Sleepdesk Problems Forum

I was diagnosed with OSA in 1983 at age 36. At that time a tracheostomy was the usual treatment. Mine was performed in Sept 1983. One of the physicians who performed the operation decided to experiment by fitting me for a plug made of ear-mold silicone plastic. It's similar in shape to a Montgomery tube and I wear it during the day. At night I replace the plug with a Montgomery tube. To clean both of organic contaminants I soak them in hydrogen peroxide daily (overnight).

I've had very few problems with the trach during the nearly 30 years I've had it.
I've never used CPAP but I did try one during a followup sleep study.

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Saturday 3rd July 2010 at 1:13 PM
Hi Gregg,
I've had a Montgomery tube since 2003 but I'm experiencing difficulty in inserting it after removal. It seems that my throat is overgrowing (to the left and to the right) of the lugs. I constantly keep pushing the tube back, but it works its way forward again.

The last time I renewed it, I had to stick a biro pen down the tube to stop it concertinaing up, and had to push like hell to get it in. There was slight bleeding but nothing much. I use the standard K.Y. jelly to lubricate it, which does help.

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Reply from: Gregg Nelson
Date: Monday 5th July 2010 at 5:39 PM
I had what they referred to as a "flap" trach. After they cut the opening they folded flaps of skin into the trach opening and sutured them so there is no raw wound. I can remove or insert my plug or Montgomery tube at any time with very little discomfort. The opening will never heal closed on its own. When I insert the plug or tube I do lubricate the end of the tube and the trach opening with either tap water, or saliva if tap water isn't handy. It can be hard to push in without some lubrication.

I always wash my hands before handling my plug or tube and frequently soak them in peroxide when I wearing the other one.

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Monday 5th July 2010 at 7:08 PM
Hi Gregg,
You seem to be far ahead in the U.S.A. with tracheotomy development than in the U.K. I wish mine had been done like that. I suppose I will have to see an E.N.T. specialist to get it sorted out.

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Reply from: Kath
Date: Monday 12th July 2010 at 12:51 PM
Hats off to both of you! Now I realize why they say CPAP is the least intrusive treatment for OSA. Yes, it can be uncomfortable and requires working at it to get comfortable treatment, but I hope other CPAP'ers reading your posts will realize CPAP's not so bad after all

I have had weird sleep experiences all my life, starting from about 5 or 6 years old.
The first one I remember was right after my parents got divorced, must have been 7 years old, I "woke up" near the ceiling staring at my body sleeping next to my sister on the pull out couch. I floated through the kitchen, hallway, and into my dad's room where I saw him and to-be stepmom sleeping and my brother sleeping in a separate bed. I was relieved to find that all of my family members were ok. I noticed the sun coming up, so I knew I had to go back, and I floated back through the hallway, kitchen, and into the living room where my sister and my body were sleeping. I reeeeally didn't want to go back to my body and just stared at it for awhile, but the idea that I had a choice occurred to me and scared me, and I woke up. I was famous for taking hours to tell my family members my dreams in the morning (they were very vivid, detailed, and long), and I remember telling them how they were sleeping (everyone woke up at the same time due to synchronized alarms) when they woke up, what papers my dad had left out on the top of his bearou that i couldn't see the top of, etc. They all actually listened to the whole thing this time.

I'm told now that it was an out of body experience, and that i had a couple of those when i was younger than 7 too. My mother told me about two others that I had forgotten, she thought i was five or six when i told her about them. My mom was usually the only one who would stay and listen to an entire dream of mine.

My first question is, how the heck could a kid that young have an out of body experience? I thought that OBEs were something people had to try to do?

