Sleep Apnea

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My licence was suspended for a short while but once I got the cpap machine I was ok.. made little to no difference to insurance in my experience...
 


Ghfd said:
It will work as it’s cured my constant lethargy and falling asleep. Really is a scary thing though as when the specialist saw my results he was surprised I was still living.

with the cpap though it’s helped immeasurably to my quality of sleep and life,
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The doctor said mine was really bad but I don't know what is good and what is not. There was a screen the size of A4 with a line about an inch from the top. He said every line should be above that. The majority of mine were right down the page. Makes me wonder how long I've had this.
 
pillars of hercules said:
The doctor said mine was really bad but I don't know what is good and what is not. There was a screen the size of A4 with a line about an inch from the top. He said every line should be above that. The majority of mine were right down the page. Makes me wonder how long I've had this.
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It took me a few years to ask the doctor about it. I was always falling asleep as soon as I got in from work, then during the night, I would keep waking up with a start

the final straw was when driving back from a holiday the mrs had to constantly keeping me awake at the wheel.

went to the docs, got a machine where they said put this thing on my finger and go to sleep. That gets the reading they go on.

ive had my cpap for about five years now, and my sleeping patterns are hugely improved.

its a very strange thing which a lot of people just let go by, but I’m glad I went for a test

the DVLA and car insurance firms are quite satisfied when I put sleep apnea as a medical condition as it’s classed as controlled when you have a cpap machine and it doesn’t lead to extra cost on your insurance

good luck with yours, it will improve your life
 
Ghfd said:
It took me a few years to ask the doctor about it. I was always falling asleep as soon as I got in from work, then during the night, I would keep waking up with a start

the final straw was when driving back from a holiday the mrs had to constantly keeping me awake at the wheel.

went to the docs, got a machine where they said put this thing on my finger and go to sleep. That gets the reading they go on.

ive had my cpap for about five years now, and my sleeping patterns are hugely improved.

its a very strange thing which a lot of people just let go by, but I’m glad I went for a test

the DVLA and car insurance firms are quite satisfied when I put sleep apnea as a medical condition as it’s classed as controlled when you have a cpap machine and it doesn’t lead to extra cost on your insurance

good luck with yours, it will improve your life
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Cheers. Just glad I know what's wrong now
 
pillars of hercules said:
I've just been diagnosed with this and wondered if anyone else had any experience with it. Apparently I stop breathing on average 22 times per hour when asleep :eek: which gave me a bit of a shock.
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Did the hospital say anything about you having obstructive sleep apnea?

In September I was told that I had moderate OSA and that I could drive myself home but wouldn't be allowed to drive again until I had my CPAP - I even had to sign a form to confirm I had been told this (North Wales). They also said the law now required them to inform the DVLA.
 
Draig said:
Did the hospital say anything about you having obstructive sleep apnea?

In September I was told that I had moderate OSA and that I could drive myself home but wouldn't be allowed to drive again until I had my CPAP - I even had to sign a form to confirm I had been told this (North Wales). They also said the law now required them to inform the DVLA.
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They didnt say what type it was. I hope it doesn't affect my licence because I'm working in Glasgow
 
Got to say that waking up after the first night using the CPAP machine I felt fantastic. No dull headache, no feeling of tiredness and actually felt rested for the first time in a long long time.
 
I'm not sure i could sleep with that dumbo mask on. Surely its like being plugged into the wall. I toss and turn half the night, id have the f***ing nozzle ripped out and swinging all over the bed like a lasso.
 
pillars of hercules said:
They didnt say what type it was. I hope it doesn't affect my licence because I'm working in Glasgow
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Check back with them to be sure. The type and degree is important to know for giving you advice and for you telling the DVLA.

I think the difference in degree of diagnosis is based on the number of events per hour and the possibility of falling asleep when driving / sat down (this being assessed from that sleep questionnaire form).

I had 18 to 36 events per hr, had a high likelihood of going to sleep if sat in a chair doing nothing for 5 mins but said no chance of me falling asleep behind the wheel.

The hospital should have told you if you were allowed to drive (or not) when you got your results, but don't take them not telling you as evidence that you can drive. They could have just screwed up.

That said, I was bemused by being told that I could drive home but then not again until I got my CPAP. After all, was I less likely to crash on my way home than I would be the next day? Especially as I only got my results 11 months after my sleep study, with the recording pulse oximeter on my finger, (not for nothing is my health board still in special measures).
Marty Moose said:
I'm not sure i could sleep with that dumbo mask on. Surely its like being plugged into the wall. I toss and turn half the night, id have the f***ing nozzle ripped out and swinging all over the bed like a lasso.
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I thought that but it is surprising how much you don't do that once you stop half-waking every couple of minutes
 
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Draig said:
Check back with them to be sure. The type and degree is important to know for giving you advice and for you telling the DVLA.

I think the difference in degree of diagnosis is based on the number of events per hour and the possibility of falling asleep when driving / sat down (this being assessed from that sleep questionnaire form).

I had 18 to 36 events per hr, had a high likelihood of going to sleep if sat in a chair doing nothing for 5 mins but said no chance of me falling asleep behind the wheel.

The hospital should have told you if you were allowed to drive (or not) when you got your results, but don't take them not telling you as evidence that you can drive. They could have just screwed up.

