<blockquote>Welcome Clamalot......you make an important point. While apnea isn't "inherited", your body shape and bone structure are and so family members of people with sleep apnea should watch for symptoms of apnea. Snoring, memory problems and sleepiness are so common they often aren't recognized as a sign that something is wrong! Good for you for taking action and getting the whole family healthy. </blockquote>
It was my brother who got us all going. I just wish he'd gotten the solution so much earlier. If he had he might still be alive. I think his went on so long that it caused a whole host of problems. It did give him 10 more years with us and I think God for that. Once he was diagnosed, my sister and I were both diagnosed. Getting the results was scary. My oxygen levels were dropping below 80% all night long. Don't need any brain damage, I'm goofy enough :) And along with the family thing, I think doctors are becoming more aware. Mine certainly did.
It is and not all doctors are onboard. I know when I first talked to my family doctor, he was, like well, if that's what you want to do, I'll get you scheduled but I could tell he didn't put a whole lot of stock in the whole concept. About 4 years ago, I was there for a check up and this same doctor asks me (he's still my doctor) how my sleep has been and I had to be honest, it wasn't anywhere as good as when I first started using my cpap. He sat there and thought a bit and says, "You're sleep apnea may be getting worse. Let's get you re-evaluated." His attitude was totally different and he was right. The medical community is getting more on board with the complications of sleep apnea as there is more and more research showing what it can do. My cpap goes with me and is the first thing I pack when I go on a trip!
<blockquote>I am here to learn, and I wonder what reversible 'damage' you are talking about?
Thank you.</blockquote>
Hi, this is an easy question for me. My brother had sleep apnea for years, probably even as a child. He died in 2010 at the age of 52.I'm convinced he would never had all the health problems that he had if he had been diagnosed much earlier in life. He was knocking on death's door when he was diagnosed. Thanks to a smart doc, he was and it gave us 10 more years we might not have had. Chronic lack of oxygen had caused high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and a whole host of other problems. He couldn't drive any longer because he couldn't stay awake and you'll just as dead if you crash into a tree. Exhaustion takes it's own toll on so many aspects of your life. Although his death occurred so much earlier than anyone would have liked, that bi-pap gave him better health and a longer life. My mother snored as long as I could remember. Looking back at pictures, particularly in the last 10 years of her life (she was 49 when she went to Heaven) I can see the all too familiarr exhaustion on her face. I have no doubt her problems were caused by sleep apnea. After my brother was diagnosed, myself and another sister were both diagnosed. I believe it kinda runs in the family. sigh I feel so much better than I did pre c-pap. More energy and the whole 9 yards. If you haven't been officially diagnosed, go for it. The least it can do is save your life, the most it can do is make your life a whole lot better.
