DanM

Hello @EnthusiasticRaspberryMandrill3407. I'm very sorry to hear you have been through such a process, and I hope things begin to improve for you. While I don't know much about the Canadian process you are attempting to navigate, I can attempt to provide some information that might be helpful. It sounds like your first test might have been performed in the home. Is that correct? If so, home tests are known to underestimate the severity of sleep apnea. This is because the reporting is usually based on the recording time (start to end) instead of actual time spent asleep. When there is EEG present that allows wake to be removed from the equation, the severity of sleep apnea usually does increase. Sometimes the increase is minor, but other times the increase in severity can be significant. Also, sleep apnea can change with age and other factors (medications, other health conditions, etc.). That might help explain why your diagnosis was worse with the in-lab hospital test. As for treatment, I am sure you know by now that CPAP is considered the "gold standard" for treating sleep apnea. However, there are options you might discuss with your physician such as oral appliance (dental devices) and surgical options. I am not sure what is available to you in Canada, but the Inspire implant has also been approved here in the U.S. and has been a successful treatment for patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea. Are there any other members who might have suggestions? Best wishes, and please do keep us posted on your progress.

Hi @FrankBlueGreenPigeon3832. It is not necessary for proper sleep to run the humidifier. However, patients who do not use humidification tend to experience mouth and nasal/sinus dryness, which can be very uncomfortable. If you feel you are receiving too much moisture or warmth from the humidifier, you should be able to lower the setting to a more comfortable level. Some people use unheated water for pass-over humidification if they do not like the warm air. This is accomplished by continuing to use the water tank but setting the humidifier to the off setting, if available on your unit. As for the awakenings, it would be good to have the sleep physician or DME provider take a look at the compliance data. If you feel you are not getting enough air, it may be an adjustment is needed for the lower setting. If the data shows you are still having some events when the machine reaches the highest setting of 12 cm, the higher setting may need to be increased. Best of luck, and keep us posted!

Hi @JenL2015. Just a quick follow up post here. Depending on sleep study results along with patient symptoms, I have known of patients treated with CPAP for snoring and sleepiness/fatigue. I would encourage you to talk to your sleep physician about what you are experiencing. Sometimes sleep medications that cause relaxation can contribute to snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea because they help relax the muscles. As a result, the muscles that help support breathing and the airway become even more relaxed. Have you tried nasal strips to see if the help reduce your snoring? Please keep us posted on how you are doing!

Hello @CreativeBrownCaribou1695. Thanks for posting on the forum! I have not tried acupuncture for sleep apnea, but I have tried it for stress reduction and relaxation, and the experience was a good one for me. I have not heard or read much on the topic of sleep apnea treatment with acupuncture, but there have been a couple of small studies that have published some data. Here are links to some information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20615853 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17023212 If you do try this, we would be interested in hearing about your experience! Are there any other members out there with any experience with acupuncture for sleep apnea that can share an experience? Thanks! -Dan

Hi @JenL2015. I'm sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time with your sleep. Do you know whether a board-certified sleep physician read your sleep study and reviewed the data? This is important to make sure the sleep physician has the entire clinical picture of what is happening during your sleep study, and so s/he can make sure they agree with how the study was reviewed and scored. CPAP and APAP require a prescription that specifies machine settings and several other things for an equipment provider to be able to supply you with the treatment. Too little pressure will not treat snoring and sleep apnea, and too much air pressure can cause other problems. If you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if your sleep study does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of sleep apnea, you might consider talking to the physician about whether treatment might help with your snoring and with consolidation of your sleep so you have less awakenings. I do know of patients who have purchased machines with guidance from a physician in an attempt to decrease snoring and improve the quality of their sleep. As for masks and pillows, most take some getting used to by any patient wearing them for the first time. As a patient myself, I speak from experience. I encourage you to talk to your physician about whether treatment may be appropriate based on your sleep study findings along with your other symptoms, and you may consider providing the information on UARS and snoring that you mention in your posting. -Dan

Hi @CreativeElectricBlueQuelea4747 (Maureen). Have you considered talking to your physician about whether a steroid spray, like Flonase, or some other treatment might be suitable? Some CPAP users find nasal strips, such a Breathe Right, helpful. Saline sprays and flushes (such as those done with a Neti pot) can be helpful, and the flushes are usually better at rinsing the sinus cavity. Increasing the humidity setting on your CPAP machine might also be helpful, as dry air can cause irritation and swelling of the nasal passages and sinuses. I hope you find some relief soon! -Dan

Hi @LoyalApricotDogfish1625 (Dolores). Surgery is only one option for patients with sleep apnea, and it is not the most common option. The "gold standard" for sleep apnea treatment is CPAP. CPAP treatment uses positive air pressure delivered through a small mask or nasal pillow that helps keep the airway open during sleep. While there is usually an adjustment period, many patients find it treats their snoring and greatly reduces their level of daytime sleepiness. There are also oral devices and other potential treatments that a sleep physician can review with you should you be diagnosed with sleep apnea. Since we know, from many years of research, that sleep apnea can contribute to other health conditions, I encourage you to make an appointment and discuss your symptoms with your physician. You might find that diagnosis and treatment is much easier than you think, and improving your overall health (and your husband's ability to sleep) is definitely a positive outcome! Best wishes, and keep us posted! -Dan

Hi @BNS. This is a great question. I now know that I've had sleep apnea since I was a child. I think I am one of the lucky patients with an excellent primary care physician who knew what to ask right away. When I finally complained of fatigue and difficulty staying awake to my primary care physician, the initial question he asked was, "Do you snore, or has anyone ever told you that you snore or gasp for breath while you are sleeping?" When I answered yes, he immediately said he was ordering a sleep study. It would be great if primary care physicians would do some screening as part of general office visits. My own sleep apnea might have been treated much sooner vs. when I was in my late 20s/early 30s if I had been asked this simple question early on.

Hello @HelpfulRubyQuail9302. It sounds like you are on the right track. I would encourage you to ask your equipment provider to properly fit you with a mask that is connected to a CPAP machine so they can check for leak and adjust as needed. A good mask fitting would actually involve a fit test with you laying down as you would to go to sleep. By doing this, the mask can be checked for leaks while you are wearing it and can be tested with you laying in various positions (on your side, on your back, etc.). I would also encourage you to make an appointment with a sleep physician, as you will likely need follow up care. Can you contact the sleep center who performed your study and ask them for an appointment with one of their physicians? Best of luck, and keep us posted on your progress. Wishing you great success. -Dan

Welcome, @wg (George)! We have a great member community, so please read through the various forum topics post your questions. There is also some educational material under the "Learn" section of the website that may be helpful. I'm glad you feel that your sleep has improved with treatment, but mask fit is important. Have you considered calling your equipment provider and talking to them about checking your mask fit?