I

always had it at

> night but now in the day time.My husband was giving me a bad

time about

> gasping at night and jerking, and loud snoring. I was having

problems with the

> tongue and blamed it on that, but it continued. I called my Dr.

and he sent

> me to a sleep clinic, after completing their forms they wanted to

do a sleep

> test (spend the night there-wired for sound, etc.) immediately,

but I waited

> until the next night. I did not expect to have it. I have few of

the typical

> symptoms. Well, the tests showed that I stop breathing 275 times

per night,

> and it is for longer than 10 seconds. All the gasping, jerking,

choking,

> sitting up, etc. were my bodys' way of making me breathe! I now

have a machine

> CPAP that I wear at night, I am really having trouble with it, to

keep my

> airway open. It helps me get " deep " sleep and real rest, but

really scares me.

> My Dr. said I MUST use the machine, even if I nap in the chair!

I know

> this is a small thing, and it is good that I found out, but I am

really feeling

> sorry for myself about it. I'm just now doing well with it, I

feel

> overloaded and I can't get the blooming thing adjusted right - I

get red welts on my

> face (if it is too loose the air blows in your eyes and doesn't

work). I just

> don't like this.

>

> If you have loud snoring at night and your partner complains, or

if you

> wake up choking and gasping for air please talk to your Dr. You

don't always

> have to fit the criteria to fit the illness. It is too easy not

to wake up.

>

> Please take care,

> Carol M. in CA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Carol, you hang in there. Sleep apnea is a frightening thing to go

through. The CPAP unit is VERY important to use ANY time you

sleep. It forces air into your airway to help keep your airway

open. You have had a lot to go through and have every right to feel

sorry for yourself. You need to give yourself time to process what

has happened to you before you can begin to accept it. When it

becomes so overwhelming that you don't know what to do, just step

back, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Remember, we are all

here for you. Take care and blessed be......Marina in Ohio

> Dear Group,

> I am MAD and very SCARED all at the same time. During the tongue

course -

> which is still pending-Iam off pred and really feeling every

movement- I

> started to have a strange gasp/shudder like I couldn't breathe, I

always had it at

> night but now in the day time.My husband was giving me a bad

time about

> gasping at night and jerking, and loud snoring. I was having

problems with the

> tongue and blamed it on that, but it continued. I called my Dr.

and he sent

> me to a sleep clinic, after completing their forms they wanted to

do a sleep

> test (spend the night there-wired for sound, etc.) immediately,

but I waited

> until the next night. I did not expect to have it. I have few of

the typical

> symptoms. Well, the tests showed that I stop breathing 275 times

per night,

> and it is for longer than 10 seconds. All the gasping, jerking,

choking,

> sitting up, etc. were my bodys' way of making me breathe! I now

have a machine

> CPAP that I wear at night, I am really having trouble with it, to

keep my

> airway open. It helps me get " deep " sleep and real rest, but

really scares me.

> My Dr. said I MUST use the machine, even if I nap in the chair!

I know

> this is a small thing, and it is good that I found out, but I am

really feeling

> sorry for myself about it. I'm just now doing well with it, I

feel

> overloaded and I can't get the blooming thing adjusted right - I

get red welts on my

> face (if it is too loose the air blows in your eyes and doesn't

work). I just

> don't like this.

>

> If you have loud snoring at night and your partner complains, or

if you

> wake up choking and gasping for air please talk to your Dr. You

don't always

> have to fit the criteria to fit the illness. It is too easy not

to wake up.

>

> Please take care,

> Carol M. in CA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My dh has sleep apnea and has been using a CPAP machine sucessfully for

about 10 years. He recently got a new one with a humidifier on it so he

dont dry out. At first it took time getting used to, but now he feels so

much better using it. He snores terribly if he falls asleep w/o it on. He

just had another sleep study done since over time it may need adjustments.

