Posted: 6/2/2013 2:13:45 PM EDT
| The VA provided me with a sleep test and afterwards issued a CPAP to me. My question is this; I've noticed that several other veterans have sleep apnea more than I thought would be. What is is about miltary service that causes Sleep Apnea? I know about the thing about the physical make up of the toungue has a lot to do with it, and my weight figures in as well. I served as USAF Law Enforcement in the 1980s and as an Infantry Officer in the 1990s after college. Does sleep deprivation help to cause sleep apnea? The doctor told me that this CPAP will be a life time issue and that I probably will not be able to do without it. |
I don't know if it's really a lifetime issue or not. I was diagnosed with it back in 1992 when I was considerably overweight, and used a Bipap breathing machine. 
I started exercising a lot and lost a shit load of weight and took another sleep test, the results said that I was OVER my sleep Apnea. 
I have since gained my weight back, and my Sleep Apnea is back. 
I don't know if you would call it a lifetime, or a weight issue? |
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Military service has nothing to do with sleep apnea....majority of the population has it, but does not know it or it does not bother them. This. Most (not all) sleep apnea is due to obesity and poor muscle tone. And tends to happen in middle age which is when most folks get out. Just like high blood preasure and cholesterol tend to occur in the 40's, but the VA tends to think it's service related...it's not. As for why it's so "common" in veterans ... how's that 50%to disability rating working out? Disabled from it, my ass. |
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Military service has nothing to do with sleep apnea....majority of the population has it, but does not know it or it does not bother them. This + The medical profession plan to make Billions off pushing Sleep Apnea testing & treatment .... real problem or not... 
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Military service has nothing to do with sleep apnea....majority of the population has it, but does not know it or it does not bother them. This + The medical profession plan to make Billions off pushing Sleep Apnea testing & treatment .... real problem or not...
Well it depends on how bad it is. When I can excercize myself, I'm 6"0 and about 187lbs. Since I got wounded last year and gained weight, 242 lbs atm, I started to have really bad nights. I've always been a heavy snorer, but I started to choke myself up because of sleep apnea and woke up several times at night with my brain not having been oxigenated for several long periods at night (I was tested too, and diagnosed with severe sleep apnea) . The implication of sleep apnea are not imaginary. It can lead to major behavior problems, like depression, irritability, violent behavior, lack lack of libido, memory problems, etc. I can tell you since that's what I have been experiencing (I have a bad temper to begin with, but it's 200 % times worse than normal, and I don't feel desire for my girl anymore, or for any other women either, but that's also cause I'm overweighted atm). So what are the solutions ? You could try to sleep with an oxygen apparel and a breathing mask. That's one solution, that didn't work out for me. Or you could get a tongue prothesis you have to put in your mouth before you sleep. Or, the easiest and cheapest treatment, sport (I recommend you try that first ;) ) ! Good luck with your apnea, I know it's a major pain in the ass. |
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The VA provided me with a sleep test and afterwards issued a CPAP to me. My question is this; I've noticed that several other veterans have sleep apnea more than I thought would be. What is is about miltary service that causes Sleep Apnea? I know about the thing about the physical make up of the toungue has a lot to do with it, and my weight figures in as well. I served as USAF Law Enforcement in the 1980s and as an Infantry Officer in the 1990s after college. Does sleep deprivation help to cause sleep apnea? The doctor told me that this CPAP will be a life time issue and that I probably will not be able to do without it. It's not really a military thing. It's a common problem with people in all walks of life. It can actually be pretty bad. I've seen people who will stop breathing long enough for their heart rate to drop in the single digits, having pauses between heart beats lasting up to 10-15 seconds. Sleep apnea can cause sleep deprivation. Which itself can cause all sorts of other symptoms. When people stop breathing as they sleep, they will often gasp and wake up throughout the night. They may or may not know that is why they are waking up. As far as prognosis, it depends on what the cause of your sleep apnea is. For instance, if a person has obstructive sleep apnea that is caused by being overweight, losing weight usually alleviates the problem enough so that they no longer need the CPAP or BiPAP. A BiPAP is more commonly used to treat central sleep apnea, where the brain basically just stops sending signals to the respiratory muscles when a person sleeps. |
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I have Sleep Apnea, my understanding it is how your throat is shaped, and has nothing to do with Mil service
the Doctor looked at me and said I can tell you have it even before I took the test (The test confirmed I have it very bad). The machine has been a life changer, I feel Much better and the headaches are gone. It was interesting to watch the readings on my machine change as I used it for awhile I actually have Less episodes now than I did in the beginning. |
