Sleep Apnea Treatment » Years

Q&A: How can an untreated aneurysm last for over eleven years without bursting ?

Alan — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:37:27 +0000

Question by Sherry: How can an untreated aneurysm last for over eleven years without bursting ?
A close friend of mine claims an aneurysm was discovered on an X-ray in 1999 after a car wreck. He has not had surgery or treatment for it. If this is true, how is it that it hasn’t disected.

He also has had for many years:

Congestive heart failure
Severe asthma
Cellulitis of the legs
Sleep apnea
Obesity (well over 300 pounds)

Given all these conditions at once, how has he survived for so long. Since 2002 he had kept telling me his time was “short” until two years ago. He is now 65 years old. He has stopped telling me that because he knows I won’t believe him. Am I wrong in being suspicious about his sicknesses.

Best answer:

Answer by herblaura
sounds like he has obesity-related problems, but is also a bit of a hypochondriac

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I have had strange “hiccups” for 15 years, could they be Tourettes Syndrome? How does TS manifest?

Alan — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:35:13 +0000

Question by : I have had strange “hiccups” for 15 years, could they be Tourettes Syndrome? How does TS manifest?
I dehydrated and had reversible liver damage 15 years ago. It was a very traumatic ordeal. It took about two weeks to recover, and when I did I started “hiccuping”. I may have between 50-200 per day, less if I do not eat, and more if I eat carbohydrates and sugars. I itch a lot, however, not in the same places and not in any order. In doing some research on the subject I remember reading that there has to be several different tics to be considered Tourettes.
I have seen two neurologists and neither would diagnose it. My brother was diagnosed with TS at about 8 y/o.
I also have Sleep Apnea and Hypopnea, while sleeping only (as far as I know). My pulmonologist seems to think that the hiccups are caused by acid reflux. I take 2 Tums twice a day and so far have done one two week treatment of Nexium, without any relief. I had surgery for a deviated septum, after which, the hiccups seemed to have lessened slightly.
I will be having another nose and throat surgery in the next few months. The Dr. would like to see less episodes still. I went from 80 apneas to 20 each night. I wonder if the increased oxygen has been helpful in reducing the hiccups or if it has been psychosomatic.
I do not think that these are really hiccups, however, I do not have a better description for them other than an annoying “tic”. Can a traumatic event suddenly cause Tourettes?

Best answer:

Answer by ?
no its not ts

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3 years old with sleep apnea- enlarged adenoids?

Alan — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:42:01 +0000

Question by mommy mia: 3 years old with sleep apnea- enlarged adenoids?
ok. so my son is almost three- he was a breastfed baby and co- slept until he was 15 months old. He was never a good sleeper.. it has taken everything to get him sleeping in his own bed. But for the most part we thought that we had spoiled him and created bad sleeping habits. The nap got cut out at 2 and a half. Even though I missed that “break” in the middle of the day he was passing out quickly and by 8:30 at night. But he wakes up 4-5 times a night. It drives me and my husband crazy. My husband is convinced there is a voodoo curse on us.
How come our 18 month old wakes only once and this older one is still crying throughout the night? I went to the docs and told her that he wakes this much and that he must have sleep apnea from enlarged adenoids or something. She agreed that his adenoids were swollen and gave him nasonex. He is still waking up about twice a night but now since he is sleeping longer stretches he wants to wake up every morning at 5. We cant function. We have an appointment with an ENT next week. I am afraid they are going to want to do the surgery to remove his adenoids and then… it wont work. Is it him? Is it sleep habits? Can the adenoids really interupt the sleep this much?
anyone out there in a similar situation with the adenoids? Did it make a huge improvement?

Best answer:

Answer by siesteph
my daughter had extremely large adenoids(textbook large–apparently) ….it did not affect her sleep quite that way…..she just snored !! LOTS and LOTS of snoring…….almost louder than her dad snores lol

we had her tonsils and adenoids out a few years ago…..no more snoring (she’s 13 now)

now, my 3 yr old wakes up a few times a night (almost nightly)….but she is having bad dreams…:(
some nights she sleeps right thru…but there are nights when she is up 3 and 4 and even 5 times…..having bad dreams (she tells us this)

Good Luck Darlin’
2nd opinions don’t hurt

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Do I turn my back on my marriage of 22 years or stick it out. He suffers from depression and has done for 6yrs?