Its scary at first, and Joe was not a candidate for surgery...plus its

pretty drastic in his case since his mouth is on the smaller side. But now,

he wouldnt be w/o it. He feels so much more alert tthen ever. It really

has made a difference for him. Hang in there Any specific questions,

just ask. It came to the point where I was going to make him a bedroom in

our dd room and me and her were going to room together...I could not stand

it if I didnt fall asleep first. One nite I actually put my hand on his

chest and counted how many seconds b/w a breathe. He finally got the hint

and agreed to go.....the rest is history and I can sleep better now too.

PLUS, left untreated sleep apnea is a disaster waiting to happen. Thank God

your getting it taken care of now

Take care,

[ ] Sleep Apnea - I'm Scared!

>

> Dear Group,

> I am MAD and very SCARED all at the same time. During the tongue

> course -

> which is still pending-Iam off pred and really feeling every movement- I

> started to have a strange gasp/shudder like I couldn't breathe, I always

> had it at

> night but now in the day time.My husband was giving me a bad time about

> gasping at night and jerking, and loud snoring. I was having problems

> with the

> tongue and blamed it on that, but it continued. I called my Dr. and he

> sent

> me to a sleep clinic, after completing their forms they wanted to do a

> sleep

> test (spend the night there-wired for sound, etc.) immediately, but I

> waited

> until the next night. I did not expect to have it. I have few of the

> typical

> symptoms. Well, the tests showed that I stop breathing 275 times per

> night,

> and it is for longer than 10 seconds. All the gasping, jerking, choking,

> sitting up, etc. were my bodys' way of making me breathe! I now have a

> machine

> CPAP that I wear at night, I am really having trouble with it, to keep my

> airway open. It helps me get " deep " sleep and real rest, but really

> scares me.

> My Dr. said I MUST use the machine, even if I nap in the chair! I know

> this is a small thing, and it is good that I found out, but I am really

> feeling

> sorry for myself about it. I'm just now doing well with it, I feel

> overloaded and I can't get the blooming thing adjusted right - I get red

> welts on my

> face (if it is too loose the air blows in your eyes and doesn't work). I

> just

> don't like this.

>

> If you have loud snoring at night and your partner complains, or if you

> wake up choking and gasping for air please talk to your Dr. You don't

> always

> have to fit the criteria to fit the illness. It is too easy not to wake

> up.

>

> Please take care,

> Carol M. in CA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My dh has sleep apnea and has been using a CPAP machine sucessfully for

about 10 years. He recently got a new one with a humidifier on it so he

dont dry out. At first it took time getting used to, but now he feels so

much better using it. He snores terribly if he falls asleep w/o it on. He

just had another sleep study done since over time it may need adjustments.

Its scary at first, and Joe was not a candidate for surgery...plus its

pretty drastic in his case since his mouth is on the smaller side. But now,

he wouldnt be w/o it. He feels so much more alert tthen ever. It really

has made a difference for him. Hang in there Any specific questions,

just ask. It came to the point where I was going to make him a bedroom in

our dd room and me and her were going to room together...I could not stand

it if I didnt fall asleep first. One nite I actually put my hand on his

chest and counted how many seconds b/w a breathe. He finally got the hint

and agreed to go.....the rest is history and I can sleep better now too.

PLUS, left untreated sleep apnea is a disaster waiting to happen. Thank God

your getting it taken care of now

Take care,

[ ] Sleep Apnea - I'm Scared!

>

> Dear Group,

> I am MAD and very SCARED all at the same time. During the tongue

> course -

> which is still pending-Iam off pred and really feeling every movement- I

> started to have a strange gasp/shudder like I couldn't breathe, I always

> had it at

> night but now in the day time.My husband was giving me a bad time about

> gasping at night and jerking, and loud snoring. I was having problems

> with the

> tongue and blamed it on that, but it continued. I called my Dr. and he

> sent

> me to a sleep clinic, after completing their forms they wanted to do a

> sleep

> test (spend the night there-wired for sound, etc.) immediately, but I

> waited

> until the next night. I did not expect to have it. I have few of the

> typical

> symptoms. Well, the tests showed that I stop breathing 275 times per

> night,

> and it is for longer than 10 seconds. All the gasping, jerking, choking,

> sitting up, etc. were my bodys' way of making me breathe! I now have a

> machine

> CPAP that I wear at night, I am really having trouble with it, to keep my

> airway open. It helps me get " deep " sleep and real rest, but really

> scares me.

