Sleep Apnea

[Jude]

Following testing at the beginning of September I have today been told that I do have sleep apnea, although mild, and have been sent home with a CPAP machine.
Do any of you have experience of these machines and did your condition improve following treatment with the machine?
The only reason I was referred for these investigations was because I asked to be referred for a gastric band and the Consultant I saw said I was not big enough (!) although my BMI of 37 qualified me under NICE guidelines but not under Coventry Health guidelines!!
I am just hoping that this treatment will help with my chronic health problems - hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.
Any advice/encouragement will be much appreciated. Judith

 

[noblehead]

No experience at all of the CPAP machine but did once have to fill in a questionnaire for Sleep Apnea at a diabetes appointment, apparently people with diabetes are more prone to SA.

 

[Jude]

I am really disappointed to have only received one comment on my question - this always seems to happen when I post a querie. I cannot believe that with such a large membership on this board that no one else has sleep apnea.

 

[janewatt]

Hello Jude.

I come across quite a few people who use these machines. I've had mine for several years now. My case is apparently quite mild, but I was given a machine, because I was getting up in the morning with a mild headache which could develop into a major migraine. I think it did stop that happening and certainly I always use the CPAP.

I'm not sure that it can improve diabetes or hypertension - I don't feel it has in my case, but then it was never suggested that it would. It may be that if I lost weight then all these conditions (including the sleep apnea) would improve independently of each other and the machine.

I hope that helps but it's only my personal perspective on it and we're all different. I certainly hope it helps you to feel better. Getting more peaceful sleep should help and maybe give you more energy to pursue wight loss.

All the best,
Jane.

 

[Fraddycat]

I hope the machine is helping Jude, are you sleeping better? I would think that at first its harder to sleep with it, what is your experience? Have you got used to it?

 

[janewatt]

Hello Jude,

Just wondering how it's going with the machine?

It can be annoying at first, but I soon got used to it and hardly notice it now.

I hope you're getting a better quality of sleep, which is bound to have a beneficial effect on your general health.

Best wishes,

Jane.

 

[D-ED]

Hello Jude,

I have a friend who suffered from Sleep Apnea a few years ago, he was on the large size but not diabetic. I have not seen him for a while now but as I recall his problem improved a lot after about 6 months and he stopped using the machine just after that, but not exactly sure, will ask him next time I see him.

ED

 

[hanadr]

T1 husband does very well with the CPAP machine. It comes on holiday with us too.
Hana

 

[macone23]

Hi Jude, I too have been just been diagnosed as having OSA and I'm currently waiting to receive my CPAP although I may be getting a dummy machine for 3 months before receiving the real unit.
This is because I've taken part in a clinical trial with the specialist asthma unit I attend in Birmingham. This way proved quicker than waiting on the Cov & Warwickshire PCT waiting list for treatment.
Like you I'm really hoping for some improvement to my conditions & I think will be really interesting to see the results (placebo or not).
I'll let you know how it goes and please let me know how you get on as it sounds as if we're in the same PCT by coincidence.

 

[SueR]

I had a load of tests done in July and am waiting for the results. If it's not Sleep Apnea it could be a sinus problem that's causing me to snore loudly. I have had sinus problems in the past and after 3 operations that didn't work, decided enough was enough and I'd live with the problems.

The last call to check on when I'd be seen resulted in being told I had another 6 weeks or so to wait. Not amused to say the least.

 

[LouiseW]

I've known a number of people who have CPAP machines and all of them swear by them. One person I know was prescribed one and after he lost a bit of weight, no longer needed it. He was already quite slim but about an extra 10 or 15 pounds made him not need it.