Sleep Apnea – A Sleeping Epidemic

I have moderate obstructive and central sleep apnea. My blood oxygen levels according to sleep study dropped down to 60. I tried the CPAP machine for a couple of months and finally gave up. And I can’t sleep with that dental appliance either. BTW I am tall and very thin, medically I would be considerated underweight.

I am looking to buy a pulse oxyimeter with alarm that would wake me when my oxygen gets too low, like below 80. Do you think this would work? Where is a good place to buy one?
Thanks.

I would think that would wake you up just as much as sleep apnea.

Go to the place that supplied you with your machine and ask them to be fitted for a new mask. They have ton’s of choices and there is bound to be one that will work for you. If you find a nice respiratory therapist who is willing to spend extra time with you, you can find a mask or nose mask that will work right for you.

Good Luck!

I’ve had sleep apnea for years and it took a while to find a working mask.

I have been diagnosed with major depression, and I have unrefreshing sleep. Now I know thats more likely to be because of decreased REM sleep but I’m considering what are the chances of it being sleep apnea? like central sleep apnea? Do most people wake up realising they’ve stopped breathing? Do they wake up several times a night? I highly doubt I have it since I don’t doze off randomly during the day or have morning headaches but I’m just wondering.
woops was going to post this in respiratory diseases. oh well

Many people with sleep apnea have absolutely no idea that they have it. You can be waking up hundreds of times through the night because you are not breathing, but be totally unaware this is happening.

If you sleep with someone, your bed partner is more apt to be aware of your sleep apnea than you.

Snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, though not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Best to talk with your doctor about your concerns. He can refer you to have a sleep study done.

All that about apnea, I want to include some other thoughts on depression. Apnea can contribute to depression, but so can countless other things. Excessive stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, lack of social support, and more. Lots of books out there on the subject, but one I find very informative is entitled "Optimum Nutrition for the Mind" by Patrick Holford. It covers many mental ills, including depression. It also gives some very specific and helpful recommendations about diet and supplement support.