"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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Sleep Health Generally
Apnea doesn't exist in a vacuum and neither does sleep generally. Stress, other conditions we have, medications we take, and many other factors play roles in our treatment of Sleep Apnea. Would it be a good thing to broaden this forum to Sleep Health generally and not just Sleep Apnea? Or does everyone like the laser focus on Sleep Apnea? I worry about losing focus and getting into discussions that are "watered down." But what do you guys think? I'd really appreciate feedback on this issue.
Views: 390
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Callahan on
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As you said, Mike, I think it is all interrelated. All of us have sleep apnea, but some of us have other issues: clogged nostrils, saw nostrils, dry mouth, insomnia, restless legs, take medications that help/hurt our sleep etc. And it all affects our sleep and the use of our machines. It is all important. And for me, everything I read helps me a little further along in my awful sleep journey so that hopefully one day, my sleep will be a lot better.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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I think we have already started to address other issues besides Sleep Apnea. I think it's a good thing.
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Permalink Reply by Chris H on
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We have found that sleep is multifaceted so as long as Good Sleep is the final outcome let the discussions roll. I need the education it provides to find my best treatment overall. Good Sleep,Chris
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Permalink Reply by Donna B. on
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I agree with Chris.
chris h said:
We have found that sleep is multifaceted so as long as Good Sleep is the final outcome let the discussions roll. I need the education it provides to find my best treatment overall. Good Sleep,Chris
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Hi Mike, I agree with you that we should be discussing about sleep health. I found some good information on how sleep is so important for immune health on sleep health . Also some of the factors that affect good sleep are heavy food and stress. I also feel that some workout, light exercise towards the end of the day will be helpful.
--Jimmy
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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James you are absolutley right. I would change that workout to somewhere towards the middle of the day though. Exercise speeds up the metabolism. This can and will effect sleep onset for some.
Jmaes Young said:Hi Mike, I agree with you that we should be discussing about sleep health. I found some good information on how sleep is so important for immune health on sleep health . Also some of the factors that affect good sleep are heavy food and stress. I also feel that some workout, light exercise towards the end of the day will be helpful.
--Jimmy
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Permalink Reply by hifay on
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I think discussing sleep health is good. Wish I had know more about how sleep apnea may contribute to atrial fibrillation.
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Unfortunately I do not know anything about atrial fibrillation. But I am sure someone here would know the connection.
But regarding health, I just know that since my sleep stinks, among other things I have put on weight. I know for me it might be the fact that I don't get deep sleep, last sleep study showed only 6 minutes in stage 3. The one before that showed none. So I think my connection might be more insomnia (constant arousals) than sleep apnea. However, putting on weight from what I've read isn't good for the apnea. I feel stuck in a catch 22.
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Mary- Those constant arousals could be the result of the sleep apnea. Did the last test you took give any insight into what is causing the arousals? When I took my test at Stanford they noted that I had arousals were due to drops in oxygen. I would ask your doctors if the sleep test equipment is able to detect these type of arousals. I went thru 2 other tests before I went to Stanford and they were able to detect this cause of my insomnia.
Mary Callahan said:Unfortunately I do not know anything about atrial fibrillation. But I am sure someone here would know the connection.
But regarding health, I just know that since my sleep stinks, among other things I have put on weight. I know for me it might be the fact that I don't get deep sleep, last sleep study showed only 6 minutes in stage 3. The one before that showed none. So I think my connection might be more insomnia (constant arousals) than sleep apnea. However, putting on weight from what I've read isn't good for the apnea. I feel stuck in a catch 22.
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Yes, Scout, I have very mild sleep apnea as well. My oxygen never went below 94%. It seems as of the last sleep study I only have milt apnea when sleeping on my back. However, due to sore shoulders it is very painful for me to sleep the whole night on either side. SO the first half of the night I sleep on my back with my APAP machine. Then I take it off and sleep on either/both sides the rest of the night.
I am going to a new sleep doctor who is also an insomnia specialist in a few weeks. I will see what they have to say about the insomnia and all the arousals. The last doctor I had (who I was dumped on since my really good doctor moved to DC) was useless. And he did not like the fact that I was on medicine for sleep and pretty much dismissed me. That is why I am trying a new doctor.
Scout Bennet said:
Mary- Those constant arousals could be the result of the sleep apnea. Did the last test you took give any insight into what is causing the arousals? When I took my test at Stanford they noted that I had arousals were due to drops in oxygen. I would ask your doctors if the sleep test equipment is able to detect these type of arousals. I went thru 2 other tests before I went to Stanford and they were able to detect this cause of my insomnia.
Mary Callahan said:Unfortunately I do not know anything about atrial fibrillation. But I am sure someone here would know the connection.
But regarding health, I just know that since my sleep stinks, among other things I have put on weight. I know for me it might be the fact that I don't get deep sleep, last sleep study showed only 6 minutes in stage 3. The one before that showed none. So I think my connection might be more insomnia (constant arousals) than sleep apnea. However, putting on weight from what I've read isn't good for the apnea. I feel stuck in a catch 22.
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Mary- So sorry to hear about that doctor and his attitude. While I agree that taking medication for sleep can be a problem (depending on what you are taking), he should realize that you take the meds because your sleep issues are unresolved and you are doing what you can. I read some of your other threads, noticed you have been diagnosis with UARS, and have sinus problems. They tested me for UARS at Stanford because I had some of the same symptoms. I meet with Dr Christian Guilleminault and he thought I might have had it early in life. Apparently it something that can cross back and forth. I too have the big tongue/small mouth. I also have nasal allergies. I was told by Dr Christian Guilleminault to take an antacid before I went to sleep to reduce GERD and the mouth and sinus inflammation it causes. He said with all Sleep Breathing Disorders, GERD happens (even if you don't have symptoms) as the diaphragm pumps to get air in the lungs and the stomach (or as one of the doctors at Stanford call it “that bag of acid”), spills it contents into the mouth and sinuses inflaming them. I now try to eat by 6 and go to bed at 12. It takes my stomach that long to finish digestion.
Nothing is worse than sleep trashed by insomnia, I hope this new doctor works out.
Blessings
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