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Hello,
My partner has just been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. We knew he had it but this was confirmed following a sleep study about a month ago.
My partner told me the consultant was a "nasty piece of work". Apparently, he treated him as if it was HIS fault he had sleep apnea. He told him, according to the record, he stopped breathing "seventy six times in an hour, for up to one minute". He also told him he should not be driving because he is a danger to himself and others. He even asked him if there was anyone who could drive him home. We live 2 miles away.
Apparently the consultant asked him lots of questions like do you fall asleep when someone is talking to you - definitely never. Do you feel tired in the morning - NO. Do you fall asleep after a meal - well sometimes yes, but then so do lots of people, especially if you are curled up on the sofa watching tv - in fact, I do myself and I don't have sleep apnea.
All sorts of questions, but the consultant was moody, objectionable and unhelpful and frankly scared the shit out of my partner - and me when I was told.
However, looking at it logically and putting things into perspective, I know my partner is not a danger on the roads. He never feels sleepy at the wheel, he is most meticulous about driving and safety on the roads. He is not tired in the mornings - he is full of energy actually. So I feel this consultant has gone over the top!
He now has to go to another hospital to have a mask fitted for night time wear. I am OK with that if it helps him breathe properly, but we are worried that it is on his record that he has been advised not to drive - ie. insurance etc. If it comes to it, we will go to another consultant for a second opinion about that particular issue.
I would welcome any feedback from others who have experience of sleep apnea. I am so worried by what this consultant said, but believe me my partner has no other symptoms whatever.
Thanks.
In Reply to: Sleep Apnea posted by worried on May 08, 2003 at 04:48:12:
Hi, worried -
I KNOW my husband has sleep apnea because through the years I have been startled awake by the sound of his snorts and/or NOT breathing. I poke him and prod him and usually he will start all over again within a few minutes.
He DOES wake up tired but then, he's had a stroke (mild), is diabetic, and is 77 years old. All things considered, I think he's doing pretty well. I do my best to protect him from his doctors.
Finally, after telling his doctors about this for several years, our present doctor arranged for a visit to a sleep center where my husband spent the night. Well, he "flunked" the test - never even fell asleep at all. So, they could not diagnose whether he does or does not have sleep apnea.
As I said at the top, I KNOW he has it occasionally. Gosh, you read enough about it and it's pretty simple to diagnose. But I also know that he only has it occasionally -MONTHS go by and there is no sign of it. Doctors tell me that is not possible. Either he has it or he doesn't. For whatever reason he's hardly had it at all since his night at the sleep center.
This isn't much help to you, sorry. My feeling is that not enough is known about sleep apnea yet. My "hunch" is that perhaps an improvement in our diet may have corrected the tendency to apnea.
To be honest, though, I have heard of people who are greatly improved by the use of the mask device and, after getting used to the device on their face all night, really swear by it.
It doesn't sound as if your consultant was very reliable or good at his job. Hate to say it but it sounds as if this calls for a second opinion. Does the regular doctor have any input on this?
Good luck.
In Reply to: Re: Sleep Apnea posted by DianeAC on May 08, 2003 at 22:59:49:
Thanks DianeAC,
His regular GP is a nice man, and only sent him for the sleep over because we asked for it. We are waiting to see what happens with the mask and whether they say anything about driving then. I have to say there is NO WAY my partner can stop driving on a comment like that from a guy who does not seem to know what he's talking about. We just worried that it's on his record and may affect his insurance. Having said that, my partner has never had an accident in all the 16 years I've known him and he has never ever driven a car if he has had even one drink. He is so careful and would not drive if tired. That's how I know this guy is talking through his bottom!!!
Thanks again. I just hope this mask will help because the guy did also say he could have a heart attack or stroke AT ANY TIME with this condition! He scared us shitless.
In Reply to: Sleep Apnea posted by worried on May 08, 2003 at 04:48:12:
Hi, Worried.
It seems to me that this "sleep consultant" has fallen prey to the common conception many ultra-specialists have: that what he does is the most important thing in the world and that the individual means little.
I agree that a second opinion would be helpful. In my opinion, since this only happens when he is asleep (unless he drives in his sleep), the driving recommendations make no sense at all.
Whatever the cause, practicing serious wellnes would not only help a lot but the side-effects of that practice would have the effect of reversing aging. You both would bless the sleep apnea for getting him to do the wellness for all the good it would do.
Let us know what you learn and how you do.
Walt
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