Sleep Apnea

The two most serious illnesses my husband has are Type 2 Diabetes and Kidney Disease. However, there was another issue that has been troubling him since last summer: Sleep Apnea.

My husband has always been a heavy snorer, but we never thought of it as a "problem" until I began to notice unusual breathing sounds and frequent pauses in his breathing during sleep. Initially, we suspected fluid in his lungs, but after two chest X-rays, thankfully, his lungs were found to be clear. Both his primary care physician and nephrologist suggested that the symptoms seemed related to sleep apnea, so we were referred to an otolaryngologist and arranged for a sleep study for the first time.

My husband started with an at-home sleep study, and the doctor diagnosed sleep apnea, explaining that my husband needs a CPAP during sleep. My husband then had to undergo two more rounds of in-lab sleep studies. This entire process took about 3 months due to insurance prior authorization, waiting for scheduled dates, waiting for the results, etc.

During this 3 month waiting period, my husband became increasingly fatigued during the day, frequently felt drowsy or would doze off; his quality of life declined significantly. His morning oxygen levels were low, which impacted his energy and concentration throughout the day.

After the long wait, we were finally able to pick up his PAP device last week, and since then, my husband's sleep quality has improved tremendously. Of course, he is still adjusting to the device and the mask (we just got a new replacement mask), but the difference in how refreshed he feels and his energy throughout the day has been remarkable.

(Left) Learning how to use the mask, (Right) newly received mask.

If anyone reading this is struggling with poor sleep quality, heavy snoring, or symptoms of sleep apnea, I strongly recommend getting tested and treated early before the condition worsens.