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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Obstructive sleep apnea is ruining my life

12 replies

Sleepapneaproblems · 16/12/2023 00:04

As the title says. I have obstructive sleep apnea but am yet to be officially diagnosed. I am currently waiting for the sleep study to diagnose it. I’ve recently been in hospital for something unrelated, and I couldn’t stop sleeping, was falling asleep during conversation, didn’t wake until 4pm most days. The consultants have expedited the referral because they say it’s really bad and they are concerned.

I am tired every day and suffer with headaches and dizziness, I struggle to wake in the mornings and have no energy at all. Today, I was supposed to work (self employed), but could not wake. I finally woke up despite exhausted, at 4pm. My partner said he had been trying to wake me repeatedly, but I have no recollection of this.

It’s getting to a point where I’m actually scared to sleep because I know I will struggle to wake up. I often wake gasping or choking during the night and snore incredibly loudly - I actually had complaints on the ward and I’m not surprised! It’s very embarrassing.

I’m really feeling awful today and my anxiety is definitely flaring recently. Reading up on it scares me because it can be potentially dangerous.

I’m just wondering if anyone has any tips on getting better sleep whilst I wait for this sleep study. At the moment I sleep on multiple pillows and try my best not to sleep on my back. I also keep cold water by my bedside.

I really need to get this sorted because it’s ruining my life, I just wish it was an urgent thing that could be solved immediately. I don’t remember the last time I wasn’t tired, and it’s embarrassing and I feel ashamed and lazy not being able to wake until 4pm when I have responsibilities.

OP posts:
18daychallenge · 16/12/2023 00:32

I don’t mean this cruelly, but what is the reason for you OSA - are you overweight and need to lose weight? If so, I implore you to use every available option to do so, as it really is the only way it is treated effectively. Alternatively, you could visit a private orthodontist for a removable appliance that could help - but weight loss is the only ‘cure’ xxx

YourSpleenIsDamp · 16/12/2023 00:40

snoreeze.com/snoring-oral-device/ This works pretty well - the FXH has OSA, and it helped a lot when the drunken idiot could be arsed to wear it . He had a sleep study and I think has a CPAP machine now, but mouth guards like that one were a good interim measure.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 16/12/2023 01:24

18daychallenge · 16/12/2023 00:32

I don’t mean this cruelly, but what is the reason for you OSA - are you overweight and need to lose weight? If so, I implore you to use every available option to do so, as it really is the only way it is treated effectively. Alternatively, you could visit a private orthodontist for a removable appliance that could help - but weight loss is the only ‘cure’ xxx

It's not as black and white as that, thankfully. My husband was diagnosed with it and given a Cpap machine (which I have to say didn't mean that he had better/more sleep because he found it very uncomfortable to use but did mean I wasn't staying awake to shake him every time he stopped breathing) but his osa stopped spontaneously. He has never been overweight and didn't lose weight during this time. It was thought that his sleep apnoea was caused by the huge amount of stress we were experiencing at the time. He got apnoea and I got panic attacks and dizzy spells!

whatdidshedotogetahillnamedafterher · 16/12/2023 08:51

Op Hang on in there! I have a Cpap machine ad it has changed my life. The difference it made to me within a week. I just cannot tell you. Yes its awkward,yes its not comfortable but it is so worth it. I would push to be seen more quickly though.

fpqand · 16/12/2023 08:57

I just happened to stumble across this and wanted to send my empathy. I have experienced this this week due to tonsillitis and I've never had anything like it before, I am exhausted (it's only been a week!) and was terrified to sleep due to waking up suddenly catching my breath. It made me think of all the people that deal with this continually, I really hope you can get help soon.

knitnerd90 · 16/12/2023 09:01

18daychallenge · 16/12/2023 00:32

I don’t mean this cruelly, but what is the reason for you OSA - are you overweight and need to lose weight? If so, I implore you to use every available option to do so, as it really is the only way it is treated effectively. Alternatively, you could visit a private orthodontist for a removable appliance that could help - but weight loss is the only ‘cure’ xxx

Weight affects OSA but isn't a perfect correlation. Also, OSA makes it more difficult to lose weight. The doctors my husband spoke to recommended treating the OSA and then trying dieting, and that it wasn't a guaranteed cure in any case.

DcatAnnie · 16/12/2023 09:06

I’d see if there was a sleep study place and go privately if you can. We are in Australia but we can get a sleep study from the pharmacy $50 no waiting time. It had a holter around the chest and prongs that go up your noe and DH wore it overnight. It showed DH had severe sleep apnea. At one point he stopped breathing for over a minute. He now has a CPAP machine and it has completely changed his life. It really has made a massive difference and he says he wouldn’t be without it.
Untreated sleep apnea can eventually cause heart problems (which has happened to DH) so please try and get an appointment as soon as you can,

user1492757084 · 16/12/2023 09:12

Get yourself seen to regarding your sleep apnea before you die early.
You will possibly need to loose some weight and connect yourself to an epap machine. (a mask that forces you to breathe air)
Seek advice as to how to see a sleep specialist and be monitored.

Roundycippae · 16/12/2023 09:28

‘I don’t mean this cruelly, but what is the reason for you OSA - are you overweight and need to lose weight?’

well that’s unhelpful. If OP is overweight. It takes time for healthy weight loss. Op needs immediate solutions.

CPAP changed my life over night - hang in in there. Or buy your own machine - my One from the NHS retails at about £2k.

PermanentTemporary · 16/12/2023 09:30

Could you ring the sleep study office and ask about cancellations? Especially if you are anywhere near the place they do them - if you can commit to being there within an hour if they call you, they may make you the first person they ring.

Mummyratbag · 16/12/2023 10:04

CPAP machine - family member has one, said she didn't know that it wasn't normal to wake up tired until she used it.

ZombieBoob · 16/12/2023 10:11

You can buy one off amazon for like £500 that's what we did while waiting for diagnosis. Probably not as good as a "proper" one but it's made such a difference

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