Posted on 11/09/2005 11:01:10 PM PST by NormsRevenge
No, but a high percentage of serious snorers do.
I don't snore much at all, and had sleep apnea. We have a fair idea that it lead to the death of my father and grandfather, who died in his sleep. Both were monumental snorers while I am not.
I use a CPAP to breath at night. I swore I would never use one, but I sleep so well now that I won't go to bed without putting it on. I think the device has saved me and given me some of the best sleep that I've had in year.
Seriously, if you know someone and suspect they have this, they need a sleep test.
Hey there, fellow sufferer. Can you try to rent one? That's what my insurance does. It's better to rent it because they are sensitive devices and renting is like having a permanent warranty. Check it out and Freepmail me.
The problem is that you have to get it preset by your doctor. Following that I can recommend a unit and mask.
It will change your life.
these units are only $800-1200. It's definitely worth pursuing. I'll help with research. Let me know.
WAY better than my old one! I can turn over and it stays on!
My insurance covered surgery for obstructive sleep apnea. I had to get a representative for the HMO to help them see the light.
I had chronically swollen tonsils and so I told them, it would be money well spent to fix the rest while they were in there. I managed to avoid the CPAP. I had a uvulectomy, tonsils removed, excess tissue in the throat removed and they fixed a deviated septum.
Best money that I've never spent in my life. Knowing what I do now, I'd pay for it out of my own pocket.
It does have mixed results in the success rate. Mine improved my sleep and life dramatically. An end to bruised ribs from my wife elbowing me in the ribs to get me to start breathing again.
If you have apnea, get it treated. You'll have more energy when you get good sleep.
Sleep apnea is a potentially deadly disease. Unfortunately, what the NEJM article about the use of CPAP in heart failure really said was that it was totally useless and doesn't work for these people. The truth is that a significant number of apnea sufferers do not have obstructive sleep apnea but rather a different, more dangerous condition called complex sleep apnea. The problem is that CPAP is of little or no use in treating that form of the disease. Little wonder that more than half of all people who get a CPAP stop using it within weeks. Here is a link to something about complex apnea. I know, I have it myself and CPAP only made me worse. Now I sleep with a new kind of machine and I sleep great.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16217173&query_hl=1
Snoring is an indicator of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
It does not mean that if you snore, even heavily, that you have OSA. However, virtually all OSA sufferers snore to some extent.
Pulse Oximetery devices are considered less than reliable for detection of OSA. They also have had a more difficult time with dark skinned people.
Bottom line: If you snore, you should be screened for OSA.
Hi Nipplemancer,
How do you know you have OSA? Did you go to a sleep lab?
There is more than one kind of SA though the current treatments are about the same.
My Wife not only snores but, makes wheezing noises that drive me insane. She's lucky to be alive, apnea or not.
Wow - didn't realize there were so many apnea sufferers here.
I am married to one who uses a CPAP and it saved our marriage - I used to sleep down the hall with a pillow over my head and I could STILL hear him snore.
We call it the sleep-happy machine.
If you live in a large city, start calling folks who are having "estate sales". My guess is you could pick up one cheap and have it renovated and cleaned. It's an outrage that a $19 machine would be sold for thousands of dollars. People understand unions ruined industry, but few understand how the AMA (the world strongest Union) ruined medical care. It's an outrage.
I had the same surgery, but my main problem was an unusually large uvula. Post op was fun, wasn't it?
It seemed to completely cure my apnea, though I do still snore if I have any kind of congestion. I don't think my ENT quite got my septum right.
That said, I would gladly go through the surgery again tomorrow. It really changed my life.
You'll need a perscription, and perhaps a sleep test before that, but buy your machine online and save about 80%. After 6 years, I just replaced my first machine. I shopped medical outlets here in Amarillo, saw my same machine for $1400, found the exact same machine online for $360.
The name of the outfit was CPCP Plus Direct, with which I have no affiliation.
They didn't get all the crooks during Watergate, you know...
Whoa!!! *BAD* advice ... on your side is the best way to keep your airway open. If I could always sleep on my side, I might not need my CPAP machine. This is common.
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