Dr. Dylan Petkus Reviews Dr. Nancy’s Journey starting with moderate sleep apnea to where she finally confirmed that she no longer had sleep apnea.
00:00
Dylan Petkus, MD
Hey everyone, it is Dr. Dylan Petkus here and I have a very special guest with me, Nancy, who is here to share her story and provide some good inspiration and motivation of what’s possible when you have sleep issues, sleep apnea and all that not so fun stuff. So thanks for joining us here, Nancy, and I guess introduce yourself, tell us all sorts of fun facts or not any fun facts live.
00:28
Nancy
So my name is Nancy Kim. I am a physician and I’m in the Northeast where it’s now pretty cold and I’ve been practicing for about 21 years. So I’ve been around for a while and I really, you know, just started feeling more tired as time went on. And initially I was thinking, oh, it’s nothing really big. It’s probably just me being perimenopausal, hormonal. Everyone kind of talks about, especially nowadays, hormones for women. And I thought the fatigue was related to me just getting into that stage of life and you know, you sort of get used to it. So kind of, going to the grind, doing my best. You know, I have two daughters and of course a husband who’s been very supportive.
01:17
Nancy
And you just kind of keep chugging along, you know, doing the best that you can. And for me, trying to do my best as I can for my patients, but you know, as the day would go on, I found I was just getting more tired, maybe even a little bit more grumpy. And then, you know, other things start to happen too, which, you kind of learn to ignore and just kind of function through like by like 2 or 3 o’clock when I’m finishing up my charts, you know, I’d get this heavy sensation across my eyes and then headaches. And then, at that point I was thinking, oh, this is just probably migraines, probably hormonally related.
01:51
Nancy
And then, you know, I found that I couldn’t even finish my notes because I had felt like I had a helmet over my head and my eyes. I couldn’t even open it at that point again, you just kind of learned to ignore. It kind of gets better. Take a little Advil here or there, you know. And then, as time went on, I started noticing, oh gosh, now I’m getting a lot of eye discharge. And my nose, I’m getting congested all the time. And again you just kind of learn to live with it. Blow your nose, move on, Nancy. And then as time continues to go on, I’m noticing not sleeping well, at night. And yes, it’s embarrassing to say waking up to go to the bathroom.
02:32
Nancy
At the worst, I probably would say I could wake up literally every hour to go to the bathroom. At its worst, the average is probably five to six times an evening. And I just kind of got used to that, too. You figured, this is normal, you know, probably a good thing. I’m detoxing, right? Getting all the toxins, you know, and not even realizing that it wasn’t, you know, normal. So. And I just kept functioning. I’m like, everything’s fine. Because my mindset is, stay positive, everything’s going to be fine. You’re fine. But then, you know, as I started going to my checkups, you know, my last one, I started noticing that my blood pressure was probably going up a little bit higher. And I’m somebody who exercises a lot, thinks, you know, I’m eating pretty healthy.
03:15
Nancy
You know, I’ve done two marathons last year, so. And I do a half marathon at least three or four times a year. So I’m, you know, I exercise pretty regularly. So when I saw those numbers going up, like blood pressure, also my cholesterol, you know, that’s when I started getting concerned. And then, you know, when I went on vacation, I’d find that when it hits 3 or 4 o’clock, I was, like, tired, you know, just tired, you know. And then I started noticing I needed to take naps. So, you know, things started going on. I’m like this, right? So finally, you know, one trip, we actually just went to Greece last summer. And then my two girls were complaining because her room was separate, but it was attached because it was in Santorini.
04:00
Nancy
And, like, man, you were like, snoring. I was. My daughter’s like, I couldn’t even sleep. My husband’s like, yeah, you were snoring. And you do snore. But we’re both so. But he’s so sweet. Like, he’ll. He’ll never complain about it. So. So at that point, I’m like, all right, that’s. The snoring was pretty bad because my girls were like, we couldn’t sleep. They had, like, big bags under their eyes. And so at that point, I’m like, all right, let’s put one and one together. I’m a physician here. Let’s. Let’s put these pieces together. Because I eat very healthy, you know, so, like, why the hell is my cholesterol ldl? And then I got tested for lipoprotein A, you know, why is that all high when I’m eating fish, salmon, vegetables, you know, quinoa. Like, I’m eating, like, a lot of healthy stuff.
