Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
sharon2018tba
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Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by sharon2018tba » Wed May 23, 2018 10:59 am

Went to my dentist and he mentioned that the wear on my mouth guard indicated that I may be trying to adjust my bite to open my jaw up for more air? He recommended I go to my doctor to discuss sleep apnea.

In the last 15 months or so, I have noticed that I've been more irritable, sleepy all the time, less energy overall, weight gain and some short term memory loss. I just chalked it up to being older (in my mid 40s). Frankly, I'm a bit terrified that I may have sleep apnea, but yet hopeful because it would explain so many of my symptoms that I just chalked up to life and work stress.

I am totally uneducated about sleep apnea and the various treatments. I only know the classic CPAP machines and all the horror stories. I'm hoping that if I do have sleep apnea that it can be treated with a mouth guard, but even those options seem either limited or horrific as well.

Any advice? I plan to see my doctor soon to get tested. I am very curious and would love some education. Seems like there is a lot to learn.

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jnk...
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by jnk... » Wed May 23, 2018 11:10 am

sharon2018tba wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 10:59 am
Went to my dentist and he mentioned that the wear on my mouth guard indicated that I may be trying to adjust my bite to open my jaw up for more air? He recommended I go to my doctor to discuss sleep apnea.

In the last 15 months or so, I have noticed that I've been more irritable, sleepy all the time, less energy overall, weight gain and some short term memory loss. I just chalked it up to being older (in my mid 40s). Frankly, I'm a bit terrified that I may have sleep apnea, but yet hopeful because it would explain so many of my symptoms that I just chalked up to life and work stress.

I am totally uneducated about sleep apnea and the various treatments. I only know the classic CPAP machines and all the horror stories. I'm hoping that if I do have sleep apnea that it can be treated with a mouth guard, but even those options seem either limited or horrific as well.

Any advice? I plan to see my doctor soon to get tested. I am very curious and would love some education. Seems like there is a lot to learn.
You are at the right place to learn. You may want to start toward the top in the sticky threads under the particularly badly named "Announcements" section. The 'where to start' thread, for example, has a lot of good info.

CPAP machines are much better than they used to be, and many here LOVE their machines and the changes it has made in their lives. The trick is to get the treatment as effective as possible. Mouth devices are there for people with low AHI who cannot, or will not, use PAP, but PAP is much more effective than other approaches.

Many of us have found that the keys to therapy are finding the right mask for us and having a machine that provides us with full-efficacy data so that we can keep our pressure at the right level. APAP machines that automatically adjust pressure moment-to-moment all night long can make a big difference, too.

Welcome, and enjoy your educational journey as you read the information in this forum.

Hats off to your dentitst in recommending a sleep study and possible CPAP trial.
-Jeff (AS10/P30i)

Accounts to put on the foe list: Me. I often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by ChicagoGranny » Wed May 23, 2018 11:15 am

sharon2018tba wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 10:59 am
Any advice?
Have a consultation with a sleep doctor, get tested, get a diagnosis and a prescription. Before you pick up a CPAP machine, come back to this thread and tell us exactly what model machine has been prescribed. Everyone needs to start out with a data-capable, auto machine
sharon2018tba wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 10:59 am
all the horror stories
Get that out of your mind right now. I love my CPAP system.
sharon2018tba wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 10:59 am
I'm hoping that if I do have sleep apnea that it can be treated with a mouth guard
Do it right from the start. Get a CPAP and learn how to use it. CPAP is the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment. Forget those mouth guards - a lot of marketing and a small amount of effectiveness.

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by ChicagoGranny » Wed May 23, 2018 11:17 am

BTW, this tool can be use to find an accredited sleep lab - http://www.sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility

sharon2018tba
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by sharon2018tba » Wed May 23, 2018 11:47 am

Thank you so much for your responses

I don't have a primary doctor at the moment. I also have type 2 diabetes and use my endocrinologist to maintain my labs etc. Do you recommend going to a sleep center or will I need to have a referral anyway?

Is there such a thing as curing sleep apnea if it's from weight gain?

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Julie
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by Julie » Wed May 23, 2018 11:53 am

Unfortunately not... and the weight gain in fact is now usually chalked up to apnea, not the other way around. Apnea is rarely 'cured'... a handful of people who e.g. have bariatric surgery and lose e.g. 300 lbs may get off Cpap, but it is rare. Your diabetic status may improve however, as well as cardiac issues. The 'horror' stories you hear about Cpap are from people who did not get the right help to set up and adjust... but this forum is the place to do that, and mouth guards come with their own problems... e.g. TMJ (you don't want that) etc. A lot of the trouble is that too many doctors know the science of apnea, but almost nothing about equipment, etc... and leave that to techs who don't really know either, and then no one follows up properly. But you may well lose some weight if you go onto Cpap as your energy will be much improved and you won't need so many carbs to stay awake!

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jnk...
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by jnk... » Wed May 23, 2018 11:57 am

sharon2018tba wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 11:47 am
Thank you so much for your responses

I don't have a primary doctor at the moment. I also have type 2 diabetes and use my endocrinologist to maintain my labs etc. Do you recommend going to a sleep center or will I need to have a referral anyway?

