My Dad has sleep apnea HELP - Sleep Disorders Message Board

jojotigerlily · 05-13-2007, 06:49 AM

Hello
For years my mom said my dad stops breathing in his sleep. My father does have a history of medical problems, at 49 he had a stroke, recovered 99%, lives a normal life on blood thinners. Also, he might have to have valave replacement surgery in the future. Well, last night he went for a sleep study. He was up all night, well, they woke him all night and he was trying to use the CPAP, he said he just coudlnt do it, it made him choke. In 2 weeks he goes for this follow up and will also take a class onhow to use the CPAP. I am so nervous, another thing to worry about with my Dad. Can anyone give advice or just help me feel any better?
Thanks in advance...Joanne - Connecticut

gooby · 05-13-2007, 07:11 AM

I experience both obstructive and central apnea.

obstructive is where you airway becomes obstructed and prevents you from breathing

central is where you simply stop breathing for no apparent reason. It is typically a neurological thing.

for obstructive apnea, there are surgeries to remove excess flesh from the back of the throat. I have a friend that had trouble with a CPAP and ended up with a surgery. He said it worked great. Maybe you dad can look into that possibility.

As well, there are several things to help with a CPAP. I find if I use the ramp option on mine, I do tend to get a bit of a suffocating feeling waiting for it to pressurize so I do not use that option. It simply pressurizes when I breath into it and I'm good to go.

Types of masks. there is a "nasal pillow" that would be great if I could use it. I am an incurable mouth beather and a nasal pillow only pressurizes through the nose. No good for me but it does tend to feel less restrictive and contrictive when I tried it.

Not sure why a CPAP would make one choke. Maybe his sleeping position causing the flesh in the throat in combo with the pressure of the CPAP actually causes things to get worse. Maybe a different position, one that opens the throat may help. Try on his back with a pillow rolled up under his neck. That allows the head to tilt back and tends to open the throat (if you have ever had CPR training, you will understand that part very well)

New2ADD · 05-17-2007, 10:05 AM

As a sleep apnea patient for about 5 years I can give a little insite. I first started on CPAP and recently went to BiPAP about a year ago. The 'choking' feeling your dad has is normal at first. Hard to explain but it's kinda like when you were a kid and stick your head out of a car window while going down the highway and then try to breathe. That is what a CPAP is like at first. It took me a few days to adjust but once I did I really liked it.
I was retested and went to a BiPAP. BiPAPs are nicer in that they force higher pressure when you inhale but drop the pressure for exhaling. My settings are 13/9. It'll take a little getting used to but once he adjusts it'll make a huge difference in his quality of life. Also make sure his machine comes with a heated humidifier. In summer time I don't really use it much but in Winter it's a life saver.

Good Luck
J