Sleep Apnea

Capt. BassinLou · November 27, 2021, 08:26:44 AM

I'm bringing up this serious health issue because I have been selfish. I have wanted to talk about this topic for a very long time, and I always stopped myself, and for that I'm sorry.

Over a year and half ago, I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). There are actually 3 types of Sleep Apnea (SA). They are called: Central, Obstructive, and Complex Sleep Apneas. Obstructive sleep apnea (defined by google) occurs when the muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat, such as your tongue and soft palate, temporarily relax. When these muscles relax, your airway is narrowed or closed, and breathing is momentarily cut off.

I have had OSA for years. I just didn't believe I really had it. Waking up in the morning tired, and wanting to nap whenever I had down time during the day I thought was normal. Right? Wrong! But, hey I'm a guy, "suck it up" was my mantra and I did that over the course of many years.

The years leading to my diagnosis began with my wife actually. She had to endure MANY nights of my snoring. Coupled with the fact I would freak her out when I was having an apnea episode. This consisted of going from a snore, to holding my breath for a very long time, then gasp for air, and repeating this cycle through out the night. All the while I'm thinking I was sleeping. Little did I know, I never reached a true sleeping state.

The icing on the cake didn't happen until I joined UB actually. Prior to Covid, I participated and travelled to several UB events over the years. I was embarrassed and conscientious of my snoring when it was bed time. Like clock work, every morning my bunk mate(s) would say "dude you SNORE LOUD!!" One friend in particular hated to bunk with me for that reason. Embarrassing right?

Finally 2 years ago around this time of year, I made the conscious decision to tackle this issue head on. My first step was to see my Primary Care Physician. We talked it over, and he agreed I needed to participate in a sleep study. Upon completing this process, it was officially diagnosed that I indeed have OSA.

Once diagnosed, the following step was experimenting with the different sleep modalities until I narrowed down which one worked for me. And by sleep modalities, I meant, what continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine worked best for me. This process took a while, and I will explain why on another post in case anyone is interested. Long story short, an automatic positive airway pressure machine (APAP) was the better option for me.

Fast forward to today. My quality of life has completely changed. I really SLEEP now. For those who have never had SA they don't understand that concept. They give me that duh?? Look.

Sleep has taken new meaning to me and its a topic I take very seriously. I wake up rested and energized, I have always heard that phrase but never really truly understood it until now.

I could go on and on talking about this topic, but just know SA is a very, VERY, serious health issue affecting MILLIONS of people. If anyone suspects they have SA or have been told they have SA, look into it, and fix it, your body will thank you for it.

If anyone has questions about SA, and/or don't want to talk publicly about it, one, I hear you, two, PM me. But let's get you SLEEPING!!

Princeton_Man · November 27, 2021, 09:30:39 AM

Glad you got that diagnosed Lou! I have a couple of friends who have been diagnosed with some form of sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. Many years ago, I worked with a lady whose husband died from it. He would have those pauses in breathing and one night just paused and never started again. She reached over to wake him in the morning and he was cold.

I used to have all the symptoms and would scare my wife sometimes. Turned out getting my weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control, was the answer.

twocold · November 27, 2021, 09:30:54 AM

Lou,
I have OSA also and have been on a machine for over twenty years. When I was first diagnosed, I did not want the machine and endured two surgeries trying to beat it. Didn't work, and looking back now, not worth the pain. At the time unknown to me a friend was using a cpap. Talking to him made me feel better about the decision to move forward. After some time. I have grown very accustomed to the machine and I even have a small battery powered one I take camping.

coldfront · November 27, 2021, 09:35:16 AM

great post Lou! I too have sleep apnea. my sleep study indicated over 60 'events' an hour. tough to get rest when you're fighting that hard just to breath.
made great progress in past year....and am now down to 1-2 events/hour. technically I may not need the machine... but stay on it.

the other aspect? once you treat the situation, it should also help with blood pressure. folks with sleep apnea are at much higher risk of coronary disease and actual heart attacks.

thanks for sharing your personal journey. you are not alone.

Capt. BassinLou · November 27, 2021, 09:35:44 AM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on November 27, 2021, 09:30:39 AM
Glad you got that diagnosed Lou! I have a couple of friends who have been diagnosed with some form of sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. Many years ago, I worked with a lady whose husband died from it. He would have those pauses in breathing and one night just paused and never started again. She reached over to wake him in the morning and he was cold.

I used to have all the symptoms and would scare my wife sometimes. Turned out getting my weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control, was the answer.

Thank you Jim. For many, weight management has been a huge help to combat against sleep apnea.