04:45
Nancy
Not eating much alcohol, you know, not drinking much alcohol because I know that can make other health issues. So, like, something’s not right. So I went to my primary care doctor. I’m like, you know what? I started doing my own research on sleep apnea. And I’m like, I bet you I have it. You know? So then I went to my primary care doctor, said, look, you know, I really want to get tested for it. You know, I’m kind of not understanding why I’m feeling the way I am. And then my cholesterol levels are looking weird and my blood pressure is slowly going up. And then we even did like, the fasting glucose, and I was pre diabetic. I’m like, what the heck? Diabetes doesn’t run in my family. My dad’s 88, my mom’s 86. No diabetes.
05:23
Nancy
So at that point, I’m like, let’s. I think I probably have sleep apnea. I just have a feeling, you know, and I’m really good at ignoring my symptoms. So then I got tested, and then I got my results and I’m like, oh, crap, I do have sleep apnea, mild to moderate. And at that point, of course, you know, they keep contacting me. They’re like, oh, you know, you need to be referred and get, you know, CPAP. And then, you know, I’m kind of going online And I like YouTube because you can find anything on YouTube. That’s how I found you. So. So, like, your face kind of popped up and it said sleep apnea. I’m like, okay, like, you know, I’m like, I don’t want that freaking thing on my face.
05:57
Nancy
You know, I’ve heard from my patients, like, how uncomfortable it is, and they end up getting, like, occipital neuralgia in the back of the head because the band is so tight. So I see that. I see these people, you know, so.
06:09
Dylan Petkus, MD
Its a fancy way of saying head ouchy for everyone.
06:11
Nancy
Yeah, literally. Yeah. Like, they’re. They’re really not. Not happy with it. And half of them, you know, like. Like in your video, like, you were saying that they don’t even use it. So I was looking at your video and, like, you were going over the different breathing exercises and how you can treat sleep apnea, and you’re kind of going over the whole reason why we develop it and how even just fixing the obstruction doesn’t necessarily fix the problem because we’ve memorized this sleep cycle. Now, that’s related to our circadian rhythm, so a lot of like, oh, that makes sense. Know. And then when I kind of looked you a little further and like, all right, does he. You know, you. You didn’t even say anything about your program, so I have to kind of look you up a little bit more. More.
06:54
Nancy
And then I’m like, this is really interesting. I’m like, this is. This is. You know, this may be a way to actually not have to use the CPAP machine, but normalize my breathing, you know, in a more natural way that our body can do it if you give it a chance. So. So that’s why I was kind of looking you up, and I’m like, all right. And you hear a lot of different reviews, and then I’m like, you know what? I’m just. I’m just gonna put my name out there and get in touch with you. And talking to you was very helpful, you know. There are a lot of scams out there. So my husband’s like, oh, be careful. You don’t know, blah, blah. I’m like, no, he’s a physician. He went to med school.
07:36
Nancy
He has, you know, it’s legitimate. He’s even written a book. It’s. You can buy it on Amazon. He’s like, he’s legitimate. Even your videos with the research that you kind of present, with all your recommendations, you know, it’s proven. It’s right there. So I think that, you know, with all the scams that are out there, you get worried, you know, but you’re very legitimate, and I’m so glad that my fear of the unknown didn’t stop me. So I think it’s always scary to take that step to say, you know what? I’m not going to follow the generic recommendation of, oh, just get the CPAP machine.