Secondly, I've had an unusual case of sleep paralysis, and I'm wondering if anyone else had had something like this

So, I woke up, on my back, my ankles crossed, my left arm draped over my stomach. I immediately feel a hand holding down the top ankle and a hand on my left forearm. I can still remember how real that felt, i felt not only a palm and fingers wrapped over both my appendages, but i felt my surrounding skin move as he increased pressure on my limbs(course it was a he?) I realized i couldn't move, thought someone must have snuck into my apt. and drugged me, who would do that? do i have n e thing valuable? i have nothing valuable! my crazy ex? noo, how did they get in w/out my hearing? As these ultimately pointless rationalizations were rushing through my head I was trying scream and open my eyes, i of couse could do neither, and this was when he increased pressure on my limbs. finally i opened my eyes, gave up on trying, he removed his hands from my forearm and ankle, and i saw the shadow of a man at the foot of my bed, crouched, staring at me, seemingly a typically sized human, solid enough that i couldn't see through him, not transparent, he moves to the side of my bed, closer to my head, but hugging the ground, like army crawling as he moved, then quickly he's behind my head and i can't see him anymore, i close my eyes almost wishing i had never opened them in the first place, i feel the bed by me sink down and his leg under my right hand, i can feel his flesh, he's not wearing clothes, he's going to torture me? rape me? stare at me? i decide i have to fight back and i'm going to take one nail, just one nail, and dig dig dig it into his skin, i just keep telling my self, claw him dig your nail into his leg, harder, harder, and finally i feel my middle finger put pressure on his leg and then all my fingers can move and i'm jumping out of my bed, unparalyzed, frantically searching my house for his "hiding spot"

I had never experienced sleep paralysis before, my best friend had. This experience was nothing like hers. I didn't hear anything. Only visual and tactile hallucinations. I didn't sleep for, some where between twenty four and thirty hours after that, no naps, nothing. When I did sleep i barricaded myself between my wall and a self-mad wall of pillows and couch cushions. I lived alone, was 23, and i didn't feel alone in my house for a long time, did lots of research on it, still couldn't get rid of the feeling of accompaniment, i was agnostic until a couple days before the sleep paralysis when i decided that i definitely believed in God, and i prayed my ass off after this, i slept in my barricade for weeks afterwards.

I'm wondering if anyone elses experience left them this affected. so many accounts i read are like "ya it was scary, it really sucked, but it happens ya know?" this scared the living shit out of me! i thought i was going mad after! anyone else?

also, i'm wondering if there is a sleep disorder that can connect out of body dreams/experiences as a little kid w/ sleep paralysis?

Hi there,

Im 15 years old, and the last week i have trouble falling asleep.I Sometimes i fall asleep at 10 oclock at night, sometimes 3 oclock at night!I have had this before when i was 10 years old or something but now its really bad.When i go to bed im sure i wont be able to sleep,im sweating and my hands shake.Im very worried!Does anyone know what this is?Is it going to last forever?I dont want to see a doctor, im very scared.please help!

I have found this web site after suffering another horrific night with my 9 year old son who is suffering from what I understand to be night terrors. They night terrors seem to come in waves sometimes he has a few bad night si a row and periods when it does not affect hime at all.

he shakes and becomes very distressed and apprear awake for sometimes up to an hour or more and is uanble to recall anything the following day. I am wondering if anyone has any advice as this is distressing for the whole family as it wakes everyone up when he screams.

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Tuesday 13th April 2010 at 2:08 AM
Hi Jacqui,
The problem of night terrors seems to have become so common recently in the very young. I can understand your concern.

But, there is no magical cure! Your first stop should be your own doctor, but you may have already done this.

The pressure on kids now-a-days to be the coolest, cleverest and the best dressed, can cause them real pressure, even as young as nine. This is a sign of our times.

Could he have be bullied and not tell you, or maybe he doesn't fit into a small exclusive group and feels left out? Does he get on with all his class mates, or even his teacher?

Usually, kids grow out of this eventually, but you must seek advice first to see if there is any medical problem. Doctors in my day would have told you to stop worrying, but they are more sympathetic to night terrors now.

I don't know if you have read this page http://www.circlecity.co.uk/sleepdesk/nightterrors.php but at the bottom is the best advice that anyone has come up with. It takes patience and time, but I'm told it does help some children.