Capt. BassinLou · November 27, 2021, 09:36:38 AM

Quote from: twocold on November 27, 2021, 09:30:54 AM
Lou,
I have OSA also and have been on a machine for over twenty years. When I was first diagnosed, I did not want the machine and endured two surgeries trying to beat it. Didn't work, and looking back now, not worth the pain. At the time unknown to me a friend was using a cpap. Talking to him made me feel better about the decision to move forward. After some time. I have grown very accustomed to the machine and I even have a small battery powered one I take camping.

Thank you for sharing twocold.

Capt. BassinLou · November 27, 2021, 09:42:28 AM

Quote from: coldfront on November 27, 2021, 09:35:16 AM
great post Lou! I too have sleep apnea. my sleep study indicated over 60 'events' an hour. tough to get rest when you're fighting that hard just to breath.
made great progress in past year....and am now down to 1-2 events/hour. technically I may not need the machine... but stay on it.

the other aspect? once you treat the situation, it should also help with blood pressure. folks with sleep apnea are at much higher risk of coronary disease and actual heart attacks.

thanks for sharing your personal journey. you are not alone.

Thank you CF. Appreciate that. My AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index ) average through out the course of the year has been than 2.

Donald Garner · November 27, 2021, 09:47:28 AM

Lou, like mentioned by the other guys here you're not alone. I've had surgery to remove my tonsils, throat enlarged and Uvula removed and after that I still snored like a freight train. I did a sleep study and now I use a CPAP Machine which has greatly improved my sleeping at night.

Guys tks for sharing your stories with us.

Capt. BassinLou · November 27, 2021, 09:49:34 AM

SA awareness is a topic that should be spoken about often. The negative health consequences are mind blowing.

Capt. BassinLou · November 27, 2021, 09:50:38 AM

Quote from: Donald Garner on November 27, 2021, 09:47:28 AM
Lou, like mentioned by the other guys here you're not alone. I've had surgery to remove my tonsils, throat enlarged and Uvula removed and after that I still snored like a freight train. I did a sleep study and now I use a CPAP Machine which has greatly improved my sleeping at night.

Guys tks for sharing your stories with us.

Wow Donald!! Thank you for sharing.

Smallie_Stalker · November 27, 2021, 11:38:16 AM

I was diagnosed with OSA in 1993. Much like Lou my snoring was driving others crazy, particularly my wife. What worried her more was she noticed on several occasions that mid- snore I would stop breathing.

My primary sent me for a sleep study and they were shocked at how many times I stopped breathing during the overnight stay.

Once on the CPAP my quality of life really improved for a while. Then it would start to go back and my wife would say I was snoring again even with the machine. My machine would be set for a higher pressure and all would be good for a while and then go back. It went on like that until the machine was maxed out. Then I would have to try a different type.

The machine I have now is wi-fi enabled and sends a nightly report to my Pulmonologist and generates a sleep score. If my score drops below a certain number she gets an alert and increases the pressure remotely. It is backed up by an SD card in case the Wi-Fi function breaks down. Unfortunately I am about at the end of how high this machine can go as well. I'm not sure what the next step will be.

I have learned from the various doctors that there are several things that can make SA worse including being over weight and also certain meds contribute. There are other things too, and every case can be different but the end result is the same.

Great topic Lou!

Sent from my One Plus 9 Pro 5G using Tapatalk

Terry G · November 27, 2021, 03:45:37 PM

I have been on a CPAP mach. for 30+ years now I can't sleep without it.
Once you are used to it, it becomes your sleep buddy sending a daily report to my computer.

Capt. BassinLou · November 27, 2021, 04:15:46 PM

Quote from: Terry G on November 27, 2021, 03:45:37 PM
I have been on a CPAP mach. for 30+ years now I can't sleep without it.
Once you are used to it, it becomes your sleep buddy sending a daily report to my computer.

X2 in regards to can't sleep without it. Thank you for sharing Terry G.

Wizard · November 27, 2021, 04:28:31 PM

I'm on my 6th CPAP and each is smaller than the previous version. The first was suitcase size and the last smaller than a box of tissue. It's a life saver.

Wizard

Capt. BassinLou · November 28, 2021, 05:26:45 AM

In case anyone reading this thread is considering their Captain's license and you have SA. You will need to include additional information from your physician in addition to the CG-719K or CG-719K/E Forms.

I'm sharing this information because one out of the 5 questions in the medical disqualifier section is in regards to SA.

When I read that question, I thought my journey in becoming a Captain was over. Fortunately that wasn't the case. My physician told me as long as we provided paperwork explaining my treatment plan, and demonstrating my SA was under control, the chances were good that I could receive my medical certificate. Thank goodness he was right.