> My Dr. said I MUST use the machine, even if I nap in the chair! I know

> this is a small thing, and it is good that I found out, but I am really

> feeling

> sorry for myself about it. I'm just now doing well with it, I feel

> overloaded and I can't get the blooming thing adjusted right - I get red

> welts on my

> face (if it is too loose the air blows in your eyes and doesn't work). I

> just

> don't like this.

>

> If you have loud snoring at night and your partner complains, or if you

> wake up choking and gasping for air please talk to your Dr. You don't

> always

> have to fit the criteria to fit the illness. It is too easy not to wake

> up.

>

> Please take care,

> Carol M. in CA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I, too, have sleep apnea and had similar problems with my mask. I now

use a gel mask which fits the contour of the face much better. Also,

make sure you have the correct size. Don't let them decide size by

the overall size of your face, it's just the area where the mask goes

that counts. I have a very large face and am a very big person, yet I

need a small mask.

Some people also use pillows which fit up in the nostrils. I don't

know exactly how they work but people who use them think they are

great.

We have a sleep apnea support group. I don't go too often because of

the time but when I go it is very helpful.

Let the provider of your equipment know you are having problems and

need their help. Perhaps a gel mask would help you. Also, if you are

having problems adjusting to the sudden blowing of air, you can

get " ramping " where the air begins slow and works up to full speed

over a predetermined amount of time like 15 or 30 minutes.

Good luck. If you have any questions you want to ask me specifically

or anything please also send to my personal email as I can't always

read the list mail due to my limitations. But I'm very happy to help

if I can.

Elaine in Vegas

> Dear Group,

> I am MAD and very SCARED all at the same time. During the tongue

course -

> which is still pending-Iam off pred and really feeling every

movement- I

> started to have a strange gasp/shudder like I couldn't breathe, I

always had it at

> night but now in the day time.My husband was giving me a bad time

about

> gasping at night and jerking, and loud snoring. I was having

problems with the

> tongue and blamed it on that, but it continued. I called my Dr.

and he sent

> me to a sleep clinic, after completing their forms they wanted to

do a sleep

> test (spend the night there-wired for sound, etc.) immediately,

but I waited

> until the next night. I did not expect to have it. I have few of

the typical

> symptoms. Well, the tests showed that I stop breathing 275 times

per night,

> and it is for longer than 10 seconds. All the gasping, jerking,

choking,

> sitting up, etc. were my bodys' way of making me breathe! I now

have a machine

> CPAP that I wear at night, I am really having trouble with it, to

keep my

> airway open. It helps me get " deep " sleep and real rest, but

really scares me.

> My Dr. said I MUST use the machine, even if I nap in the chair!

I know

> this is a small thing, and it is good that I found out, but I am

really feeling

> sorry for myself about it. I'm just now doing well with it, I

feel

> overloaded and I can't get the blooming thing adjusted right - I

get red welts on my

> face (if it is too loose the air blows in your eyes and doesn't

work). I just

> don't like this.

>

> If you have loud snoring at night and your partner complains, or

if you

> wake up choking and gasping for air please talk to your Dr. You

don't always

> have to fit the criteria to fit the illness. It is too easy not

to wake up.

>

> Please take care,

> Carol M. in CA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I, too, have sleep apnea and had similar problems with my mask. I now

use a gel mask which fits the contour of the face much better. Also,

make sure you have the correct size. Don't let them decide size by

the overall size of your face, it's just the area where the mask goes

that counts. I have a very large face and am a very big person, yet I

need a small mask.

Some people also use pillows which fit up in the nostrils. I don't

know exactly how they work but people who use them think they are

great.

We have a sleep apnea support group. I don't go too often because of

the time but when I go it is very helpful.

Let the provider of your equipment know you are having problems and

need their help. Perhaps a gel mask would help you. Also, if you are

having problems adjusting to the sudden blowing of air, you can

get " ramping " where the air begins slow and works up to full speed

over a predetermined amount of time like 15 or 30 minutes.

