Public Service Announcement - Very Important!!

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Are you tired when you wake up? Yes, serious question, I know there are some tired mummies out there!

Do you find yourself nodding off in front of the tv/computer or while driving? Even if you got to bed early, do you still feel tired when you wake up?

PLEASE, go in to your nearest chemist and ask if they do Home Sleep Tests! The one I've just done cost $150, but it really is worth it.

I've been diagnosed with severe Sleep Apnoea - here's some of my results:

Severe Sleep Apnoea will cause a person to stop breathing over 40 times per hour.
I stop breathing 116 times per hour, on average every 30 seconds.

Most people have a blood/oxygen saturation over 95%.
Under 90% is concerning.
Mine was 60% for 138 minutes while I was sleeping.

Sleep Apnoea puts strain on your heart, not to mention to risks from not getting proper sleep every night - I've actually been told not to drive for more than 10 minutes at a time until I get my CPAP machine, because I'd be putting myself and everyone else at risk.

I didn't realise it was so bad for me, I didn't realise my results would be so severe. PLEASE, get the test done - you don't hafta live like this!!

[Heaven]

Oh my gosh Keike! So glad you did that test!

[LionsandBears]

I didn't know you could do this through a chemist. I keep meaning to book a sleep test thing.

I've heard Buteyko breathing exercise can help without using CPAP.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Neither did I Tash, I just happened to see a sign. DH had already told me I had it, it stresses him out to the point where he's not sleeping either, because he can hear me not breathing. I had been trying to figure out a way to do it all when I work fulltime, but the home one was brilliant, they just sent me away with the kit and I brought it in the next day.

I know Heaven, it scared the crap outta me when they rang yesterday! I mean, I knew I was tired, but I thought it was a weight thing. But the lady said there'd be no chance of sustaining weight loss at the moment, I don't have the oxygenation to make it work. I'm scared to go to sleep now, I'm afraid I won't wake up!

[toomanyshoes]

I have OSA, it was diagnosed YEARS ago when I was a teenager and in hospital for my back, the nurses noticed something was up while checking on me over night and then I had to do a sleep study.

We have the head end of the mattress elevated because of the OSA and it also helps with my back.

I don't mean to sound rude but have you gotten a second opinion and done a full sleep study? I just worry they may be just trying to get you to buy the CPAP through the chemist, they certainly aren't cheap!

Forgot to add there's also two different types which have vey different causes. I really hope I haven't offend, it wasn't my intention, just trying to make sure you get the right help.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Wow i should get DP to do it, one night he woke up choking on his tongue AND he snores REALLY badly, he works really hard but there are some days where he will fall asleep on the couch by 7pm.

I highly doubt he will do it even if i ask him too though, and we don't have the cash

[sconeonamission]

DH reckons he has sleep apnoea. Hasn't done anything about it though.

[~Kim~]

Keike, your story is so similar to my DH's. His is severe and not affected in the slightest by weightloss. Like your DH it kept me awake all night with the snoring and the waiting for him to stop breathing. I'd hear him and count to 10, if he hadn't started again I'd kick him.
He was shoced to hear the impact it 'could' have on his health, but sadly he hates the mask and refuses to wear it so fat lot of impact it had.

I do agree with TMS though, I'd be taking those results into your GP and getting him to take a look at the study and the results. My DH is under the supervision of a sleep specialist.

Good luck hun.