CPAP and BiPAP

Courtesy of CPAP.com

So, I have been using a BiPAP for over 14 years and while not an expert, I have a basic understanding of why I am using one. 

It's about the oxygen and lack thereof, which was diagnosed as possible cause of Mitral Valve deterioration. Taking the sleep test indicated my oxygen levels were dangerously low during sleep. No amount of checking with a pulse oximeter would reveal this, unless it was recording while sleeping. Because it would give good readings while awake.

However, I did experience grogginess, fell asleep quite easily, and had difficulty keeping my mind focused. I even had the swimmy headed thing going on. 

It was quite a chore to adapt to wearing a mask and I tried several. I would lie awake for hours and worried about loss of sleep. Granted I would eventually grow too tired to stay awake and drift off. 

The changes were gradual, and it took me a few months to grasp what was taking place. My need to frequently get up in the middle of the night to urinate... subsided. My daytime grogginess cleared up rather quickly. That swimmy headed thing was gone, and I became more focused. Oh yes, I stopped those middle of the night trips. That was explained to me in a way I will not repeat here. 

Apparently even my tiny brain requires oxygen, and it wasn't getting it. Before being diagnosed, I thought I was experiencing the early signs of dementia. Turns out I was wrong, although I may be in that stage now. Not an expert in that area, but I do wonder if this may be an undiagnosed leading cause of Dementia or Alzheimer's.

In any case, don't be too quick to downplay the idea of sleep apnea. Don't be too quick to trash the mask after only a half-hearted try. The heart also needs oxygen, as well as various other organs. Your brain knows I am right... if it is properly oxygenated.

I can only state my journey with Apnea.