Last night Vince went to Brady to have his sleep study. He had one done here six years ago but he wasn’t happy with any part of it. He got a Cpap machine but, whether it wasn’t a good fit or he just never gave it enough time to get used to it, he never wore it. His snoring has gotten so bad and most nights I either end up in another bedroom, or if I’m way later than he is going to bed, I don’t even try to go to sleep with him because of the snoring. Lately I’ve used my phone to capture the sounds he makes. He truly was not breathing and then he’d gasp for air. Once he had the heart issues and the doctor convinced him that sleep apnea could damage all of his organs, or even result in death, he was ready to have another sleep study, get a new and improved Cpap and get used to using it.
He said that he had barely fallen asleep when the lady conducting the sleep study came running in because his oxygen level had fallen so low that she put him on oxygen for the rest of the night. She told him that he has “severe” sleep apnea and suggested he sleep sitting up in his chair til he can get in a new Cpap.
He came home, pulled out his old Cpap, cleaned it really good, changed filters and things that needed changing, talked to the sleep lady and adjusted some of the settings so he’s going to try using that one til he can get a new one.
Getting a good night’s sleep should make a huge difference in everything – the way he feels, the energy level . . I’m glad he’s finally listening.
obed101 says
Frank has a sleep disorder that makes him act out his wild dreams of superhero feats. He would regularly beat me up, kick up at the ceiling fan, jump off the bed, scream, have wild conversations with the kitchen appliances. And mild sleep apnea on top of that. For 40 years he refused to even talk to a doctor about it until he took a dive off the end of the bed into a “swimming pool” in the middle of the bedroom floor freaking out a couple of sleeping bassets.
and me.
so now he has a nice medicine and a CPAP machine. And he is amazed at how much energy he has and how awake he feels.
Good for vince!
Brenda B. says
Hi Judy & Vince, just reading thru the last couple of weeks. Glad Vince is doing better. Scary stuff, we’ve been there. We did a trip into Joplin once, I won’t ever do that again. I thought I had lost him on the way there. If it ever happens again, we’re going to the nearest emergency room. Take care of yourself too! Tell Vince I said hi.
Suzanne says
My Husband had a similar experience. He was barely asleep and they woke him up and put a CPAP on him immediately. I am glad they are getting him the medical help to get healthy again.
Sherry says
There is a large variety of sleep masks out there from full face to just a little dinky thing that fits over your nostrils. His sleep doctor can help him choose something that is comfortable.
shirley swift-bruner says
i can totally relate. i have given up sleeping with my hubby, too….years ago. between the snoring and screaming and kicking and talking….i got no sleep. he thought he slept just fine all night. sometimes i still hear him on the other side of the house. men are so stubborn. haha
Sherrill Pecere says
I hope he finds one he can sleep with. I had one several years ago and tried everything to keep it on. But every morning, it was in the floor hissing next to the bed! I guess I took it off and threw it in the floor during the night. Did the same thing when the dentist gave me a mouth guard after getting veneers on my teeth. It was on the nightstand or in the bed with me when I got up in the am. Ugh
Janet Hashley says
I have a cPap. I use it all night every night. Getting used to it was not easy at first. Put it on every night. If you take it off ok but put it back on the next night and the next. You will find you keep sleeping with it longer and longer. I have a full mask which I found much easier than the part that just covers the nose. They should let you try the different options. I have used mine for probably at least 20 years. Keep at it and don’t give up you will feel so much more rested!
Wanda says
Yes Vince will have to adjust to it and that will take time may be a couple of weeks. Like the others there are all kinds of mask just keep working till you find the right onr. My hubby now puts his on and within a few minutes he is asleep and is in rythem with machine and they are both so quiet i have to double check to make sure breathing. He now sleeps all night and yes sleep disorders effect the heart and other organs big time.
Linda Enneking says
I have a CPAP although it was something I really didn’t think I needed. Sleep study showed I was waking up 27 times per hour, or about every two minutes. It took some time getting used to using the CPAP, but I sleep much better now and feel so much better. My doctor said “the first two weeks are hell.” so I hope you encourage Vince if he has trouble getting used to it.
Terri Schanz says
My oxygen levels went way down during my sleep study too. After maxing out the pressure on the CPAP and still having low oxygen levels, it was determined that I need oxygen supplementation at night, even with the CPAP. Actually, the macine I have is a BiPAP, because it’s a much higher pressure on inhale and then it drops down for exhale (otherwise, I would have difficulty exhaling, the pressure is so high). And everybody above is right. You have to be persistent, wear it every night, and give it 2 to 4 weeks to get used to. ..
Paula says
I’m glad Vince is going to try again with the c-pap. When I first got mine, I hated it and told them I knew I wouldn’t wear it the way it was. It was the face mask and I felt like I was suffocating. I would wake up after a short time and find it laying beside me. They switched me to the nasal pillows and I’ve been using it nightly for 12 years. I asked for one that I could use when we travel, so this one is smaller than most and I take it everywhere. I hope Vince has success with his, but remind him it will take time to get used to it.
AnnieO says
What? Men don’t listen? Haha
I hope Vince gives it a good chance. My brother has worn Cpap for years and now is trying to lose enough weight so he doesn’t need it. He’s down 60 lbs so far. He couldn’t tolerate the smaller equipment (or took it off in his sleep).
Lee says
My husband too has sleep apnea. He didn’t know it until we got married & he had a bed partner to recognize it, and was over 40 at the time. It was known prior to that that he snored horribly – his former roommates and those of us who went camping with him were well aware. During his first sleep study, they tried a Cpap on him but he felt very claustrophobic with it so went 5 – 10 more years with attempting an oral appliance (a local dentist/doctor “invention”). Finally went in for another study, and newer Cpap type which he now uses every night, as well as purchasing a smaller unit he can travel and camp with. The scariest situation though was the time he bolted upright in the middle of the night unable to breath at all…he’d had a GERD incident. Scared him too! I blame his untreated apnea for brain cell loss leading to (my perception) him having some memory issues. Dementia/Alzheimer’s scares me more than the apnea.
Jackie says
Good for Vince, another piece to the puzzle.
Susan says
It’s amazing what a good scare will do for one. I’m so glad that he had the study, and is taking it seriously.
cassews says
I hope that whatever Vince decides is right for him and will help you get some sleep ! Good Luck !!
Nelle Coursey says
My doctor says I am the poster child for how you should use a CPAP! I have used mine faithfully since 2004 and I don’t think I could sleep without it. I have heard of too many people dying from not using it. One was a big burly professional football player. Also a friend who is a policeman told me if I have an accident and they find out I am not using it, they could charge me with a crime, especially if the other person is injured. It is a pain but I think if it buys you more time and improves your quality of life, you should do it. I have used the nose pillows for years. When Pat was having problems (before they took his CPAP back) he tried to use the full face mask. Since they couldn’t take that back I decided to use it for a while. I was surprised to find out I felt better after using it! May just be me, who knows.
Judy S says
I can totally relate! Vince sounds like my husband’s twin. My DH begrudgingly admitted that the CPAP did help and used it faithfully for years. He used several different styles through the years. Hopefully, Vince will find one that he’s comfortable with.