Sleep Apnoea

[GoodQueenWenchAnneLass]

I think I might have this. A doctor friend suggested I fill in an online questionnaire that I can take to my GP and the result was that it was highly likely that I am suffering with sleep apnoea.

I am constantly tired- although I have a very busy life with lots of conflicting priorities so it could just be that.

I have developed and unbearable snoring problem which has resulted in DH moving in with DS3. He said that I snored so incredibly loudly and then stop for a small time ( he said it felt like I had stopped breathing) and then sort of wheeze and then snore again.

I wake up multiple times and feel massively dehydrated - literally feels like I have no saliva whatsoever.

I have a few questions:

• does this sound like sleep apnoea if you have experience of it
• is the GP the only way forward
• how can I deal with it whilst I wait for an appointment

All advice appreciated.

Yes it does. What you have described is exactly what happens to OH at night. He has had a sleep study and is going for a follow up appointment this week. He is always tired and forgetful because he isn't getting any quality sleep.

Do see your GP, but in the meantime try not to sleep on your back. Also, being overweight can be a cause of snoring. People who are overweight have extra tissue in the back of their throat, which can fall down over the airway and block the flow of air into the lungs while they sleep.

The British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association website is helpful.

Yes, that sounds like OSA (my dh has it severely).

Download one of the recording snoring apps and record yourself overnight, then go to the GP and make your case for referral to a sleep specialist (not an ENT surgeon), armed with the recording, questionnaire, and your dh to talk about how much you snore etc.

If you are overweight, don't get fobbed off with being told to lose weight first - it is helpful (though many people of normal weight also have OSA), but very hard to do with untreated OSA as it messes with your hormone levels, especially leptin.

Yes, my DH has received treatment for this for a year -CPAP machine - and it has made a massive difference to our lives. Don't forget sleep apnoea can mean having your driving licence suspended if it is untreated.

I am overweight and that was one of the first things that struck when I read up on it.

I will look into an app. DH did record it a few weeks ago to demonstrate how bad it was.