What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome?
For quite some time, I’ve felt tired and un-refreshed in the morning, even if I had a full night’s sleep. At first, I thought it had to do with the stress of my job, but even when I cut back on my responsibilities, I still had the feeling of fatigue and dreariness of trying to do something. When I saw my doctor for a check-up, he noticed that my blood pressure was high and that I did not look well. After he examined me, he told me I might have obstructive sleep apnea.
Apparently, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was the reason why I did not feel energized in the morning. He told me sleep apnea makes people feel tired and fatigued even after a good night’s rest, and can also present itself in other ways, such as high blood pressure and irritability. The cause of my obstructive sleep apnea was from my snoring at night. When I snored, it was a sign I was not getting enough air into my body and to my brain, which was causing my problems.
I asked him about what treatments were available and what I could do about this problem. Fortunately, he told me the treatment was pretty straightforward. I had to use what was called a CPAP machine when I slept. A CPAP machine was a breathing device; I had to attach a mask to my mouth and nose, like a scuba mask, when I slept. The machine would gently blow air into my mouth and nose while I slept, keeping me from snoring. When I tried this CPAP machine, my obstructive sleep apnea went away! Within a week I felt so much better energized!
Thanks to this treatment, I didn’t need a tonsillectomy and I no longer feel weary and tired in the morning. I’m glad I took the time to investigate into this issue and get it resolved.
-Greg Tooke My short bio
I’ve got a call into my ent because I’ve been waking up choking 4/5 nights this past week. Even took a 45 minute nap to wake up choking. I sleep on my stomach or side and I’m not overweight, I don’t drink or smoke. I’ve been a snorer, my daughter has been sleeping with me she says I gurgle in my sleep and choke a lot. She also said sometimes it sounds like I’m not breathing. She’s had her own health issues, that’s why she’s been sleeping in my bed. Makes me sad that I was so scary for her to sleep with.
I had surgery for OSA – tonsillectomy, and Radiofrequency on soft palate, Uvula, as well as the base of the tongue.
My apnea was so bad I stopped breathing on average of 47 an hour! I had the CPAP machine as mentioned above but because I was so severe it had to be set at a pressure of 18 lbs of pressure – the highest thy can do is 20! The machine didn’t work for me. The pressure was so high that the mask would push off of my face. This meant I had to have the mask on so tight that it left marks on my face. I even got a blister one morning. I also experienced tons of ear pain with the high pressure as well.
anyways – I was able to sleep in my own bed 14 days post-op and my hubby told me that I still slightly snored but not much and he didn’t hear me stop breathing at all – which he noticed all the time before.
so to make my long story come to an end – it looks like surgery cured or at least mostly cleared my Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Dr. Jason Chau is my surgeon and he works both in the US as we’ll as Canada. This surgery is fairly new in Canada (within the last year) but has been done for a while in the US through Stanford I believe!
Hope this helps someone!
I know i am commenting on my own post but i have a progress report:
Well last night I slept in bed and my husband told me that I no longer snore on my back as well as he can no longer tell if I stop breathing ( which was recorded at 47 times an hour). He also figured that it seems like I may no longer need to use my CPAP machine – this is 14 days post-op! So this looks like it was a very successful surgery! 🙂
I’m day four post Tonsillectomy. Yesterday was my best day. I have heard tons of horror stories. And I still have not felt or experienced any horror. Yes it does hurt but not so bad your gonna loose it. I am so glad I went thru with it!!
glad to hear Bridge! Hope things continue this way!