For guys 40+

[deadedith]

Two things that saved my life and could save yours.

1. 5 years back my wife was reading a ladies' magazine and said : OMG, you have sleep apnea and could die!
I had not heard of it - but I had the symptoms: gasping for breath while sleeping, I had worn down the sheets at the foot of the bed because - scary - my body had to pump my legs to get me to breathe! - also aching legs, because I could not sleep well and thus the body could not renew energy sufficiently to keep the muscles going. And my job performance fell way off, personality changes.
So I hooked up with the sleep lab here in town, and after the first 10 minutes! of sleep they woke me up and put a cpap on me and I have worn one every night since then. I would be dead now if not for that. so if you are overweight and not just snoring but really SNORING and gasping at night - take a sleep test, get hooked up with a cpap, and build guitars for many more years.

2. Get a stinkin' colonoscopy. It doesn't hurt, and will guarantee you will not die of colon cancer. I am having another one done tomorrow - every 5 years - they found a polyp last time when they were in there poking around - it's an easy procedure now, not like the old days - snipped it off and all is well.

Just sayin' - both these things are easy.

DaveB

[hummingbird]

I got a CPAP machine 4 years ago. Can't live without it now. Big difference. I feel so much better physically and mentally.

[Ken Hundley]

I snore like a freight train, and have since I gained weight. Even after losing 60 lbs by kickboxing, I still snore. I hurt like a biznitch every morning, mostly knees, thought it was the boxing. Lately, though the calves and thighs are really sore too, workout or no. Throat is actually sore in the morning from snorign so loud. My wife has not noticed any gasping or anything like that, but maybe its worth checking out.

Work performance has not been stellar lately, neither has my personality, and I am tired all the time, though I thought its cause I stay up till stupid hours and the economy and financial state has stressed me out enough to cause it all. I should talk to my doctor.

[deadedith]

Go today. I mean to scare you: there's no reason for you to suffer and/or die from apnea.
DaveB

[Tony_in_NYC]

You dont have to be overweight to have sleep apnea. One of the thinnest guys I know has it. If you snore, I mean really snore, you might have it. It messes up your heart. My older brother sleeps with a cpap. He says he never knew what a good night sleep was before he got it.
he is fat. And he does not read this forum so I can say that honestly.

[Ken Hundley]

I talked it over with my wife....I will be going to the doctor soon. We are currently dealing with her mother's open heart surgery, so it will be a couple of months, but we both agree a visit is necessary.

[Tony_in_NYC]

A sleep study like you need is done overnight. Shouldn't interfere with your real life. Much.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

I don't have sleep apnea, but I do snore badly enough that my wife will sleep in the guest room. I don't use a CPAP machine.
I wear an oral appliance....a mouth piece that opens up the throat passage, and opens up the nasal passages too. It helps alot.
I still snore alittle, but not near as badly. These things are not cheap, but alot more pleasant to wear than a CPAP......or so I'm told.
I understand these devices will help with sleep apnea too, so ask your doctor about the "oral appliances".
As for the colonoscopy....very expensive and my insurance won't pay for it...Blue Cross Anthem, which is really stupid, cause cancer is going to cost them a whole lot more.

Kevin

[Ken Hundley]

I wouldn't worry about cancer, Kevin. You like to play with knives ;)

I'll check into it though.

Your wife sounds like mine. Many of you know I am a very late nighter.....she always complains that I never come to bed, yet when I do, she gets up and leaves! I hadn't even left-cheek-squeeked yet!

She's a light sleeper, and even when I doze off on the coach, if she doesn't keep her door shut, she can't sleep cause of it. Guess I rattle the windows. I wasn't kidding about having a sore throat some mornigns form snoring so hard. Funny thing is, it never bothers me. I seem to sleep right through it. Whats her problem? ;)

[deadedith]

I had the colonoscopy today - my fourth one - easy as pie. The results were perfect, so I'm good for another 5 years. In other words, I do not have to worry about colon cancer.

For snorers -if you have any doubts about whether you have apnea or not - get the sleep test before you try out the devices to reduce snoring. They have their place and I wish I could use one, but they do not work for apnea - so make sure first what you are dealing with.

DaveB