Only about 35 years of it. My first sleep study was done at the only sleep study clinic in the entire area at the time in Kansas City. Probably 15 or twenty years later I had another one at a local hospital when I needed a prescription for a new machine. Since those days the modern machines almost adjust themselves to your needs (the higher end ones) and a sleep study is hardly needed, but I digress. Now my local doctor will prescribe one if I need a new machine and I set it myself. But the first time a person needs some help. Some guidance. Now I just buy what I need on line for about the same price as my insurance will charge me for my copay from one at the local hospital store I can buy one outright from on line. But I digress.

If you are over weight losing weight will help tremendously. I have had problems with sleep apnea I'm pretty sure since a teenager (when I was very thin). But I did not get diagnosed and helped till about 30 (Then gained a bunch of weight in the next 30 years).

After losing 100 pounds it definitely has helped. I can now sleep on either side without the machine but still need it while sleeping on my back. When heavier I never did without it. In a pinch I could get by without if for a night or two. I have two machines, one packed up for travel with everything I need. Another sits under my bed. If one goes down that way I have a backup. Since retirement we travel about six months out of the year so they both get used a lot.

My son just had a sleep study done. Going to sleep and waking up about every minute with blood oxygen going as low as 60. He, just like me, could not believe how much better he felt after getting a few hours of good sleep. No more afternoon naps needed. No more going to sleep in the chair. More energy.