During the spring of 2001, as I was searching for answers to my supposed heart condition, Dr. Shukla told me that he felt I should be tested for sleep apnea. I was in major denial at this suggestion but I agreed to put the matter to bed, (no pun intended), by undergoing a sleep evaluation at Hoag hospital. To my everlasting surprise, the test showed that I was waking up every minute or so as my level of oxygenation would plummet. Left unattended, my breathing would stop every few minutes and my brain would increase my heart rate to increase the flow of oxygen. The constant demand for the heart to pump harder can cause heart disease and high blood pressure.
At the time of this diagnosis I was quite plump. Some of that weight was my own fault, (I love to eat), and some of it was caused by the Toprol beta-blocker. Plump people are commonly afflicted with sleep apnea and snoring is a symptom of the problem. My wife confirmed that I certainly snored.
I was given a mask to wear that was connected to a continuous positive air pressure device, or CPAP machine. This fed a stream of pressurized air into my nostrils, forcing open my throat and providing oxygen, which then allowed my heart to rest and the brain to think about things other than breathing. According to the test data, after fifteen minutes of resistance I lapsed into a deep and restful sleep and woke up only a few times the rest of the night. My first impression was that of trying to drink from a fire hose. I couldn’t let myself relax as the air came rushing at me. The brain isn’t dumb however, and soon stopped fighting and relented.
I resigned myself to having to sleep with a mask stuck to my face if it would help resolve my heart problems. Little did I realize how much I would depend upon this machine to help me with my breathing during the ordeal ahead. It quickly became second nature to me and the CPAP machine ended the snoring problem in most dramatic fashion!
Right up until the time I went in for the biopsy I was still having breathing problems. The CPAP machine proved to be a wonderful solution to this and I found myself even putting it on when I was awake and watching TV or otherwise resting. Despite 25% of the right pleural space being filled with fluid I still slept comfortably while I waited for my treatment to begin. I have actually become quite dependent upon it. The minute I put the mask on and turn on the air I fall asleep. All through my hospitalization and recovery, I managed to sleep well with the help of the CPAP machine. The only exception was the little episode with the pain medication that I described earlier. Sleep is often difficult for patients suffering from Mesothelioma. The fluid in the chest not only causes pain but it compresses the lung, making breathing difficult. Lying down in this situation can be very hard and makes sleeping very uncomfortable. I am convinced a CPAP machine could do much for patients with lung problems of any kind. Certainly someone like myself, with diminished lung capacity, will benefit in the long run from getting a good night’s sleep via a CPAP machine. I recommend it highly to any Mesothelioma patient.
