Mountainprincess--I am sorry you had such a bad experience with your sleep study. It reminded me of my first sleep study, in which I was so panicked about what was happening that I only slept 6 minutes--not enough time to gather any data. I do think patients need better preparation as to what will occur during a sleep study.
Regarding the shortness of breath during the day, I have not experienced this but I noticed you got a full battery of tests. The pulmonary tests should reveal more about why this is happening to you. I am wondering if you received a pulmonary function test, also called spirometry, to evaluate your breathing? The pulmonologist should be able to get to the bottom of this issue. It may be something else entirely. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Know that you are not alone.
I think this is very specific to the individual patient. I would not miss an opportunity to discuss different treatment approaches with the physician who is overseeing your sleep therapy or a sleep tech.
Hi Neil--Thank you for sharing your experience. You are not alone in this type of experience you describe. I also struggled with my sleep apnea diagnosis for the first two years. It wasn't until I met with my third physician, a board-certified sleep medicine physician, before I had peace of mind that my sleep apnea was being treated properly. There are many clinical disciplines in which sleep apnea is treated--ENT, dentist, pulmonologists, and neurologists. Your best bet is to seek out someone who is board certified in sleep medicine. They are in the best position to treat you successfully. I also laid awake for four hours of the night struggling with the machine. My sleep medicine physician changed my treatment from cpap to apap and finally finally the treatment worked.
Good luck in your appointment and please keep us posted on how things work out.
You asked for advice and you are receiving a consistent answer: get treated for mild sleep apnea. Talk with your doctor about either cpap therapy or a dental device. The sooner you get treated the better you will feel and protect your body from damage. Talk with your doctor about perhaps finding a reasonably priced cpap machine. Generally speaking, they really want to see patients get treated and may be able to help you. Good luck and let us know how it turns out for you?
You don't state what your starting dose of Nuvigil was; good to connect with your physician to see about the correct dosage for you. Also, the generic form of Nuvigil is experienced by lots of people as not as effective as the brand name. This is a controlled substance so be sure to work closely with your physician on the dosage.
I was switched from cpap to apap and it made all the world of difference for me, meaning longer time on the machine. I did not feel like I had a blow torch on my head; it was easier to sleep with, and this is one of the best things that has happened to me in my sleep apnea care. I will note that I dumped my ENT who did sleep apnea on the side and transitioned all my care to a full-time sleep medicine physician. Huge difference and this is the first thing he changed up for me.
ElvisChrist--I think this is the most impactful post I have ever read here. This very personal testament to your journey with sleep apnea and your commitment to adhering to treatment is inspiring. I feel somehow your best years of productivity and creativity are yet to come. Please keep us posted on your success and thank you for writing this post. My hope is that it influences others to stick to treatment.
Sleep apnea is not trendy; it can be deadly.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/how-sleep-apnea-affects-the-heart
The purpose of the second sleep study is to determine the appropriate amount of pressure needed to manage your sleep apnea and reduce the apneas. Then a prescription is written by the physician, based on this evidence. Trust me, you will want to get this done correctly and it is a bit of a process. All this done to improve your health. Keep with it and you will feel better. Good luck!
Hi Heather--
Yes I have some experience with Nuvigil. Be prepared for the cost--it is incredibly expensive and the company does have a special one-month offer to help you try it out.
The main thing about these drugs is that they can really raise blood pressure in some people. If you have a mitral heart valve, you really need to consult with a cardiologist before proceeding. There are specific warnings about use in people with mitral valves.
A whole pill kept me awake for a day and a half. I cut the pills in half and this seemed about right. Do this carefully under a doctor's supervision; these drugs are controlled substances and should be managed carefully. Good luck!
