Happy Friday everyone! We have a treat for you this week, as Max from our Sleep Matters community has kindly sent us a video of his health journey. Max explains that after months of poor quality sleep, he posted his symptoms in the Sleep Matters community, where another member suggested he should get checked out for sleep apnea. Watch the video for more. Do you have a similar experience that you'd like to share? Get in touch with me in the email below or send me a DM
I’ve also posted the transcript of the video, if you'd prefer to read Max's story.
“Hi, my name's Max Kenny and I'm a member of the Sleep Matters community. A typical night for me, would be getting up 4 or 5 times during the sleep period to go to the toilet. This lasted for about 12 months before I actually went to the doctors. I went to the doctors and he did all the necessary obvious checks; everything seemed okay. He did suggest some tablets to stop me going to the toilet but I declined because I'm on medication for atrial fibrillation, so we agreed we would leave it for 3 months, and I would not have anything to drink after 7 o clock at night. I don't drink alcohol, but it was hot chocolates and tea.
After 3 months, no real improvement other than I spotted one night when I woke up and decided to check my blood pressure. My normal rate was 120/80 but when I woke up it was 160/90. I checked this for a month, keeping a record of it and sometimes it would go even higher. I was feeling tired all the time during the day as you can probably imagine. I was needing to sleep at lunchtimes in the car, or in the park, or wherever. Watching television I'd fall asleep even at the cinema I'd fall asleep. It was awful really. I then decided to look online and I was pointed in the direction of HealthUnlocked. I posted my symptoms and within 12 hours I had about 25 replies, and one of them struck a chord with me - it said, had I thought of getting checked out for sleep apnea. And to be honest, I haven't really ever heard of sleep apnea. So, I went to the doctors, booked in to go to the sleep clinic and I had a sleep test during the night. It was discovered I was having 68 episodes every hour so it was classified as severe. I was immediately put on a CPAP machine.
I joined HealthUnlocked over 12 months ago and Sleep Matters about 2 months ago. It really has helped me, sharing my symptoms it's been a life-changer; it really has. I'm eternally grateful for that person that pointed me in the right direction. Sleep apnea I think is grossly underestimated I'm 5 foot 7 and 78kilo so I'm not classified as overweight, and maybe that's why it was overlooked, for many years actually. Undoubtedly, people should realise, by sharing there will be an answer. It may not be 100% a cure, but it will help without a doubt.”
If you are having trouble falling asleep, or maintaining quality sleep, join the Sleep Matters community for tips, advice and support from people who understand: healthunlocked.com/sleep-ma...
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Max has given us consent to share his health journey.
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Stories on HealthUnlocked have an incredible way of raising awareness around certain conditions, as well as inspiring people who might be in the same situation as you. Would you like to share your health journey? Email me at communications@healthunlocked.com
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When I first began it was a nightmare, I just couldn't believe what I was faced with especially being claustrophobic, they allowed me to start with the nose cushions which I was ok with after about 7 days but I was getting leakage so they insisted I used a mask. Instead I purchased a chinstrap ( as I was a moth-breather) and after buying 5 I found a Carefusion single strap one which worked for me. If you are using nose cushions with the thin blue strap, washing doesn't get them back to size, I sew mine to make them smaller, I am on my 4th amendment and second strap, but I feel as if a year on I have cracked it going from 68 episodes an hour down to 2 and getting the magic 100 score on the Cpap app. Keep going and do look for you feel right with not what you are told should work! Good luck Max
Wow this sounds familiar. I did mention this to my respiratory consultant who asked me a few questions then said no it wasnt sleep apnea just a weak bladder, so left it at that, maybe I should investigate further. Thank you for sharing.
For some bizarre reasons Sleep Apnea is so overlooked by doctors, even Cardiologists don't mention it , yet it is a massive connection to many other health issues including Atrial Fibrillation. Keep pushing.
Thanks Max for sharing your story. I too had the same symptoms as you, except I’m 6ft1 & 110kg, broad but not fat but am classed As obese. They were adamant I had sleep apnoea & wanted me on cpap. I & my partner we’re pretty sure I did not have & I went down the route of my gut instinct - thyroid. After tests I’m found to be hypothyroid & now treated, all my symptoms have righted. Just a thought but have you had ur thyroid checked? Dr.s are very reluctant & I had to pay for a private one to get it checked but I’m glad I have managed to avoid cpap. Anyway glad to hear you are doing well.
