Hi there,
I was diagnosed with OSA almost 6 years ago (though I think I've had it most of my life - even as a child - I'm 47 now). I had an average of 33 events an hour. At first, I really could not get on with the machine (I was pregnant at the time, which probably didn't help). It was only when I had to have surgery about 1.5 years ago that I forced myself to use it properly for about 3 months before and finally came to accept it and used it consistently for about 6 months. I then had to stop for a while because my wee one had very distrubed sleep and was scared of the mask (not a good combo!). However, I needed surgery again in September and went back to using the mask and have used it every night since.
Anyhow - long intro but here's the point. I've noticed, for the last couple of months, that if I fall asleep on the sofa, my snoring is worse than it used to be. I used to be fairly unbothered by my apnoea - tired and a bit headachey occasionally but most of the effect was on my poor hubby and my blood pressure. Now I'm noticing it myself. Last night I was away for the night and didn't take the machine. Woke myself gasping and snoring 3 hours into the night and the back of my throat was sore, my uvula (the dangly bit at the back of your throat) was all swollen up. Took ibuprofen and went back to sleep - repeated the horrible awakening many times and feel awful today. So, it appears my worries were right - my apnoea/snoring is now at a place where I actually can't manage without the machine at all, even for one night.
Hubby came up with the idea that using tha APAP machine has allowed my throat tone to deteriorate (same theory as glasses making eye muscles lazy, he thinks). Could he be right? Anyone else had this? Any thoughts on what to do?
Thanks in advance.
I was diagnosed with OSA almost 6 years ago (though I think I've had it most of my life - even as a child - I'm 47 now). I had an average of 33 events an hour. At first, I really could not get on with the machine (I was pregnant at the time, which probably didn't help). It was only when I had to have surgery about 1.5 years ago that I forced myself to use it properly for about 3 months before and finally came to accept it and used it consistently for about 6 months. I then had to stop for a while because my wee one had very distrubed sleep and was scared of the mask (not a good combo!). However, I needed surgery again in September and went back to using the mask and have used it every night since.
Anyhow - long intro but here's the point. I've noticed, for the last couple of months, that if I fall asleep on the sofa, my snoring is worse than it used to be. I used to be fairly unbothered by my apnoea - tired and a bit headachey occasionally but most of the effect was on my poor hubby and my blood pressure. Now I'm noticing it myself. Last night I was away for the night and didn't take the machine. Woke myself gasping and snoring 3 hours into the night and the back of my throat was sore, my uvula (the dangly bit at the back of your throat) was all swollen up. Took ibuprofen and went back to sleep - repeated the horrible awakening many times and feel awful today. So, it appears my worries were right - my apnoea/snoring is now at a place where I actually can't manage without the machine at all, even for one night.
Hubby came up with the idea that using tha APAP machine has allowed my throat tone to deteriorate (same theory as glasses making eye muscles lazy, he thinks). Could he be right? Anyone else had this? Any thoughts on what to do?
Thanks in advance.
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