Sleep Apnoea

[rumred]

A doctor suggested this might be an issue last year, my partner has confirmed I seem to have it recently. I'm not sure if it's worth getting an appointment for?

I do struggle with energy but I'm 60 so feel like I'm bound to be more tired than I used to be.

Has anyone been diagnosed and what treatment is available? Should I be doing more? I'm sorry if I sound gormless, I just feel a bit unsure at the moment and I haven't found any useful info online for some reason.

It is definitely worth it. You can’t put everything down to age, and there are plenty of energetic 60 year olds.

Late DH had sleep apnea and needed a Cpap machine. He stopped breathing so much during the night he was told that if he didn’t use the machine (it was WiFi linked to the hospital team for monitoring) they would report him to the DVLA as they didn’t consider him safe to be on the road without using it. It took a while to get used to, but he felt so much better using it. As did I, it was terrifying waking up and having to shake him to get him to breathe again!

In terms of other help, lose weight if you need to, stop smoking if you do, avoid alcohol if you drink -DH did none of these things though, sometimes it’s just genetics/airway issue, hence the Cpap. It’s worth a referral and attending an appointment. Wouldn’t it be good to feel not so tired and have more energy for the next 20+ years?!

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, diagnosis is fairly easy, they gave me a little clip I wore on my finger overnight as I remember and then I went back to hospital where they read me my diagnosis. I was given a cpap machine, unfortunately I find it nearly impossible to sleep with it on. When I have managed it I felt better although a few times it gave me ear ache, but I'm very prone to ear aches anyway. Initially whilst I was investigated I wasn't aloud to drive, and even with a diagnosis of severe sleep apnea I am now. I had to notify the DVLA and it hasn't affected my insurance or caused any issues. I was allowed to drive again after diagnosis and speaking to the consultant. Reading the complications that you can have if you leave it undiagnosed scared me. Carrie Fisher died of sleep apnea, that shocked me as she looked a healthy weight to me. I've told myself that losing weight would improve it but I find it a struggle to lose weight. I've got a friend who loves their CPAP machine and feels like a new person etc, can work full time and be full of energy. I've read of people taking their machine on holiday as they wouldn't be without it. It's the size of a small shoe box with a hose and mouth piece attached. It's plugged in and connected to the WiFi so the hospital can see your readings. It blows air that keeps your throat open is my understanding. It could change your life.

Thanks both, that's all really useful. I'll start the process of getting an appointment. Have to say I don't feel sleepy during the day, well maybe early afternoon, it's a weariness rather.

I suffer with mild apnea and was told support may or may help as it was minor. Decided I would get the device and it's been life changing and I wouldn't be without it now. Instead of napping every evening and waking up exhausted after 9 hrs sleep, I wake up early and feel refreshed and my evenings are free to socialise with and are my own !

There’s a questionnaire called STOP BANG and the epworth sleepiness scale you can do before you see the GP. They’ll likely ask you to fill it in

Yes there loads you can do to improve your sleep - not necessarily the cpap. Wearing nose or mouth tape can help instantly. Removing polyps or adenoids. Get the diagnosis to see how serious it is. Sleep apnea isn’t just about snoring or waking up - it’s linked with heart health too

I would describe having sleep apnea as: before = feeling permanently jetlagged/afterwards = being able to function. When you have SA you never get settled into that deep REM sleep that helps you rest and recover. It took me a long time to get used to the machine, about 12 months but I have claustrophobia and I really struggled. But changing from a full-face mask to nose pillows made a huge difference and wouldn't be without it. I would certainly recommend getting checked out as it can also affect many other aspects of your health which you wouldn't normally consider.

I have sleep-disordered breathing rather than full blown sleep apnoea (I have apnoeas and hypopnias also, which are when I stop breathing / breath too slowly, despite an open airway).
I was given a machine to try. I have a full face mask as I mouth breath, but it’s a minimal one (Evora). It’s been easy to adapt to wearing it. For the first two weeks I didn’t really notice any difference but after that I realised I had more energy.
My machine sends my data to the company that supplied the equipment and they recently emailed to say they think I’m doing well.
Its definitely worth looking into, @rumred.

I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnoea last November after being referred by the GP for an at home sleep test. I got my cpap machine in February and have managed to wear my mask all night since I got it. My apoena events are still varied but nowhere near they were when I was diagnosed. The difference since using it has been eye opening! I now naturally wake up at 7.30am, have so much more energy, no afternoon naps or brain fog and start to
naturally feel tired about 9pm instead of being in a constant state of exhaustion. DH is also happy as the noise level is now virtually zero - I was a chronic snorer.

I was really against the use of the cpap therapy, having to wear a mask to sleep etc but i really wish i had gone to the GP earlier. There are lots of various support groups on sm which have proved helpful re others experience

Oh wow, that's interesting. I find the mask claustrophobic, sometimes I pull it off my face just as I'm falling asleep or in my sleep. I haven't successfully used it for months. I'll get googling. Thanks