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Sleep Apnea can kill you. There, I said it. I didn't want to say it, because I prefer to emphasize the positive aspects of treating Sleep Apnea rather than dwelling on the negative consequences of not treating it. But some among us will only respond to fear, so for their benefit, I'm putting this stark message "out there."

What's the proof that Sleep Apnea can kill? The study published by Terry Young, Ph.D. and her colleagues at the University of Wisconsin at Madison is particularly convincing and ominous. Back in 1988, Dr. Young rounded up a large group of randomly selected Wisconsinites (about 1,500 people) who agreed to be tested for Sleep Apnea. Dr. Young recorded not only whether they had Sleep Apnea, but also if they did, the level of Sleep Apnea severity. Dr. Young asked this group, known as her "Wisconsin Cohort" group, to agree to be tracked over the years, and they agreed. Fast forward to 2006, when Dr. Young checked in on them. After 18 years, some had passed away, some were still as healthy as they were back in 1988. The key for our purposes is that, controlling for all other factors, the folks who were identified as having severe Sleep Apnea and who did not get treatment for it were three to four times as likely as the others to die from something . . . anything, and five times more likely to die from stroke or cardiovascular disease.

So for those of you who need fear to motivate, are you afraid yet? I would be if I weren't paying attention to my treatment.

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Comment by STEVEN TURNER SR. on January 19, 2010 at 3:50am
I , Have 3 different tryies of sleep apnea , O.C.A Narklipce as well , also takeing pills to stay a wake , while I'm working , afull time job . My doctor said he would give me a year to get all my finnaces in order . Than , I would have go on disablity . I take care of two family's . I'm the only one that can work . I've had this problem over 20 years . Gone through 3 machines each one costing over $ 4 G . An it's still not under control . I stop breathing 78 times a night . Every 6 months , I replace all filters hoses and mask .
Comment by Peter Fonte on January 6, 2010 at 9:20pm
I was diagnosed with OSA several months ago. Initially a CPAP was attempted, but I became hyperclaustrophobic- like I was fighting every time I exhaled. I tried to troop through another attempt with the CPAP- no joy. Luckily, my sleep therapist had seen this before and suggested a BiPAP. That seems to be the solution. I only got the machine a few weeks ago, so I am still getting used to strapping that puppy on before beddy bye. It does take some discipline to go through the 'trouble' but I remember how Reggie White passed away, and I don't wanna go the same way. I have a co-worker who swears by his CPAP, and that is good enough for me. As for the weight loss, well- I'm praying.... =)
Comment by Judy on October 24, 2009 at 5:16pm
Nonsense! Check pressure output w/a manometer. Remove the filters, run it a few hours outside on a sunny day, install new filters. Wipe the outside casing w/a damp cloth. You're good to go.
Comment by 99 on October 24, 2009 at 3:44pm
re purchase an old machine or a donated old machine needs to be serviced to get rid of the other persons bugs, germs bacterier etc befor use i do not know who will servdice any machine like that nor the cost involve
Comment by D. W. Conn on September 5, 2009 at 4:51pm
My story is on another thread. As an RPSGT and Cardiac Ablation Specialist you would have thought I would know better,..refused to wear my CPAP and had a sudden cardiac death event now have a difibrillator. Diagnosis cardiac Stress possible-due to non-treated Sleep Apnea.
Comment by Banyon on August 10, 2009 at 4:35pm
JJ2,

I often breathe through my mouth while asleep. Many people have told me I could train myself to keep my mouth closed while asleep. I ask them if they can train their hand to hold a paperweight while asleep. Well try all they may, they will drop that paperweight every night just like we can't train our jaw muscles to keep our mouth shut at night.

The best solution is to use a full face mask which is a mask that covers nose and mouth. I go to sleep every night breathing through my nose with my mouth closed. Most nights my mouth opens several times and I breathe through mouth and nose while the CPAP machine maintains the pressure and keeps my airway splinted open.

When I have some congestion from allergies or even worse, a cold, I need the extra air which breathing through the mouth provides. This is one of the reasons why I recommend against chin straps and mouth taping.

It is still a good idea to plan to get a machine with software. You can really zero in on an optimal therapy with the information from the software. Your body will change over time and you may need to adjust your therapy again. For many people, a machine and software purchased from an internet supplier costs less than the copayment for a sleep study. Unless something unusual happens, I don't foresee a need for me to visit a sleep doc again much less have an expensive sleep study.

Regards,
Comment by Chip S on August 10, 2009 at 4:17pm
Hey Banyon:
Actually yes, I have often opened my mouth as it seemed to work better (at least logically). Maybe I should try again now knowing that I need to keep mouth closed. I am curious about the ProSnore mouthpiece though.
Comment by Banyon on August 10, 2009 at 3:34pm
From the limited information in your post, it is almost certain that some element of your CPAP is not correct and you are still having apnea. The first thing that comes to mind with a nasal mask or pillow is that you are mouthbreathing, losing the therapeutic pressure, and still having apneas. Do you ever have dry mouth at night or upon awakening in the morning? Do you have a bed partner who might know if you are mouthbreathing?

The second thing that comes to mind is your pressure settings are not correct. It is very common for the prescription to have a suboptimal pressure setting. This may be because you sleep differently in the strange environment of the sleep lab as compared to your own bedroom. The solution to this is to get a data-capable CPAP machine with software to track apneas, hypopneas, snores, mask leak, and pressure throughout the night. You can analyze the data, find the problem, and make adjustments. Through a repeat of that process over several nights or weeks in your own bedroom you can get your therapy optimized.

You have only given limited information in your post but the two problems I mention are very common.
Comment by Chip S on August 10, 2009 at 3:20pm
Anyone have success with ProSnore mouthpiece? I have a CPAP with nose pillow but does not work as I still wake up gasping and feeling tired all day.
Comment by Judy on August 8, 2009 at 9:46am
This past week brought home to me just how carefully the subject of sleep apnea and death have to be presented to some patients. There are those, I believe a decided minority, who tend to "build mountains out of molehills" and when Dx'd w/OSA and told one CAN die of OSA or OSA complications really get into a twit. These are the people who should NEVER be allowed to read the possible adverse side effects of medications when they are scripted.

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