Alan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:43:15 +0000

Question by Karen: Do I turn my back on my marriage of 22 years or stick it out. He suffers from depression and has done for 6yrs?
The question may seem harsh, but the reality is I am not happy. My husband has always been very deep, and never really opened up in all the years we have been together, I suppose it was that air of mystery that attracted me to him first. Over the years we have gone through good and bad, but for the past 6 years I can see little good times had. His depression first happened 15 yrs ago, but it soon passed, this time it has stayed, he drinks regularly, something I have asked him to cut back on or stop, but he refuses, even though for our 3 children it is not a good example. He started smoking at 43. I am 44 he is 45. I have smoked on and off all my life, he hated it, but now smokes more than me. Apart from the cost it is not good for him, or I. He also suffers from severe Sleep Apnea. This is not helped with him being overweight, smoking and drinking. Again I have asked him to loose weight, but he blames his medication for alot of what has happened. He is a shift worker, and has to get up at 5.00 am. He therefore goes to bed around 7.30 – 8.30 at night. We therefore do not go to bed together most nights, and our sex life is virtually non existent. He used to in the early years of our marriage be the one that wanted sex, 3 or 4 times a week. He now does not seem interested at all? We very raley kiss, or cuddle anymore. We are like two people living together but miles apart. He knows how I feel, as I have said that if things do not improve I do not want to carry on living like this, and tough decisions will have to made about our marriage. Nothing seems to change though. He says that I am too controlling, but I have had to carry him, and look after the welfare of our 3 children 19,14 & 12 for the past 6 years, I have felt like a single parent for most of that time. Others tell me to walk away or throw him out. We have been to councelling a couple of times but nothing changes, as we do not put into practice what we have been told. He is regularly seen by a phyciatrist and his medication is constant, without it his mood would alter. I know it takes two to work at a marriage, god knows I have over the years, but there comes a point when decisions have to be made, we are all a long time dead, and I do not want to waste anymore time waiting for something to change. I love my husband, but feel no connection at present, very lonley, and thinking about having an affair. What should I do?
Something I forgot to mention, my husband has always had a dark side to him, something I knew about before we married, he used to chat on internet chat sites, phone chat, or chat box tv. All made me feel upset. why prefer to chat to a stranger, rather than your own wife. For many years on and off I would find txt messages etc from women who thought they were talking to a single bloke. I have recently been receiving emails from young russian ladies wanting a english husband. I managed to contact one of them, and explained that my husbands email address was sold to them by an agency. How did it get there unless he has searched for them?

I love my children very much, I would not want to do anything to hurt them, that is why I have forgiven or turned a blind eye to the above absurd behaviour. But in doing so, am I damaging them more? I understand that no child wants their mum or dad to part, but living in a hostile unhappy home surely in worse, than a single home full of love and
I am reading with interest all your thoughts. When we sit down and talk it just gets messy and tempers flare. I don’t think either of us want it to be over, we have known each other since we were 18. So young, and he was all that I ever wanted. Hurts so much to think the man I loved, doesn’t resemble the man he is know. I have changed too, I very rarely laugh anymore my kids see it, and tell me sort it out, they worry I worry. Just really lost of what to do, and how to get through to him that we are at the end of the line.
Just to answer the comment, that I am not supportive of his depression? I have done all in my power to support him, even at the point when he was about to loose his job over the amount of time he was off sick. I fought tooth and nail to support him, and eventually he was given his job back. Where is his fight to show his love for me, and respect the strong women that I am? Or does he perceive I am just a doormat, who he is able to do anything too, without me reacting? Depression/alcohol abuse is destructive. His mum suffers from depression too, and was a heavy drinker, until I confronted her with a few home truths, this let her to seek help, she no longer drinks, and is a better person for it. I know it sounds big headed, but I saved his mother from destruction, surely my husband should respect me more not less. You only allow others to treat you in a way that allow, by putting your foot down you show respect for yourself. Is that not true. I am very angry most of the time, w
To be clear, my husband does suffer from Clinical depression, yes he is on constant, if not life-long medication, and yes I am aware of my marriage vows, for better or for worse. If you have never suffered, or lived with someone with depression, then you can only scratch the surface of what this illness does to a relationship. I understand how difficult it is for my husband at times, but it is also difficult for me and his children too, what about their relationship with their dad, and their memories of growing up, I can’t sit and do nothing, but he has to realize no one can help him get better until he decides he wants to do something. Also in your comment of smoking, I have given up smoking before, but he says its my choice and carries on regardless, even after our daughter cried and said she did not want daddy to die, he just dismissed her concerns and carried on.

