Question
Well lets start by saying for over 30 years i knew i had a problem. On april 25,2000 I was diagnosed with Obstuctive Sleep Apnea. I was admitted into the hospital for 4 days because the doctors thought I would pass out at any time because my blood oxygen levels would drop to 50%or less {100%being optimum}Also I could and would goto sleep at literally any time or any where .At that time they tried to put me on a c-pap machine but I couldnt tolerate the device.And the doctors put me on indefenant sick leave. I went through surgery to do a roto-rooter on my nose and throught.The process helped me from stopping breathing at night but my oxygen levels still drop into the 60% range.
Q.Is there any drivers out there with sleep apnea?
Q.What is your treatment for the condition?
Q.Will i ever get to drive otr again?
------------------
KEEP SMILING..PEOPLE WILL WONDER WHAT YOUR UP TO
Answer
My brother has it enough to have a c-pap machine. His wife calls him a seamonster. He didn't have a problem tolerating it because once they found out what was wrong, he said he didn't remember what a good nights sleep was. If you can learn how to sleep in a truck, give the machine a chance. He is a team driver too and it's not a mom and pop operation. Big company hauls their own freight and yours too.
Answer
You can find previous postings on this subject in the search feature. Also visit the Medical Forum and ask Nurse Red about Sleep Apnea.
Here's is one particular link on Sleep Apnea:
Answer
My brain is tired or I would have suggested that. Long week.
Answer
Joker...
I can sympathize with you about the sleep apnea.. hubby has had it for the last 10 years. He was placed on a C-PAP machine which is still in use as of today.
He had the surgery that removed the uvula and had the "passage" cut down the back side of the tongue with a laser... to no avail for him.
WHY? you ask?
Because his lower jaw is 'recessed', it causes the throat to collapse.. cutting off the air supply. The type of surgery HE had and YOU had.. does NOT alleviate the problem of "obstructive sleep apnea". IF you have the same type of problem... recessed jaw... then the ONLY surgery available to alleviate it is called 'maxillary' reconstruction. With this, they take and cut the lower jaw bone on both sides and insert a piece to "lengthen" the jaw bone and thrust it forward to meet up with the upper jaw, thus alleviating the 'backward' thrust.
It is a surgery that takes about 1 year to heal from... and I can only assume a very painful one to boot.
The 'traditional' surgeries of sleep apnea may work for those who are NOT "obstructive" such as you and my hubby. MANY variables come into play at that time.
You say that you could NOT tolerate the C-PAP machine... it IS a "mental" thing to deal with. NOT necessarily a physical one. Perhaps, you would give it a try again.???
Hubby goes to hunting camp or we take a trip and the machine goes with us. It is his lifeline!
I have SEEN for myself what happens when an episode occurs and KNOW what area's are affected during such an episode. The heart really takes a beating! NO pun intended!
Research a little bit more... and don't be shy if you wish to email me about it..
Nurse Red?
What say YOU??
Kat
Answer
My hubby was diagnosed two years ago but didnt go to his follow up appt, Then the beginning of June had his blood oxygen go down to 70 and ended up in the hospital cause he couldnt breathe. Then they put him on the cpap and he had another sleep study on Oct 5th and they put him on the bipap. It has different air levels and he is having a little trouble adjusting, which we heard is normal. He has the breezy nasal mask which just fits up into his nostrals instead of the whole face mask,, He likes it a lot better, We are in the process of changing pulmonary groups, so will let you know more after his appt on Nov. 16th. I will keep an eye on this thread too incase anyone has any questions I can help with. We are still kinda new to this but will help when I can.. ttfn, Myra
Answer
I also have sleep apnea. Was put on the C-PAP machine 2 years ago.
I guess I am lucky, because I have never had any problem tolerating it. It gives me real sleep, and just putting it on makes me fall asleep faster.
In fact, I cannot stand to lie down with out it. Because I feel like I am suffocating without it now.
And from the first morning on, the difference it made in my life was..... wonderful. I never understood how anyone could just feel like getting up. It had been a painful struggle for me ALL my adult life.
The machine, goes with me, were ever I go. I have a small inverter that plugs into a cig. liter.
And everyone that has to sleep around me is glad I have it too!!
I never had to quit driving. I wasn't to the point of not being ABLE to stay awake in the daytime. Guess mine was caught earlier than yours. But then you need to get to were you are not knocking your oxygen levels down,and not falling asleep easily(daytime), before you should even consider going back to driving. Afterall, your health is far more important.