08:14
Nancy
I’m like, you know, even, with my patients, I find that, you think you’re treating the problem, but you’re not really getting to the issues that led to it, you know, So that’s what caught me with you also on your video for YouTube. And it’s a lifestyle change with the recommendations that are made. But. And it is stressful initially, you know, to kind of make those changes because it’s not just you change. It. It’s, you know, your husband’s affected, you know, your kids see. See you with the glasses on, and you have to explain to them. And then just even when I eat. So a lot of it was stressful because I’m a very type A person. I have a routine. I do the same thing every day. I’m very efficient.
08:58
Nancy
So changing it was stressful. But once you make the change with my personality, then I just keep doing it. Because once you get me to something, I’m just, you know, I’m like, I just keep doing it. So as I’ve been doing it and doing all your recommendations, which I think, I feel. I feel so much better. Like, I didn’t even know I wasn’t feeling well because I’m green ignoring stuff. So, like, my eye discharge, completely gone. My nasal congestion, completely gone, my snoring. I asked my husband every night, “Did. I snore? I snorted. And he’s like, no, so we haven’t traveled yet. But so. And then just being outside, more like running outside. And I’ve been using the ketones that you recommended, which is great. So your recommendations are excellent. And I think that for me, when I.
09:47
Nancy
When somebody tells me to do something, I’m going to do it, because I was like, I’m not going to do that CPAP machine. If I do end up on it, at least I want to know I did everything possible not to, you know, not to need it. So that. That was my goal. I’m going to do everything possible. So if they’re going to tell me to do something, I’m going to do it. I feel 98% better and 2% just because I know nothing’s ever perfect. A hundred percent. You can never say everything is 100% because nothing in life is a hundred percent. That’s the only reason why I’m not saying that. So. And then I got the, you know, the proof is in the pudding. Right. So I got the Concord, Pulse ox. Yeah. Wristband.
10:28
Nancy
And it was great for Dr. Molly. She kind of went over with her in a little video clip. And I’m like, shocked that it looked as good as it did. Like, I’m shocked. I’m not shocked that I was hopeful, you know, hopeful. But I was like, I was trying to get myself right. Like, you never know. Nancy. Still early, very early. So, you know, and I guess I shouldn’t be shocked because I have been feeling so much better. So. So really. But sometimes you think you, like, it’s like a placebo effect, but it’s. No, but I mean, the proof is in the pudding. It’s you know, the results look. Look great. I couldn’t believe it, but I’m feeling like it made sense because I have been feeling very good.
11:04
Nancy
You know, even on a really stressful day at work, I still feel okay. So which. Which is unusual. Usually I have a big headache with, like, a veil over my eyes, and I feel like I’m very. Look, but now it’s. I feel way better. I would recommend your program to everyone, and I think there are a lot of people who have sleep apnea and just choose to ignore it because it is easy to ignore, because we’re good at functioning at a lower level without realizing, especially when it’s gradual, you know, but you don’t realize how good you can feel or should feel until you’re actually feeling a whole lot better. So I think. I feel like with.
11:44
Nancy
With most people, like, you shouldn’t wait until you have severe apnea, because by then you’ve already gotten the complications that are hard to reverse. You know, like cardiac issues, cardiac disease. Your cholesterol levels already, high, and, in your lungs have already been started to be affected, and then you have, like, chronic inflammation in your body, joint pains. Just. You don’t want to wait until you get to that point where it’s hard to reverse, you know, so I almost feel like people should be getting treated with this program, your program, way earlier because if you do it earlier, you can actually cure your sleep apnea.
12:21
Dylan Petkus, MD
My highly biased opinion also agrees. But the. Yeah, but. Yeah. So there’s a lot to unpack here. A lot to unpack here. So the one thing before we forget it, do you remember what the number, like, kind of what the. On the Concord. What the. Does it give you?
12:40
Nancy
I know Molly. Dr. Molly said it was. So my initial one was like, 16.5, and it was the next. The new number was two.
