My experience with Sleep Apnea, and getting my first C~ Pap Machine

Sleep Apnea and C~Pap Machines.

Having been a long time snorer, I just accepted it as part of getting older. How wrong was I!
During shoulder surgery in 2016, I stopped breathing a number of times under anaesthetic, and was told that I would be unable to have any further general Anaesthetics until I had been tested for sleep Apnea. Typically,,, I procrastinated for over 6 months, but then required surgery to remove a Basal Cell Carcinoma from quite close to me left eye. So the procedure was carried out under a local anaesthetic, and unfortunately not all of the Carcinoma was removed, so I had to have a second surgery to remove the remainder. I believe this was largely due to the fact that it should have been carried out under a a general anaesthetic. Working under a local anaesthetic made the task more difficult for the surgeon.

So, I finally spoke to my G.P., who arranged an appointment for me with a Sleep Apnea Specialist. I was extremely fortunate to get and appointment with the specialist the next week, as they had just had a cancellation before I called. The specialist quickly confirmed that I have a narrow throat opening, which is one of the major causes of snoring, and Sleep Apnea. Being in the public health system, I was told there could be a wait if up to 12 months before I could undergo the required sleep study. I saw the Specialist on the Tuesday, and was amazed when I got a phone call from the Sleep study unit of Footscray Hospital, on Friday of the same week, asking could I attend that evening at 6 PM. Again, there had been a last minute cancellation. So it seems that twice, I was in the right place at the right time. Of course I agreed to go in for the study, and arrived on time at the sleep study unit. I was given paperwork to fill in, and I was given a detailed explanation of what would occur, and was soon in bed watching an informative DVD explaining all aspects of the testing which was to take place, and a full insight of the causes and effects of sleep Apnea and its causes.

We trialled 6 or 7 different styles of nasal and full face masks, and decided on the one which would suit my needs best, but be a comfortable fit as well. Following this,
I had quite a lot of sensors fitted to me to enable the sleep study to be carried out.
The sensors measure everything from brain activity, eye movements, positioning of the mouth etc during sleep. The sensors were fitted and tested, and they told me it was time for sleep. I honestly bought that with sensors and the associated wiring, that I probably would not be doing much sleeping. It was just after 9PM when the room was darkened for me to sleep. I was also informed that the room had cameras fitted to enable them to keep an eye on my movements etc during the night.

To my surprise, I fell asleep quite quickly, and the next thing I knew I was being awakened at 12:20 AM. I was told that the sleep study was completed, and had confirmed that I was suffering from Sleep Apnea, having stopped breathing an average of 42 times per hour, which is considered severe. This made me realise how lucky I had been getting the tests carried out as quickly as I had. I was then fitted with the face mask we had trialled earlier. Although a little uncomfortable, and feeling very strange, I again quickly fell asleep. I was woken at 6:20 AM, and had all the wiring and sensors removed, and got dressed,

The results of my 6 hour sleep pattern while wearing the mask, were that I stopped breathing on average of hours 3 times per hour, which was under the accepted level of 5 times per hour expected while wearing the mask hooked up to the C~Pap machine.

I had to attend an appointment the following week, and was fitted up with a hired C~Pap machine, at a cost of $99. This process is to prove to the government that you will use the machine each night for 6 hours per night. The hire machine actually has an in built modem, which relays your information back to the provider. Once the week was over, I had to return the hire machine, pick up a brand new machine, and purchase the suitable mask. The mask I needed was discounted to $235, and so my out of pocket expenses overall was under $500. Pretty good when you consider a sleep Apnea machine would be $2000 with no government subsidy.

I have been using the machine for just over 4 weeks, during which time I went on a cruise for 10 nights. Taking the machine on the plane and ship was no problem, but the machine must be carried as hand luggage. Carnival cruise line provided an approved power board for use while on the cruise.

My purpose in writing this story is to encourage anyone who is a snorer, or may be showing other symptoms of sleep Apnea, to seek professional help sooner rather than later. Sure, the mask takes a little to get use to, but after 3 or 4 nights it becomes more second nature, and your sleep quality will improve, you will wake feeling more refreshed than you were before using a C~Pap machine, and overall health benefits far out weigh the cost with the Cost and effort required to be tested and obtain a machine. The only ongoing cost with the C~Pap machine is the cost of the Demineralised water (preferable) or distilled water. I use Demineralised water which is readily available at your local supermarket for under $2 for a 2 litre bottle.