I am 45 year 45-year-old female, diagnosed a couple of years ago with OSA but I am on the hypopnea side. I don’t really have any full obstruction events but a high AHI score of 55 events per hour of restricted breathing / shallow breathing was documented at the sleep lab. It took decades to get this diagnosed. I did not fit the traditional profile because though I snore intermittently, it is not loud, and partners never noticed me waking up gasping. I was a skinny kid, and a skinny adult for a lot of years., but I was having sleep problems. I do have a very recessive lower jaw by genetics, have an enlarged tongue and low-lying palette closing out my airway which was documented by my latest dentist (who is sleep trained), and a sharp ENT who did an endoscopy of my airway. I also had extractions/headgear/orthodontics as a teenager which probably made my situation worse as I’ve learned here, and had significant sinus issues and surgery when I was a youth too. Issues around Sleep, energy, executive function, and anxiety/depression have been life-defining and life-altering. I have made life decisions around schooling, professional, and social relationships to prioritize sleep and feeling well.
Have been on CPAP now for around 2 years. Being on the CPAP therapy actually has been fine. I don’t mouth breath, so just have a nasal cushion/nasal mask setup. I tolerate it well other than having to clean the thing frequently which is a pain. Full credit to this forum for helping me with everything I needed starting the CPAP and didn’t get through my health care provider: https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/
Within a short time of starting CPAP (within 2 weeks?) I have noticed a lot of improvement in executive function. I could take on complex problems without being overwhelmed like I used to. Or feeling like my brain was scrambled every day. I also experienced a BIG reduction in baseline anxiety levels from the very first night of the CPAP therapy! This was shocking. I stopped taking the low-level SSRI I’d been on for 20yrs for anxiety, about 6 months ago since I no longer have that heart-in-your-throat anxiety, and am doing fine. My experience during sleep is improved, no tossing/turning to find a comfortable breathing position, experiencing deep sleep. These are all wonderful positives to the treatment.
Treatment limitations / Issues I am still dealing with:
- Getting dental work done. I am struggling to breathe while reclined in the chair, especially any fillings or other procedures if they are in the very back of my mouth. I can’t wear a CPAP at the dentist and so this is a problem. Sometimes just reclining on the couch I notice a similar problem with my airway feeling like its just a slit and difficult to breathe through.
- I still have a lot of trouble feeling fully rested after sleep. Dunno if this has anything to do with OSA. I do also have delayed sleep phase syndrome, so it’s always a challenge getting to sleep early enough and getting enough hours of total sleep (8+), esp on work days requiring morning meetings. It may be as simple as that.
- I also still have trouble waking up, and starting my day. This remains unchanged after CPAP. My brain is slow to “come-online”…can take a few hours. Even when I’ve had enough uninterrupted sleep (8-10 hrs). I am unlike other people in this way. Dunno if OSA or the delayed sleep phase issues are connected or not connected to this.
- I still have low energy. I do not have the energy to exert myself, or stamina in the way other people do. But again, not sure this is related to the diagnosed sleep disorders or any deficits in my treatment. Perhaps there are other completely unrelated reasons for the low energy that just haven’t been identified.
Can definitely say, even with the above open issues though- my brain is better, and my mood (anxiety) is much better, having been treated for the OSA. I am curious about other approaches, such as jaw surgery, as well as the Inspire device. And I’d be glad to share my story further with the foundation if helpful. Really looking forward to the upcoming documentary release!