Good Luck,
Kelly
Answer
be thankful that you caught it in time and are only on a machine,my brother was diagnosed with it,he went through the surgeries to no avail,they finally had to put a trache tube in his throat so he could get the oxygen that he needs to live,he has had it now for about 5 years and the only way they can take it out is if he loses the wait he gained after they put it in,plus what he gained after he broke his ankle,so if you thing the c-pap or the bipap machines are uncomfortable,which by the way,my wife is on one now,then try having a whole in your neck that you have to breath through,just thought this post would make you feel a little better about your condition,it could be worse
Answer
A lot people who are diagnosed with severe sleep apnea are diagnosed when they reach their 40's. The reason seems to be related to the natural aging process. Your metabolism slows down. Your activity levels change and you begin putting on weight. So many people have found that weight loss has been as much of a boon to them as the surgery's and machines. I am not saying that simply losing weight will fix the problem, but it definitely helps. Drinking alcohol or taking certain medications before bedtime can also relax the structures of the nose and throat just enough to interfere with oxygen flow.
Sleep apnea studies are still in their infancy to some extent. It has only been within the last 10 years that it has gained the serious attention of researchers. So there is still much to be discovered and experimentation with various treatments will continue and improve.
In the meantime, making the necessary adjustments to the treatments available is paramount.
Try to figure out what it is that bothers you about the machine. Is it the face mask? See if other options are available for the delivery of air flow. Try wearing the mask (disconnected of course)during waking hours until it becomes part of you. Kind of like someone wearing glasses for the first timein their life.
Does it make too much noise? Try headphones as well, with relaxing music or the "white noise" tapes (ocean sounds, rainfall, waterfalls, etc.).
Just some suggestions for now. But I'm here for further questions. BTW, that link listed above is a good one.
Now, Monty or retread, can you copy this to the medical forum for me so we have it on both forums? I hate being so 'puter illiterate!
------------------
Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
Nurse Red, consider it done.
Note: The process of moving this thread will close this thread here in the Roundtable. However, you can still find this thread, live and well, in the Medical Forum and be able to respond to it there.
Answer
I was diagnosed two years ago to be afflicted with sleep apnea. I was unwilling to accept that I would be married to an oxygen bottle/machine for the rest of my life.
At 5'8" and 210 lbs and 47 years old my problem I figured is from my weight, I am fairly physically fit , ride and race motorcycles off road which is a very demanding sport and I stay active as much as possible, I pack a bicycle and exercise equipment on truck that does get used.
In 1997 I had total ACL reconstruction and shot up from 185 lbs! Is the 800 mg Ibuprofens a steroid or something?
What I am getting too, is I believe in my case the sleep apnea is directly the result of my weight gain. I can understand part of the weight as muscle I built doing re-had and training etc. but it seems that no matter what I eat it turns to weight.
What is the combination of different foods that should not be eaten together ?
I watch what I eat very closely according to the pyramid table yet I am still gaining weight. I have not taken Ibuprofens since August.
This is my normal "Road Diet". We all know that eating healthy on the road is almost impossible but for me this is what I have been living on;
For snacks in the truck I eat popcorn, beef jerky and apples. Slimfast for breakfast with wheat toast and coffee. lunch is veggies, Doritos, hard boiled eggs and Slimfast drink, dinner is usually plain hamburger on a bun w/fries and coffee. Drink about three cups of coffee a day and about one quart of water and very seldom a pop or beer.
What am I doing that is so wrong other than the french fries?
Answer
For one thing, your metabolism is slowing down. While you may continue the same type of diet you have always enjoyed, your body is using it (or not) differently.
You also mention the knee surgery. Having just had a complete rebuild 1 year ago, I can empathize with this one. Prior to the surgery, I'm sure your activity level had declined just because you had to baby that knee. During surgery you may have had cortisone injected into the knee. Cortisone will put the weight on you long after the initial injection. During recovery your activity was seriously curtailed also. So you have a multitude of factors working against your efforts to slim down.
Depending on your surgeons recomendations for activity, increase your activity level as much as possible even if it's upper body only for now. Limit the carbohydrates (breads, potatoes, rice, pasta) and increase your protein intake. It will take some time but you will see faster results as your activity increases.
Ibroprofen (to my knowledge) does not contain anything that would affect weight gain or loss.
Hope this helps.
------------------
Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
Try this link:
http://www.somnoplasty.org
I had it done (in Canada, wasn't approved in the US then) and it did wonders for me. And there isn't a really long rehab time, 1 bad day after the procedures (I had 3) and after that it's kinda like having a bad cold. I was able to return to work on the 2nd day (as a Paramedic).
Answer
Nurse Red,
Thanks for your reply, I never had any cortisone shots.
Correcting the conditions (weight) that has caused my sleep apnea makes more sense than treating the symptoms and ignoring the cause. In most cases it is a correctable condition not a life sentence , right?
Can you tell me / us what would be an acceptable diet to follow. If you can do this you could save thousands of lives.
I pull Rocky Mtn Doubles hauling haz-mat, I am extremely limited to where I can park. I just can't pull over and park anywhere without having the Fire Marshal getting upset, and truck stops are not providing room to park doubles, they want us to just fuel and leave.
If you were limited to convenience stores and fast food joints--what would you buy to eat healthy?
I can get the skinless chicken meal at McDonalds, just throw away the bun scrape off the mayonaisse and not eat the french fries with a diet coke for dinner. ETC...
Answer
Could have sworn there was someone else here.