Good luck. If you have any questions you want to ask me specifically

or anything please also send to my personal email as I can't always

read the list mail due to my limitations. But I'm very happy to help

if I can.

Elaine in Vegas

> Dear Group,

> I am MAD and very SCARED all at the same time. During the tongue

course -

> which is still pending-Iam off pred and really feeling every

movement- I

> started to have a strange gasp/shudder like I couldn't breathe, I

always had it at

> night but now in the day time.My husband was giving me a bad time

about

> gasping at night and jerking, and loud snoring. I was having

problems with the

> tongue and blamed it on that, but it continued. I called my Dr.

and he sent

> me to a sleep clinic, after completing their forms they wanted to

do a sleep

> test (spend the night there-wired for sound, etc.) immediately,

but I waited

> until the next night. I did not expect to have it. I have few of

the typical

> symptoms. Well, the tests showed that I stop breathing 275 times

per night,

> and it is for longer than 10 seconds. All the gasping, jerking,

choking,

> sitting up, etc. were my bodys' way of making me breathe! I now

have a machine

> CPAP that I wear at night, I am really having trouble with it, to

keep my

> airway open. It helps me get " deep " sleep and real rest, but

really scares me.

> My Dr. said I MUST use the machine, even if I nap in the chair!

I know

> this is a small thing, and it is good that I found out, but I am

really feeling

> sorry for myself about it. I'm just now doing well with it, I

feel

> overloaded and I can't get the blooming thing adjusted right - I

get red welts on my

> face (if it is too loose the air blows in your eyes and doesn't

work). I just

> don't like this.

>

> If you have loud snoring at night and your partner complains, or

if you

> wake up choking and gasping for air please talk to your Dr. You

don't always

> have to fit the criteria to fit the illness. It is too easy not

to wake up.

>

> Please take care,

> Carol M. in CA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol-

My dad also has pretty bad sleep apnea. He was put on a CPAP as well. At first

he hated it, had trouble getting used to sleeping on his back, had trouble going

to sleep with his " darth vador mask " ! Now it is a couple of years down the

road, and he says his CPAP gave him his life back. After a few weeks adjusting

to the mask, he was sleeping through the night and in heaven! He had been so

exhausted he fell asleep every time he sat down, fell asleep when driving, and

was very depressed-nearly suicidal from feeling so rotten. Finally treating his

apnea has made a HUGE difference in his quality of life. Please hang in there,

Carol-you will adjust and I bet you will feel a whole lot better! Cary

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol-

My dad also has pretty bad sleep apnea. He was put on a CPAP as well. At first

he hated it, had trouble getting used to sleeping on his back, had trouble going

to sleep with his " darth vador mask " ! Now it is a couple of years down the

road, and he says his CPAP gave him his life back. After a few weeks adjusting

to the mask, he was sleeping through the night and in heaven! He had been so

exhausted he fell asleep every time he sat down, fell asleep when driving, and

was very depressed-nearly suicidal from feeling so rotten. Finally treating his

apnea has made a HUGE difference in his quality of life. Please hang in there,

Carol-you will adjust and I bet you will feel a whole lot better! Cary

[Guest guest]

Hi Cary,

I was reading your answer to Carol and wanted t ask you a few questions about

the CPAP. Do you have to have a sleep study done to get one of these machines?

Also I wake up about three times a week screaming (my husband says it is in a

little girls voice) almost like night terrors and am wondering if this would

help???? Have you heard anything about this? Anyone have any info on it.

Thanks a lot Cary I didn't mean to commandere your thread .

