Sleep Apnea

Before I got my PM I had sleep test and they found I had moderate sleep apnea. I got the cpap machine but I was never able to get used to it although I tried and tried.
Now that I have the new PM, I don't know if I still have sleep apnea as I am sleeping better then ever. I used to have to take Lunesta to sleep every night and now I just sleep with out any meds.
My question is, if I try the cpap machine again with my PM, will it be a problem with my heart? I am just confused as to weather to use it or not. I still am waking up with headaches, a sign of sleep apnea. But I just don't know if I should use it or not. Does anyone here use a cpap machine? Did you have it before your PM and use if after you PM?
I forgot to talk to my doctor about it when I had my first check up. Any thoughts?

3 Comments

Why did you get a PM?

by COBradyBunch - 2010-08-16 02:08:56

My wife, who is a medical professional thought I had sleep apnea but funny thing was when I got my PM it went away. What she was thinking was me stopping breathing in my sleep was actually my heart stopping in my sleep. Now that my heart doesn't stop, I keep breathing, both of which I consider good things.

Pacemaker & CPAP

by SMITTY - 2010-08-16 08:08:29

Hello,

My pacemaker came first but and I have used a CPAP machine off and on for more than 2 years and it and my pacemaker don't even know each other so far as I can tell. I say I have used the CPAP off and on for more than 2 years. like you I have never gotten to be friends with that uncomfortable so and so and look for any excuse to not use it whenever I can. I have to admit that when I don't use the CPAP my wife says I sound like a mad and snorting elephant when I am sleep.

When I had my sleep test to see if I needed the CPAP my blood/oxygen level was going into the mid 80% range. I wore one of the recording oximeter for one night after I got the CPAP and it showed my O2 level never dropped below 95% with the CPAP. Like you, I do notice that I feel better when I use the CPAP for at least 5 hours a night. I have given up trying for a full nights sleep with the thing on.

Of course, your doctor is the one to give you the final word, but based on my experience I don't think you will see any conflict between CPAP and pacemaker.

Good luck,

Smitty

CPAP machines

by Pookie - 2010-08-16 11:08:40

Just curious...as I have to be tested for Sleep Apnea too and I was wondering if your insurance paid for the machine or did you have to pay for it out of pocket.

I do live in Canada, so it might be different here. I've heard those machines are quite expensive.

Also, it was my EP who suggested I get tested for Sleep Apnea, but if I go through our medical care system, the wait will be well over one year so my only course of action is to pay out of pocket to a Sleep Clinic.

I've been on Zopiclone (Lunesta) since early 2005 and it has quit working for me. Now I take, on my doctor's advice, a low dose of clonazepam (an anxiety pill I think) to fall asleep...that's the problem..I can fall asleep, but the most sleep I ever get in a row is 2 hrs at most, then I'm up again as not to bother hubby, then I go back to bed, fall asleep for an hour or so, and this routine of mine continues until 6am when he gets up for work. I'm totally exhausted and am very lucky if I can go back to bed when he leaves for work for another 2 hrs only to be awakened by one of my cats who thinks I should be doing something else other than sleeping.

In a way I'm lucky to be on disability as there would be no way I could hold down a job with so little sleep. Have any of you actually cried you were SO tired and couldn't sleep??? It's so frustrating. And on a serious note, not getting proper "rem" (deep) sleep can wreak havoc on one's health.

Again, just curious about who pays for the machine.

thanks
Pookie

You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

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My pacemaker is intact and working great.