TRT seems to have given me sleep apnea

[Chiefy]

Had a follow up appointment with my doctor after my latest sleep study. Results showed an AHI of 15, which just barely falls into the category of "moderate" sleep apnea. Kinda bummed, but at least I've got a possible answer as to why I struggle with fatigue and brain fog despite a dialed in TRT protocol.

My doctor has given me some options to explore for treatment, including an oral appliance and CPAP.

Do you any of you guys have any input on OSA treatment? Is moderate OSA always worth treating? Have any of you treated your moderate sleep apnea and felt markedly better?

 

[halfwit]

Have you put on more mass in your chest? Extra muscle there can definitely trigger OSA just like being obese. I do personally use a CPAP, but I am super "lucky" and have both OSA/NOSA. It has made a pretty big difference for me, and I definitely recommend giving it a whirl.

My .02c

 

[Chiefy]

No mass added to my chest. I'm still a pretty lean/skinny guy.

I'm just starting to research CPAP treatment so I'm still pretty uninformed. Any pro tips you'd care to share? Any risks that I need to be aware of besides getting fewer morning blowjobs from my wife?

 

[halfwit]

No mass added to my chest. I'm still a pretty lean/skinny guy.

I'm just starting to research CPAP treatment so I'm still pretty uninformed. Any pro tips you'd care to share? Any risks that I need to be aware of besides getting fewer morning blowjobs from my wife?

Hmm. I'd make sure to find a mask that is COMFORTABLE and doesn't rest too heavily on the bridge of your nose. Waking up everyday looking like you went to bed with a tight pair of glasses is annoying at best. It also makes it harder to fall asleep if it's not comfortable. There are masks made for different sleeping habits, so be sure to ask to see styles that fit your habits - like sleeping on your side (like me).

Humidity is either something you like or not. My CPAP came with a nice humidifier (use ONLY distilled water), but I had to take it off as it was condensating on my face, waking me up. I now only use it when it's crazy dry outside, and I get nose bleeds.

Facial hair can cause leaks, so if you're sporting a 'stache or goatee, be prepared to deal with a light hiss. You can shave to eliminate this, or tighten the straps down a little tighter to help.

Good news is blowjobs don't stop, and now you have a REAL reason NOT to kiss her afterwards.

 

[Chiefy]

Thanks for the advice man, I'll definitely keep your advice in mind as I move forward with treatment.

How bad is your apnea?

So you'd say that it's worth the hassle for you?

I just want to feel good again. TRT has helped, but it hasn't been a game changer for me like it has for most guys who are dialed in. I'm grasping at straws here, but I'm hoping that fixing my apnea might be the last piece of the puzzle.

 

[Megatron28]

I have mild sleep hypopnea. My blood oxygen was dipping slightly while I slept as a result. I got a cpap machine (with a humidifier as winters are dry in MN). Honestly, I never feel any different when I use it. Actually I sleep worse because of the hose attached to the mask. I don't mind the mask so much, but changing sleeping positions at night kind of sucks when attached to a hose. But the good news is that my wife loves it because I don't snore with it on. You would think she would be more inclined to give me some morning noggin. But I digress.

Have you considered sewing a tennis ball into the back of your shirt/pajamas to force you to sleep on your side? That can be enough for some people. Might be worth trying that or other little tricks before committing to a big cpap.

I will say though that I have known friends with severe sleep apnea and cpaps have been life savers for them.

 

[Chiefy]

That's kinda my concern...that I'll spend all this time dealing with insurance, CPAP machine maintenance, finding the right mask for me, etc...and I won't feel much better.

My apnea is at the low end of moderate. I know that people with severe apnea really need CPAP, but I'm unsure if those with my level of apnea can really benefit from it. I guess I should browse some OSA forums to find out.

My SpO2 didn't spend too much time at low levels, so what am I really going to accomplish with CPAP? I always assumed that low SpO2 levels were what made most people feel like shit, not brief pauses in breathing. I guess it'll fix my snoring if nothing else.

I may try a more conservative approach first (tennis ball, wearing a backpack, etc.) but thats how I first approached TRT and that didn't get me anywhere. I'm kinda over pussyfooting around my health concerns these days.

 

[Megatron28]

One thing to remember is that you opened by saying that you don't feel good even after getting a full night's sleep. Based on that, the cpap would probably help you. But there might be simpler solutions that can get you the same results. If it were me, I would try them first. If they don't help then get the cpap.

 

[Black Beard]

How much cardiovascular exercise do you engage in on a weekly basis? It will help with your breathing and make it easier to fall asleep if your tired. I hate cardio, but the health benefits are too much to pass up. It's easy if you find something you enjoy like boxing, mma, grappling etc. Running bores me to tears.








Also look into magnesium supplementation if you don't get much from your diet (nuts, vegetables) Most people are deficient, and magnesium is important for your nerves/muscles to relax. It's known to help people relax and go to sleep. On a more awesome note, there's a study that shows that senior men with higher levels of magnesium in their blood had more Igf-1 and testosterone than those with lowers levels. Another study showed that magnesium supplementation increased free testosterone in athletes by something like 30% if memory serves correctly. Pretty cool stuff. Minerals are important for proper endocrine function and nerve transmission. Especially zinc for testosterone. Having an improper balance can lead to cramps and insomnia. Aka too much salt vs potassium and calcium vs magnesium.