12:47
Dylan Petkus, MD
Two. Okay, that’s good for those keeping score at home, less than five is no sleep apnea. Two is one to two. Like, so that’s people obsessed about seeing zero. That’s not really. That’s very uncommon. And if someone’s seeing that, it’s because your CPAP is overdoing it. One to two is pretty much fine here. So. Awesome. 17 or 16.5 down to two there. And then the other thing I want to highlight is whenever someone like. Well, you know, from like, taking medical boards and stuff, whenever they have the vignette question of someone with sleep Apnea. It’s never someone who looks like either you or me 10 years ago. And the thing is like, that’s 40% like people who don’t look like the classic case of sleep apnea. That’s actually about like 30, 40% of all people with sleep apnea.
13:40
Dylan Petkus, MD
Because everyone’s like, oh, I got to, you know, like, oh, it’s always overweight. And then when people aren’t overweight, they’re like, but no one will ever know what’s going on with me sort of deal here. But for my case, which was over a decade ago, which I know to some people they would imagine that was when I was six years old. I get it. But also doesn’t escape me, the YouTube comments like, you don’t even look like you’re out of college. Thanks. But also for like someone like Nancy who is. Because guess what everyone, Women can also have sleep apnea. Shocking. I know, it’s just crazy to me. But also they’re one third of people. And also I think that number will go way up as physicians are actually looking for it.
14:27
Dylan Petkus, MD
Because like you said, whenever it’s a woman more than 45 years old and we have the option to pick all these different things and it’s almost always let’s blame menopause as opposed to let’s go to sleep still, it’s always pinning on hormones. So that’s why a lot of people that I’ll speak with, they’ll, I mean, be somewhat very similar to Nancy. I’m just thinking of a few people who recently. One guy is like, he’s a black belt in taekwondo. There’s another guy who, what does he do? Something. One of those weird Canadian sports, is it cross country skiing? One of those things. I don’t know what they do up there, but like people can be, you know, very high functioning like you are, but then still have this problem.
15:16
Dylan Petkus, MD
So it’s really important to like recognize that of where it doesn’t mean you have a special type of sleep apnea. It’s just something people don’t really think about. And one thing I want to ask you, especially as you are a physician, when you were going through the like, because everyone goes through the sleep study. And then like, here’s this plastic thing, like what was running through your mind when they were like, here you go. And you were like, oh. Because like for us, we’re kind of like in it a little bit more. That’s why I like for. I was like, well, yeah, I mean like that’s what medicine says to do. So what was your thought process on that?
15:49
Nancy
My thought process was, no way. There’s no way I’m going to put that thing on me, because I’ve seen my patients who are miserable with it and have other issues related to wearing it. And I said to myself, there’s got to be another way. I felt like just. I think with a lot of medicine, we just treat the symptom but not the actual issue. Like, you know, like, high blood pressure. You prescribe a blood pressure medication, but then if they’re not eating right and they’re still gaining weight, their blood pressure is going to keep going up, and then you have to add more medications to it. So I felt like I didn’t want to be that person. So that’s what I said when they first said CPAP recommendation, like, no way. I’m not going to do it.
16:37
Dylan Petkus, MD
And then also, like, through, like, even just the idea, again, just especially as your perspective as a physician that there is a way that is like, because what we work on isn’t necessarily like, here’s some pills or surgery or mechanical manipulation. So I guess, you know, for. If you’re doing tongue exercise or whatever, I guess that is manipulation. But the idea for you to, like, know, like, oh, we’re going to target sleep apnea with breathing exercises and lifestyle changes. How believable was that for you as a doctor?
17:11
Nancy
I mean, the doctor side of me was like, oh, I don’t know. But then the, you know, actually, the more I’ve been practicing now, it’s like 21 years, the more I realize it’s not just simply handing a pill, actually prescribing a pill, or even doing an injection, the more I realize it’s. It’s more than that. So I. I think I. I was actually thinking, like, you were on the right track, and I’m like, I’m. I’m liking your approach because as the older I get, I realize the more pills you prescribe and procedures you do, you’re not really fixing the issue. So actually, when. So for. For me, you know, I was actually, pretty sure that you were on the right track and correct. So that. That was, for me, I think I.