Is there such a thing as curing sleep apnea if it's from weight gain?
Everyone's insurance is different, but my understanding is that sleep labs/centers in the U.S. usually get referrals.

If sudden weight gain puts someone barely over the line into OSA [obstructive sleep apnea] territory so that the weight is the primary cause, then losing the weight can sometimes "fix" sleep. Otherwise, the nervous system adjusts to the breathing difficulties in a way that requires long-term treatment for optimal sleep. Many thin people have OSA. And many of us have anatomical problems in our upper airways that may have contributed to the weight gain. So the smart thing is to get on a machine and THEN see whether weight is improved. You need to be getting get sleep first before you can improve other health issues.
Last edited by jnk... on Wed May 23, 2018 12:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-Jeff (AS10/P30i)

Accounts to put on the foe list: Me. I often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by ChicagoGranny » Wed May 23, 2018 11:59 am

sharon2018tba wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 11:47 am
Do you recommend going to a sleep center or will I need to have a referral anyway?
That depends on your insurance policy. Some require a referral from your PCP, and some allow you to go straight to a specialist. If in doubt, call your insurance company.

sharon2018tba wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 11:47 am
Is there such a thing as curing sleep apnea if it's from weight gain?
Possibly, but not likely. The problem is a narrow airway and airway muscles that relax during sleep.

In any case, it will be much harder to lose weight while you have untreated sleep apnea. Effective treatment with CPAP will give you more energy to be active. Good sleep will help to normalize your hormones. If you are overweight now, it's likely that untreated sleep apnea was a major contributor to your weight gain.

I recommend going through the consultation/testing and getting a good CPAP therapy going. Also, work on normalizing your weight. When you get there, we can give you some tips on how to tell if your sleep apnea is cured (unlikely).

Until you get a CPAP machine, you should avoid sleeping on your back. Your sleep apnea may be somewhat less severe while sleeping on your sides or stomach.

dreamingofdreaming
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by dreamingofdreaming » Wed May 23, 2018 1:00 pm

4 months in for me and it's been life changing. Headaches gone, I'm no longer crabby in the morning ( or all day), I have more energy ( started doing things again, bike riding, hiking), did I mention I'm no longer crabby. My kids were afraid to talk to me in the morning. I am no longer foggy headed. I use to use post it's to remind me of things.

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jnk...
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by jnk... » Wed May 23, 2018 1:13 pm

Whereas, the biggest change for me is that I now have enough energy to be crabby.

Hey, just me.
-Jeff (AS10/P30i)

Accounts to put on the foe list: Me. I often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

sharon2018tba
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by sharon2018tba » Wed May 23, 2018 2:39 pm

You guys are great and so helpful and supportive.

Thank you so much. I'm actually looking forward finding out more.

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jnk...
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by jnk... » Wed May 23, 2018 2:48 pm

sharon2018tba wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 2:39 pm
You guys are great and so helpful and supportive.

Thank you so much. I'm actually looking forward finding out more.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be supportive.

That's the only thing that keeps us from all fighting one another around here like cats and dogs. :wink: :lol:
-Jeff (AS10/P30i)

Accounts to put on the foe list: Me. I often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

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zonker
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by zonker » Wed May 23, 2018 7:45 pm

ChicagoGranny wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 11:17 am
BTW, this tool can be use to find an accredited sleep lab - http://www.sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility
hey, pugsy! any way this can be set up as a sticky? every now and then, we get newbies in here looking for just this information!

to chicago granny, thanks for posting this link.
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
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zonker
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by zonker » Wed May 23, 2018 7:47 pm

jnk... wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 2:48 pm
sharon2018tba wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 2:39 pm
You guys are great and so helpful and supportive.

Thank you so much. I'm actually looking forward finding out more.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be supportive.

That's the only thing that keeps us from all fighting one another around here like cats and dogs. :wink: :lol:
oh, some of us STILL can manage THAT!
:lol:
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
Oscar-Win
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1-Win64.exe
Oscar-Mac
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1.dmg

sleepless-Burleigh
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Re: Not yet diagnosed, looking for help

Post by sleepless-Burleigh » Thu May 24, 2018 5:44 pm

I'm in Australia and as a relatively new CPAP machine user my first port of call was a sleep test. I'm not sure what facility might be available in your location, but near me I just googled 'sleep test' and the folkds at Friendlies Pharmacy helped massively. I was diagnosed and recommended to use the Resmed Airsense 10 - a Fixed Pressure machine. It's worked wonders for me. https://cpap.friendlies.com.au/resmed-a ... ri-3g.html

Their FAQ's and blog posts are quite good too:
https://cpap.friendlies.com.au/faqs-cpa ... ccessories
https://cpap.friendlies.com.au/blog

The moral of my story though - seek professional advice wherever you can. See a sleep specialist and get the right advice, as the treatment can get costly if you go down the wrong path.