Best answer:

Answer by Ryan
As a 16 year old that would be the last thing I wanted my Parents to do

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Depression and Anxiety- I have been married for 20 years and my wife has just?

Alan — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:40:08 +0000

Question by ei_beachhouse: Depression and Anxiety- I have been married for 20 years and my wife has just?
filed for divorce. Actually, she told me in March 2008 that she could no longer take our life together and that if I didn’t do something about myself, our marriage would be over. In normal fashion for myself I felt threatened and acted as though she was to blame for the failure.

I suffer from severe sleep apnea plus a very stressful job which has been a recipe for disaster for many years. At her request saw a psycholgist who in my opinion had seen her better years and was totally unhelpul. After this failed relationship with the counselor, I gave up hope on the counseling and focused on getting my physical health better as the apnea had helped me gain 75 pounds last year and thus I was slippin deeper and deeper into depression.

In September my wife asked me to move out and I totally freaked out. I would call her 12 times a day and beg her to change her mind. She told me I had not done anything to get better mentally and I simply thought this was a huge game on her part. I became paranoid of another man etc. She stated she needed space to clear her thoughts as we have 2 children and she’s truly a great mother. I then consulted in a few friends that gave their uneducated opinion on women who need space and they all said “you’re done when women say this”. I never should have listened to this advice as I’ve later learned she was needing space to clear her head and I simply was freaking out thinking the world was ending. I’d call and yell at her then turn right around and tell her I love her. Obviouly irrational thinking. I cursed in front of my two beautiful children etc. and that was all she could take and she filed for divorce. Upon receiving the papers I wanted to commit suicide so I drove myself straight to the closest mental health hospital I could find.

I spent 7 days there and learned SO MUCH about myself. I learned I have been depressed for many years and that I had had a nervous breakdown and my actions over the past year could have been fixed with medication and therapy had I just taken the step faster.

I’m now seeing a therapist weekly and taking medication. My mind is clear and my mood swings are ending. I see totally why my wife just couldn’t live with me any longer as I wouldn’t want my children to have spouses like I had became.

My situation is this. Our marriage won’t go to the courts until April. My wife has agreed to sit down and talk to me. She is a terrific person but like myself and so many others, I don’t think she will understand the whole mental health issue and it’s treatability. I do understand as I have acted very irrational but so much was due to not sleeping for years mixed with severe depression.

I really hate to see this marriage of 20 years and friendship of 23 years end due to something I’m told is very controllable.

Any suggestions on what to say when we get together in a few weeks?

Any further details would glady be given at ei_beachouse@yahoo.com

Thanks,!

Best answer:

Answer by Peace
Let her know you realise where you went wrong. That your time spent away from her as been time you’ve been using to improve yourself. That you saught help for your problems, and ‘your ready to be the husband that she needs’ that you love her and your children and want to be in there lives and that your sorry and would like another chance. Tell her you understand this is a choice she has to make on her own and that you will give her as much time as she needs to think about it. That this doesn’t have to mean a divorce, and you’re willing to work through any unresolved problems.

Hope that helps.

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Tonsils and Adenoids removed at 2 years old?

Alan — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:38:46 +0000

Question by lcplyr7: Tonsils and Adenoids removed at 2 years old?
Hello parents, I need help! My son has suffered from numerous ear infections and severe sleep apnea since birth. He has also been chronically congested since birth. We took him to an ENT yesterday who said his adenoids and tonsils were HUGE. She displayed a lot of sympathy for our child because he seemed so miserable. His ears are always filled with fluid and therefore he hears like he is under water. Anyway, the ENT wants to remove tonsils, adenoids, and put tubes in his ears. We scheduled this surgery two weeks from now. I am a nervous wreck! He is just two years old! Has anyone had a child that had this surgery at such a young age? If so, what can I expect? Help! I am freaking out.

Best answer:

Answer by sophie r
That’s rather unusual at such a young age. I had my tonsils and adenoids removed at about 8 years old. I can recall never being concerend or overly worried and now that I am a mother myself I am presented with the very same situation as yourself with my own child who is a teenager.
They remove the tonsils, etc through the mouth from what I can recall, and you are under a general anaesthetic for about 20-30 minutes. when I awoke they gave me lots of ice cream and jelly and really I do not recall any excessive discomfort at all.
I am certain that your child will come through the operation just fine.. try not to worry too much.
My son has breathing problems and so this is something which I am going to explore…. but try not to worry as it is a routine procedure…

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Q&A: sleep apnea and almost 20 years old?