17:54
Dylan Petkus, MD
Am also correct, too, most of the time, but most of that. And then also because a lot of people, you know, when you start something new, you’re kind of going out, you’re like, I don’t know, when you, like, search in your basement. When you find a noise, you’re just, like, hoping for the best. So what was that first, like? I mean, that sounds more dark and scary, but when starting with us, like, what was one of those first, like, aha moments? Because, like, it’s good to understand something in theory. Okay. It’s also like, oh, new hopeful thing. Shiny. But what was one of those, like, first positive signs? Like, whether it was in the first, like, three weeks or so, were like, oh, there is, like, there is really something here. What was that for you?
18:38
Nancy
I would say that just being more aware of my breathing and then doing the relaxed pause exercises, like, increasing my tolerance to low oxygen levels. So the first thing I noticed breathing through my nose more and not my mouth also was I had less eye discharge. You know, that’s the first thing that I noticed also when I woke up in the morning, which is going to sound kind of gross, but I would have to blow my nose and spit out mucus probably for a good minute, you know, and then to kind of clear things up. And then after I started the breathing exercises, also my neck exercises, that’s when it just stopped.
19:15
Nancy
So that was my first aha moment, was like, oh, my God, I’m not spending a minute here sounding really gross and looking pretty gross with all this stuff in my eye. Also, I even had to get, like, Q tips and kind of get all the out there. But now, like, you know, I don’t have any of that. So that was my first aha moment was, oh, my God, this. This is actually working. Something’s happening here.
19:37
Dylan Petkus, MD
Awesome. Excellent, Excellent. So that’s the overview there. And, like, I always like to ask everyone, or at least I think I do. There’s probably one video where I forget it. I always like to ask people when they get to, like, towards the end of the journey, because like you said, there’s. There’s always a few percentage points. We’re always going up. But if you could talk to the Nancy when, like, you first started to notice, like, am I not sleeping well? And like, were thinking about going to the doctor from where you are now, what would you tell that Nancy?
20:05
Nancy
I would tell that Nancy that, you know, don’t always try to ignore the symptoms and just continue on, address it. I would tell the old Nancy that it’s not normal to wake up five to six times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. I would tell the Nancy that when I’m. I shouldn’t say this, but when I’m slowly falling asleep at the wheel in the morning. That’s not normal either. So I would tell the Nancy, go look into this and get treated quickly. You know, don’t wait and hope that things will just get better or that you can just ignore it and kind of slide it underneath the rug. That’s, that’s what I would tell the old Nancy.
20:44
Dylan Petkus, MD
Yeah, and that’s super important because, like, I feel like everybody does that. I’m just going to say that especially for sleep problems because if you’ve had kids or puppies or, I don’t know, you went to college, you know, you can kind of neglect your sleep for a while and, like, be relatively okay. You’re not optimal, but you’re relatively okay. It’s not like when you have, like, if you have, like, lupus and like, or, you know, Hashimoto’s, now your hair is falling. I was like, oh, my God. But there are going to be those things that show up. And I know, like, for myself, I really dragged my feet and go to the doctor.
21:19
Dylan Petkus, MD
And I mean, a lot of times I’ll speak to people thinking of someone recently, they’re like, oh, yeah, this has been going on for like 20 years and I was thinking of either getting a sleep study or, you know, maybe trying your program. Like, you’ve held out that long. So, yeah, be proactive.
21:40
Nancy
For sure. For sure.
21:42
Dylan Petkus, MD
Awesome. Excellent. Well, thank you so much for joining me, Nancy. Really great to hear your story and get that inspiration and motivation out to people and I guess we’ll sign off for everyone tonight on, there’s not a name of this show, but we’ll say goodbye. So thanks everyone for watching and we’ll see you in the next video.