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:-)
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I use my CPAP just fine with my goatee...just have to test it every now and again to ensure the seal is tight. Does your machine self test?
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Ummmmm :-)
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My wife is going in for her sleep test tonight.
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Please tell her congrats from me!!


Anyone else have any updates? :-)
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I use the nasal pillow... works well with my beard/goatee. The wife says I was a mouth-breather when I slept prior to getting the machine. I have always had a deviated septum and some congestion issues that caused me to breathe through my mouth when asleep.

Since getting the machine, I don't breathe through my mouth anymore. The positive pressure of the air has opened my nasal passages enough that I don't need to open the mouth. Plus, the mask seems to "encourage" me to keep my jaw closed. Not in an uncomfortable way, but it does help.

The nasal pillow:
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Hope you find something that works, bro! :-)
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My name is Christian and I have sleep apnea.

I went to a well-regarded ENT and told him about my sleep difficulties. My wife often noted that I choke or gasp in my sleep. The ENT ordered a 2-part sleep study. I have completed both parts and have my follow-up with the ENT tomorrow. I'm guessing he will order me to get a CPAP machine.

We'll see what happens next.
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Saw the doc today. I have mild/moderate apnea. My RDI was 10.3. My lowest O2 saturation was 86%, which was the number that disturbed him. I should have my CPAP machine in less than 2 weeks.

On a positive note, he said that with the CPAP machine plus losing weight (I am severely overweight, almost 375 lbs at a height of 5'8") I will be able to avoid surgery. They also scoped my nose and throat and found normal anatomy. No polyps, ulcers or lesions. A little bit of allergy-related redness, but nothing to worry about. Oh, and I have a deviated septum because of breaking my nose so many times in wrestling.
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Christian...don't you just love doctors?
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Actually, I lost my teaching job and am currently on Cobra. I'm trying to get as much medical stuff done as possible while I can afford it, since I've already met my deductible. I've had 4 surgeries in 5 months, stocking up on my BP and thyroid meds, got allergy tests and the sleep studies done.

The thing that SUCKS for me is that because of the surgeries (which were on a tender area,) I am in horrible pain and can't exercise even though I want to. There are times when literally every step is agony. I'm practically living on Vicodin and muscle relaxers. I see that doc tomorrow.
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Sorry to hear about all the pain...good news is you will be healthier after all is completed!!! Wishes and prayers your way Christian!!
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Just had a fun MRI of the brain today. Sleep apnea does complicate things even when you are awake! I have trouble breathing without the CPAP and lying on my back without moving for 45 minutes was a real joy. Plus, no anxiety meds because that would slow the breathing too much and complicate an already challenging situation!!

Yay for sleep apnea!
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I feel you on that...wife had an MRI last week...1 hour and 45 minutes..."don't move, watch your breathing", while the machine makes ungodly noises (wife said it sounded like it was falling apart). Hope I never need one of them!!
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I hate MRI's, when I had my MRI when they tested me for my apnea I had my first and only panic attack I ever had.
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I don't think I would be cooperative inside a metal tube...at all!!
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Wow, I've read through a lot of the posts here and maybe I need to look into my sleep apnea treatment again.

I have a CPAP and a full-face mask, I hate it. I used it nightly when I was married but got divorced last year and quit. I had leaks around the mask, even after trying several masks, and I don't recall feeling any better using it. It did stop my snoring but that's the only thing I know that it did for me.

However, here lately I've been feeling pretty drained. I attributed it to stress (like the divorce and some other things) but I see a lot of the way I feel may be a result of the sleep apnea.

I spend a lot of my day yawning, I never feel rested, energy is low... my biggest concern is my inability to get focused - my head just feels foggy or staticky, if that makes sense.

Thanks for the thread, I'll definitely need to look into this some more.
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This thread has been quiet for about a week now...any updates???
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Well I should have put this update in a long time ago, but time has slipped by. My wife picked up her CPAP machine on Wednesday last week. It is an adjustment for her getting used to having it, but she seems to be sleeping better. She also noticed that she has more energy now as well.

I first thought when she was prescribed the CPAP that I would need to start sleeping with earplugs again, but you can barely notice it running.

She spoke with one of our son’s therapist, and her husband is now scheduled for a sleep study as well.


One last thing. She is now wearing a mask that covers her nose, but it is uncomfortable is there a better option?
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small up date: my twin brother went in for a sleep study and came out with a machine. I'm making my appointment for next week sometime...
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I wear the full "pilot" mask that covers nose and mouth. I found it more comfortable than the one that just covered up my nose (because I would open my mouth and damn near suffocate form the air rushing in). Does it just cover her nose? Have her try the mouth/nose covered (if she can)...she will be a lot more comfortable.

Way better to be safe than sorry MJ!!!
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