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Original poster

Does anyone have any experience of sleep apnea please?

27 replies

TheOriginalFAB · 28/06/2011 06:59

??

OP posts:
TotalChaos · 28/06/2011 08:06

my DH was worried I had this (having difficulties breathing when asleep). went to GP, who told me to take my hayfever meds every day, as it was probably my hayfever tipping me over the edge and doing that has made a big improvement. Do you have any allergy issues? GP also took bloods just to rule out diabetes/thyroid problems etc causing tiredness.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 28/06/2011 08:34

DH used to have this. He would snore really loudly, stop breathing then scream and jump out of bed. It was very tiring.
He went to the GP and was referred to a sleep clinic. His study found he screamed 88 times in one night.
He went on to have surgery to correct his deviated septum and turbinates.

GreenTeapot · 28/06/2011 08:43

DS had his tonsils and adenoids removed last month because of this. Major improvement. Until then he'd probably only slept all night 20 times in his life. Poor lad was woken up all the time.

BikeRunSki · 28/06/2011 08:44

FIL has it. Untreated, his snoring is so loud that nobody in the house gets any sleep, and he is sleepy duirng the day. Due to a combination of breaking his nose several times (cricketer) and many allergies. About 6 or 7 years ago he sought medical help and decided to go private to skip a very long (years) waiting list. HE only needed two sessions, and now has a C-PAP machine. This is a very unglamorous machine with a face mask that he wears when he is asleep. It gently pushes air up his nose to keep his airways open. He (and MIL, and visitors) now sleep much, much better.

CMOTdibbler · 28/06/2011 09:06

DH has it and stops breathing 87 times an hour without treatment. He is on cpap (and his machine is virtually silent), and our lives are soooo much better.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 28/06/2011 18:35

I have asthma but no allergies. DH says I snore. I think I only snore when pregnant or I have a cold but some times I do a deep breath in and that is what is worrying DH.

OP posts:
TotalChaos · 28/06/2011 22:59

if you do go to the docs, word of advice - take your DH with you - I felt like a right nob trying to describe my sleep breathing issues to the GP....

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 29/06/2011 13:50

I completely forgot to mention it to the doctor yesterday and will see how I am with the tablets before I see him. Thanks for the tip to take dh.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 03/07/2011 08:17

DH left the bed in the night due to my snoring and then this morning I either woke myself up or was already awake when I did a massive breath in.

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Elibean · 03/07/2011 15:57

Fab, dd2 had dreadful apnoea - didn't wake up, but gasped for breath every few minutes when asleep. She had her tonsils and adenoids out - they were huge. Much, much better now.

Have you had anyone peer down your throat/up your nose recently?

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 03/07/2011 16:18

No, I haven't seen anyone about it as I forgot to ask the GP last week. I just feel bad that DH has to leave our bed but then he doesn't want me to sleep elsewhere either.

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Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 05/07/2011 16:39

I had 2 hours sleep today. Didn't feel better afterwards. It is getting me so down.

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Mabelface · 05/07/2011 17:01

DH has this and has an appointment with ENT this month. Fab, don't leave it cos there's loads they can do to help.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 05/07/2011 17:25

The GP will think I am a hypochondriac.[sigh]

I just filled in the on line thing on NHS direct and it said to request a call back but I am too worried I am over reacting. DH has said when he gets home just after 6 I am to go for a sleep. I was meant to be taking the kids to an evening at school and dc's teacher didn't look impressed when I said we weren't going as I don't feel well. DD asked if we were going and wasn't bothered when I said no.

OP posts:
Elibean · 05/07/2011 17:42

Understand your reluctance, but....go see that GP!

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 05/07/2011 17:55

I feel like I want DH to come with me as he will make them listen better than me. I just get teary and frustrated that they won't accept there is something not right. One GP has already said sometimes they just don't know what is wrong.

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TotalChaos · 05/07/2011 18:10

definitely have your husband along if at all possible as this is one condition where you can't describe all the symptoms as you are sort of asleep while experiencing them.

GilbonzoTheSecretPsychoDuck · 05/07/2011 18:16

Dh has it. He stopped breathing 130ish times a night which is what causes the deep breathe in. Like others upthread, he now has the c-pap machine which, providing he lies in the right position (which a good kick ensuresGrin) I can get a night's sleep now. I actually like the machine because it's like lying next to the sea with the waves going in and out.

You definitely need to get it checked because it can lead to further problems if left untreated.

memphis83 · 05/07/2011 18:21

I used to snore so much my whole family could barely sleep, but if I stopped snoring they knew I wasnt breathing, I had my tonsils and adonoids out and I havent snored or stopped breathing once since, such a simple op could change your life!

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 05/07/2011 18:31

I have just developed more health problems in the last few years and can't take much more tbh.

OP posts:
Elibean · 05/07/2011 18:39

Take your dh with you, book the appointment for when he can come.

whyme2 · 05/07/2011 19:55

FAB you sound like you're having similar problems to me.

I went to my gp about a month ago and I have an appointment at the sleep clinic next week. I am very nervous though. I am relieved they took it seriously because I feel so rubbish some days and my snoring has been loud enough to drive dh downstairs. He will never let me sleep on the sofa which is lovely of him but I feel so awful disturbing him like this.
Dh can usually sleep through anything so I know it is bad to disturb him so much. I think it started with pregnancies but I am not pregnant now and it is worse than ever.

The gp asked me loads of questions about how I was in the day time and what my dh said (he couldn't come with me though). I knew it was bad when I fell asleep not long after arriving at mums and tots - 10:15am. I was so embarrassed. It was happening at work too although I am not working now.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 06/07/2011 08:11

I will go in a couple of weeks I think. I have to have an ultrasound on my breast next week and can only deal with one thing at a time. I went to bed at 8 last night and was asleep before 8.45 having listened to a CD and then woke a few time between 5-7. The first thing I did when I woke up was yawn and then plan when I could sleep again.

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Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 06/07/2011 13:45

I don't know what to post but just want someone to talk too.

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TotalChaos · 06/07/2011 16:05

do you have facebook FAB? all I can say is IME the medics do take this seriously, the GP was very nice when I went, took me seriously, ordered various blood tests to rule out other causes for tiredness and recommended daily antihistamines after examining my nose.