Sleep Apnoea Holding your breath when sleeping (Can be fatal)

Thought I might like to share this with you

Sleep Apnoea is when you stop breathing while you’re sleeping

I have just been diagnosed with this, I was quite shocked to find out that this is a very common problem with possible devastating consequences if not controlled, the worst being you stop breathing altogether!!! And don’t restart.

I am overweight male and snore like a trooper, not that I know any troopers that snore, but you know what I mean.

For some time now and I mean years, I have fallen asleep at the drop of a hat, more recently I found driving tiresome and after a couple of hours had to pull over and have a power nap of 10 minutes or so then I could continue the journey . My wife had often said while she is sleeping she is aware of my snoring and when I stop she can wait awhile before I restart and breath normally again. Or so we thought

As I said I am overweight and have been all my adult life probably by several stones pounds and kilos

I have as most overweight people are aware, a problem with my back. Having attended a clinic for some tests it was decided that by loosing several of my hard won stones pounds and kilos, I would benefit significantly by a weight loss program. So to the dieticians we went, expecting to be put on a controlled diet which I was

But having gone through the rigors of more tests and taking my clothes off as often as Brian Rix farce demands I was told I had a respertory problem and did I snore and then hold my breath .Yes my wife intervened with relish, lots of times through the night she said. (Sold down the river by my own wife)

Then you must attend a sleep clinic said the dietician and promptly booked me in one. I live in France that’s why it was so quick but don’t despair read on

Appointment made and the day drew closer, again several tests and more dropping of the pants and head shaking at my weight problem .Sleep Apnoea is very common in overweight people as I was again reminded, then through the same diagnostics as before it was decided that I would be sent home to have a home diagnostic test.

This meant I had to be wired to a portable machine, if I can find the photo I will upload it .But in short they put a probe on my neck and stuck it on with a sticky tape cover, the same on my chest 2 probes, then of course these probes need wires to them, under my shirt they went, then I had a finger pulse probe attached and was shown how to fit the nose breathing probe. To top it all they put two monitors round my chest and said don’t take them off till after the test is finished, all this is attached to a machine that’s no bigger than a average sized paperback book.This resulted in a large amount of wires dangling about my person .This was fitted in the hospital and they instructed me in the know how of setting the test off at home.

They then said I could only take this off the following morning after the test and I should try and get goodnights sleep. (They said that almost without laughing) .I came out of the fitting room and my wife nearly wet herself and couldn’t stop laughing. I also had to walk right through the hospital dressed like an escaping experiment. I also had to go through the car park and drive home as my wife doesn’t drive.

Not till the first time I had to look right or left in the car did I realise I couldn’t turn my head because of the sticking plaster on my neck .However how we managed to get home without me giving her a slap I’ll never know .

The test went OK and although going for a pee in the night was fun, even with all this attached to me I seemed to sleep well.

Test over I was pleased to get the dam thing off and take it back. The results showed that yes I was holding my breath during the night .Would I come back in a month after loosing a bit more weight and do the test again I was really enthusiastic about that one!!!

Yes I did it again and as you may see from my Hub page about going to England, I put on weight as you do on holiday. This was a disaster for me as the next results were even worse. I am holding my breath 44 times per hour and of course this brings my level of consciousness up 44 times per hour. I am not getting the full deep sleep required each night, that’s why I’m so tired through the day

Well the good news is , the doctor said and I didn’t think there could every be any at this point, we can help you!! Good news indeed. What he didn’t say was that for the next possible year, or till I loose a significant amount of weight, I would have to wear a breathing mask at night. By that I mean, well imagine a fighter pilots breathing mask this is fastened by a head strap and a neck strap and it fits the face quite tightly. To this is a 2 mtr hose that goes to a blower that gently blows air into my wind pipe all night opening my throat cavity to allow air to the chest and aid breathing, sounds fun uh. I will upload a photo if my wife can stop laughing long enough to take it

The next day it was delivered , again my wife was wetting herself (Perhaps she should see someone) This is now a part of my nightly routine having been directed to the other bedroom as the blower is a little noisy as it gets faster while I sleep .

But, But, I must admit the doctor was right!! I am sleeping much better and longer, I’m not as grumpy, and I have indeed returned to normal breathing. I don’t fall asleep through the day and I am more alert.

So the idea of writing this is: If you or you know some one who may have this problem of holding their breath while sleeping DON’T ignore it as it can have fatal consequences, get them to ask for a referral to a sleep clinic

It’s not as bad a picture as I’ve painted and it could save a life

further info from this site

http://www.britishsnoring.co.uk/snoring_&_sleep_apnoea/what_is_sleep_apnoea.php