I should have realized that I had clinically important obstructive sleep apnea years ago. My wife complained about my snoring. I would, occasionally, awaken abruptly with the feeling of suffocation. I had seen my father fall asleep in his chair, gasp for air, and snore like a locomotive. I’m a 72-year-old physician/scientist trained in internal medicine and a retired member of the faculty of the Harvard Medical School. I really should have self-diagnosed years ago.
About five years ago, I developed persistent atrial fibrillation. I tolerated a-fib poorly. Although I was an athlete when young, I had quite limited exercise tolerance while in a-fib. I felt like an old man. Although I was converted to a normal rhythm by DC cardioversion, I quickly relapsed into persisted a-fib. Late in 2019, I underwent an invasive procedure (pulmonary venous catheter ablation). The procedure was successful; my cardiologist suggested a sleep study, since obstructive sleep apnea is a strong contributory factor in cardiac disease. My sleep study was, unsurprisingly, strongly positive. CPAP was essential.
I began CPAP and monitored my statistics religiously, including all-night oximetry every night. With a full face mask or nasal pillow mask, my AHI was not adequately corrected. Additionally, it was really difficult to acclimate to the discomfort of these masks. Fortunately, I found the original BLEEP device fairly quickly. Interactions with Stuart Heatherington were very helpful, and in no time, I became a committed user of Bleep devices. The arrival of the Eclipse model made therapy compliance even easier.
In the +/-3.5 years since I began using Bleep masks, my AHI averages ~1.5. My oximetry is perfect. Chronic sleep apnea had led to a component of central apnea; this is now fully corrected. As a result of a successful procedure to disrupt the atrial fibrillation pattern and absolute adherence to CPAP enabled by Bleep devices, I’m in excellent health and capable of serious aerobic exercise.
Lessons:
1. OSA is a bad disorder. It is a real cause of preventable heart disease. Even so, it isn’t fun to confront that CPAP is a rest-of-life requirement.
2. The Bleep Eclipse devices are the most comfortable and sustainable approach to CPAP. A few minutes of effort each evening enables uninterrupted and safe sleep. With some effort, one can have virtually normal sleep notwithstanding CPAP therapy.
3. Measuring your own data is important to see if therapy is working. Good numbers are a reinforcement of compliance. Anyone can learn to monitor their own response to CPAP.
4. The committed and personal support of Stuart and the Bleep team is quite helpful as you enter the world of rest-of-life CPAP. Thank you, Stuart.
