Obviously this isn't anywhere in the league of all the horrid things that are happening to other Mumsnetter's DHs, but yesterday DH finally had his sleep appointment (after a sleep study the night before) and he has, as suspected by me, severe sleep apnoea. He wakes up every 20 mins basically (he stops breathing and has a huge heartrate spike) and probably hasn't had any deep restful sleep for ages (years). No wonder the poor love looks like a zombie most of the time and is permanently knackered, forgetful, ill and plagued with migraines. Also severe apnoea makes strokes and other problems more likely in the future so we would really like to sort it out. It's really impacted on our lives over the last couple of years and poor DH is a bit of a wreck, it hasn't helped his asthma and stomach ulcers much either!
Anyway, surgery isn't an option in his case, he has extra skin or something in his throat which could be removed, but it would most likely grow back plus possible scarring which would make it even worse. He is only 38, isn't overweight, barely ever drinks, has never smoked and never takes sleeping pills or tranquilisers so there's nothing we can do on those scores. So the best option is the oxygen machine - has anyone, or anyone in their family used one of these and did it help? The only person I know who used one found it very intrusive and it didn't help much (however I think he was a bit overweight and did drink a bit so probably needed to do something about that as well).
We have to wait about 3 months for one to become available (and then goodness knows how much it will cost - we're in NZ and will have to pay for it) so I would like to know that there's a possibility that he'll get SOME relief. I'd like my DH back please.