Sleep apnea anyone?

BOO · July 27, 2005

Hi,

I would like to know from anyone who is post-op who has sleep apnea how was it treated while you were in surgery and post-op, if you had to stay overnite in hospital? Thanks.

vinesqueen · July 27, 2005

I have no idea how it was treated in surgery. I figure the sleepy-time doc knows what they are doing. While I was out, they took my CPAP machine away and gave it a once over. I had visions of the way they took care of the Tinman in Wiz of OZ...

I stayed over night, and used my machine.

I dont' need it any more, unless I have a really stuffy nose... And then it is damn near impossible to use becaue I have a stuffy nose.

paula · July 27, 2005

This is really a great question.

The realist that I am, Im thinking about how commen sleep apnea is and how many people have gone under for surgery and lived to tell the tale.

Thats a good question to ask the anethesis - and report back to LBT so we can keep it on file

Chicagoboy · July 28, 2005

My Doc insisted I bring it with on the day of.

When I woke up I was wearing my CPAP.

I used it until the next day.

Teresita · July 28, 2005

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea right before surgery. They don't use the cpap machine during surgery but once I got to my room they checked it out and brought it back and put it on the counter and that is where it stayed. So now it is in the closet at home. I think I was misdiagnosed. Brand new CPAP for Sale!!!!!!

vinesqueen · July 28, 2005

Teresa, how long did you use it? Just that one night? Give it a while and you will be amazed at the results! At your current size it is a fair bet that you have sleep apnea.

It is potentially deadly. You could die in your sleep, or you could die from the side effects of chronic sleep deprivation... like falling asleep while you are driving. If you think you were mis-diagnosed, GET A SECOND OPIONION!!!!

This is serious stuff. Americans don't value sleep anymore. We sort of view people who get 8 hours of sleep as lazy. Our health has suffered, and there are studies that indicate that sleep deprived people gain weight and have trouble loosing it.

Teresita · July 28, 2005

Well see that is the thing, I am well rested when I wake up, I don't fall aseep during the day, I'm not tired during the day and if I try to take a nap, I can't because I am not tired.

I do get enough sleep, I go to bed around 9 becuase I have to get up at 5:30. When I did the paper work for the sleep study those things did not pertain to me except that I snore sometimes but not enough to wake myself up. I sleep on belly and during the study I could not do that so I had a restless sleep during the study. I would not put myself through that mess again. I am not sleep deprived and I have slept with enough people that someone would have said you stopped breathing last night. LOL

The doctor I saw automatically said I'm sure you have sleep apnea without the study because I am big but I am also 6'1".

vinesqueen · July 28, 2005

I was absolutely convinced that there was no way I had sleep apnea. No possible way. I wasn't well rested, but I had developed terrible insomnia. I simply couldn't fall asleep. No naps, and I sure never woke myself up snoring either. I never snored really loudly either... my dog and my husband however...

I am a tummy sleeper, and I slept on my tummy during my studies.

Just worried is all.

Teresita · July 28, 2005

There was no way in the world I could have slept on my stomach with all those wires and I take a diuretic so I go to the bathroom during the night. I don't have any of the usual symptoms of sleep apnea. Because of my size they assume I have it. Like I said before CPAP for sale, going once, going twice, gone in the closet.

I did try the cpap and it is just irratating I even got a mask that is comfortable. They set the thing on the lowest setting so I just don't get it. The nurse even asked why was it set so low. I don't know.

Legallyblonde · July 28, 2005

Please take your sleep apnea seriously. My father was one of those rare men who was the picture of fittness. Rode his bike everyday 16 miles and never missed his 2 mile walk after dinner. Not an drop of body fat. Ate nothing but Protein,fruit, and veggies. However, the man could suck the wallpaper off the walls with his snores! Used a cpap for 20 years. Last Feb, he went in for routine knee replacment surgery. His sleep apnea had weakened his heart and lungs to the point where he couldn't wake up. Long story short, he had used his cpap alright, he just had the settings to low. Never went back for adjustments and further sleep studies. Point to my story....people dont realize that sleep apnea can kill you. Snoring is not just annoying, it can be deadly. Please take care of your self.

P.S I broke up with my last boyfriend due to his snoring. Think about it, you prevent me from getting proper rest, I become a danger to my patients at work, crashed my car while driving home, fall asleep everywhere I go, was sick all the time, NO THANKS!