CanadianMuscleDad Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Hello all, Just wanted to make a quick post which is relevant to all who suffer from sleep apnea but specifically those who use anabolics and/or those on TRT/HRT. It is common knowledge that most who supplement with testosterone and other andorgens can experience an increase in RBC (red blood cell count). While this does have a performance enhancing effect, at some point it is diminishing returns and actually damaging to cardiovascular systems. When RBC gets out of range most have a phlebotomy where blood is drawn, either by doctor recommendation or they donate blood if eligible. This will address issue temporarily however is not resolving what could potentially be causing the issue. After seeing a sleep specialist I discovered most people with sleep apnea have high RBC values due to the lack of oxygen. The body realizes that you arent breathing enough and over time increases red blood cell count. This is especially important for those on hormones that are also increasing red blood cells as well. My suggestion is to get yourself tested, test are free and easy (slightly uncomfortable as you wear it at night). Once diagnosed you can start the treatment with a CPAP machine. These machines are not cheap however I have found a very cheap supplier of these machines online and order one for myself. https://papsmart.com/ They do require a script but you can google a local sleep clinic, they can give you the sleep apnea test machine and send it home. You return to them typically after two days of use then they send off results to respirologist who sends them back a script, easy and painless! This will work for all extended medical that offers coverage on these machines. I recommend the "resmed airsense 10 autoset". I ended up paying 750$ total with shipping included, received in 2 days of sending them my script. The sleep clinic wanted to charge me 2500$ for the same machine I then had to pay the sleep clinic 200$ to do all the settings but if one were so inclined they could access the many videos on youtube on how to set up yourself. Hope this helps anyone who suffers, I think a lot of people do and just go undiagnosed or at least I did! So please check into symptoms, especially if you are on medication that increases RBC! https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631 Please feel free to PM if you have any questions. Or comment below if you can add anything helpful on the matter 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChickenTits Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Ive been procrastinating being tested. Thanks for post, im going to go look into it! Got a lot of symptoms,,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrapsAndLats Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Interesting post,bloodtest time 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cog Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 On 10/3/2018 at 2:08 PM, CanadianMuscleDad said: Hello all, Just wanted to make a quick post which is relevant to all who suffer from sleep apnea but specifically those who use anabolics and/or those on TRT/HRT. It is common knowledge that most who supplement with testosterone and other andorgens can experience an increase in RBC (red blood cell count). While this does have a performance enhancing effect, at some point it is diminishing returns and actually damaging to cardiovascular systems. When RBC gets out of range most have a phlebotomy where blood is drawn, either by doctor recommendation or they donate blood if eligible. This will address issue temporarily however is not resolving what could potentially be causing the issue. After seeing a sleep specialist I discovered most people with sleep apnea have high RBC values due to the lack of oxygen. The body realizes that you arent breathing enough and over time increases red blood cell count. This is especially important for those on hormones that are also increasing red blood cells as well. My suggestion is to get yourself tested, test are free and easy (slightly uncomfortable as you wear it at night). Once diagnosed you can start the treatment with a CPAP machine. These machines are not cheap however I have found a very cheap supplier of these machines online and order one for myself. https://papsmart.com/ They do require a script but you can google a local sleep clinic, they can give you the sleep apnea test machine and send it home. You return to them typically after two days of use then they send off results to respirologist who sends them back a script, easy and painless! This will work for all extended medical that offers coverage on these machines. I recommend the "resmed airsense 10 autoset". I ended up paying 750$ total with shipping included, received in 2 days of sending them my script. The sleep clinic wanted to charge me 2500$ for the same machine I then had to pay the sleep clinic 200$ to do all the settings but if one were so inclined they could access the many videos on youtube on how to set up yourself. Hope this helps anyone who suffers, I think a lot of people do and just go undiagnosed or at least I did! So please check into symptoms, especially if you are on medication that increases RBC! https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631 Please feel free to PM if you have any questions. Or comment below if you can add anything helpful on the matter Is there not a device to test RBC for less than 200 bucks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianMuscleDad Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 On 11/29/2018 at 7:38 PM, Cog said: Is there not a device to test RBC for less than 200 bucks? Hmm, I’m not sure I always have my rbc and other blood work test done through my doctor and it’s covered on msp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cog Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Pretty sure there is a new device out there.Might have been on the old forum.Will check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayz-23 Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Definitely can attest to a CPAP helping sleep quality and have often though of a further increase in RBC from sleep apnea. Ive had one for a year,, and only the last 3 months Ive been using it and way better sleeps where I actually reach the dream state, but wake up now with out headaches or still feeling tired despite sleeping for 7 hours. I will have to see what my lab values are throughout the year, as ive needed to donate 2-3x a year to keep hematocrit in range. Doesn't help I have asthma as well which prob already makes it worse/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionsfan4 Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 (edited) I have had a CPAP machine for 6 months. Once you get used to it, they change your life. As for the high RBC, I’m on the banned donate blood list bc I had Lymphoma (cancer) a few years ago. So so I took matters into my own hands. And I draw out 200ml of blood every 3 months on my own. Yes, on my own! Like Frankenstein. Lol. Bc I get bloodwork done every six months as follow up treatment to cancer, I can monitor my blood counts regularly Frankenstein pic attached Edited March 17, 2019 by Lionsfan4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelbysdad Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 Nice. Im in sort of the same situation so I may try doing it myself as well. Thanks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionsfan4 Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 It’s pretty easy. The collection tubes are called vacutainers. YouTube shows the whole process 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis "Frank" Castle Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Quite familiar with the sleep apnea thing and have had 6 different sleep tests, of the overnight variety in lab. It's funny how they expect anyone to get a good nights sleep with all those wires attached lol. One thing I would definitely suggest si that if you are going to be tested then make sure to research where you go. The CPAP industry is big business and some labs will tell you that you need all this tech whether you do or don't and try to load you up, especially if you have insurance paying. Lots of good clinics out there so not hard to find just need to be a bit wary is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisissparta Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 @Lionsfan4 That's amazing, thank you for sharing. Quick question, aren't you worried that you might pass out and then it would just keeps draining blood? That's the only thing holding me back. I really want to do it though. I hate being dependent on doctors and all that bullshit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisissparta Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 @Lionsfan4That's amazing, thank you for sharing. Quick question, aren't you worried that you might pass out and then it would just keeps draining blood? That's the only thing holding me back. I really want to do it though. I hate being dependent on doctors and all that bullshit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionsfan4 Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 21 hours ago, thisissparta said: @Lionsfan4That's amazing, thank you for sharing. Quick question, aren't you worried that you might pass out and then it would just keeps draining blood? That's the only thing holding me back. I really want to do it though. I hate being dependent on doctors and all that bullshit. It can’t keep draining blood using the vacutainers. Each container only takes 10ml. You just keep snapping on new tubes. I fill 25 which ends up being about half of what a regular donation would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.