How sleep apnia changed my life.

• By Earnie
• Posted January 1, 2009 at 10:55 pm
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I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in September 2004. I received my sleep study and in December 2004, my CPAP machine and mask were delivered to my home by a technician who showed me how to use them properly. My CPAP machine and mask have changed my life.

In 2004, Reggie White, the NFL player died at age 43 because he wouldn't use his CPAP machine and mask. White knew for 5 years that he had sleep apnea but refused to use his CPAP mask because he didn't like the look and feel of it on his face. He didn't exercise to lose weight and he wouldn't control his bad eating habits. Since my diagnosis in September 2994, I know of 3 other people who have died from not using their sleep apnea equipment.

On Christmas Eve, I visited Dr. Rajiv Pandit, an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, who specializes in sleep apnea. Every 2 years in December, I must get a sleep study to check-up on my sleep apnea. This was my third sleep apnea study. Dr. Pandit specializes in sleep apnea and my visit with him to prepare for my sleep study was extremely different from the ones I had in 2004 with a pulmonary specialist and in 2006 with an internal medicine doctor. They only checked my blood pressure and then had their office managers set up my sleep study.

This year, Dr. Pandit provided new information about my sleep apnea condition. He said while it’s good for me to lose weight, the primary cause of my snoring is not obesity, but the structure of my palate and tongue. My palate is positioned low and is soft with poor muscle tone. The structure of the palate is normally stiffer. The tongue is all muscle and doesn’t lose weight as the body loses weight.

Dr. Pandit said that my tongue is too bulky (big) and is taking up too much space between it and the palate. As a result, when I fall asleep my too soft palate collapses and takes up even more space. This causes me to snore. Dr. Pandit said that in my case, surgery for my sleep apnea (including the pillar procedure) isn’t an option because it won’t do any good. I will still snore! I recall, snoring as a child in grade school. I have always snored even when I was thin! Back then I talked and walked in my sleep as well. As an adult, my husband hasn't mentioned the walking and I don't talk in my sleep often.

From a past sleep study report, Dr. Pandit focused on my oxygen level data. He said that the oxygen level should not drop below 90% when a person is asleep. Without wearing a CPAP Mask, my oxygen level drops to 79%, which he says is considerably low. Oxygen levels at 95 percent and above are normal. Levels below 70 percent are considered dangerously low. When this low, the heart may beat irregularly and may cause death.

Dr. Pandit pointed out another structural problem that I have no control over -- the popping sound when I open my mouth. He said this means I have tight jaws and to keep from damaging them I should bite and chew my food slowly, especially crunchy foods like nuts and carrots.

When I return to Dr. Pandit in February, his audiologist will check my ears. Until meeting Dr. Pandit, I never thought about getting my ears checked, which haven’t been checked since elementary school, over 50 years ago. The ears are very vital to our overall well-being! Dr. Pandit referred me to a neurologist to have my sleep study done. I have never been to a neurologist! I didn't even know that they specialized in sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

I encourage you to visit an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor to find out what’s going on in those areas of your body because they are related to sleep apnea.

The number one cause why people don’t exercise is low energy! Reasons for feeling rundown, tired, and fatigued are: boredom; allergies; being over caffeinated; multi-tasking; anemia; poor posture; underactive thyroid; undiagnosed heart disease; not exercising enough; dehydration; pre-diabetes; and sleep apnea.

Using my CPAP machine and mask along with exercising 5 to 6 days a week, have given me an abundance of energy. I don't get sleepy during the day and I go to bed each night between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. I sleep peacefully and wake refreshed.

I look forward to hearing what the neurologist has to say about my sleep study. I will visit with him in the next week or two.

The CPAP mask takes getting adjusted to (6 months to a year) because we're not used to having something covering part of our face. But, it is a life-saving measure so be sure to wear it! Remember, without it, like Reggie White, the NFL player, you could stop breathing in your sleep and die instantly!

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