Has anyone ever had a sleep study and been diagnosed with sleep apnea and wear the breathing mask thing? I am considering having the sleep study done....it's been suggested over the years by doctors, and I am finally thinking maybe I should have it. I always feel sluggish and crabby, I wake up with headaches more often than I would like (never would be nice, haha) and I just don't feel like I think I should at 30. Esspecially since I have lost weight and am eating better and exercising, I feel like I should be on top of the world.

I'm scared though....the idea of sleeping in some sleep center with wires all over me and people monitoring me. Then if I have it, I am worried about the treatment.....how do you sleep comfortably with this mask on your face? Is this all expensive, does insurnace cover most of it? Any info from someone who has done it would be great.

I had one done last year (before losing the weight) and it said I had the apnea. I went over the results with my doctor and he said that losing weight would help as it appeared that my apnea was only when I was sleeping on my back. I told him that I was breathing through my mouth because my nose was always stuffy. He examined me and said let's try you on Nasonex as you do have congestion. The results of the Nasonex and the weight loss: NO MORE SNORING AND NO MORE APNEA! HOORAY!.

Suggest you talk to your doctor about all of the possibilities instead of just settling for the mask. IMO the "sleep centers" exist to make a profit which they get from the outrageous cost of the tests ($1000) and selling you the mask and supplies on a continuing basis.

They made me sleep on my back (although I don't like to) and came in in the middle of the night to put the mask on me. I didn't sleep a wink after that.

Just my thoughts. I'm skeptical and think that there are a bunch of people who are using the masks that really don't need to if they lost weight and had their nasal passages checked first.

A friend of mine did it about two years ago. She was having bariatric surgery and it was required. Her insurance did cover everything except part of the machine rental. She ended up not needing it when she started losing weight.
She had to go in twice. The first time they observed without the machine and the second she had to wear the mask. Besides it being uncomfortable and akward, she didn't have too many complaints.

If it has been suggested, I think you should do it for sure! If you are losing weight now, there is a good chance that you will be able to rid yourself of sleep apnea altogether. Sometimes sleep apnea is not related to weight, so it is important to know.

I also know a man who avoided the warnings from doctors. He started falling alseep anywhere. Finally he fell asleep while driving and wound up being sued. He finally went for the study and got the machine.

My dad (and aunt and MIL) have done the sleep studies and wear CPAPs (those face mask machines). The sleep study is a pain, but great for information. Turned out my dad would quit breathing for 30 - 60 seconds multiple times a night. He has worn a CPAP for....... 10-15 years? Yeah, must be that long. At first, it was a hassle. Now, it's white noise to my mom and my dad can't sleep without it. His insurance covers everything. I don't remember him having to pay (or pay much) for the study or the machine.

Oh --- my dad's sleep apnea would be helped if he lost weight.

My aunt lost a LOT of weight, easily 100+lbs, and also had her tonsils & adenoids removed, opening her throat and giving her space to breath. I think she is off the CPAP now, actually.

Two of my brothers sleep with the mask, and I'm sure my third brother needs it too.

One of my brothers was falling asleep ALL THE TIME...he'd even nod off while standing up. If we were watching TV together, I'd keeep a pile of balled up socks next to me to throw at him to wake him up when he'd stop breathing. One night, he fell asleep while driving, and totalled two cars! He was okay, but the doctor made him go to a sleep study...after seeing him wake up hundreds of times a night, he was told he had sleep apnea. He got the mask, and sleeps like a baby now! If he goes a night without it, the next day he is a wreck. Same with my other brother...he even said that when he loses the weight, he's going to sleep with the mask anyway, because he gets such a great sleep with it. As far as comfort, they said you just get used to it.

And yes, insurance covered everything for my brothers' masks too.

MY CPAP MACHINE CHANGED MY LIFE.

I had a sleep study done about a year ago and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. The way my test was conducted they took readings for 6 hours then woke me up and put a CPAP machine to take readings with the machine. When I finally woke up the nurse was extremely frustrated with me b/c I had been in REM sleep for over 51/2 hours (they had a rule to never wake anyone in REM) and I had over shot the time she was supposed to close up by 2 hours.

The test is weird. No bones about it, it was easier b/c I keep my head shaved so the sensors that attach to your head just had to be taped. I was even had the computers go down my first night so I had to go back for a second study (even though from what I understand the writing was on the wall after the first night my ins. company required at least 6 hours of data). I only needed one complete study.

The expense is significant (to me at least). There was the copay on 2 office visits, a $500 copay on the study, a $1000 deductable for a medical devise (the machine), and the insurance covered the cost of my machine except for about $350-400. As far as upkeep expenses; I buy my replacement masks (recommend new one every 6 months) I can usually find those on Ebay (brand new not used) for less than a office visit copay, a nurse at the machine supplier told em to just use a vinegar water solution to clean the machine and not the cleaner they sell and to just cut a sponge to fit instead of buying their little filters, after a year I have not had to change the hose.

I have tried a couple of different masks. It feels very strange in the beginning for a couple of weeks I would always wake up with the mask off b/c I had removed it in my sleep. Basically you have to make yourself use it every time you sleep. Don't waste your time on the masks that cover your mouth and nose - they were worthless for me. I use a nose mask now and find it works much better. I was concerned b/c some people have to use an extra chin strap to hold their mouth shut b/c with the difference in air pressure I can't see how one would be required.

