Sleep apnea self test idea before diagnosis

[MrsB2007 90]

So, I am going to get tested for sleep apnea here in a few weeks.

My surgeon asked if I snore, etc.. I have no clue! So I decided to record myself (via a recorder on my phone) during a nap today.

I skimmed through it and noticed my breathing pattern was almost spot on from being awake as it was asleep (breathe loudly in sleep).

Then the interesting part was there were many breaks in hearing my breathing on the recording. I tried holding my breath (while awake obviously lol) for the same time period that I didnt hear anything.....i couldnt do it. I felt light headed. This happened multiple times during the 90 min period.

You could hear me take a breath roughly every 3 seconds at the start.. Then it went to 15 second gaps...then 45 seconds and so on.

So needless to say it shall be interesting to see what the sleep study shows.

Am i nuts for trying this out??

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

You don't sound nuts at all!

[Beni 1,484]

I have sleep apnea and it sounds like you have it too. I am very sorry to say but 45 seconds is pretty bad. I would get that sleep study done ASAP. It is known as the silent killer because you don't know you have it. Remember the old "died peacefully in her sleep" saying. Well, no she did not! She had sleep apnea and stopped breathing and didn't wake up. I don't want to scare you and of course there is always a chance your recording is off.

[Beni 1,484]

Oh, I forgot to tell you how I found out I had sleep apnea. I was staying at a hotel with my daughter and she told me that I would snore but every once in a while it would go quiet and I would have a louder snore. She said it sounded like I wasn't breathing and then would pull in an extra strong breath. Apparently my husband, who would sleep through a bombing raid, never noticed. I too recorded myself and it sounded bad. The sleep center was able to get me an appointment in 2 days given my story. They were concerned. It turns out I had severe sleep apnea and had no clue I had it.

[Jolisue 112]

You are not nuts at all! Obstructive sleep apnea is very harmful. I never knew I had it but was tested and I have severe sleep apnea. I use a CPAP and am quite happy. My husband says I'm not snoring and the machine really is quiet. Apparently once I lose a whole lot of weight I might no longer have apnea. When you stop breathing at night, your brain, organs aren't getting oxygen. Over time that can really do damage. I'm happy you were able to get that data because it sounds like you have sleep apnea.

[Beni 1,484]

Yes, I hope to get cured for my sleep apnea. There's a good chance. I believe its a 58% chance if I make it to 50% of excess body weight, which is the definition of success for bariatric surgery. This would be getting to 200 lbs for me (iam 263) and 50% of patients achieve the mark. I hope to do better than average. With additional weight loss the changes are even better.

How are you doing on your recovery Jolisue?

[Jolisue 112]

I'm doing well! Today is day 5, and I'm starting to feel almost normal! The gas pains are much better! I'm sleeping well, still on liquid diet so that's not different. ☺️ I'm getting in my three Protein Shakes and Water. I used my phone to time when I could sip. Now I'm just drinking when I feel I can. Overall I'd say I'm on the mend!

[Beni 1,484]

Hurray, she's on the mend!

[pik 262]

I would get that test sooner rather than later for sure. I had it also and started using the CPAP machine.

Not long after my surgery I was cured. Such a good thing. I probably should have had the sleep study long before I did.

OSA is a dangerous thing.

[MrsB2007 90]

My ins requires pre-auth for the sleep study.. Right now its set for oct 24th. If ins approves it soon we can resechedule for an earlier date.

[Beni 1,484]

I sincerely hope they authorize it very soon.