Hello Friends-
 
I just found out this week that I might have sleep apnea. All my symptoms point towards it and I fit the profile for people who are prone to it. On Tuesday night I am having a sleep study done in a nearby city. I am not nervous about the test but I am wondering how I will adjust to a mask on at night if I have to get the cpap machine. I got used to a mouth guard which I wear to protect my teeth, so I guess I can get used to anything. But when i was delivering my middle child I kept pushing off the oxygen mask because it made me feel like I could not breathe. I know this is a totally different circumstance but my mind keeps going back to that.
 
My symptom that bothers me the most is I am tired all the time and want to take naps during the day. This interferes with me getting anything done. Luckily I am a homemaker so I can indulge in sleeping, but then I get the bare minimum of my work done.
 
I hope that if I do have the apnea that they find it in the test and that the treatment makes a difference in my life. I really need to get my energy back for my health's sake, both physical and mental.
 
Thanks for caring and I will keep you posted.
 
Karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking

Dear Karen,
 
I will be thinking of you on Tueday night and praying that when the mask goes on you  have no fear at all.... just peace.
 
 
 

I really need to get my energy back for my health's sake, both physical and mental.

 
Karen I can relate to this so much,our sleep or lack of it effects us everyway in our daily life.
 
Luckily I am a homemaker
 
Karen what a lovely way of putting such a beautiful thing to be...
 
Take care Karen hope your sleep comes flooding back soon,Sandraxx
 

 
 
 
 
 

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Dear Karen,
I am sorry to hear you have sleep apnia...a very debilitating condition as you know.
 
My brother-in-law has the mask and after a few nights he got used to it. I'm sure you will too.
 
Hoping that the treatment will give you much better sleep.
 
Love, Jude

Love is the only way

I thought if anyone wants to light candles for me and my health that they could use the group name Karen since no one else is using it at this time. thanks alot!

integrity is shown when no one is looking

Dear Karen I will indeed,it seems Karen is a poplular name.
 
Take care,Sandraxx

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

thanks sandra

integrity is shown when no one is looking

karen,  i know where you are at right now because i was diagnosed with this a while back.  There are a variety of masks available to use with the cpap machine.  what has made it hard for me is i have bad sinuses and it leaves me feeling a burning feeling in my sinuses. even if you can only use it for an hour or two, it helps a lot, according to my doctor.

i'll light a candle, too.

love,
kriann

[image]http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bcandle3fq9.gif[image]

Dear Karen . . .
I will surely hold you in my thoughts and prayers
as you go through your testing on Tuesday.
If I 'run out of candles' on the forum
you can be sure I have one lit for you at home
with much love . . .
sparrow

everything counts... ♥

Dear Karen,
 
I am sorry about the likely diagnosis of sleep apnea, but the good thing is that a cause for your tiredness can be found, and treatment provided! Don't worry about the test. Those administering the test are used to anxious people and know all the tricks!
 
I'll light a candle for you and keep you in my prayers!
 
With much love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

Hi karen!
 
Hope the tests go well for you!
 
Masks are a pain when I had to wear them in the hospital to visit it was like plaese get me out of here but slowly I got used to it! And then you can always have some fun with lit ike we all did. Made me appreciate the doctors/dentists and nurses who use them all the time.
 
I'll be lighting a candle for you too, Karen!
 
Peace, Love and Joy,
Diane

Grateful to be here!
What a gift and connection builder!
Love and Gratitude,
Love who You Are

thanks for the replies. i am really not nervous about the test. its the mask if it goes over my whole mouth and nose that I will have a little trouble getting used to. I am pretty sure I do have apnea just not sure how severe.
 
anyways I do appreciate the replies and the caring. thanks; you guys are the best!
 
Karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking

they have a few types of masks, karen.  one of them just goes over the nose.  i know the feeling though, wondering how you'll adjust to it.

Love,
kriann

[image]http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bcandle3fq9.gif[image]

Holding you close dear Karen , thinking of you Sandra xx
 


 
 

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Let us  know, dear Karen,
how it all turns out
with love . . .
sparrow

everything counts... ♥

well I saw the pulmonologist today and the sleep study is tomorrow. She says its a 99% chance I have the apnea (where I stop breathing in my sleep). Tomorrow they will find out how bad it is. She is saying my pharynx is about half the size of some peoples, which is contributing largely to the problem. I am overweight which makes it worse yet. I am keeping my spirits up even though my partner is in denial and says they are just trying to make money off of me. I know he is probably not wanting to believe something could be so wrong with me since he doesnt notice me stop breathing when we sleep. I am praying when he comes home in an hour that he is not cross with me for getting upset with him on the phone when he said that. I even hung up on him. Oh dear~
 
I will write more about this on Wed when I get home from the overnight study. I will probably need a pressure mask that forces larger quantities of air into my lungs since my throat is so tight.
 
