Like many people today, Marjorie was diagnosed with sleep apnoea and because she was not over-weight, did not smoke and only drank minimal alcohol, it was strongly recommended that she use a CPAP machine to improve her poor breathing pattern while she slept. Marjorie tells her story:
"September of last year I was diagnosed by a sleep study test as having severe sleep apnoea. My doctor and the sleep specialist kept insisting that I trial one of those CPAP machines. I could not imagine anything worse than going to sleep with that.
"I did not trial a machine. Instead I did the Buteyko course in October last year and I did a refresher course in March this year. However, I think I was trying too hard to make the breathing work because I still had some problems with my breathing from time to time.
"I got very sick with the flu in July this year and because I was again having trouble with my breathing, I spoke again with my Buteyko practitioner, and together we sorted out what I was doing wrong so that I could correct it. After this I made very good progress.
"My doctor didn't believe that Buteyko would work, and insisted that I have another sleep study done, which I did at the end of October this year. I have just received the results. I no longer have severe sleep apnoea and I have no arterial oxygen desaturation. I do not need a machine. Thank you again."
“My life has changed for the better since the course. I have boundless energy now, I sleep well (no more running to the toilet every couple of hours), I have lost weight without dieting, I can walk for long periods, even up hill, without getting breathless. I am so thrilled with the good results I am telling everyone I meet about the course. (Hope they’ll all attend!) Ute
Four months after attending a Buteyko course, Grace had another sleep study so that her doctor could see if the Buteyko method was helping her as much as she felt it was.
"I have been back to my Doctor, and slept with the “sleeping machine” attached to me. The results were very interesting.
Grace feels that she is sleeping better now that her breathing has changed, and adds, "I still wake very early but my sleep is better quality sleep and I do not always wake up to go to the toilet."
“I have had very good results - I am able to breathe through my nose for the first time in many years - also to sleep breathing through nose which is really great - excellent sleep!” Joan
Like many others who attend Buteyko classes to stop snoring and sleep apneoa, Thomas did not fit the classic profile of people who have this type of problem. Instead of being a smoker and drinker, over-weight, and over forty, Thomas was a slim, fit man in his 30s.
Within three days of starting to use the Buteyko method, Thomas had stopped waking up with a headache and a mouth that felt like the bottom of a bird cage. Instead, he was feeling brighter and more rested.
Three months later, he had this to say: "I would like to thank you for helping me turn my health problems around. My energy levels are much better and I need a lot less sleep than I used to, quality opposed to quantity I guess."
Thomas had started playing tennis again, and had even been doing a little jogging, "with my mouth closed!"
He found that he had better concentration, his employer noticed that he was more effective at work, and he could read books again without falling asleep after two pages. He concludes with "So thank you again and I can fully recommend the Buteyko method to other sleep apnoea sufferers."
“Since using the Buteyko method I have noticed a marked improvement in my condition and it has been wonderful. My husband has also noticed I am sleeping much more peacefully. I would definitely recommend the course.” Joy
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