please talk to me about adult sleep apnea (DH aswell as my ds's!)

[mad4myboys]

ds1 3 and ds2 6 months have sleep apnea and ongoing probs with stopping breathing in sleep, snoring etc etc and are waiting to see an ENT specialist anywhoo my dh also has it and it worrys me as i read recently of someone who died in their sleep because of it. My dh doesnt seem to be concerened about it (himself) he will sleep for along time but wake up feeling rubbish and tired (~guessing from the disrupted sleep) anyway ive convinved dh to come with me and the boys when we see the ent specialist to discuss him aswell.

im really worried that something awful could happen in his sleep? This week he is in hong kong for work for 9 days. I know im being silly as he has had it as long as ive known him but still...what is the likelihood of something bad happening because of it? Is there anything that can be done for him as an adult?

Is he overweight?

nope

Sleep apnoea is serious, and should be taken seriously - so you are right to make DH see someone. A sleep specialist is a better person to see as an adult as they will consider all the treatment options that are available to adults.

My DH has v severe OSA (85 desaturations in blood oxygen an hour) and is now totally successfully treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) which is a small machine which blows air up his nose to keep it all open.

Being overweight does increase your risk of having OSA, but it is collar size which is the best indicator. Just telling people to lose weight does not work though as OSA causes hormonal changes which make you put on weight and keep it. My DH also had OSA when he was underweight

I don't think something bad will happen but your specialist isn't going to treat your DH in a kind of buy-one-get-one-free deal with your kids. He needs to be referred separately.

thanks cmo. He does have quite a large collar size for his stature but he used to play rugby so quite broad. I read about that machine thingy... isnt it very loud for you?

my GP (who arranged for both my ds to see the same specialist at same time) suggested he went too as it will help in treating my ds as it appears to be herediatary. with ds1 it may be floppy layrnx the gp says though. Im not seeing it as a 'BOGOF'

The machine is fine, really give it a try.

Is his collar over 17" ? That is the higher risk band

The CPAP is dead quiet - DH bought his own so that he could get a nice one (NHS provision is patchy to say the least - some get you a new one, some don't), and it is really unnoticable. Certainly quieter than our central heating

An overnight sleep study, plus a thorough examination of the nose, jaw, palate etc is the only way to tell what is going on

he is a 17'. Im hoping the specialist will send us in the right direction as to who best to see him

You can search for sleep clinics in your area here so you'll know where you want a referral to. DH has been seen at the totally excellent unit in East Grinstead

that isnt far from us...

hi, i have OSA, up to 75 desaturations an hour when sound asleep!

I noticed your question about the machine being loud? I dont think mine is that loud to be honest, i have slept in childrens ward with DD1 with it on numerous occasions, and was paranoid that it would disturb other patients and their parents, but they said they couldnt hear a thing.

It also doesnt stop DD2 running into my bed on a night instead of sleeping in her own bed -- so cant be too bad for her! (she is only 2 1/2) The only time it does bother her is when i am lying a certain way, and the air blows down onto her from the bottom of the mask - must be like lying in a draft lol!

hope you get to relax when DH gets home

Ask your GP for a referral direct to them for DH then. Best to get him seen asap while he is taking it seriously.

Their website is here