I did actually have my thyroid checked as I mysteriously put on 7 kilos in the first 6 months of using CPAP, and it was fine. Really haven't found out why the weight went on but having looked on-line it suggests that you get a better nights sleep, able to do more exercise but eat more- that doesn't make sense. I did mention it to a doctor whilst in A&E with an AF episode and he was on the floor laughing when I asked him if it could be CPAP , his reply was " Unless the CPAP machine is feeding you".
I also was diagnosed with sleep apnea after having pressure behind the eyes. I to was getting up to the loo every night, waking up gasping for air, Also sleeping every afternoon for an hour or two. I it was found I had stopped breathing many times a night.I was given a CPAP machine,no more marching off to the loo in the night. The only thing I found that I was waking up with a very dry mouth and a tongue made of cardboard. The specialist then gave me a machine which attaches to the CPAP which you put water in and it is gently heated the vapour is breathed in and keeps the mouth and tongue moist.
Hi MoyaP, I have been married for 40 years and my wife would always complain about my snoring and the fact I often woke myself up gasping for air, but hadn't even heard of sleep apnea. My cardiologist was convinced that the SA caused my heart issues, so it really is best to get it checked and whilst the CPAP machines aren't the nicest things to get used to they do work for sure. Good luck
There is a correlation with sleep apnoea and hypo as I also have it only mild to moderate though. I agree with the struggle with the mask with Cpap. I started with just the small nose one but kept wanting to yawn then you would get a great rush of air in the mouth which catches your breath and probably shows on the reading as a gasp so when I went for a follow up it was changed to a full mask and humidifier and they lowered the pressure. I just can’t get on with the full mask, I sweat profusely and it’s very claustrophobic especially in the heat we are having at the moment so I’m going to have to ring them to see what can be done. When you have sleep apnoea there’s not a cure but the treatment is meant to help but if you have the right dosage for hypo I would have thought it would be sorted, my dosage is up and down at the moment because my GP can't prescribe t3 so I have a battle on my hands as Iv had a thyroidectomy and t4 alone is no good.
Hi Dustpan, I know exactly what you mean with the full mask, I hate them. I started on the nose cushions but had too much leakage so they really pushed me to use the mask however I purchased a really good comfortable chin strap, Carefusion single strap , and I made a huge difference so a year on the getting 99/100 score on the Myair Res app regularly and feel so much better. Do hope you get something that works for you. KInd regards Max
Hi there, I understand the nose cushions are no good if you turn a lot in bed and I do. I may mention the chin strap, it may be good for double chins too, lol. So pleased it worked for you, have a great day.
Hi Dustpan, I also get that great rush of air in my mouth, which is definitely a gasp but whilst I am awake & don’t yawn first or after & I don’t have any sleep problems or use Cpap, so this interesting to read. I also sweat profusely, I have hypothyroidism.
Many thanks to Max for sharing his story. I would love to know does he think the sleep apnea caused his atrial fibrillation ? My husband is on tablets for AF and I think he may have sleep apnea.
Hi Bungobunty, I have seen 4 different cardiologists over the past 10 years and none picked up on the connection between SA and AF, except the my most recent who performed my ablation and he was 100% convinced years of SA caused my AF. I posted my story about how I felt they were connected on the Dr. Sanja Gupta ( Top Cardiologist from York Hospital ) facebook and he contacted me to post it on his new website as he also believed the connection and wanted more awareness. Good luck in getting things sorted.
It is incredible how frequently OSA is missed. My husband suffers from it but instead of using a CPAP machine, sleeps wearing a firm fitting singlet holding a tennis ball in a pocket stitched on the back of the singlet between the shoulder blades. That prevents him from sleeping on his back. It has worked well for him over a period of 12 years.
Hi,max ,I'm Mez1 , I've suffered with asthma since 1980, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in 2015 , I'm now on my 5th different type of mask due to problems. But I find the f20 air fit the best so far. Last year I was diagnosed with an airway obstruction, so life is a lot harder now, has lots of things I can no longer do. After attending my local breathing space, and doing exercise classes. I was moved on to the gym at my local leisure centre and have two days a week doing exercise it helps , I have guts and determination that helps me to cope with this crippling disease,that some people can't understand. Would love to hear from you.
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