Stopping breathing when asleep

With regard to the DVLA, my husband’s driving licence was due to expire as he reached 77 yrs old. I went on line to renew it for him as I had done twice and was surprised to find that there was a question we hadn’t seen before ... “Do you suffer from sleep apnoea?” We had to tick yes as he has been using a CPAP machine (not because he has smoked or is overweight but because he has a deviated septum which cannot be repaired) for at least ten years. There was nowhere to explain that you were following a treatment plan. We sent off the form and received a letter 7 days later banning him from driving until he had had a medical examination and been cleared for driving. We went to see his consultant privately or he would have had to wait at least three months. As it was he had to wait 3 months for to get his licence back. This had never happened before. Fortunately I can drive but I dread to think what would have happened if I couldn’t or if he had been employed and needed to drive. So if you are coming up to 70 and need to renew your licence make sure you apply in good time , at least 3 months in advance.

It's called Sleep Apnea and it's caused by smoking or being overweight, but you can get a sleeping mask. You would do well to get yourself fitter.

I also used to wake up gasping. Losing weight really helped, but you should also get checked out by the Doc.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 3 years ago. I’ve been permanently exhausted for about 10 years! Being vain I was reluctant to use the mask, but now couldn’t be without it x good luck

My husband has sleep apnoea and has a mouth guard which he wears at night. No more sleep apnoea and no more snoring. Bliss!

Get it checked out, my SIL did, was referred to St Thomas sleep clinic where the Consultant diagnosed sleep apnoea and said he was in dire danger of a heart attack. Since getting a clap, his life has been transformed.

Use a snoring app. It records snoring and silences through the night and will give you results that you can show a doc when you get an appointment.

Most give a month free but are not expensive anyway.

That’s four years. Lol

I to had OSA. ( obstructive sleep apnoea).
Went through all the tests and given a cpap machine. Then lost weight. Mine didn’t go away. Then was finally sent to an ENT specialist. After lots of check and scans my consultant asked me when had I been in a car crash. He reckoned I had broken my nose at least three times ( it looked averagely normal) and I had no breathing on one side. And my turbinates (air tubes) were all blocked. So I needed surgery.
First surgery to correct everything that had been broken needed to be done twice. And further alterations to passageways. This has all taken about for years. But worth it as discharged from the sleep clinic last week.

I had this and it used to frighten me when I would wake up gasping. Then I read that losing weight may help. Now I'm a stone and a half lighter and haven't had it happen for two years or more. Good luck.

I WAS REFERRED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR THIS, THEY DID TESTS, HAD TO WEAR A MONITOR FOR 24 HOURS (AT HOME) THEN EVENTUALLY AS A RESULT OF THE TESTS THEY GAVE ME A MASK ( sorry caps lock) I found the mask difficult as when I moved it also moved and then the air which is being pumped down your throat escapes and makes a noise so I had to keep readjusting the mask. depends whether you are a mouth breather or breathe through your nose as to what type of mask they supply.

A friend has this. He now has to have oxygen at night because of it.

That is encouraging Barmeyoldbat. How much weight did you lose? I am trying hard with that as I was told I needed to lose at least 3 stone !I have lost 7lb so far and aim to lose about 1lb a week but it is hard at the moment being stuck at home and I am not maintaining my target.

DH was diagnosed as a side product, 4years ago fast tracked with persistent cough. Consultant happened to ask me did he snore he did very badly sent us other end of corridor to sleep clinic fitted with overnight monitor . Back next day left with c -pap machine, life has been great I sleep better he feels great .

I also have sleep apnoea, there are two types, one is where the brain doesn’t send the right messages and the other is where the airways collapse . I got diagnosed after seeing a consultant about my asthma, I had an overnight monitor and got diagnosed the next day. I’ve worn a cpap mask and use my machine every night, I have so much more energy now during the day. Prevent s strokes and heart disease and you won’t fall asleep when driving, it’s a lifesaver. Please get checked out.

I was diagnosed last November and got a machine on February 1st.

It’s been the best thing I did. I’ve gone from 11+ episodes (stopping breathing) an hour to sometimes only 1 or 2. Last night was 2.9.

The machine has helped so much - I thought I was an insomniac as I hadn’t slept properly for 30 years. Every night was an hour or so before waking up so I never felt properly rested.

Face mask a bit of a challenge to start with but as previously said, you do get used to it.

The hospital explained how it could save my life to wear it. And if they’ve been kind enough to give me a cpap machine I make sure I wear it. I sleep for 11 hours some nights. It’s amazing! Here’s my score from last night.

Please see your GP and ask for a referral to the nearest sleep clinic. You will benefit from it so much.

My son has sleep apnoea and has had a CPAP machine for years. When he was first diagnosed he lost his driving licence until he got the machine, and they were sure his levels were ok. The machine does a print out which he has to go to get checked, I think it's about every 6 months, he's had a couple of borderline readings, but managed to keep his licence ok since, thank goodness. Before he had the machine he used to be bad tempered most of the time, but now he's fine! You definitely should get checked out.

Ohmother...you don't have to get in touch with the DVLA unless your sleep apnea affects you whilst driving or if you drop off asleep during the day. I have severe sleep apnea but I don't fall asleep during the day.

Yes I had sleep apnoea, I would sometimes wake up not breathing and Mr B also confirmed that I stopped breathing. After seeing the DR I was referred to the Sleep Clinic and after test was given a CPAP machine. I used it for just over two years and it was brilliant, but the clinic had told me that most people with sleep apnoea are overweight, so I went on a stick diet, lost weight and the problem went away. So now no machine.

I have sleep apnoea. It is common in people overweight but mine was due to a receding chin, as I was told when you get older the muscles are more relaxed and when you lie down the throat closes up. My husband was awake with a cold and told me I kept stopping breathing. I saw the GP who sent me for an allergy test and then sent to a Sleep Clinic (not all hospitals have them and mine was so small it was more like a cupboard). They did a finger test and then sent me home with sensors to clip all over me (husband helped me) and I had to sleep with all this on. Then the Sleep Clinic produced a report which showed I stopped breathing every few seconds. This is dangerous as although your brain wakes you up constantly (without you knowing it) you are not getting enough oxygen in. I used to go to work yawning and tired all the time, and often with headaches. Luckily my NHS trust supplied the CPAP machine and mask free of charge but it is a bit of a postcode lottery. The mask takes some getting used to but it is important to persevere. Hope this helps.

CrazyH You need to follow your own advice and go to your GP...ask to be referred to a sleep lab and have a test done...it does sound like you also have sleep apnea .

It happens to me too. Really scary when I wake up gasping for air.

My Husband has a CPAP sleep mask too - he's been using it for 7 years. He has severe SA . It's brilliant !
Two downsides.
He is getting a groove along his head. where the straps go.
He looks like Elephant Man when seen in moonlight, nipping to the Loo !

We had DH checked out as he is awaiting surgery. He has very mild sleep apnea, but the doctor said that it is normal to stop breathing up to 5 times an hour. Anything over that gives a positive result. His was 5.5.

I did the home test to check if I have sleep apnea two weeks ago and an still waiting on the result. I did it privately and it cost £190.
A strap goes around your chest with a sensor for chest expansion. A fine air tube pops into your nostrils and a clip on your finger to check oxygen levels. Quite easy to wear. It needs 5.5 hours sleep and it doesn't have to be consecutive sleep.
The cost of the consultant is on top of the cost of the test.