| I have SA, my throat is thick not fat just thick. So that causes me to stop breathing every 17 mins so I got a Bipap (better then the Cpap) I agree/disagree I never had the problems sleeping like I did until I joined the military I think losing and gaining to make tape did have something to do with it. Poor sleep cycles during deployment, stress etc. |
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I have SA, my throat is thick not fat just thick. So that causes me to stop breathing every 17 mins so I got a Bipap (better then the Cpap) I agree/disagree I never had the problems sleeping like I did until I joined the military I think losing and gaining to make tape did have something to do with it. Poor sleep cycles during deployment, stress etc. You also didn't get older til you joined the military ... so you trying to claim military service caused that too? Gaining weight was on you, not the military. Poor sleep during deployment shouldn't have anything to do with it, nor stress. Yes, deployments can cause poor sleep patterns, and I agree that insomnia is a big issue with the military, but it's not the same thing. |
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Although I totally agree that everyone seems to have apnea these days, I don't think military service has anything to do with it. Obesity is one factor, but many non-obese people have apnea. Physiological structure is another factor, as is sleep position, fitness, and more. I used a CPAP and hated it. I dieted and worked out, and my apnea improved (it was severe before I made those lifestyle changes) but it still did not disappear. I was told to keep using the CPAP, but the truth was I just hated trying to sleep with that thing strapped to my face. I felt like a fighter pilot!
I ended up trying OTC solutions. The mouthpiece bothered me and the nasal sprays were useless for me. My husband bought me a chinstrap for Christmas last year. When I saw it I thought it was just going to be another thing that didn't work. But it actually helped me a lot - and it was not bothersome to me at all. He got it as a BOGO free from Good Bye Snore, mostly because he read an interesting article there about the science behind OTC solutions. There was a study done (in Japan, I think?) that showed chinstraps to be effective not only for the noise of snoring, but also for retraining of the jaw. That retraining is what helps stop the collapse that causes the apnea. I'm hoping to wean myself off of even that tool with continued diet and exercise, but it is working good for me in the meantime. 
Apnea is the worst
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Look into CPPP surgery. I am 25 and was always tired. Finally went to doctor and then got a sleep study. I had horrible sleep apnea (55 times/hour!!). They gave me the mask and I hated it, never got used to it. Furthermore i couldnt figure out how i could bring a girl home and then roll over, "hey baby, time for me to put my vader mask on"
I was afraid she would always wake up in the middle of the night thinking the plane was crashing and start looking for a mask of her own.- i digress Got CPPP surgery, and am 100% cured. Feel a million times better and never will have to mess with a mask again. Recovery was absolutely miserable for 10 days or so. But absolutely something i would recommend to anyone under 50. PM me with any questions, or if you want to know anything about the entire process. I know quite a bit. |
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Make sure you use it. When I took my simcard in for an update reading, they ask why I wasn't using it on the weekends and occasionally during the week. Well, I don't go home and get it if I spend the night at my GF's house on impulse, and I don't take the fucking thing camping with me. She proceeded to tell me that if my usage dropped below 60%, they were required to report me to the DMV for review. Needless to say, I called bullshit right there. Sure enough she whips out a VA memo that says people on cpap, certain meds, people that have seizures are all subject to a review of their driving privileges by the DVM. I ask, wouldn't my previous driving record be an indicator of that? No.
I guess that is the same type of policy that allows them to revoke your right to own a firearm because you were deemed financially incompetent to balance your checkbook. I was a prohibited person for several years, while I owned a gunstore and NFA MFG company, and didn't even know it. That was a bitch to get changed. |
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Well I can fall asleep anytime of the day reguardless of how much sleep I get
I'm in good shape 6' 2" 180lbs, and I sleep through the night. I have spells when my body temp goes through the roof and I wake up covered in sweat. I do not snore or anything else, am I getting sleep apnea? Free |
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Well I can fall asleep anytime of the day reguardless of how much sleep I get I'm in good shape 6' 2" 180lbs, and I sleep through the night. I have spells when my body temp goes through the roof and I wake up covered in sweat. I do not snore or anything else, am I getting sleep apnea? Free It's worth getting a sleep study. If anyone is overweight, male, neck larger than 17", high BP.... There's a couple websites that have some check lists that might be indicative of OSA; it's worth checking into. I'm going through the beginnings of testing and prescribing and stuff now. I was just tired of being tired and feeling shitty. OSA leads to high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes and heart attacks, car accidents... |