Alan — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:35:29 +0000

Question by St. Louis Cardinals Fan: sleep apnea and almost 20 years old?
So I am almost 20 years old, 5′9″ and 140 pounds and I think I may have sleep apnea.. I don’t snore, just a heavy breather in my sleep, but last August when I was at my friend’s house she woke me up in the middle of the night because I was gasping for breath. Then last month I woke up in the middle of the night gasping for breath, the worst feeling ever. Then last night my boyfriend woke me up because he said I stopped breathing three times and then finally I started gasping for breath.. Is this early signs of sleep apnea or something else? Isn’t it pretty abnormal for someone my age to have it? LIke I said, I’m not overweight and I’m not snoring. I know I should probably go for a sleep test but I wanted to see if there is anything else it could be. Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by John Reid
I’m no doctor but I would say you have something, Go to you’re nearest doctor

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I have been hallucinating for about 2 years since my mom has died.?

Alan — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:37:41 +0000

Question by Jdk1928: I have been hallucinating for about 2 years since my mom has died.?
My mother died two years ago from cancer. I took care of her and gave her the primary care required till she past to the point of taking her off her breathing mask. A lot of other stressful things in my life leading up to this final climax before things settled down. My problem is since my mom has passed i have hallucinations while sleeping. I come flying out of bed nearly scaring my husband to death. We have tried some simple meds, muscle relaxer, visteral, they took me of my prozac and i still have the hallucinations. All i want to do anymore is cry. I cant sleep without the hallucinations and i dont know what to do. I also have panic attacks, acid reflux, diabetes, high blood pressure. My panic attacks make my heart feel its beating out of my chest. I believe i also have sleep apnea. I”m so depressed by the all this and i dont know what to do or if it has anything to do with the hallucinations. I cant help but think about what happened with my mom even after two years. I dont feel i ever received any comfort when she died from anyone. My immediate family, husband and children couldn’t be there and my actual family except for my dad and grandma are basically idiots. I had to be strong for my dad and grandma so i couldn’t really lean on them. I feel like i’m going crazy sometimes with the hallucinations. I woke up tonight and think there’s bugs in my pillows or mice or rats running around and i’m checking out my pillows to see if i can hear anything or feel them moving. Anyone have any ideas for me. I have no medical insurance and my dr that monitors my diabetes only deals with prescriptions that are not a controlled substance. Any advice from a sincere person would be greatly appreciated.. This is my sons account so if anyone has anything they want to send me please send it to salvation4me@suddenlink.net. Thank you,

Best answer:

Answer by jannsody
I am so sorry for the loss of our mother. My sincere condolences to you and your family. Please get immediate help since you said that you have halluncinations. The local hospital may have ‘charity care’ available which is funding for those without medical insurance. Most hospitals have outpatient programs for those with a mental health problem and some pharmaceutical companies (such as pfizer and elly lilly) offer discounted or free medication to those that qualify (by income) so that may also be a huge help too.

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Can sleep apnea be caused by stress? I am 23 years old and average weight so why is this happening to me..help

Alan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:47:36 +0000

Question by rose89: Can sleep apnea be caused by stress? I am 23 years old and average weight so why is this happening to me..help
I have been really stressed out lately so I am wondering if that is why I am having sleep apnea symptoms. I always heard it was in older people who were over weight and usually men but that is not me at all. Can anyone help me out and explain why this could be happening to me?
I haven’t seen a doctor yet I just stop breathing in my sleep and wake up gasping for air. I do have chronic tonsillitis could that be blocking the air way if I’m breathing through my mouth at night

Best answer:

Answer by S P
You don’t always have to be a man or overweight. See your doctor.

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Sleep apnea years after tonsils removed?

Alan — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:47:34 +0000

Question by RABOSU: Sleep apnea years after tonsils removed?
I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. I don’t fit the typical description of someone who has it: I’m a healthy weight, and a young female.
It’s a mild case, but enough that it completely messes with my sleep and makes me exhausted.
When I was 6, my tonsils were removed. My mom made the comment that the doctor told her that they were abnormally large.
Is it possible that something in my anatomy from the tonsils that long ago could be causing the apnea (since they were apparently so large)?

Best answer:

Answer by TJO
No, your tonsils have absolutely nothing to do with your sleep problem.

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