CPAP, Snoring and Sleeping

[VladTepes]

Well I snore terribly and loudly I am told.

But worse, I tire easily especially driving/ riding to the extent a long trip (anything > 3 hours) can be dangerous.

So I went for a sleep study at "Snore Australia" (actually 2) where I got all wired up so they could monitor me while I slept.

1st study indicates I have sleep apnoea, almost to the "severe' level.

Essentially when asleep my airways occasionally collapse so while my muscles are trying to make me breathe, my airways are closed.  The muscle action causes my blood oxygen to drop at which point the body kicks into survival mode, waking me up briefly so I recommence breathing. At these times I am awake for up to 10 seconds. As it takes 30 seconds for a memory to form, I have no recollection of these continual awakenings.

When I say occasionally above, that's not really the right word.  The sleep study showed that I was waking 70 times per hour, that's more than once a minute.  No wonder I'm always bloody dead tired.

The second study, last night with CPAP, was to work out whether CPAP would help and what pressure would be needed.  Well the good news is that the CPAP machine DOES work and today I feel much more "with it" than I would on a usual morning, and we'll see what happens this arvo as to whether I tire.

So the next thing is to get a CPAP machine sorted out ASAP and long rides should be fun, and much safer, for me!


I share this story so that if anyone else is having similar symptoms - see your doctor now and get a sleep study referral. 
It could literally be a life-saver. 


(For those in Australia I highly recommend "Snore Australia" they are very professional, and the entire cost of the studies is covered by Medicare.)

Cheers all.

Oh and in case you were wondering

CPAP is an acronym for "continuous positive airway pressure", which was developed by Dr. George Gregory and colleagues in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of California, San Francisco.

[KiwiCol]

The way to stay awake on long rides is to go fast - keep the adrenalin flowing!    Being chased by cops also help to keep the adrenalin flowing 

[KiwiCol]

I had a CPAP machine for a while, couldn't live with it. I gave it a fair go, 4 nights, but it was causing me more stress than without it.  Took it back to the sleep clinic & never went back.

[VladTepes]

Often it comes down to the mask - there are numerous choices and some suit really well, others don't. Horses for courses.

And the pressure being used has to be correct, which would be the case if the sleep clinic was reputable.

It's an odd sensation as they positive pressure basically means you end up using more 'force' to expel air than to inhale. Evidently can take quiet some time getting used to, for some people.

Obviously individual results may vary but my situation has got to the stage where I can't NOT do anything about it.

Anyway, fingers crossed.

[T 24]

Five years ago I got a diagnosis of a serious sleep apnea, 380 breath stops during 8 hours.
My wife often told me about my horrible snoring.
I tried to live with CPAP machine, but I never learned to use it. Perhaps it was wrong type or something.
Then I made some adjustments to my eating and drinking (small restrictions).
Now I have lost over 35 kilos and I don't snore at all, only a little bit when I'm drunk.
Also my type 2 diabetes is almost disappeared.
That was my solution, worked well with me

[VladTepes]

There are several types of sleep apnoea -partial obstruction, full obstruction etc

Sleep apnoea can be a symptom of being obese (not meaning that in a derogatory way, but a scientific one).

Sounds like you are fortunate that was what was causing it as now you've managed to beat a few things with the one 'solution'   Unfortunately mine isn't weight related.

[gsxbarmy]

Do you have to report this condition to your insurance or government licensing? In the U.K. you may have to https://www.gov.uk/obstructive-sleep-apnoea-and-driving

Often so long as you are using the machine it's not an issue, however, if you are not then you risk the wrath of the law

[VladTepes]

Yes it's a reportable condition - just like my epilepsy.

(I know, I'm just lucky eh).

[Kiwifruit]

I have a Black Belt in freestyle snoring. Its often suggested l go elsewhere to practice.
After failing the sleep test it seems l wake around 60 times an hour. Yes l get tired and should really try a CPAP machine. Dad has one and swears by it.

[seth]

I had sleep apnoea 6 years ago and had the machine when sleeping.
It was only borderline so I didn't need to tell the DVLA.
Losing 4 stone (25kg) the machine went back and I was passed as recovered with no signs of the sleep apnoea.
2 years after I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which is quite common so my doctor says .
I've now lost another 1.5stone(10kg) and my diabetes is on the way to being sorted to they are already speaking about reducing my medication .

Good luck with your struggle mike I'm sure you'll get there with a bit of help and support.

[Snapey]

I got the results of my stay at the Bankstown Hilton yesterday. I thought I hadn't slept for a second but how wrong can you be? Severe sleep apnoea I'm told. I stopped breathing 360 times. One of those stops was 130 seconds. I can't hold my breath normally for 60 bloody seconds. Apparently I have apnoea of every form and I'm now a candidate for further studies FFS.

Needless to say that I'm booked in for another stay at the Bankstown Hilton.

[seth]

The main thing that made a difference to me was lossing weight.
Hopefully they can help you and you can get well again.

[ARH]

Same for me Seth!  I'm not badly overweight... but losing 5kg made a huge difference.... and strangely enough, heartburn attacks are almost non-existent ..unless I demolish an Indian curry and then help my wife with hers 

[seth]

That was my problem helping the Mrs finish her meals .
I lost 4stone (whatever that is in kg ) a quarter of my body weight anyway.
Only thing was I then got type 2 diabetes.
I'm hopefully getting on top of that now too.
With another 1 1/2 stone off
Next bloods tomorrow.
So good luck with your struggle I know it's not easy.

[VladTepes]

Well I've been using it for a weeks or so now, and I reckon it's working for me.

I still get tired - but that's my own fault for not actually getting enough sleep (staying up late).

What I don't get is that exhaustion I used to experience when riding for a while, which was dangerous.

So far, so good.