I am not really upset with the situation, just concerned and glad it is getting taken care of. I pray Rob, my boyfriend, becomes more supportive and understanding like he usually does in all other circumstances. I need to give him time to absorb and process this all. Once he digests it awhile in his mind and am almost sure (99%) ;)  that he will come around and not say things that upset me so much.
 
thanks for reading and caring dear friends. I love you,
 
Karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking

Dear Karen,
Maybe Rob is worried about you. Men have a funny way of dealing with their fears and concerns. I'm sure he will forgive you. After all, you are a bit worried too and we all get upset with people when worried.
 
Yes, I believe carrying extra weight is a contributing factor. Maybe this will give you a good excuse to lose a little?
 
I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
 
With Love Jude

Love is the only way

Dear Karen
 
I feel Jude is right..men so often do not say the things we want to hear because they often don't like to show us they worry.
 
Holding you close right now as I am sure your blood pressure must be through the roof!
 
Take care Karen love and warm hugs Sandraxxxx
 
 

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

dear Jude and Sandra,
 
thanks for your replies. Actually Sandra my blood pressure is ok, they have it controlled by 3 meds. It is in the normal range. Thanks for your concern. Regarding Rob, I think I would prefer to talk about him in pms with my friends. If you want to we could do that. i will leave it up to you if you want to send me a pm. I would definitely like it to have some friends to talk to.
 
I appreciate all the support and concern I feel here. thanks
 
Karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking

. If you want to we could do that. i will leave it up to you if you want to send me a pm. I would definitely like it to have some friends to talk to.

 
Always her for you Karen day or night that's what freind are for
 
I hope I did not send your blood pressure high though with my thought

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Dear Karen,
 
I agree with the others about the way men react to unwanted feelings and news. Rob may not want you to have a problem, and so he denies it! Perhaps he needs to go with you, when you see your doctor and even get a look at the recording of your breathing and how it affects you otherwise.
 
I'll keep you in my prayers,
Much love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

Hi Karen,
 
I will be praying for you tomorrow...as you learn to deal with this.
 
I am glad you are finding out what has been causing you to be tired so much. That is great!
 
Love ya Lots!
Diane

Grateful to be here!
What a gift and connection builder!
Love and Gratitude,
Love who You Are

(((hugs))) Karen, good luck with the test.  I'm sorry Rob isn't being more supportive.  Maybe he sleeps soundly enough that he doesn't hear it.  Let us know how your test goes.  (((more hugs)))

With Love...

[image]http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bcandle3fq9.gif[image]

Dear Karen . . .
What the others have said is so true.
Often the ones we love the most,
in their care and concern,
react defensively or in anger.
I pray that this issue resolves itself . . .
I am especially holding you in my thoughts and prayers today.
Also, your partner,
that you both are able to move forward in understanding
and compassion
with much love . . .
sparrow

everything counts... ♥

Dear All,

I just wanted to say that I have come to peace about Rob. If he feels any certain way that is his choice (or not if its denial) and I certainly respect people's rights to their own opinions and beliefs. So I am not troubled by his attitude anymore. it came to me last night like a wave of peace, really awesome actually! (overall he is the most wonderful partner; caring, supportive and loving; so thats why the attitude was so shocking~)

thanks for your concerns. I dont worry so much about any of this anymore after last night. Somehow those candles really did the trick :)  plus all the wonderful warm and caring thoughts and prayers I know are going up for me.

I have high hopes of feeling better and getting my enthusiasm for life back!

thanks again for caring my friends!

Love and Hope!
Karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking

Dear Karen,
I'm so pleased to hear this, as our attitude can have such profound effects on the outcome of things.
 
I'll keep you in prayer,
 
Love, Jude

Love is the only way

hi karebear,  let us know how it goes with your sleep study.  ((((hugs))))

with love....

[image]http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bcandle3fq9.gif[image]

Karen Dear,

What a beautiful post bless you.

I am so grateful you have peace ...it's a beautiful gift  to have as we all know.

Jude is right our attitude can have such profound effects on the outcome of things.


I will continue to light candles and hold you in my daily prayer's.

Take care,Love and gentle wishes Sandraxxxx

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

ok I had the sleep study done last night. I got about the same amount of sleep and it seemed like just about the same quality of sleep, maybe a little more poor. But I am way more tired this morning than usual.  
 
