I was diagnosed last year with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. My wife always said that she's been kept up at night not just with the snoring, but with the times when I stop breathing entirely.
I went in to a sleep clinic to have two tests done... one to measure my breathing during normal sleep to diagnose the apnea, and the second to determine what level of CPAP is appropriate for me.
The CPAP is a machine that applies forced air pressure to your nose and mouth, opening up your upper airway. It doesn't cure the condition, and the first time you stop using it, you'll slip right back into apnea. But for as long as you use it, it'll open up the airway and allow deep sleep and take pressure off your autonomic system.
That's what they told me, anyway. After the second test, my doctor never called me back. Not once. So, I've never gotten the device, and I still have apnea. I suspect it's due to my negative reaction to the tests.
It was hellish. Utterly hellish. I have a problem with things being on my face, and I had a few panic attacks during both clinicals. I maintain that it was due to all the wires and crap they had on my face, chest, and head. I felt like I was being smothered. They adjusted the CPAP thingy, and I finally got some sleep. The technician said I did really well, but I wonder if my doctor thinks I won't use it regularly because of claustrophobia.
