CPAP Question, kindly weigh in?

Hi All,

Asking this question here because I think Covers is a great resource
and unfortunately not all of us in best health here as well and
have medical conditions, experience, etc.
Anyway, been getting periodic shortness of breath for year and in my late 40's. Not obese but tall and husky and moderately athletic.
Anyway, nearly 2 years ago had the full cardio workup, stress, echo., ekg, blood, and all checked out fine. The shortness of breath got a bit worse on occaision but I've had bad GERD from years ago and drank maybe too much caffeine lately and might attribute it to that. Still I went again to a cardiologist again and he said he thinks my issue might be sleep apnea associated and I do snore some as well. Anyway, the cardio guy said he'll do another stress in near future if I really wanted but referred me to sleep specialist.  Went just a few days ago to sleep MD and he looked down my throat and said I have "crowding" pretty bad the way soft palate and stuff are and wants to send me now to a sleep lab for sleep study. I'm like :-O?. I research this and am not sure what to think?! I hear that if you snore and don't breath right you can drive yourself of proper O2 at night and not expel CO2 correctly and you are tired in the day, etc? Others say this could aggrevate deep in lungs and even cause some pulmonary tension as such.
Really not sure WTF to think? Is this stuff legit? Anyone use or know of someone that has use these machines? Do they work?
Are there natural remedies for this?

I am a bit confused here as you can see and I would very much appreciate any and all feedback here.  

Two people I know we'll use them for apnea. Yes, they absolutely work. Your sleep will improve dramatically.

I'm 60, tall, husky, with Gerd and guarantee at your age that you're more athletic than myself.  Same issues as you with snoring and sleep apnea.

Did the overnight sleep study and got hooked up with the CPAP machine.  It works, it definitely works.  But found that for me it wasn't the right answer.  The mask is very uncomfortable and took me several nights to get comfortable.  And even though I used this machine for a few months it was just too intrusive.  Then you must take the information card into the Dr every month to be analyzed.  It works but it's a huge hassle.  Although I've heard they have different mask designs now that may be more comfortable. 

Decided to fight the Gerd and sleep apnea by using a different tactic.  Currently taking nexium and keep my bed raised about five inches at the head.  Also taking meds to control cholesterol and high blood pressure.  Ambien at night as needed to get me to sleep.  Also try "Breathe-Rite" nasal strips (yes, a lot of football players use them) at night.  The strips open up your nasal airway and alleviate the palate thus reducing snoring.

It seems that everyone is unique and it's up to you to find your own answers.  Hope that helps.  GL Ron.

TY Search and Goose

Ron...can't help but noticed your username is DiverRon. Not sure if this is just a name or something to do with your profession or hobby but have your doctors rules out there is no connection between the two? Just did a quick google search for Diving and CPAP and a whole bunch of things came up. GL to you.

I am a physician and would be happy to answer any questions you have.

Doc is right on the money.

It;s interesting because Dr. looked down my throat and

said the back of my throat is "crowded" and makes me a candidate

for sleep study, hmm?

Then he said that he has some very light patients that have sleep apnea, Don't know what to think?

I thought about trying the device to see how I feel after it?
I did lose nearly 10 pounds and exercising aerobics nearly everyday; I also CUT OUT COFFEE and shortness of breath totally went away, hmmm??

Here is a link for your Mallampati score. It is the "crowded" he is referring to. Most things in medicine do not have one cause or one reason they happen. Sleep apnea is in that category, it happens for many reasons. The "crowded",  obese reason is the most likely but there are many others.

see an ENT, you might have nasal polyps

Insurance company denied sleep study based on some b.s.
Aetna PPO, (guy charge a fortune also)
Provider/Dr. said will appeal.

guy = insurance company since I put profanity in front

of insurance company word.

10+ years, slept like a baby with my CPAP; next thing I know, it's morning.  Hey GoldenGoose, check out, MedCline, great alternative to 'raising the bed 5 inches'. 

MedCline costs $200.  It's a friggin pillow.  My 5" high bed head is working fine.  I say if it's working, it's not broken, then don't fix it.

Get the mouthpiece that pulls your jaw forward and you will be happy with no mask needed!