Living with Sleep Apnea

Six years ago I started to gain a lot of weight and generally felt tired all the time. My doctor took blood tests and found that there was nothing wrong with me. In his opinion, as I am a widower and was not ‘looking after myself’ correctly…. a diet was the best course of action.

As a former rugby player for a top English club I had always been fit and healthy. Although a big man, I always had carefully watched what I ate. So perhaps it was just ‘middle age spread’ that finally was catching up on me at age 44!

Two years ago, I developed Bronchil Pneumonia…for the second time in three years! It was whilst as an in-patient at my local hospital that it was suspected that OSA could be effecting me.

I was later reffered to the famous ‘Sleep Clinic’ at Papworth Hospital, here in England. After a night of being video’d and monitored, the results confirmed the initial diagnosis. Respiratory rate only 3 times a minute (waking up each time as I struggled to breath) and blood oxygen levels of only 60%. No wonder why I could only walk about 10 yards before I had to sit down and rest!

The next night I was fitted for a CPAP machine (Constant pressure). Despite feeling claustrophobic wearing the full face mask, I persevered.

The next morning, for the first time in years I awoke feeling refreshed and full of energy. This has continued for a whole year. My weight has reduced by 70lbs despite me eating more than before!

A month ago, as part of Papworth’s on-going monitoring, I was supplied and monitored on a variable breathing rate system (a Nippy S ).

The perfect solution for my particular OSA as it enables me to use an external battery system on a plane flight. If any of you have flown on a ‘red-eye’ across the Atlantic you will understand exactly how beneficial this new innovation is.

In losing so much weight, I have regained my self-confidence and now met a wonderful new woman. The downside to all of this….putting my hands in my wallet for a new set of clothes and no stolen kisses in bed as the face mask gets in the way!

A small price to pay for having my life restored.