Hi there,

Just found this forum and wonder if anyone can shed some light on a problem? My son is nearly 19 and has, in my mind, some kind of sleep disorder. He is unable to sleep until the early hours when he finally crashes, then is unable to get up in the mornings. He can sleep through any alarm clock/radio we give him and we've even gone in and physically shaken him awake, had a conversation with him, gone to work only to find at the end of the day he's still asleep and totally denies talking to us. His missed so much college because he couldn't get up that he was asked to leave his course. The college have given him another chance but in the first week, he did one day then slept through the next.
I took him to the doctors who gave him some test to see if he was depressed but that came back clear. At first I thought it was just typical teenage behaviour but this has been going on for months and months. . He was a late developer physically, growing 8" and gaining 3 and a half stones in the last two years. Some nights he forces himself to stay awake and then goes out during the day so he sleeps that evening but invariably he's asleep by tea time and goes right through the night and most of the next day.
With this sleeping pattern he's not eating properly and when he is awake, he's invariably irritable.
It's starting to affect the whole family. We've tried Nytol tablets occasionally which have helped him get off to sleep but then he sleeps for the whole day too.
Any advice or pointers would be greatfully received.
Thanks.
Chris

Ive been sooo tired , pretty much always, but theres times i can manage it and times i cant. Right now is not good. I could cry when i'm woken up in the morning, i so want to stay asleep. My eyes hurt in the day, i'm struggling through until bedtime. i could sleep for 14 hours straight if i had the chance. (not likely with a 2 year old)
Im woken a lot at night by husband, baby or cat. I grind my teeth badly (i have a toothguard from the dentist) i wake up teeth clenched. Sometimes I wake us both up screaming or shouting, i remember the dream and fall back asleep no problem. If im watching TV and relax i get an overpowering urge to sleep and within sseconds im asleep. If someone wakes me i could kill them! I snore a little and apparantly am burning hot at night (i dont notice that myself, i think its cold. )I'm 34, female, physically fit and not overweight. Just tired. Help!

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Reply from: Liz
Date: Monday 15th February 2010 at 4:41 PM
Just reading Jess's message below, several similarities. I remember being tired at school playtimes and not feeling up to running around. At university my houssemates joked i became 'It' after 6pm because i turned into a zombie. I've been catching every cold going because i'm so run down. i find it hard even to smile at people because im so tired

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Reply from: Jess
Date: Sunday 7th March 2010 at 9:45 PM
Hi Liz

I can really empathise with being so exhausted and having a 2 year old to look after. It's not much fun and can make life very very miserable. Have you spoken to your GP about being referred to a sleep clinic? You'd be surprised at how much that can be done in regards to sleep problems. I was!

Hope you get on ok and please let us know

Jess x

Hi,
I've been suffering from insomnia really badly since October, before then I had it occasionally. I have epilepsy and changed medication in late September so this may be a factor. The doctor however thinks it's not so clear cut because my spouts of insomnia have been irregular, they have been lasting four nights and then I get to sleep for a few days, although two weeks ago I had a period where I slept one night out of 10. My greatest problem is with getting to sleep I have trouble stopping thinking, and even when I'm too tired to think I just don't drop off to sleep and I'm too tired to get up to do anything, I find myself most tired in the afternoon when I get insomnia and of course this interferes with my work. I've tried every method I can think of; relaxation and anxiety relief, regular sleep times, having a shower before bed, going for a run, thinking of a relaxing image, counting down, mantra, relaxing music (which used to work), reading in bed, hot chocolate , glass of wine, eating dinner earlier (and later), thinking 'I'm just lying down for a rest' so I don't get worked up about not sleeping. None of these things have worked for me for more than 1 night, I find myself only sleeping when I'm exhausted and relying on coffee to get me through the day. Any help would be appreciated

Hi
my name's gabbi and im 16 years old. over the last few months, i have been finding it increasingly difficult to get to sleep at a 'normal' time, and also - left undisturbed - often remain asleep until the early afternoon. i am usually asleep for 10-12 hours or more and usually dont fall asleep until 2am or later (usually later). Having looked on various websites i think i may be suffering from delayed sleep phase disorder.

can anyone confirm this or give me any advice on what to do next?
thank you

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Saturday 9th January 2010 at 8:50 PM
Hi Gabbi,
At 16, you can't really say why you are not sleeping at a normal time and for a normal 8hrs.