My wife does get very annoyed with the machine. I move around in my sleep and the "seal" b/t mask and face will become broken. A whistle can be produced via the air pressure through a break in the seal. I have a sever case and this may not be so much of a factor with people who don't require as much pressure. She wakes me up to adjust the mask (usually only requires pushing it back to the center of my nose) I am less than my usual sweet self when awoken. I'm sure you can see where this goes... My Mother-in-law uses a machine and she does not have this problem. My brother-in-law uses a machine and has it happen just not nearly as often.

All this into account I love my machine. The first few days I used it I felt as if I were on some strange new wonderful drug. I have no idea how much of my ability to concentrate had been lost. After my first night with the machine I went to work and finished the second half of a major project where the first half had taken me a week. All my friends and family commented on how there was a new bounce or shine to my person!

I went on far too long - hope I answered your questions - I will check back to post so let me know if I can help

I have been using a CPAP for 10-12 years, it has not only saved my life, but saved my marriage! This is another long post, sorry...

The short answer is don't be afraid to check it out; If diagnosed, look for a provider that will really work with you to get the best style and fit for you. A good CPAP system is a godsend...a bad one is a pain for you and anyone you sleep with.

First, the sleep study: It's one night of inconvenience, but other than a weird sci-fi experience, it's really not bad. Yes, the glue a ton of little wires onto you scalp (I have long hair - the glue comes out fine!), put an oxygen sensor on your finger and under your nose. You feel like you are wired up enough to receive satellite TV. They put you in a room by yourself, and then monitor you via the sensors. No, you likely won't sleep well, but make sure you follow their rules about no caffeine, etc. and you will sleep enough to provide them with the info they need. They might at some point put a test CPAP on you to see how it works and adjust the levels. It will all feel strange and pointless, but trust the process and just go with it. I disagree with the poster that said it is a money grab - more people than we are aware of have sleep disorders! Not all are apneaic, they test for all kinds of sleep issues. At the end of the day, it's a test that has no radiation, chemicals, needles or probes, so I can think of a lot worse to go through.

The CPAP: Don't judge by the one they test you with. Technology has come a long way with these devices!!! First of all, they say the rate of compliance is around 98% because so many folks who need it feel the benefit from it so clearly (compare that with the rate of compliance for diabetics to follow their regimine at under 50%).

The first one that I had was as big as a shoebox, heavy and noisy. I used a mask that covered my whole nose, and it had a gel filled pad so it was heavy and it was held on my head by something that looked like a lycra bathing cap!!! It STILL made me feel better than I had ever felt after a night's sleep AND my husband was finally able to sleep properly as well, since I wasn't snoring at him all night long.

My newest one is a cube around 5X5X5 inches, and weighs around 2 lbs. It is almost totally silent, so it doesn't disturb my husband at all. It also automatically adjusts the pressure as I am sleeping. I wear a "nasal" mask now, which sits just on top of my nostrils with two straps that hold it around my head. It's really light, the hose swivels around and I am able to sleep on my back, sides or tummy. You really do get used to it quickly, but it will feel odd for the first few nights. One thing to look for is how it blows the air out - some are better than others at directing the air away from the person sleeping opposite you, so they don't have it blowing on them all night long.

I'm in Canada, so in Ontario we have a plan that covers 80% of the cost of the machine up to $2000, once every 5 years, but none of the masks or hoses, etc. Most private insurance plans, if you have one here, will cover the rest. The prices in Canada are WAY inflated compared to the US. Now I order my supplies from a website in the US that will ship to Canada - I even got my new machine on it 'cause I wanted this smaller one, which I had to pay for myself. Most reputable places offer great exchange policies, so you can determine what works best for you. The folks at www.thecpapshop.com are amazing! They answer their phone, know tons about the machines and masks and were incredible when I needed a warranty replacement on the machine I bought from them. Don't be afraid to call them even if you just want expert answers!!!

BTW...while weight is definitely a contributing issue for me, it's not the only reason I have sleep apnea - I have acromegaly - any condition or anatomical structure that causes your soft palate to collapse when you sleep can result in sleep apnea. And while snoring is the most common symptom - not every who has sleep apnea snores, just as not all snorers have sleep apnea. I just want to dispell the myth that it's all about losing weight, so thin folks who feel sleep deprived don't discount the possibility!

Anyway, that's my long story...please feel free to pm me if you want any specific answers or advice. And good luck with your sleep study!

Thanks to everyone who responded and for the info. I am still not sure if I am going to do it, I really have No extra money for what wouldn't be covered. But I will definitely talk to my doctor about it....perhaps she could pinpoint it as being something else that I should be doing. But thanks again!

You might ask her to first have you wear a pulse-ox band on your finger for one night. My wife's doctor had her do that to see if her snoring was causing any drop in her oxygen levels (one of the measurements done in a sleep study.) You sleep in your own bed and the machine records your blood oxygen levels all night. They then pick p the machine in the morning and dump the data and provide the results to your doc. If it doesn't drop, then you aren't having any apnea episodes. If it does, a full sleep study will be necessary.

And the best part, it was fully covered by insurance. My wife had no apnea episodes so I get to listen to her now every night instead of her listening to me snore. Good thing I'm old and don't hear as well as I used to.

Thanks, I will keep that in mind. You look great by the way, congrats on the weightloss, that is incredible!

Not incredible. Just determined to live as long as I can and getting off "the slippery slope to Type II diabetes" to be around to enjoy my family. And frankly, easier than I thought it would be with the help of my doctor and my wife. Mydoctor prescribed Meridia to help control my appetite (and it has worked great!) and my wife packs me a healthy lunch each workday and makes sure we have only healthy foods in the house. She plans dinners that fill us up without wrecking my MFP daily calorie counts.

Life is good!