Posted on Apr 13, 2017
Sleep Apnea. I had no idea how common it was or how serious it was to my health. Do you know what it is and how you should treat it?
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I have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. I had no idea how common this medical malady is nor how significant it is as a contributing factor to so many other medical diseases. Unfortunately, I have the severely obstructive variety. Now comes the oxygen mask I must wear at night for the rest of my life.
Want to know if you have it? Ask - do I snore? Yes?
Then, please get yourself tested ASAP.
Want to know if you have it? Ask - do I snore? Yes?
Then, please get yourself tested ASAP.
Sleeping
Health
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Been using the full face model for years. When I was tested with a sleep study they woke me up after an hour and ended the test - I had something like 25 episodes in the first hour. I snored, had diabetes, high blood pressure, fuzzy memory, and a small stroke. I had previously fallen asleep at my desk at work several times, and almost fell asleep a number of times in rush hour traffic before I got my CPAP unit.
CPAP is easy to get used to and feels as natural as breathing while SCUBA diving, and I feel better all day long.
CPAP is a life saver.
CPAP is easy to get used to and feels as natural as breathing while SCUBA diving, and I feel better all day long.
CPAP is a life saver.
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SCPO (Join to see)
BTW, Capt Seid Waddell my recent sleep study showed 47 episodes of 10-seconds or more of breathing cessation in an hour. The longest was a few seconds shy of one entire minute!!!
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MSgt George Cater
I had an civilian 'old corps' style CPAP about 8 yrs ago, but stopped using it after losing about 30 lbs and getting in better shape. Doped off last fall, gained some weight back. Guess what? Just last month the VA in Orlando gave me this high speed-low drag tiny CPAP like 1stSgt Harless' that turns itself on and off even. Sleep much better already and even though I'm dumping the weight again, I'll keep using the CPAP.
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Capt Seid Waddell
SN Greg Wright, SCPO (Join to see), MSgt George Cater, I have used the full face mask from the beginning and have had no problems adapting to it.
I am on my second unit, and it has some automatic features that have been a bit of a pain though - if I roll over and get some mask leakage it increases the pressure to compensate. Even if I adjust the mask to stop the leakage it keeps up with the high pressure until I turn it off and restart it.
Other than that, the full face mask is as comfortable and natural as SCUBA diving - which I used to love to do.
I am on my second unit, and it has some automatic features that have been a bit of a pain though - if I roll over and get some mask leakage it increases the pressure to compensate. Even if I adjust the mask to stop the leakage it keeps up with the high pressure until I turn it off and restart it.
Other than that, the full face mask is as comfortable and natural as SCUBA diving - which I used to love to do.
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I have severe sleep apnea and had a UPPP surgery. Removed my adenoids, tonsils and uvula (the lil guy that hangs in the back of your mouth). Still required a CPAP machine but I prefer the full face mask as my mouth comes open while I sleep. I wear it religiously, even for a nap. Seems I would stop breathing 100 times in an hour. I get additional sleep studies almost annual for changes occur, and adjustments are required.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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Another tip for active service members. If you snore or find you aren't sleeping well, bring it up on your final physical, and get a sleep study done. Sleep Apnea CAN be considered service connected and rate a pension.
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1stSgt Eugene Harless
SCPO (Join to see) - When I was in the study of Sleep Apnea was in its Infancy. After I got out and was referred to a sleep study by the VA I realized I had been exhibiting signs well before I retired. I got witness statements from Marines in my units that had witnessed me having SA episodes while sleeping in the field and applied to have SA added top my service related disabilities. While the VA did give me treatment for it they wouldn't consider it Service related.
The sole reason was because I didn't mark a "yes" in the questionaire during my physicals about having problems sleeping. Reflecting back on it I simplt didnt know what good sleep was supposed to feel like. Also as career military we tend to try to gloss over any type of medical problems because we dont want to be flagged as being a broke dick.
The sole reason was because I didn't mark a "yes" in the questionaire during my physicals about having problems sleeping. Reflecting back on it I simplt didnt know what good sleep was supposed to feel like. Also as career military we tend to try to gloss over any type of medical problems because we dont want to be flagged as being a broke dick.
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SCPO (Join to see)
My situation is nearly identical. But if this CPAP is going to give me restful sleep into my sunset years, I will not bemoan the loss of 20-30% disability. I've crossed the bridge...no going back.
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MSgt George Cater
Oh hell yeah, get in your discharge / retirement physical by all means. Service connected, sleep apnea ALONE is 50% disability. My problem is finding someone from 24+ years ago to certify that I snored on active duty.
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SCPO (Join to see)
I retired 15 years ago. It's been forty-five years since I slept aboard ship in a compartment of sailors.
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