It could be because you're going through a phase, or you've just got into a habit.

See your doctor for advice if it continues, as they are the only people that can diagnose you correctly.
Regards, Bob.

Hi there

I'm really pleased that I've found this site, i've found reading through it has been very helpful

I might have sleep apnoea. I have been getting more and more ill for the last few years. Catching every virus around, losing hair, gaining weight and a general feeling of exhaustion, depression, developing allergies to things I had never been allergic to before among other things. My tiredness is so bad right now that I can't sit down for more than 5 mins without falling asleep. Even on the loo! Obviously my partner and I were worried about it being cancer etc, as was my GP. But all my bloods were coming back normal. My GP referred me to a general medical team in the hospital and I took my mum along with me as I was told they may ask a lot of questions about my health in childhood.

So, after us establishing that I had always snored and held my breath during sleep, even as a baby, had always been woken up by people I'd shared a bed/room with to be told I wasn't breathing, could fall asleep during the day at the drop of a hat they have said that it sounds very likely to be sleep apnoea and have referred me for sleep studies. I am now waiting on a referral to the royal brompton in chelsea.

I'm feeling a bit nervous about it all and I'm still scared that it wont turn out to be sleep apnoea and I've wasted months getting this referral that could have been spent better finding out what's wrong. But I'm still kind of excited that its something that can be treated. Life can't go on as it is. I can't work, can't drive, can't think straight, can't look after my 2 year old reliably and have no energy left over for my partner. I feel so useless right now and have done for the last 4 years. So, yes, the possibility of there being a light at the end of the tunnel is very exciting. I just hope there arent too many bumps along the way. I've hit my first... The referral got lost on the way from the hospital to my GP surgery and then again from my GP Surgery to the royal brompton. Good old postal strikes! But trying to stay positive and hope things happen soon.

I am quite amazed that having a problem with sleep can have such an effect on your life. While the doctor at the hospital was questioning me and my mum about my sleeping habits my mum told her that I used to wake hourly as a baby, screaming and she resented me from quite an early age for being such an attention seeking baby. She said that it had driven a wedge between us that would never be repaired. My family never liked me very much because I was never as active or enthusiastic as them and have always been dubbed as lazy when it has simply baffled me that anyone has the energy to just get up and go to say, a theme park or something. On the occasions they forced me to go with them they'd get angry because I was trailing behind or not showing enthusiasm (therefore ungrateful for a wonderful day out). It has always been a running joke that I have an IQ of 165 but what on earth can I be doing with it because I am so dopey and clumsy and do badly in exams (I can just never remember what I need to). My nickname has always been "horizontal hanny" because I'd always be asleep if I could. Looking at it in writing it sounds really bad but they werent to know and I know that they love me, no matter how frustrated they must have been with my behaviour. I am thanking my lucky stars to be alive though, with a mum who noticed that her child stopped breathing in her sleep and didn't think to take me to the doctors!

But it is amazing that something like this could have shaped my relationships with my family, my education, my career potential, my relationships with others and my health. I find it mind boggling. But I am also wondering what sort of person I will be if I get treated.

Anyway, this was long as I havent really been able to talk to anyone about it, I'll stop now but thanks once again for a really helpful site

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Tuesday 8th December 2009 at 11:33 PM
Hi Jess,
You seem to have been having a rough time, though things should get better once you've had a sleep test, and maybe get some treatment.

It does seem like you have sleep apnea, and lets hope you get it sorted out.

The NHS are very slow when it's about sleep apnea, but once you've seen a sleep specialist, things should start happening.

