Good advice...thanks


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Good luck...

My husband recently completed a sleep study, had 86 apneas during the study and 36 resp. arousals and did NOT tolerate the CPAP well at all during the study.  His levels demonstrate improvement but his experience of it was he was awake during the entire cpap procedure (he wasn't but he was very disrupted) and in the Summary they stated he said he wouldn't use the cpap for therapy.

SO, I am investigating the dental options.

He needs to see his primary Dr. before going in any direction but just doing the ground work here.

I find it interesting that right before he drops in to the apnea episodes, he most of the time will click his jaw together several times.  When I hear that sound, I know he will stop breathing within seconds and the cycle begins.  To me, this indicates a jaw issue going on.  But his sleep study didn't mention anything about this.  Anyone have any ideas/info on this symptom?

Also, what would be the best way to find a dentist in our area?  We live in the Phoenix Arizona area--tempe.  Any help greatly appreciated.  I'm very worried about him!  Oh and he's 46 and not overweight at all (slender/average build).

katiepolo wrote:

My husband recently completed a sleep study, had 86 apneas during the study and 36 resp. arousals and did NOT tolerate the CPAP well at all during the study.  His levels demonstrate improvement but his experience of it was he was awake during the entire cpap procedure (he wasn't but he was very disrupted) and in the Summary they stated he said he wouldn't use the cpap for therapy.

Welcome Katie!

Did you husband tell you why he couldn't tolerate the mask?  For what its worth I felt like I slept horrible in the sleep lab too...I think most of us did, being such a bizarre foreign environment.  I did MUCH better at home in my own bed.  

I just wonder if they stated what they said in the report because THEY thought he couldnt use cpap...or because he TOLD them he wouldn't use cpap.

BarryKaraoke wrote:

katiepolo wrote:

My husband recently completed a sleep study, had 86 apneas during the study and 36 resp. arousals and did NOT tolerate the CPAP well at all during the study.  His levels demonstrate improvement but his experience of it was he was awake during the entire cpap procedure (he wasn't but he was very disrupted) and in the Summary they stated he said he wouldn't use the cpap for therapy.

Welcome Katie!

Did you husband tell you why he couldn't tolerate the mask?  For what its worth I felt like I slept horrible in the sleep lab too...I think most of us did, being such a bizarre foreign environment.  I did MUCH better at home in my own bed.  

I just wonder if they stated what they said in the report because THEY thought he couldnt use cpap...or because he TOLD them he wouldn't use cpap.

Hi Barry..thanks for the welcome!

The thing is my hubby always thinks he sleeps ok.  So when they asked him if he thought he slept during the study he said "yes I slept through the night except for when they put the mask on my face".  It's a perception thing because he had 36 arousals just from breathing through the night.  But he never thinks he sleeps poorly even when I wake him up throughout the night to get him to breathe.  (arrrgh!)  He told them he didn't tolerate it well and wouldn't use it.  He described it as cold air being forced in to his lungs and he couldn't breathe properly.  They adjusted it,heated it but he still felt very uncomfortable (but he did sleep for an hour w/ it on as we could see it on the readings, what little we could make hide or hair of, on the report).  

Hope I answered your questions.  :)  Have you heard of that teeth tapping thing related to obstructive apnea?  Is that some sort of clue?

Hello Katie,

Unfortunately, many sleep techs are hesitant to record any bruxism during a sleep study, and this has always bothered me. Bruxism is extremely common in OSA victims, but there are varying theories on the causal relationship. If he indeed does this prior to the apneic event, he is most likely attempting to flex his pharyngeal muscles to get a breath during an obstructive cycle. This usually happens after the apneic event, but your husband may be unique in this timing.

As far as locating a dentist in Tempe, I believe that is where Dr. Allan Bernstein practices.


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Kent Smith DDS

Katie...

I'm not too familiar with the teeth thing.  My son, who also has OSA, used to "grind" his teeth.  But now treated with a CPAP, he does not.

As far as getting your husband to accept OSA and a CPAP...maybe give him some literature to read about the disease and challenge him to a two week trial period [for you] and see if that changes.  In my case, I felt that I slept fine and was not affected by OSA.  That was until I answered the questionaire much differently than my wife and I did the trial period thing....never knew how tired I actually was and didn't realize I could feel much better and brighter!!

I don't know how old you guys are or if you have kids...but untreated [and I see this in my job as a fireman] his health will decline and he will not be around to watch the kids grow up.  My kids tell me I am a much nicer person to be  around now and my general health, although good before, is much improved after CPAP/OSA treatment.

Being stubborn and in denial is part of the disease.  Be patient, but firm!!


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Good luck...

maybe he can try the nasal pillows and chin strap if he is a mouth breather; some people feel very confortable with them, and i am one of them; feeling so much better with nasal pillows than with full face mask; as it was adviced before, you should encourage him to read some literature about sleep apnea, this is not a disease that should be just left alone, but treated.