I want to get a CPAP, I’ve been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, but I couldn’t make the appointment for them to find my correct pressure setting. How important is it to know that pressure setting? I want to buy my own CPAP machine but I don’t know what pressure to set it at.

So, my sister has recently complained about having irregular periods which she said started years ago but are becoming weirder and weirder. Our Dad died four years ago and both of our periods stopped (probably stress) mine is regular again, but hers is not. She’s 17 and weighs 223 pounds. (She doesn’t look like she should weigh nearly that much.) Anyways, she’s got a doctors appointment with our family doctor (a man) on January 7th, but wants to see an OBGYN. The catch is that she doesn’t want an internal exam, she refuses it. The point I’m getting at is this: Last night we researched possible diseases or infections she might have to cause this in her and we came up with polycystic ovary syndrome. It said that that also causes hirsutism (excess hair growth in women.) When we read this, my sister showed me her back and legs. She has thicker hair at the bottom of her back and on her thighs than she should. Her inner thighs are also a darker colour than normal. That’s another symptom of PCOS. So, we managed to come up with a probable diagnosis for her but now she has to see a doctor to find out for sure. She absolutely refuses to get an internal ANYTHING and she really doesn’t want to talk to our family doctor because he’s not a woman.

The websites we looked at said that low-dose birth control could easily solve this problem, so we thought maybe she could just request that? Or do you think she should express her concerns about PCOS to our doctor right away? Please help!

Other symptoms that she has included:
Acne
Sleep apnea
Decreased breast size
Excessive hair growth
Irregular periods
Increased muscle mass (like I said, she does NOT look like she weighs over 200 pounds.)
And more.

Please help!

He snores, stops breathing, and then starts breathing a few seconds later after choking. It is really loud and he doesn’t get a good night sleep because of it. It’s awful trying to sleep anywhere near him because it is so loud. Any advice on OTC or natural options? What works the best? He will hopefully visit a doctor soon to take care of it, but we’re both in college right now and he doesn’t have a lot of spare time to find a doctor and get an appointment.

I have a pretty major decision to make regarding surgery. I am 17 years old and although I am not overweight (I am 5′11 and 160 pounds, muscular build) I have sleep apnea. I’ve got it pretty badly–in a sleep study I did a few weeks ago, I averaged 7 times an hour in which I stopped breathing (for 8 hours a night, that equals an average of 56 times in one night!) and each time, my oxygen level fell to 73 (which is very low). As a result, my doctor referred me to an ENT (Ear Nose & Throat doctor). I had the appointment today, and the results were that my tonsils are insanely large (almost twice the size they should normally be), my adenoids have grown back (I had them removed when I was 6, but apparently the damn things came back!), and my uvula (little dangly thing in the back of your throat) is gargantuan.

The ENT gave me these options:
1. Have the surgery to take out the adenoids, tonsils, and most of my uvula (if not the whole thing). The issue is that it’s only a 50/50 chance that the surgery will make a major difference in my apnea and actually cure it. It’s almost certain that it will help, but only a 50% chance that it will majorly help me. I would be out for about a week and a half to 2 weeks, including no work, no school (not that big of an issue for me…I’ve got senioritis already), no driving, etc. Basically being homebound for 2 weeks. That, and this surgery will cost several thousand dollars.

2. Don’t have the surgery and instead go straight to a CPAP or BiPap machine (breathing machine to use at night to provide air pressure to keep my airway open so that I can breathe somewhat normally). This will not cure my apnea in any way, but it will make it manageable. It’s not a cure, just a treatment device.This also won’t keep my apnea from getting worse in the future as the surgery could. This machine will also cost a few thousand dollars.

3. Don’t have the surgery or the machine, but continue life the way it is. I really don’t want to do this (I am exhausted almost all the time) and I want the problem to be fixed, but this one doesn’t cost any money–money which we may soon not have (my dad works for GM…’nuff said).

I know it’s my decision (and my family’s) in the long run, but I really need advice on this. This is a life-changing decision, and if I don’t treat this it can and probably will kill me later in my life. Honestly I’m leaning towards #1 because that could actually fix the problem–#2 would just give me a machine which would help, but not fix the root problem. I figure if I’m ‘broken’ I should have the surgery to ‘fix’ it, not just something to help but still be broken.

What do you think? I really need some advice…

Ear nose and throat? Is there another name for ear nose and throat doctor? They don’t have any listed under my insurance plan.
The GP refuses to give us an appointment. She said it sounds like nothing by my description. I’d like to punch her in the face. I’m gonna go to straight to the specialist. Otolaryngologists is on the list, thanks.
No I don’t know if it’s apnea or not. I’m guessing based on what I have read. It also could be asthma. Because the GP is not helping me figure it out, I’m going straight to the specialist.
I brought him to my chiropractor 2 days ago, and he said it’s just really bad sinuses and allergies. He gave him an adjustment and he’s already breathing better. So far he has done last night, through the night without trouble (I stayed awake watching him) and today’s nap and so far tonight, he’s been breathing.
Thanks to everyone for the help and advice. If it happens again, I’ll talk to an ENT, but so far, it’s looking good. I did make an appointment with the allergist to check on it.

So I only have to wear the tube that goes around your ears and slightly into the nose when I sleep at night, but I’m finding that the oxygen is uncomfortable and almost impossible to sleep with. I keep taking it off right before I fall asleep.
Is the oxygen machine too high for me? It’s at 2 liters an hour. I guess really what I need to know is if it’s always uncomfortable and I’ll just have to get used to it, or if I can get it tweaked a little bit.
Mary – Yes, I had two sleep studies. The Dr. told me they needed me to go back for a third one, with a cpap, to see how it goes… but they never gave me an appointment date or anything.