The technician was not allowed to discuss the results with me at all. i had the type of test where they are not allowed to intervene with a CPAP machine even if I need one, based on what the doctor ordered. So I have to wait until the doctors office calls me. Waiting is so much fun isnt it?
 
I had alot of questions answered and feel more relaxed about if I do have it and if I do need a cpap machine. I will let you all know the next information I get. it will be a few days I am sure before I know anything else. I will have to go for another sleep study if I am put on the machine, so they can adjust the pressure of the mask until the get the right amount for me to prevent the apnea (if I do have it). I notice that the snoring and waking up with a start happens worse on my back. I usually sleep on my sides. Anyways, that is the status of my sleep conditions for now.  
 
I gotta tell ya I have received alot of emails from my email buddies and the replies here that kinda surprised me about how many people have this condition and use a cpap machine. it makes me feel less alone and less concerned to know many of my friends also deal with this too. Who knows, maybe it is only mild if at all. Time will tell the results.  
 
thanks for the replies and the good thoughts all of you. I feel the warmth of your friendship through reading them.
 
take care and have a good day.
 
Karen 
 

integrity is shown when no one is looking

Thank you, Karen, for telling us about your experience with your sleep study. I hope the reports will be helpful. If you have to do another one you probably won't feel as anxious about it! I am glad you are receiving so much support from all your friends, especially those who have the same problem. You can share your experience and help each other!
 
I keep you in my prayers,
Much love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

Thank you Karen for the news. We look forward to the next episode
 
Jude

Love is the only way

thanks for letting us know how it went.  i confess i haven't used mine because it aggravates sinus trouble, but you have inspired me to start using it again. thank you.

with love...

[image]http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bcandle3fq9.gif[image]

Dear Kriann, (what a pretty name!)

Have you tried plain saline solution nasal spray for your sinuses. I was recommended to use it and I found if I used it 4 times a day as recommended it really helped them by keeping the sinuses moisturized. Its just a thought. Since it has no medicine in it, it is safe to use with any other combos of meds you are on. I do hope you will use the machine for your apnea as I hear its very important and helpful to the condition.

Dear All, thanks for the loving support. I feel lifted up here. that is a very good, warm and uplifting feeling.
 
love your friend,
Karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking

Dera Karen,
 
I am gald the test is over for you now..you may even sleep better tonight knowing that soon you will get some feed back.
 
I will keep a candle glowing for you.Wishing you many peaceful hours of
sleep.
 
Take good care,Sandraxxxx

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

thanks Sandra 

integrity is shown when no one is looking

I forgot about the saline!  Gonna try that.  I think I bought it, but never followed through on using it.  I would really like to use the cpap at least part of the night so I appreciate your suggestion.  Hugs!

With love....

[image]http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bcandle3fq9.gif[image]

HI ALL-
 
I am still waiting for the results of the test. hopefully they should come in Monday and the doctors office will call me in a timely fashion. On a happy note, Rob came around (about being a believer I might have it and) in being more supportive. I knew he would! Sometimes people just need time to absorb information and process it, and I really think that was the case in this situation. I will post again as soon as I know more about my test. If I do have it I will repeat the test with a cpap machine and they will adjust the air pressure until I no longer have apnea.
 
Have a nice weekend everybody.
 
Karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking

Dear Kriann,
 
I am glad you found my suggestion helpful and I do hope you can use your cpap more often if the saline helps. I found a bottle over the counter that has a mist applicator. I am going to get it too since my sinuses bother me as well. The key is using it frequently enough all day long. My doctor told me to use it every two hours, but I am going to try 4 times a day to start.
 
Be well my friend,
Karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking

I'll try that, too, with the saline, KareBear (I love your username "Karebear").  By coincidence all my cpap supplies arrived yesterday and I thought i wasn't getting them anymore.  God's trying to say something, I suppose!

with love....

[image]http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bcandle3fq9.gif[image]

Kriann,
 
Thanks for the compliment about my user name. One of my dearest online friends gave me the nickname when I asked her what would be a good one for me. I am very caring, sometimes painfully so, so it fits me well!
 
I agree with you about your comment regarding your supplies arriving. Apnea is nothing to mess with; if you don't treat it there can be health effects. I hope you will get relief from the saline.
 
Be well my friend,
karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking

Dear Karen
I just started reading the light a candle forum. I read through the saga of your apnea. I surely will be lighting a candle for you.  you sound like a strong person.  I am glad that your husband is finally being supportive about the apnea.  Sending light and love and sleep angels to you,  liliwings

No need to spend endless hours, days, weeks searching for the rainbow.  Open your heart and your eyes to see and know you are the rainbow you seek.  Rejoyce in the beauty of the co-creation of you.