Question
Heloo, my question is about sleep apnea and what to do if breathing machine doesnt work?
Answer
Hi Welldigger,
This is one for the specialists. There are a lot of sleep clinics that may be able to help with your situation. But first, tell me......
Are you currently seeing a specialist or a general practitioner? Have they advised weight loss? The reason I ask this is because many persons suffering from sleep apnea have had remarkable results after losing 20 to 30 lbs.
Since I don't know you or what your general state of health is, I must ask if you are overweight.
Has an exam been done to rule out any physical causes, such as polyps, tumors, thyroid problems, chronic sinusitis, etc.
In some cases, sleep apnea has been resolved thru surgical intervention.
I strongly suggest that you consult a top notch specialist in this field. If the machine is not working, and you continue to suffer from sleep apnea, you are at risk for more health problems, injuries, accidents and so on.
Just curious, how were you diagnosed?
I am, of course, assuming YOU are the one with the sleep apnea and you're not just asking for a friend.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
Nurse Red, I had a sleep study done years ago I am over weight 450 lbs. I have tried all kinds of diets both legal and not so legal. I do excercise by doing as much walking as possible, I park as far away as possible and try to walk around the lot when able. I sleep at most 2 hours at a time in bunk, 6-7 in drivers seat (while stopped) just wondered about a traech?
Answer
WellDigger,
WOW! You are a Big boy! OK, you indicate that you had a sleep study done "Years ago". Much advancement has been made in this area. May I suggest you have another one done.
Your weight is going to be a key issue, no matter what. And I sympathize with your inability to lose it as easily as it got there )
But there are factors that should be taken into consideration here, too. It is a proven fact that some of us are more genetically predisposed to being overweight. (That's my excuse anyway, THANKS MOM!) Does obesity run in your family, or are you the only one of size in your family? Have you had a complete (and I do mean complete) physical, with bloodwork and everything, to determine if your weight and/or sleep apnea have a physical cause. Hypothyroidism, diabetes, and a host of other abnormalities may be contributing factors. Your problem may need a multi-faceted approach. Start by talking to blood relatives to try and get a handle on what health problems they have encountered over the years. You may begin to see a pattern that you can talk with a physician about. Family history can often reveal some conditions you and the doctor aren't immediately aware of. But it can give you starting points to work with.
As for your question about a tracheotomy as a resolution for sleep apnea.....that is a last ditch solution. A tracheotomy is a serious operation. You are left with a hole in your throat thru which you can inhale bacteria and such with the air you breath. Your nose and mouth have built in defense mechanisms to ward off some of the germs and bacteria you normally encounter. With a trach, you are bypassing those defenses. It will also affect your ability to speak, and they are difficult to maintain from a hygeine standpoint.
They can be done on a temporary basis and surgically closed later, but you would have a huge scar and it requires a second surgery. I am willing to bet that your weight would be a factor that most surgeons would find scary to deal with when considering general anesthesia.
So, in conclusion, these are my recommendations and I suggest you get started RIGHT AWAY.
1) Talk with your family and obtain a detailed family health history.
2) Find a really good physician to do a complete physical exam that includes bloodwork, EKG, stress testing, Xrays, the whole nine yards. Preferably one that specializes in weight loss. Share the family history with him/her.
3) Have another sleep evaluation done by a reputable clinic and get them and your physician working together.
4) KNOW that a solution to your problem is not going to be fast or easy, but with time and effort by all involved, it will come.
Please check back and let me know how things go for you.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
Originally posted by well digger:
Nurse Red, I had a sleep study done years ago I am over weight 450 lbs. I have tried all kinds of diets both legal and not so legal. I do excercise by doing as much walking as possible, I park as far away as possible and try to walk around the lot when able. I sleep at most 2 hours at a time in bunk, 6-7 in drivers seat (while stopped) just wondered about a traech?
Good luck driver! My father was a very large man and he tried everything to loose those lbs! He had almost givin up when he started to see results! Don't give up!!!! You sound like you really want it and are trying very hard!!! May I suggest not eating before you sleep. That is one thing that worked for my father. Eat right and keep up the exercise and you WILL do it!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!
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Go Noles!!!
Answer
oops!!
[This message has been edited by Cousin Hickey (edited July 23, 2000).]
Answer
Lost 20 pounds since the beginning of June from eating strictly low salt white meat food, salads, and anything that has no saturated fat, and very little regular fat!! Before you eat, read the nutrition labels if there is one, and don't eat it if it has cholesterol and saturated fat.
In restaurants, order the menu item with a health symbol next to it. You might pay some extra $$ for that item, but it's worth it. When you are done eating, don't immediately jump in your truck (assuming you are a driver), walk around for 20 to 30 minutes and give the food a chance to digest. Don't eat so much that you feel like you will explode, but eat just enough to "hit the spot".
My weight loss (which is the result of my own diet) resulted in zero processed dairy products (eg. American, cheddar, other kinds of Cheese), and zero junk food (I broke yesterday though slap me!), and zero pizza.
I Have a Garden salad for breakfast, and sometimes lunch, (no sausage, bacon, eggs, pancakes, ham, etc) skipping the salad dressing, ham, and other fattening meats, and food products associated with salads.
My sandwiches are on whole wheat, or rye bread, and contain only white meat products like turkey, or chicken breast.
I try and eat vegetables for lunch even though I have never been able to develop a taste for it.
For dinner, I will not eat within 4 hours of bedtime. Again, it has to be something that contains no saturated and very little regular fat, and zero cholesterol. This means no burgers and fries, or fried chicken.
Beverages include low sodium V-8, and water. No carbonated sodas as the sodium in sodas will keep the weight on. Even the diet sodas will not do a darn bit of good.
I know that this is all easier said than done, but self motivation will come when you are really motivated to losing the weight.
Safeway has salads that are already made, that you can pick up in their produce section. They also have plenty of V-8 juice with low sodium. Again, look for the low salt white meat in their deli section if you can. If you don't have a refrigerator in your truck, get one.
Keep walking, and exercising, and as Easy Money said, don't give up!!!
As far as the sleep apnea, you might consider getting another test, and being treated for it. My brother has it, and he snores louder than the loudest Harley Davidson, and faster than the fastest rice-rocket. I (suspect) that I have it too, but I haven't really gotten around to getting the test done.
Best to you.
Erik.
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