For almost as long as he can remember, Romey struggled with sleep apnea—and with CPAP. Over the course of 32 years, Romey says he tried everything to find relief from the constant exhaustion and memory loss he experienced.
Having received his remedē System, Romey now says he’s on the other side of his central sleep apnea (CSA) journey. Here, he reflects on how sleep apnea impacted his life—and wants others to know that there is hope for a life on the other side of CSA.
I always felt like the guy who was behind
I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in 1990, when I was in my twenties, and I was used to feeling exhausted all the time. But in my late thirties—before I was diagnosed with CSA—something changed: my memory started going downhill rapidly.
Things like going to the grocery store became frustrating: I’d make a list, but then forget it. If I left the house, I always forgot at least one thing: phone, keys, wallet.
When I was working, it affected me professionally—not because I couldn’t complete tasks, but because I went so slowly. I could check something 3 or 4 times and suddenly realize I had slept through checking it.
Packing for a trip became an anxiety-filled nightmare. I could never remember if I packed my clothes or medicine; if I left food out for the cats. I eventually had to turn over simple, everyday things to my wife, because I just couldn’t remember if I had done them or not.
For years I lived this way—always feeling like the guy who was constantly behind. It wore on me terribly.
I still live with the effects of CSA today
I feel like sleep apnea reached in with a big hand and tore out whole chunks of my life.
My kids are grown up now, and they’ll ask me, “Do you remember this?” Most of the time, the answer is “No, I don’t.”
There are whole memories that are gone.
Even though I was physically there, I slept through my kids growing up.
If I went to an event or a family gathering, I felt like I was hovering above everybody. It’s like I was watching it on TV. I was so tired I was not there. If I was having a conversation with someone, I just kind of zoned out. I didn’t even try to remember what they told me, because I knew it was just going to disappear.
Since I got my remedē System a few years ago and began actually sleeping, I’ve had to train myself to pay attention. At first it would take everything I had to focus on something. It was tiresome. But now, I’m able to engage and be present in the moment, instead of just getting by.
Everybody wants to know: What does remedē feel like?
I get this question every time I talk to someone about my remedē System.
It’s funny because when I first learned about remedē, I wasn’t afraid at all. I felt so miserable for so long—with decades of CPAP and ASV—that I was ready from the first conversation I had with my doctor. I had no hesitation.
But many people I talk to are afraid of what the remedē System feels like.
The truth is that most nights I don’t feel it at all unless I wait for it to come on, but I’m usually asleep before it activates.
It’s a completely new sensation, but it’s not frightening. It’s like something helped you take a really good, deep breath. I think of it like my remedē System taking a deep breath for me when I’m sleeping.
The one thing I want people to know?
There is hope. Even after living with CSA for years, there is hope. There can be a normal work life and normal family life on the other side of CSA—because there are treatment options.
Before I had my remedē System, I didn’t do a lot of anything. I was too tired.
Now? I can do not only what I have to do, I can do so many things I want to do. My wife and I can drive up and spend time with our kids and grandkids, and I don’t have to say, “I’ve got to go take a nap.” Before, I couldn’t even ride in the car without falling asleep.
I can just go from one activity to the next and I’m not falling over tired all the time. I can take care of my car and truck, I can do woodworking and house projects. It’s nice to be able to stay busy, instead of sleeping.
And my device, my “little buddy,” as I call it? There’s not enough money in the world for someone to buy this thing from me. There is nothing I would trade for having my remedē System. It’s changed my life that much.
Individual results may vary.
Refer to the important safety information and consult with a healthcare provider to determine if the remedē System is right for you.
The remedē System is a surgically implanted device.