That said, I was bemused by being told that I could drive home but then not again until I got my CPAP. After all, was I less likely to crash on my way home than I would be the next day? Especially as I only got my results 11 months after my sleep study, with the recording pulse oximeter on my finger, (not for nothing is my health board still in special measures).

I thought that but it is surprising how much you don't do that once you stop half-waking every couple of minutes
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The doctor did say the DVLA would have to be informed but I assumed they would tell them. I did ask if I was likely to lose my license and the doctor said no as the treatment would sort the problem
 
Marty Moose said:
I'm not sure i could sleep with that dumbo mask on. Surely its like being plugged into the wall. I toss and turn half the night, id have the f***ing nozzle ripped out and swinging all over the bed like a lasso.
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My wife thought the same at first. First mask she wore covered her nose and mouth, but found it was hurting her, but continued to use until she rang them and they came out straight away and replaced the mask for just over her nose. She used to toss and turn in her sleep but once she used the CPAP she no longer did.

She was seen pretty quick within her first diagnosis, a month I think. Although this was because we are in Northern Ireland which I think may be quicker than across the water, mind you the day my wife was seen he said that in the northern trust alone they had given out 177 CPAP machines in one week and still had to give to people in other health trusts.
 
Sounds like your hospital doc has done a shite job of informing you about your condition and its consequences.

I advise you to read through the link at the bottom of this post and look at the info on that site.

Nevertheless, this why your precise diagnosis matters;

OSA without excessive sleepiness will still be treated with a CPAP machine (reduces risk of strokes, etc) but you don't get stopped from driving and don't have to notify the DVLA about your condition.

OSA with excessive sleepiness is termed Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. OSAS means you legally can't drive before being effectively treated (getting a CPAP).

Even if the hospital inform the DVLA themselves, upon being diagnosed with OSAS you must inform the DVLA about the diagnosis within 14 days. I guess the hospital address may not be the same as the address on your driving license.

The DVLA will send you out the DVLA send you a leaflet about driving and tiredness plus a couple of forms to fill in and return.

There is a difference between not driving until getting CPAP treatment and losing your license (it being medically revoked). After 3 months the DVLA will get in touch with your hospital to see if you are routinely using the CPAP effectively (ie used over 4hrs per night, no massive air leaks from your mask and has the number of events per hour been greatly reduced). Only after getting a report from the hospital (or not) will they decide if they will revoke your driving license.

Finally you can still have the odd crap night and feel tired even with a CPAP so the standard advice remains, don't drive if you are tired.

Linky Detailed DVLA Guidance for UK Drivers with Sleep Apnoea - Updated 23rd Jan 2019 - Sleep Apnoea Trust
 
Draig said:
Sounds like your hospital doc has done a shite job of informing you about your condition and its consequences.

I advise you to read through the link at the bottom of this post and look at the info on that site.

Nevertheless, this why your precise diagnosis matters;

OSA without excessive sleepiness will still be treated with a CPAP machine (reduces risk of strokes, etc) but you don't get stopped from driving and don't have to notify the DVLA about your condition.

OSA with excessive sleepiness is termed Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. OSAS means you legally can't drive before being effectively treated (getting a CPAP).

Even if the hospital inform the DVLA themselves, upon being diagnosed with OSAS you must inform the DVLA about the diagnosis within 14 days. I guess the hospital address may not be the same as the address on your driving license.

The DVLA will send you out the DVLA send you a leaflet about driving and tiredness plus a couple of forms to fill in and return.

There is a difference between not driving until getting CPAP treatment and losing your license (it being medically revoked). After 3 months the DVLA will get in touch with your hospital to see if you are routinely using the CPAP effectively (ie used over 4hrs per night, no massive air leaks from your mask and has the number of events per hour been greatly reduced). Only after getting a report from the hospital (or not) will they decide if they will revoke your driving license.

Finally you can still have the odd crap night and feel tired even with a CPAP so the standard advice remains, don't drive if you are tired.

Linky Detailed DVLA Guidance for UK Drivers with Sleep Apnoea - Updated 23rd Jan 2019 - Sleep Apnoea Trust
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I fell asleep reading this :lol:
houst69 said:
are you a fat knacker?
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I'd like to lose 2 clem
Draig said:
Got to say that waking up after the first night using the CPAP machine I felt fantastic. No dull headache, no feeling of tiredness and actually felt rested for the first time in a long long time.
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I've got to say the only time I can say I've felt really refreshed is when I woke up after surgery years ago. Probably had a mask on.
 
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I listen to this before I nod off and it really does give me lucid dreams, there's a few others like this on youtube its just soundwaves on a certain frequency. Even if I listen to it for a minute or two before sleep I still have mad dreams.
 
My wife wants me to get checked for this because of the snoring thing again she says I stop breathing in the night at times, but I dont feel like I have any other symptoms, never came close to falling asleep at the wheel and I do night shifts and still manage control myself in the main without accidentally falling asleep so I've never been convinced
 
niceonemarra said:
I listen to this before I nod off and it really does give me lucid dreams, there's a few others like this on youtube its just soundwaves on a certain frequency. Even if I listen to it for a minute or two before sleep I still have mad dreams.
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Is that Tangerine Dream?????
 
mickb2112 said:
Is that Tangerine Dream?????
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I don't think so. Its specially recorded on a really low frequency to aid your brainwaves. I works really well for me and looking at the comments its works for other people too.
 
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