Atrial Fib and Sleep Apnea

Well, I've been thinking lately about starting a blog. I have so many interests and learn so much each day that I'd like to share with others.
Recently I experienced a hospitalization for atrial fibrillation. This came out of nowhere...I'd never experienced anything like it before. While in the hospital, one of the doctors asked me if I had restless leg syndrome (yes) and trouble sleeping (yes). He wanted me to do a sleep study for sleep apnea. In the event I have it, he said I could get off my blood pressure medications!
So I had the study and much to my surprise, I have moderate sleep apnea. That means
I stopped breathing for more than 10 seconds about 15 times/hour! No wonder I feel so tired!
So now I will get a CPAP machine and hopefully experience improved health!
I did some research on this after coming home from the hospital. Sleep apnea can cause many things! Migraines, immune problems, stroke, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure that does not go away at night, weight gain and the inability to lose weight, DEATH, and many more things. 97% of diabetics have sleep apnea. This is huge! If you catch it early enough, all the effects of it can be reversed.
When a person stops breathing, their body produces adrenalin to make you breathe. This adrenalin production keeps you from getting the rest you need. Getting on a CPAP machine when one is needed increases your life expectancy by an average of 15 years!
Here's another interesting thing: we are self-pay for medical bills. I will talk about how we do this another day but this is what I am thinking right now. I could not believe how expensive the sleep studies are! I had the first one done at our local hospital. After testing positive, they said I needed a second study to get the correct CPAP machine settings. This test was even more expensive than the first. Before discounts, these 2 tests would cost $6800 which is to be paid upfront! Realizing I could not afford the 2nd test, I contacted the doctor's office. They referred me to a place that would do it for $700! That price would be discounted if I paid upfront! They said both studies could be done together on the same night! After a bit more conversation, they told me that I could ask the doctor to order an "auto CPAP" which would automatically set the machine at the needed settings so no second study would be needed! So I learned, once again, that it pays to talk to people and to ask questions! Thank the Lord!