All the best, and please tell us how you get on.
Best regards.

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Reply from: Nuneatonman37
Date: Friday 5th February 2010 at 9:07 PM
I have heard that the Royal Brompton hospital has a excellent service for sleep apnoea patients you get diagnosed and receive the machine the next day ,

Your signs and symptoms are classic signs of osa .

Dont worry about the tests its a piece of cake ,

Best Wishes

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Reply from: Jess
Date: Thursday 11th February 2010 at 9:22 PM
Hi Bob

I had my sleep study it it was found that I have severe osa with 67 events per hour. On cpap but its not doing anything for my tiredness so i go back at the end of feb to have my machine switched over.

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Reply from: Jess
Date: Thursday 11th February 2010 at 9:25 PM
Lol nuneatonman, fancy seeing you here! Did you happen to hear that the royal brompton had an excellent service from someone called Jippity?

I completely forgot I posted here lol!

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Thursday 11th February 2010 at 9:51 PM
Hi Jess,
At least, you have set the ball rolling.

If the CPAP is not curing your tiredness, you may need more pressure.
Make sure the mask isn't leaking, as this reduces the pressure to your throat.

And don't forget that the CPAP records how long you have been wearing it, so the specialist will know if you don't use it every night.

It may take a while before you see results

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Reply from: Nuneatonman37
Date: Thursday 11th February 2010 at 10:18 PM
Hi Jess /Jippity

Take care,

NM37

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Reply from: Jess
Date: Thursday 11th February 2010 at 10:48 PM
Hi Bob,

I'm not having a problem using the machine, I have had it on every night for at least 10 hours. The mask isn't leaking either and the pressure has been upped a couple of times. I spoke to the nurse who's dealing with me and she thinks I need a new machine, apap or bipap i think so we're switching it over at the end of feb. fingers crossed!

Jess

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Thursday 11th February 2010 at 11:47 PM
Hi Jess,
Hope you get it all sorted out.

Let us know about the new machine and how you get on.
Regards.

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Reply from: Jess
Date: Sunday 7th March 2010 at 9:48 PM
Hi Bob

Thanks for putting the link to the petition up

Well I spoke to the sleep clinic and they ordered me an APAP on friday so I'm just waiting for it to arrive now! I had one for 3 nights the week before last and I was like a different person. I'm also getting a humidifyer as I find the dryness in my throat uncomfortable.

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Sunday 7th March 2010 at 11:02 PM
Hi Jess,
No problem, it's for a good cause.
Glad to help.

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Reply from: Nm37
Date: Monday 10th May 2010 at 8:25 PM
Where is Jess/Jippity gone to ?

Last night I awoke at around 2am to find myself and my partner screaming like our lives were in danger. I think i began screaming because he did but he belives the opposite. This has happened before where I have awoken and have found myself screaming. The first time it happened I actually got up and ran from the bedroom before coming to my sences.
Both times it has taken a long time for me to regain my composure, stop shaking and attempt to get some sleep.

whats wrong with me?

Hey, every night for the past 9 days or so i've been waking up at around 3-4am in the morning. Some times ill get back to sleep eventually (about 530-6am) after going on my laptop or whatever, and some mornings i wont get back to sleep at all.

At night i fall asleep with no problems.
Any suggestions? thanks

I have just started a sleep control programm: Enter bed at 2am and exit at 6am regardless of sleep – for 2 weeks minimum.

I have taken sleeping pills EVERY night for over 25years. Varying these each time I built up a resistance.

So I am going COLD TURKEY!

I've booked two weeks off work. My NHS doctor made me aware of this programme, and will be supporting me via phone.

I started Friday 30th. In bed at 2am and up at 6am. I was tired at midnight having not slept night before) but by 2am was wide awake. Read until 3am switched out light.
Sleep did not come. Put radio on (and earphones so not to wake partner) Caught the 5am news. Followed by what must have been sleep.and the 6am alarm!

