CPAP a Godsend

[Guest guest]

For a couple of decades, I had to sleep on my side to prevent sinus drainage,

and later loose tissue obstruction (20-30% overweight), from causing me

sleeplessness, excessive loud snoring, and even choking to death. As a heavy

smoker at the time, the medicated cough drop trick worked for only a few

minutes, if at all, most nights.

...Following a heart attack and subsequent ICD implantation a few years ago, I

went for an overnight sleep study at my Cardiologist's recommendation. I was

qualified for the CPAP by virtue of averaging more than some number of

'awakening' episodes per hour (something like 20). A second overnight with a

full-face mask to determine the appropriate backpressure for the CPAP

compressor, and I've been sleeping restfully on my back ever since. Everything

was and has since been covered by insurance.

...Anyone whose apnea is severe enough to allow them to ignore the minor

inconvenience and discomfort of having a flexible plastic tube deliver 100% of

his/her air supply into his/her nose all night is well-advised to pursue using

this equipment (you know who you are). If the thought of 'putting up with it'

even crosses your mind, then you probably don't really need it!! I love the

nasal fitting (as opposed to the full-face mask), and wouldn't think of leaving

it home when vacationing.

...As far as the hypogonadism-CPAP connection, I'd be hard to convince that there

is any, although there may be some correlation between inadequate sleep and

heart function. More likely the high cholestoral and blood vessel obstruction

that caused my Peyronie's also led to further complications - associated with

the dozen or so meds that I have had to tolerate. Several of them list low T as

a side effect.

...In short, being overweight is certainly no reason to dismiss using the CPAP.

Most of us will remain overweight - at least for a very long time. And if your

snoring bothers your partner, why wait??

........................GARY V.................