I have WHAT?

[2goldengirl 2,076]

My surgeon does a preop questionnaire that is a prescreening tool for undiagnosed sleep apnea. I was at the low end of likely, but she insisted I have a sleep study anyhow. I was completely skeptical, because I don't snore, never have.

I met with the specialist for the results yesterday. Yup. Sleep apnea. "Severe" during REM sleep. Waiting to hear from the vendor about a CPAP.

So the blessing in this is that once I have it (and get used to it), I ought to see an increase in my energy level, which should also translate to improved postop healing. And my surgeon totally knows what she's talking about. Good to know!

[mngreeneyes 674]

I was amazed how much better I slept after getting my machine and how badly I sleep when the electricity is out or my machine is one the fritz. I am hopeful that I will be able to leave mine behind in the next year or so.

PS. When I first got mine I had a mask that just covered my nose, I kept ripping it off at night because my head would get all stuffed up and I couldn't breathe. Once I got a full face mask I was able to use my machine better and it was much more effective. Don't give up if you don't adjust to it right away. Keep asking questions.

pam

[LisaOle 20]

I just got diagnosed with severe sleep apnea as well... They say he had to turn up the air to 13 to open my airways and he was surprised at that... Not sure if that's a bad thing or not. I'm now waiting to get my machine as well. The sleep center let me take home my nose cup price but I'm thinking I need a mask as well for days I'm sick with stuffy nose or something. Not excited about this lol.

[Babbs 14,680]

Although it wasn't a requirement for my insurance, my surgeon asked I get a sleep study done because I DID snore. Well, my lovely insurance denied the sleep study. I BEGGED my surgeon to do the surgery anyway, pleading the case that I was "only" a 39 BMI at the time, had no other symtoms, and more than likely didn't have sleep apnea. He agreed to move forward without one.

After my surgery in the hospital, every time I dozed off, the blood oxygen alarms would go off, so I ended up having to be on oxygen the whole time. Ooops.

Well, I don't have it anymore, and that's all that matters

[Debbie Jean 406]

Diagnosed as part of my preop testing with sleep apnea. My pc suspected it for awhile but I never wanted to do a sleep study. Once on my cpap with the right mask I was sleeping better than I had in years!

8 months post op and 80 lbs down I repeated the study and the sleep apnea was gone!

[406sleever 15]

My diagnosis was the best thing that happened to me! I love sleeping now, and I'm adjusting to my body finally getting rest. Unfortunately the health industry says that snoring is one of the symptoms of apnea, and that isn't true for everyone. Another myth is you can't breath with a mask when you have a cold. I have a nasal pillow mask amend can breathe fine. Just find the mask that makes you feel comfortable and can sleep, with it! It took me five weeks before I finally found the mask that worked best for me - a Swift FX. It's made for women and I don't feel it! Just insist you try all kinds of masks, and you'll do great!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I agree with previous posters. If the first mask you get doesn't work then keep trying until you find one that does. I use the nose pillows, too.

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea several years before I had surgery. Other than surgery, getting that diagnoses was one of he best things I had done because I had no idea what a good night's sleep was like. Getting a good night's sleep on a regular basis literally changed my life.

My sleep apnea has improved a great deal since surgery.

I made an appointment with my sleep Doctor within about 10 days post-surgery because the pressure was too high. He switched me to an automatic machine and I love it.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

BTW, there are many vendors and many options out there. Don't just go with what the insurance company gives you. Once I had a script for a CPAP, I found a great machine that was auto adjustable with the humidifier for less than $300. It had a standard mask, but I found a cloth one that breathed and was much more comfortable than anything else. It's a great devise when you need it. It was a better devise when I gave it to my mom because I don't need it anymore.

[HanSolo1977 261]

I got my sleep study in 2002. My wife calls it our "marriage saver"

I was shocked at how much better I felt even after the point in the study where they come in and put the mask on at the end for a little while

So anyone out there dreading your sleep study, don't. You will feel so much better.