But with no sleeping tablets and only less than an hours sleep..I don't feel too bad.
Managed a shopping trip (no driving tho) and cleaning and cooking new recipe!
Although tasks probably took longer, I found my concentration surprisingly good,- when I have previously slept very little (and taken tablets) I have made some disastrous mistakes especially in the kitchen and on the computer at work.

Sat midnight, head heavily swaying, but by the time I get to bed, I don't nod off immediately. But decide NOT to read in Bed ( I WILL NOT READ IN BED IN FUTURE) or listen to radio. My head feels tense inside and somehow busy, stuff flying around in the dark. Make very conscious effort to relax body, outer head and calm inner? physical parts Probably asleep by 3ish.Switched alarm off at 6 but forgot to wake up! Out of bed 20 mins later. Again not tooo bad. I am going to create blog if anyone is interested will let you know where. Hope this will be useful

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Reply from: Editor
Date: Sunday 1st November 2009 at 3:20 PM
Hi Sleepless Of Surrey,
I can create a blog for here if you want.
You would have a code to enter so only you can write to it.
Let me know if you're interested by using the Contact Editor link at the bottom of this page.
Thanks.

Hey Everyone!

I'm a trainee journalist and my for my final project I'm doing a radio news package and I'm doing it on the news story out last week about couples sleeping in separate beds and how it can help relationships etc... Well I was wondering would anyone have any experience of this and be willing to meet up and talk to me? Like has snoring forced you to sleep apart etc? Let me know my email address is (bmckenna2009 at hotmail dot com) If anyone was interested it would be a great help! You can give a fake name and all that if you want. Let me know, Bronagh.

Hey all,

I hated my insomnia and was desperate to try anything. I came across this sleep music and it was pretty awesome. Works well for me so I thought i'd notify the community.

http://www.easysleepmusic.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/easysleepmusic

hope it works. they offer free tracks as well

Has anyone had rouble with BT and feels like screaming because they are not getting anywhere. My problem is, I joined and signed up for what they call their gold package deal in Feb2009 all up and running by March 09. Since then all I have had is trouble with the broadband phone, the billing section where they decided to cut me off but reconnect me charging me £20 plus any other fees they felt like adding. Then addmitted it was their fault, would reinburse my account, which I have not seen yet. I think I have have had to call them at least 10 times and have only been with them 5mnths. I decided to tell them I was unhappy about everything and spoke to at least 5 different people and in all was on the phone 2-3 hrs to be precise being passed from pillar to post. Decided I want to get out of contract, but they have told me this will cost £500 plus. Has anybody out there had any similar trouble and could give me some advice of what my rights are.

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Reply from: Ace Ventura
Date: Wednesday 12th August 2009 at 7:11 PM
BT is a total rip off company , why not try Virginmedia, i get telephone free local and national calls,tv over 200 channels,broadband 10meg ,all for 45 pound a month thats it,
BT could never give you a bill this cheap .

Ditch BT quick is the answer

Can anyone help me I suffer restless leg syndrom severly, do not sleep day or night, also under active thyroid, blackouts with no warning and the dla have said I am quite capable of leeding a normal life and have knocked back my form but I have gone for appeal does anyone know what my chances could be. I go to appeal on the 18th Aug, petriied. My consultant says its the worse case of restless syndrom he has come across, also I have now been told that am going to have to have B12 injec. for the rest of the year and then be reviewed. I actually feel that I do not even exist some days so I do not know how they say I am capable of leading a normal life.

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Reply from: Nuneatonman37
Date: Tuesday 11th August 2009 at 6:07 PM
Hi Duchess,
Is it a medical panel assessment apeal you are attending on the 18th Aug ?
As long as you present all the medical facts to the panel and if your consultant is prepared to write about your conditions you will win the appeal. The people who make the decisions on DLA are not doctors they are DWP office staff they reject most applications first time around, you have made the best choice on appealing.

Hope it all goes good for you.

Regards,
Nuneatonman37.

