A little lost

[JippiJ]

Hi guys,

I've spent a few minutes rolling around the forum and reading various peoples posts on the subject. Firstly I am so glad to find a place like this with people with the same problem. I know it's silly but it scares the hell out of me and im glad there is people i can talk to about it.

When I went to the hospital about a week or so ago the nurse explained my test results and gave me the machine. She explained that normal people have on average 6-8 occurances/obstructions per hour. And that I clock in at 36-42 on my side (per hour) and 95 on my back (per hour).

What exactly is that talking about? I understand i stop breathing a bit but is this really high or normal for someone with OSA?

A little info about me. I have already said I am 24 years old. I dont drink now (and haven't for a good few months) allthough used burn the candle at both ends so to speak 2 years or so ago. I am 6" exactly and weigh about 15 stone. I was say im big build but definately not fat. I am reasonably fit and eat quite healthily. I do however smoke around 20 a day. I'm a little lost as to why I suffer this. Is it just the way im made up rather than something im doing/done?

Any help would be hugely appreciated. Like i said i dont really understand the results or how they came to those conclusions.

Again thanks.

JippiJ

[Joe McManus]

Hi JippiJ and welcome to the forums!

Those numbers are normal for OSA patients. We've seen worse (100+) but this is not a competition, it's about the effects it has on you.

Those breathing lapses will have caused your blood oxygen levels to drop steeply. They might have shown you some desaturation graphs. This is what causes the problem. The heart suffers as well as all other organs which need oxygen. Result is accelerated disease and daytime sleepiness.

Regarding your physique, your BMI is 28.5 which actually does put you in the overweight category. If your neck size is 16.5 or over, it's likely you suffer form this because of excess tissue (could be fat) around the throat which is prone to collapse when the muscles relax at night.

Otherwise, a recessed lower jaw or just plan narrow windpipes can cause this too.

You may well find that if you drop your BMI (loose some weight) your symptoms decrease in severity. Many of us here pack a few too many kilo's and some have experience the benefits of weightloss when it comes to sleep apnoea and CPAP.

Let us know if you have any more doubts, questions etc.

[puffin]

Hi JippiJ and welcome to the forum.

You are lucky to have been picked up so young, most of us only find out that we have OSA when our general health has started to decline with age plus a spot of middle age spread! Also many of the health problems we have because of OSA will not have had time to kick in, in your case. Doing something about it now will give you a very good head start health wise when you reach middle age. So welcome again, most newbie questions relate to mask fitting and type. So feel free to ask, ask and ask somemore, some one will have an answer.