Also what I’m specifically talking about is the feeling of the oxygen tube ends in my nose. They are just super uncomfortable. I was wondering if I could trim them down a little? I’ve been on it for almost a week now and I’m getting used to the actual oxygen, it’s just the tubes in my nose that drive me nuts!

My Doctor and I believe that I may have sleep apnea, which I am scheduled for testing. My appointment isn’t until next month and then it takes three weeks to get the results back. In the meantime, I am totally exhausted and find no motivation to get anything done, which is very difficult because I have three children. What are some things I can do to raise my energy levels so that I can make it through the day and accomplish at least the basic needs of my family?

My husband I believe has sleep apnea. He wakes throughout the night coughing and struggleing for air. This scares the crap out of us both. To be honest with you we don’t have insurance so he refuses to go to a doctor. I have been pushing him to go see a doctor only to end up in an arguement. I’ve made up my mind that I’m just gonna schedule an appointment and make him go. But I wonder if anything sets sleep apnea off. Because he don’t do this every night. And when he is struggleing for air is there anything I can do to help other than panic? Anyone with any information would greatly appreciated!

When I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea in the summer of 2005 I eighed 280lbs and smoked 1 1/2 packs of cigarretts a day. I had 117 episodes per hour. I was given a CPAP machine set at a pressure level of 10. Since then I have quit somking, over a year know, and now weigh 225lbs on my way to 200lbs. I am still using the CPAP though set at the same pressure. The problem is I am starting to feel tired again during the day. Not to the level it was before I started therapy, but I can feel a difference. I made an appointment with my doctor but the earliest she can see me is July. I was wondering if anyone knew if I am actually causing sleep apnea or something similar by using the machine?

when he breath when sleeping, but when he is not sleeping, he is ok. Is this a medical emergency to take him to the emergence room, i am so scare to see his condition worsen each day. I went to the emergency room and because the saw him walking around, the nurse told me we are going to spend more than four hours waiting because they have to prioritize their patients. What should i do since these symptoms happens only during the night? I also went to see our family doctor 2 days ago and he said they will book an appointment with a pediatrician but don’t know how long that will take. I’m worried keeping this child at home.
I am using humidifier and nomal saline drops, no change just getting worse by the day.

Is it possible for a person with sleep apnea to not snore every night? To actually sleep well some nights?
It is my 2 year old. HE has an appointment tomorrow with his pedi for it. I had known he sometimes woke from it but when I was up all night with our youngest for several nights over the weekend I saw just how OFTEN it was happening. Last night he slept really reall though.

My husband and i are pretty sure that our one year old has obstructive sleep apnea, she fits all of the symptoms and other people have suspected it since she was born. We made an appointment for the doctor but its not until Thursday so I was wondering if anyone knew what I could do to help her breathe while she’s asleep until we do get to talk to the doctor? thanks <3
yes she does snore and when she’s awake its not rare for her to have a runny nose and appear to be congested… we havent had anything checked out yet :( when she does quit breathing its for about 5+ seconds at a time then she gasps/chokes for air and this happens more than 10 times an hour, she hardly ever attempts to breathe out of her nose when shes asleep..

My husband is having an Sleep Apnea Test, on wednesday….what do they do? how does it work? does he has to stay there overnight? will he come home the same day? he forgot to ask all this questions to his doctor, and now I’m worried. Thank You!
he’s appointment is at 3:00 pm I don’t get it why so early but they sent the reminder and is at 3, I dont think he will go to sleep at 3pm

My husband has sleep apnea but it is’nt being treated yet, he has an appointment in July. He has been experiencing headaches and now his left arm is going numb, can this be from sleep apnea?

Can anyone with central sleep apnea or experience with central sleep apnea tell me if a common symptom is being startled out of sleep? For instance if someone wakes you up, rather than you waking up on your own, if you wake up panicked and gasping for air? Any input would be GREATLY appreciated =)

Thanks!
-Brittan

P.S. I currently have massive pressure in my head, wake up very startled, am exhausted all day, never feel rested and have a brain tumor in the Pons of my brain.
Actually I haven’t been to a doctor for regular sleep apnea yet. I’m trying to set up an appointment with my oncologist to see if she can refer me.

I think I have either one of these, possibly even both. I don’t know if i snore at night or the other things that can lead to Sleep Apnea. I know i wake up pretty much everyday with a soar throat and that is a symptom of sleep apnea. Also, the fact that no matter how much or how little sleep I get, I take numerous naps during the day. I mean like naps that can be 2, 3, or 4 hours of sleep. I feel tired all the time. It’s ruining me and upsets me because how is it possible for me to be this tired all the time?

Do you think I have sleep apnea? Hypersomnia? Both?

And as for making a doctors appointment, what do I say to them? I would feel dumb calling in and saying, "I want to make an appointment because I think I have Sleep apnea or Hypersomnia."

I know that’s a silly question, but thanks in advance for any input!

I have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and I;m awaiting the appointment with the pulmonologist. Just wondering what to do in the meantime.

I have tried a cpap for sleep apnea and I just cant get used to it. I have made an appointment with a dentist for the oral device. Has anyone gotten? How much does it cost?

I've been given this overnight appointment with no info so I don't know what to expect at all. Can anyone advise please and does anyone out there have experience of sleep apnea?