Sleep apnea

[Spittal9]

Hi there, this is my first post and I’m looking for a bit of advice. It’s looking likely that I have sleep apnea. I was referred to a sleep clinic at the end of January, but have no idea how long it’ll take to see anyone. I am totally exhausted. I cannot remember the last time I didn’t feel tired. I also have polymyalgia rheumatica and chronic fatigue has come hand in hand for me with that.

Is there anything that I can do in the meantime to improve my sleep?

[Imaaan]

Browse through Dr Vik's videos, he has several beneficial ones on sleep apnea. There is a tongue retainer that really inexpensive to try while you wait. I purchased a generic for around $10-15 from Amazon to see if it worked. It actually worked to bring my tongue forward and keep it there but I couldn't keep it on during sleep for 2 reason. I have a small mouth and would need to order a small from AveoTSD. Secondly, I'm a mouth breather due to having chronic congestion.

youtu.be/2nq8YjWIIUI(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/YHL2s-FT5B8(Not working as expected?)

I'm not on any treatment because I couldn't tolerate cpap. I'm planning to try a mandibular advancement device from a dentist. God willingly it will help me. In the meantime I use magnesium glycinate and valerian to help aid my insomnia.

Hope you find answers to your study.

[Spittal9 in reply to Imaaan]

Thanks for your reply. I’ll definitely look into this and have a look at the video!

[Rubymurray25]

The first thing I would consider is using a firm second pillow or even two, that is what I did whilst waiting for my initial study. I had an oral test initially via my doctor and failed badly on all the questions, I am assuming you had the same test and was seen within two weeks, that was 3 years ago though pre covid. As there are only a limited amount of beds in the sleep study clinic that is bound to cause a delay but in my case I opted to be rigged up with the nose mask and had the small monitor strapped on my stomach and leg from memory, a simple set up and it meant I could be at home as I am my wife's carer. I was told I was having 68 episodes an hour which is severe, I was put on the CPAP machine and have never looked back. The Apnea according to my heart consultant would be the reason I have Atrial Fibrillation but the CPAP has helped that and made me sleep like a baby. I would ring to make sure you are still in line for the sleep study at least they might give you a time update! Good luck.

[Spittal9 in reply to Rubymurray25]

Hi there, I had the oral test with a nurse practitioner and had a moderate score. I don’t have a big pillow as I find it uncomfortable but I’ll give it a go adding a second pillow as well to see if that helps. I was referred to the sleep clinic three months ago. As you suggested I think I’ll phone the surgery to check that was done.

[Rubymurray25]

I'm lucky in as much as our double bed is one that has electric controls for each side, so even now with my CPAP I raise the head part slightly as that is more comfortable than a large pillow. From experience of late with my wife you really do have to chase, we live in East Sussex with three large hospitals fairly close by and they are so behind it is worrying and chasing seems to be the only way.

[Spittal9 in reply to Rubymurray25]

Covid has pushed everything back. I recently saw a new Rheumatologist, as I had moved house and moved into a new health board area, and the referral was made a year ago. I was going to cancel it as had spoken to my original Rheumatologist a couple of weeks before. I was told if I cancelled it I would go to the end of the waiting list and may have to wait the same length of time again!

[handofhelp]

Apart from the the rheumatism I am in a similar situation to you and have only had to wait 3 months for my appointment but if you are in England you might have a longer wait. I'm in Scotland.

I haven't really found anything great to help but I do have asthma alongside the potential apnoea the latter which I'm getting tested this week and I believe the two can have a comorbidity and that the CPAP can help that.

We often have more than one health issue don't we and this can be related to the desaturation of the body as well.

I think the CPAP takes a little time to get used to but it is worth battling on with it and tweaking it until you get used to it it can have a number of benefits. I do hope that you get some support soon and are fighting fit but you are certainly not alone 👍

Is quite a good Facebook on sleep apnoea and also I like Dr Viks videos as well.

[Spittal9]

I’m in Ayrshire, after you not having to wait too long, I’m hopeful I’ll hear something soon. I also have asthma but the corticosteroids I take for another condition, polymyalgia rheumatica, have had a great effect in the asthma. For the first time in years I have had no problems with it at all.

[HipHipClunk]

Hi, my husband has sleep apnea, he'd fell asleep all the time even at work and at night I'd have to shove him and shout at him to breath. He had a referral to a sleep clinic at the start of covid, he was sent home with a test kit (chest band, electric sensors and a oxygen saturation sensors all connected to a black box). Wore it overnight and took it back. 2 weeks later a follow up appointment and came home with a cpap machine and I have a new husband. He sleeps propped up on pillows and isn't tired all the time. I'd say chase the referral good luck.

[Spittal9 in reply to HipHipClunk]

Thanks for your reply. I’m going to chase up the referral with my GP. Glad to hear the difference it has made to him!

[Lybra]

Being a sufferer myself, I only got relief after I was Diagnosed at a Sleep Clinic, given a CPAPP machine, with Mask, that things improved. I am still on this after 25 years, and use it every night.

[Spittal9 in reply to Lybra]

Hi Lybra, I’m glad to hear that it helps!