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Reply from: Duchess
Date: Wednesday 12th August 2009 at 8:55 AM
Hi Nuneatonman37
Yes it is made up of 1 medical professional, 1 DWP and an independant judge [as they say, who knows]. Anyway thanks for your reply and hopefully, fingers crossed, everything will go ok.

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Reply from: Lenje
Date: Thursday 22nd October 2009 at 6:21 PM
Hi Duchess,
I now how it feels not be able too sleep, and always to feel pain.
look at this site,perhaps it helps.
Click Here!

I have had a CPAP machine for the past week and the first night was not bad, but the following nights are a disaster. After 2-3 hours sleep using the CPAP with nasal pillow mask I awake and am gasping for air. I seems there is insufficient volume of air (not pressure) nad it fels like I am being suffocated. Can any one help please?

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Thursday 9th July 2009 at 4:57 PM
Hi John,
The CPAP machine is controlled by pressure. It will try to build up pressure until it reaches it's set point. Then it will throttle back a bit.

As you're using nasal pillows, you could just open your mouth to breathe, but I think it will be that you're not accustomed to them yet. It will take some time to get used to them, and using a CPAP isn't a very pleasant thing to start with.

Contact your sleep specialist who will check the pressure the CPAP is set at. It's possible you might need more pressure. Whatever you do, don't put it in a cupboard and forget about it. You need to get it sorted and start wearing it again every night.

CPAP machines are extremely reliable, and there is a valve somewhere to allow you to breathe if the power supply went off. Also, the machine records how many hours it is used. When it goes back for service, and you haven't used it enough, they will take it off you.

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Reply from: New To Apnea
Date: Thursday 30th July 2009 at 5:42 PM
Hi, Tried the nasal mask and had the same problem waking gasing for air. Try asking for the full mask got on great with it from the start no trouble at all.

Please can anyone tell me what drinking has to do with sleep apnea. I was told that i have a couple of glasses now and then but never been a drinker

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Saturday 13th June 2009 at 7:56 PM
Hi,
Heavy drinking of alcohol can lead to a swollen throat (especially spirits: whiskey, rum etc.) which could mean you're more susceptible to have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Also, alcohol may increase your weight, which can increase the chances.

A glass of beer or lager, now and then, isn't going to make any difference, unless you're on a strict diet.

But, leave the hard stuff alone

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Reply from: Nuneatonman37
Date: Monday 10th August 2009 at 9:20 PM
Bob your reply sucks mate,

Drinking alcohol relaxes the throat muscles and thus you have more apnoea events ...

I'm 49, 50 in September. My wife has suffered from my snoring for years. I am on VERY strong pain relief for facet joint problems. We've been checking up on snoring and it seems that i may have the Obstuctive Sleep Apnea, i have all the symptoms.

I'm worried about going to my GP for 2 reasons, the first is that it could take a long time just to get referred to a specialist or a clinic, the second is that i may lose my driving license.

I'm suffering from bad depression because of the pain from the facet joints and because i have just lost my job, (i was on sick for more than 2 years anyway). I can't see much of a future.

Is there some way that i can help the sleep apnea that doesn't cause me more depression?.

Spyke

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Reply from: Bob
Date: Friday 10th April 2009 at 9:26 PM
Hi Spyke,
If you've tested yourself at:-
http://www.circlecity.co.uk/sleepdesk/epworth_sleep_test.php
and you have a high score, you must see your doctor.

A proper sleep test at a sleep centre is the only way to determine for certain if you do have Sleep Apnea.

If you have severe OSA and don't get it treated, you could be shortening your life.

It is true that you may have your driving licence suspended, but if treatment is successful, you can usually drive again. This happened to me, but I can now drive again.

Hello

The mask straps on my CPAP are causing my hair to split very easily and causing it to frizze even with regular hair cuts.

Does anyone know of a way of avoiding this from happening.

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Reply from: Spyke
Date: Wednesday 8th April 2009 at 2:02 PM
Would it be worth trying a swim cap?.
My cousin is a welder and has similar problems, the swim cap works for him.

Spyke