Posted by Marty (Reno,NV) on September 26, 1998 at 10:03:04:

In Reply to: wife of sleep apnea candidate posted by Therese on September 25, 1998 at 06:51:27:

Therese, I am single so didn't have any one to tell me I had a problem. The first symptom when I think back is snoring. I caught myself snoring when I would just start to relax. One time at the doctors office and then when I would be flying (not as the pilot). I used to never sleep on the plane but some of my trips were rather long so I couldn't fight it. I would then wake up due to the snoring. After that I made sure I would never sleep on the plane no matter what because it was too embarrassing.

The next symptom was I yawned alot. I would be having lunch or even just talking at work and the ususal phrase was 'are we boring you?' or 'are we keeping you awake'. My favorite phrase was 'I don't do mornings'.

I finally went to my doctor and said I was more tired in the morning than when I went to sleep. He of course asked if I was under to stress which I am at work,so he gave me prosac and said if that didn't work he wanted me to do a sleep study.

A year went by and of course the prosac didn't work but there was no way I was going to sleep with a camera on me. I figured I wanted to film myself first to be sure I wouldn't be embarassed if (not when) I went to a sleep lab.

I went on two trips this year one vacation and one work where I shared a room with someone. Both times I was told I really snored. One friend said I snored so loudly she said it sounded like something was obstructing my breathing (and she was in a separate room!) She highly recommended I do something about it. I of course still didn't do anything.

I am embarassed to say the reason I went to have the snoring checked was simple vanity. Some friends have a motor home and invited me to go with them for a week end. I was too embarassed to go because of the snoring. It's considered normal in a man but since I'm a woman it was not acceptable to me. I went to an ENT because I had seen on TV you could have laser surgery to stop it. Luckily my ENT said after all the XRAYS he wouldn't do anything until I went to a sleep lab.

The first night I couldn't figure how they could tell I had sleep apnea because it seemed I was awake all night. In fact that was part of the problem. I was in phase I almost all night. I only dropped to phase 3 twice in the early morning and both times my oxygen dropped to 68%. I wasn't able to set another night with the CPAP for another 3 weeks. The second night with the CPAP was frustrating because of the leaks but I actually did feel better. The next week I picked up my CPAP and have had all the problems as everyone else, leaks, artic air up your nose, road maps on the face, etc.

I have noticed I don't yawn as much during the day now and in fact am slowly getting my energy back. I was frustrated at first but am getting better.

Last night I went to bed without my CPAP because I had a cold and was afraid to. I tossed and turned all night long until 4 am. I then put my mask on and slept very well until 7:30. This was a very good lesson for me. I will not go without my mask again. I felt so much better at 7:30 then at 4am.

We all have sent lengthy messages to give you hope. I didn't have someone pushing but finally made it. My nephew has the same problem but says he can't wear the mask. He is coming to visit in Novemember and I will be giving me a lecture he won't forget!

This forum I think is the best thing after the CPAP for dealing with this problem.
Good Luck and our prayers are with you.
Marty

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