Mild Apnea:do I need mask

[Orangey]

Hello

I have very mild sleep apnea. Only waking 8 times per hour. They said I still need it because my fatigue level is so high. It's true I could sleep half day.

[chill]

No, you don't need to wear a mask. Of course not! Don't be silly! All you have to do is accept being woken up 8 times an hour, crippling fatigue, decreasing mental function, anxiety, depression, early organ failure and the best -- premature death! If you are all good with that, then there is no reason whatsoever to wear a mask!

On the the other hand, if you would like a good quality of life and normal lifespan, then mask up and join the club.

[cate1898]

Hi Orangey and welcome to the forum!

Even mild SA can have detrimental long term health effects and it will be beneficial to be treated with a CPAP machine and mask. It seems daunting and awful at first, but becomes very routine in a short time period for most people. I guess I was lucky as I adapted pretty quickly. Finding the right mask for you is the key, and everyone is different not to mention size, shape etc of face. You'll likely lose that daytime sleepiness in no time as well.

So it is a really good idea for you to accept your fate and improve your health!

[chill]

Also the scale used to measure sleep apnea is mostly useful only for medical categorization. It just measures quantity, not quality (length, drops in blood oxygen level). Hold your breath for 10 seconds. OK, now breath. Congratulations, you just simulated a mild sleep apnea event. Now, hold your breath for 120 seconds. ... ... ... OK, now breath. Congratulations, you just simulated a mild sleep apnea event. What? It did not seem mild to you? You can do that 8 times an hour for a total of 16 minutes every hour of not breathing and still be rated as having mild sleep apnea.

[Rcgop]

Also the scale used to measure sleep apnea is mostly useful only for medical categorization. It just measures quantity, not quality (length, drops in blood oxygen level). Hold your breath for 10 seconds. OK, now breath. Congratulations, you just simulated a minor sleep apnea event. Now, hold your breath for 120 seconds. ... ... ... OK, now breath. Congratulations, you just simulated a minor sleep apnea event. What? It did not seem minor to you? You can do that 9 times an hour for a total of 16 minutes every hour of not breathing and still be rated as having mild sleep apnea.

Good explanation of mild apnea.

[trish6hundred]

Hi Orangey,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I want to encourage you to treat your Obstructive Sleep Apnea, (OSA,) even if it is considered mild. Over time, CPAP therapy will help you.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you on your journey to better sleep.

[Pumpino]

I have very mild sleep apnea. Only waking 8 times per hour. They said I still need it because my fatigue level is so high. It's true I could sleep half day.

Hi Orangey

I created a similar thread recently (my AHI was 10). You might like to read the responses. http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...-need-CPAP

It's only been 2-3 weeks for me (two weeks with my current mask) and I'm slowly adjusting. The other night, I took the mask off early because I was having trouble breathing (I'd washed the hose and mask earlier that day and they may have had water in them still), and I felt strange sleeping without it. That's after only a few weeks, so give yourself time to adjust.

[Mosquitobait]

Hello

I have very mild sleep apnea. Only waking 8 times per hour. They said I still need it because my fatigue level is so high. It's true I could sleep half day.

I have mild apnea as well and while cpap doesn't completely resolve my sleep problems, I'm no longer foggy brained and exhausted most of the day. Just a couple of hours in the afternoon. Not waking up all the time is a real help.