 

[Therealkozmo]

The studies say trt exasterbates sleep apnea. There isn't currently any evidence that supports it as a cause. Get a cpap and use it right and you will feel worlds of difference

 

[Chiefy]

How much cardiovascular exercise do you engage in on a weekly basis? It will help with your breathing and make it easier to fall asleep if your tired. I hate cardio, but the health benefits are too much to pass up. It's easy if you find something you enjoy like boxing, mma, grappling etc. Running bores me to tears.

Also look into magnesium supplementation if you don't get much from your diet (nuts, vegetables) Most people are deficient, and magnesium is important for your nerves/muscles to relax. It's known to help people relax and go to sleep. On a more awesome note, there's a study that shows that senior men with higher levels of magnesium in their blood had more Igf-1 and testosterone than those with lowers levels. Another study showed that magnesium supplementation increased free testosterone in athletes by something like 30% if memory serves correctly. Pretty cool stuff. Minerals are important for proper endocrine function and nerve transmission. Especially zinc for testosterone. Having an improper balance can lead to cramps and insomnia. Aka too much salt vs potassium and calcium

I usually run 10-12 miles each week, plus I work a very physically demanding job where I frequently engage in cardiovascular activity.

I also feel pretty good about my vitamin and mineral intake. I'm good about getting adequate amounts from my diet, and I supplement on top of that.

 

[Chiefy]

The studies say trt exasterbates sleep apnea. There isn't currently any evidence that supports it as a cause. Get a cpap and use it right and you will feel worlds of difference

Thanks, still working on it. Insurance company sure likes to "process" my paperwork.

 

[Cap'n]

I hated my CPAP and being tethered to a breathing machine trying to sleep. I switched to an oral appliance and think it's a far superior solution for myself. I'm not tethered and I actually wake up feeling better than with the CPAP, I think that's due to fighting it in my sleep, and ripping it off.

 

[Chiefy]

I hated my CPAP and being tethered to a breathing machine trying to sleep. I switched to an oral appliance and think it's a far superior solution for myself. I'm not tethered and I actually wake up feeling better than with the CPAP, I think that's due to fighting it in my sleep, and ripping it off.

My initial plan was to get an oral appliance, but my insurance won't cover it so I'd be left with a pretty substantial bill. I'm going to give the CPAP a try before I consider shelling out the money for an oral appliance.

 

[halfwit]

Thanks for the advice man, I'll definitely keep your advice in mind as I move forward with treatment.

How bad is your apnea?

So you'd say that it's worth the hassle for you?

I just want to feel good again. TRT has helped, but it hasn't been a game changer for me like it has for most guys who are dialed in. I'm grasping at straws here, but I'm hoping that fixing my apnea might be the last piece of the puzzle.

Geez, I missed this somehow.

I would stop breathing multiple times a minute when on my back, and once every couple on my side. For me, it has been a TREMENDOUS difference and definitely was a piece of the puzzle in my journey towards feeling 100% again. I'm kind of in the same boat though with regards to an oral appliance, I wanted to try one - but insurance said no. They'd rather pay for something that costs thousands of dollars up front and then hundreds for the rest of my life.

Kinda like testosterone.

Funny how that works, isnt' it?

 

[Cap'n]

Using a CPAP is the "gold standard" when it comes to sleep apnea. But, if you don't use the thing due to the hose, mask, etc. then it doesn't do anyone any good. I use mine but I want to try the mouthguard due to the hose & mask, they drive me fucking crazy! But, I do sleep much better with the CPAP, am in a much better mood, and definitely feel more well rested.

2 nights after using the mouthguard and I was ready to throw the CPAP out the window!

PROS: No fighter pilot straps and mask to deal with. No vacuum hose attached to your face. Not being tethered to a machine! And I am more well rested than with CPAP.

CONS: Slight bit of soreness in the jaw muscle area that lasted a few days. This went away after about 4 or 5 days.

 

[Chiefy]

An OA definitely sounds a lot more tolerable. My doctor said that they can cost up to 3 grand though, so that's not really something that I'm into right now.

Is yours covered by insurance? If not, mind if I ask how much you paid? I'd probably consider it if I don't tolerate CPAP well and the price was ~1k, but I can't justify ~3k.

 

[Cap'n]

I get my healthcare through the VA being a disabled vet. Their standard procedure is to put everyone on CPAP and call it good. I jumped up and down and finally convinced them to send me to the VA dentist and get me fitted. Best thing I could've done as I can't stand the CPAP. However, lots of other people seem to think they work just fine.

I would recommend checking out the Respire Blue Series. They're supposed to be much more affordable than what's been previously available on the market and work very well: respiremedical.com/respire-blue-series.html

I have the EMA because it's all the VA dentist dude would order, shown here: gergensortho.com/gergens-sleep-appliances/

*I have no affiliation with any of these companies.