Hugs,

Nan

Birdijo@... wrote:

Hi Carol-

My dad also has pretty bad sleep apnea. He was put on a CPAP as well. At first

he hated it, had trouble getting used to sleeping on his back, had trouble going

to sleep with his " darth vador mask " ! Now it is a couple of years down the

road, and he says his CPAP gave him his life back. After a few weeks adjusting

to the mask, he was sleeping through the night and in heaven! He had been so

exhausted he fell asleep every time he sat down, fell asleep when driving, and

was very depressed-nearly suicidal from feeling so rotten. Finally treating his

apnea has made a HUGE difference in his quality of life. Please hang in there,

Carol-you will adjust and I bet you will feel a whole lot better! Cary

[Guest guest]

Hi Cary,

I was reading your answer to Carol and wanted t ask you a few questions about

the CPAP. Do you have to have a sleep study done to get one of these machines?

Also I wake up about three times a week screaming (my husband says it is in a

little girls voice) almost like night terrors and am wondering if this would

help???? Have you heard anything about this? Anyone have any info on it.

Thanks a lot Cary I didn't mean to commandere your thread .

Hugs,

Nan

Birdijo@... wrote:

Hi Carol-

My dad also has pretty bad sleep apnea. He was put on a CPAP as well. At first

he hated it, had trouble getting used to sleeping on his back, had trouble going

to sleep with his " darth vador mask " ! Now it is a couple of years down the

road, and he says his CPAP gave him his life back. After a few weeks adjusting

to the mask, he was sleeping through the night and in heaven! He had been so

exhausted he fell asleep every time he sat down, fell asleep when driving, and

was very depressed-nearly suicidal from feeling so rotten. Finally treating his

apnea has made a HUGE difference in his quality of life. Please hang in there,

Carol-you will adjust and I bet you will feel a whole lot better! Cary

[Guest guest]

Dear Nan,

I would suggest that you look up sleep apnea on the computer, there is a

sleep test that you take. I scored 14 which is a " go to your Dr. " I am sorry I

don't know the website. But one of the things that I did routinely was wake

up in the middle of the night, sitting up, screaming. The tech who fitted me

for my CPAP said that if your body is without oxygen, it will do these

strange things to wake up and breathe? I would also snore, gasp, shake, twitch

and shudder in my sleep. I really think you should talk to your Dr and get a

sleep test. This is a very serious condition. I am getting used to the mask

and am taking few naps during the day, no more just falling asleep while

sitting. Also, CPAP machines need to be regulated and set by your physician, I

think you need a Rx to get one.

Hope this helps,

Gentle Hugs,

Carol M. in CA

[Guest guest]

Dear Nan,

I would suggest that you look up sleep apnea on the computer, there is a

sleep test that you take. I scored 14 which is a " go to your Dr. " I am sorry I

don't know the website. But one of the things that I did routinely was wake

up in the middle of the night, sitting up, screaming. The tech who fitted me

for my CPAP said that if your body is without oxygen, it will do these

strange things to wake up and breathe? I would also snore, gasp, shake, twitch

and shudder in my sleep. I really think you should talk to your Dr and get a

sleep test. This is a very serious condition. I am getting used to the mask

and am taking few naps during the day, no more just falling asleep while

sitting. Also, CPAP machines need to be regulated and set by your physician, I

think you need a Rx to get one.

Hope this helps,

Gentle Hugs,

Carol M. in CA

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan

Commandeer a thread anytime! As for the CPAP, usually you would have a sleep

study to determine what your " problem " is and that determines whether the CPAP

would help or not. It really is only for a specific group of problems. As far

as the nightmares or terrors-I suppose that could be related somehow to hypoxia,

but maybe it is due to something else? Old trauma creeping out at night??? I

don't know. Could be so many things, it's hard to say. I do know that sleep

disorders run in families, like night terrors (which I had as a child),

sleepwalking, or even insomnia. Sorry I can't help more. Cary

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan

Commandeer a thread anytime! As for the CPAP, usually you would have a sleep

study to determine what your " problem " is and that determines whether the CPAP

would help or not. It really is only for a specific group of problems. As far

as the nightmares or terrors-I suppose that could be related somehow to hypoxia,

but maybe it is due to something else? Old trauma creeping out at night??? I

don't know. Could be so many things, it's hard to say. I do know that sleep

disorders run in families, like night terrors (which I had as a child),

sleepwalking, or even insomnia. Sorry I can't help more. Cary