Sleep Apnea Treatment

Question by : How to tell friends about my serious health issues that I’ve kept quiet about?
Your Open Question: How to tell friends about my health problems?

I’ve been going through a hard time lately and I haven’t really filled any of my friends in on the details. They have no clue I’ve been very ill and I don’t know how to tell them. I don’t want to seem like I want attention or special treatment, because I don’t… I just want them to understand I guess

I’ve been diagnosed with severe hypothyroidism, pernicious anemia, sleep apnea, vitamin deficiencies, and I’m being sent to the cancer center for suspected Cushing’s disease caused by a brain tumor. I really just don’t know how to tell them all. I haven’t touched base with them in a while so this is why it feels awkward. It would be over facebook as they all live far away. What should I do? How should I bring it up?

I just feel like an annoyance and a bother with my health issues…. Thank you so much. Blessings.
@vikram the pituitary is in the brain. As I have not been taking steroids to cause cushings, the tumor is either in my brain (pituitary) or on my adrenals on my kidneys. Some of the others do not have a cure, but instead are managed. I could go into more detail, but it’s complicated. Unfortunately, I’m not feeling well but I’m hoping to soon. I’m keeping my head held high.

Best answer:

Answer by Kevin S
post it on facebook then the world can see

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Question by J Garrison: I’ve been diagnosed with sleep hypoxia (not apnea). Do I need a CPAP machine?
He specifically said I had hypoxia, not apnea. I understand that a CPAP machine helps to keep airways open. My problem specifically is I breathe extremely shallow at night and my blood oxygen levels drop. I fail to see how a CPAP machine will help me with my problem since being able to breathe isn’t the problem, but how deep I draw my breath. Can anyone educate me on how a CPAP machine will help me with sleep hypoxia? I don’t have much faith in my doctor as he seems disinterested in me, putting his head in his hands, looking at my shoes while sitting in a chair and leaning up against a desk.

Best answer:

Answer by ♥ Crys ♥
If there is no apnea then no, you’d just need oxygen while you sleep BUT did you have a sleep study or did you just wear a pulse ox overnight? The Sleep Study will say yes there are or no there aren’t apneas. The pulse ox will say if there is hypoxia. Before most insurances will even cover a CPAP you’d have to be diagnosed with sleep apnea and have a sleep study. If you want more info feel free to email me, let me know what exactly they did to diagnose you etc and I’ll try to guide you right

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Question by Joseph S: I’ve got sleep apnea, how long will take using a CPAP machine untill I feel better?

Best answer:

Answer by Rick M
It varies a lot. Generally the more severe the sleep apnea, the sooner you will feel better. Don’t give up though. Sometimes it takes a month or more of regular use before you can actually feel the difference.

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Question by Popcicle: Too tired to function/live life? I’ve tried everything. Ideas?
First of all, there are a couple of things to factor in… I have been battling depression ever since I can remember but it is not as bad as it used to be(I know this can make you tired). Also, I have moderate sleep apnea and have a c-pap machine but have not been able to use it successfully. I just can’t get used to it. I’ve had it for over 5 years, tried every different mask, herbal sedatives and everything you can imagine. I know the fact that I get poor sleep is a major contributor. I’ve tried mouth devices and the surgery is not an option, obviously making me feel helpless to treating it. I’ve been evaluated by countless doctors. Blood tests and cat-scans show that I don’t have a thyroid disorder. I have been given all kinds of herbal supplements that if taken regularly, prove to slightly improve my energy but not significantly. I’ve been on every wakefullness medication that hasn’t worked, even abused medications that weren’t meant for wakefullness like adderall, which makes me crazy and extremely irritable.They all make my body ache like a 90 year old(I’m 21). I have completely changed my diet, thinking that I might be allergic to gluten but that barely made a difference and I couldn’t afford it(I’m a college student, barely able to manage 2 classes). I’ve tried quick fixes to get through the day like strong ginseng tea but everything that gives me enough energy to get through the day also causes me to crash so hard that I can’t move for the next two days. Ironically, I think I’m allergic to caffeine(it causes throwing up and diarrhea). I practice every common thing that I know to improve energy-drinking a lot of water, vitamins known to improve vitality, exercise(when I can), even expensive shoes that provide special support, you name it. I had trouble sleeping and waking at the same time as the other kids in high school. I worked with disabilities to knock off my first hour class because I couldn’t stay awake in class, or even drive to school without nodding off but I could still function, have friends, and get through most of the day. It’s gotten worse since then. I’m in college and I can’t even make it to once-a-week, nighttime classes. I certainly can’t hold a job and extra things like hanging out with or even contacting friends is to physically exerting. I have a small window of time in each day of a couple hours where I am awake. It’s hard to go out to do things like grocery shop. If I can’t make it back in time, my mind slows down and I become incoherent. When this happens I have trouble making it home. For example, I’ll wake up in another city, my groceries spoiled because I fell asleep and missed my stop. It’s not just my body, it’s my mind. I can’t remember anything or organize my thoughts. Often I will miss things because I think I am in yesterday or tomorrow. My room and hands are covered in notes reminding me to do things like “take a shower, go to bank, eat dinner”. Because I can’t sustain myself, I am paying for college in all loans and my mom(who is strapped for money and has other children to raise) is paying for all of this out of pocket and we have no insurance. She is constantly coming up with new things it could be and looking into new treatments that she can’t afford. I know that I have a duty to my mom and everyone pulling for me to keep trying but sometimes I wish that they would just stop. I am a passionate person and don’t want to be part of something I can’t participate in. Ideas?

Best answer:

Answer by PEACE
This may be too simple of an answer but i can’t seem to accomplish most of anything unless I take -timed release mega B vitamins.
They give me incredible energy.
They might work for you too.
Also Bee Pollen works too.

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Question by Moon Rainbow: I’ve been waking up, not breathing and have to gasp for air?
Probably once a week for about 6 months, I’ve been waking up out of nowhere, feeling suffocated (my head isn’t in my pillow when this happens) and it’s almost like I forget how to breath so when I try to take in a deep breath it’s a painful struggle.

I told my mom about this and wondered if I had sleep apnea, she said no because I’m not overweight and most people can go years without knowing they have it. She told me it was anxiety issues, but that seems doubtful. I do have a panic disorder, but when I wake up I usually wasn’t dreaming. I don’t wake up panicked other than the fact that I can’t breath. My panic attacks usually just consist of heart palpitations and sweating and racing thoughts, not breathing problems. I honestly don’t know what this could be, but it’s concerning me.

Also, all of the relatives snore, except me (according to everyone else that’s been around me sleeping), if that’s relevant.
James if I die it’s your fault haha

Best answer:

Answer by Faith Warrior
I know people with sleep apnea that are skinny. Anyway..I do believe that you are having panic attacks when this happens. Have you contacted your Dr.? If not, please do so.

God bless you!

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