Anticiptating CPAP; a couple of questions

First off, I have to say what a great resource this is! For someone who is about 2 weeks away from starting CPAP, to have such a wealth of not only information, but first-hand experiences, is incredible.

I've read up a lot on the machines and masks, etc. I'm sure I'll have questions on those as I deal with them more. For the moment I have a couple of more general questions:

1. I have a sense that, while I don't walk around 'feeling' tired all the time, I have gotten used to being sleep-deprived and just don't remember what a real night of deep sleep is like. That leads me to the hope that, once I start CPAP, I could very well notice a marked change right away. And beyond that, I have a hope that this treatment will make a huge difference in my life. Is that an unrealistic hope?

2. I'm 48 yrs old and about 60-70 lbs overweight. I'm a little unclear about the relationship between weight and SA. Does one cause the other? For example, if being overweight is a causitive factor for SA, then is it possible for SA to go away if a person loses their extra weight? I'm not hanging any great hope on that, but thought it was worth asking.

Any feedback is appreciated!

I guess I was not logged in, but I am the 'guest' who posted the question above.

1) Yes. The body adapts up to a certain point ... after which it won't take it anymore and you drop dead. Tiredness is only part of the symptoms of OSA. OSA causes a lot of stress on the body with hormonal imbalances and more importantly with hypoxia wich affects all of your organs and your cardiovascular system. Some experience instant change as I and others have while still others experience a more gradual change.

2) Yes. OSA and obesisty is interconnected although some have OSA without the weight issues. For some, loosing weight can mitigate OSA (though not neccessarily eliminate it) and for some treating OSA can help one to loose weight (though some still need to practice proper nutrition and exercise habits).

Everyone is different and there is more to OSA treatment than just getting good sleep.

Welcome and good luck with your therapy!

Yes, I definitely understand that getting a good night's sleep is not the only issue. In fact, I'm pursuing treatment primarily due to the long-term health risks of OSA. I figure it's a double benefit: feelling better during the day, and hopefully living longer!

Thanks.

Anonymous wrote:.......For someone who is about 2 weeks away from starting CPAP........

I hope you can get your cpap started soon. In the meantime, if you are a back sleeper, you might want to try sleeping on your side. For many, the apneas are fewer on the side. But, this is not a cure - you still will need cpap.

Good luck.

Hello & Welcome, bobby_tee! Glad you found this forum--SO much useful info and SO many helpful people here!

For me, once I found this forum (almost a year and a half after beginning CPAP), learned about DATA and tweaked my therapy, I felt amazing results--definitely worth taking the time to read/learn about CPAP therapy, all the things that my doc and RT either didn't know or didn't tell me. Good luck!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

if you are a back sleeper, you might want to try sleeping on your side. For many, the apneas are fewer on the side.

For a long time now I have generally slept on my stomach, even though I'm naturally a back sleeper. The reason: My wife has always told me that I snore less on my stomach. Makes sense!

Thanks!

BobbyTee, you will most likely find that CPAP encourages back sleeping simply because sleeping on your back is the easiest way to prevent mask leaks from slipping and movement when we change positions.

HOWEVER, there are those "apneans" who successfully sleep, not only or just on their sides, but also on their tummies w/CPAP masks. Finding the right mask, one that is comfortable and provides a good fit in all sleep positions is no easy task and most likely the biggest challenge of all in adjusting to CPAP therapy.

Different pillow shapes and consistencies can help. For instance, there is the PAPpillow. I noticed a post today from someone who has come up w/her own design for a pillow for CPAP sleepers. Personally I do best w/a down pillow that I can scrunch into any needed shape and thin enough for my neck problems. Its a matter of trial and error and PATIENCE to find what works best for you.

Whilst you are waiting: call your insurance company and ask what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one so that you have some "bargaining room", its rather important to have one w/a fairly lenient mask exchange policy.

Also, go to cpap.com and check out the various CPAP machines. Most definitely since you had the interest and took the time to find this forum you are going to want a FULLY DATA CAPABLE CPAP. In no time you will NOT be satisfied w/anything less.

Pay close attention to the similarity in names so you KNOW which are the fully data capable ones. For instance: Resmed S8 Escape is not but the Resmed S8 Elite is; the Respironics M Series Plus w/C-Flex is not but the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex is. AND if you get a Respironics M Series be sure you will recognize whether you are getting the notoriously poorly designed integrated humidifier or the newest "revision" to the M Series integrated humidifier. There is a current post in yesterday and today's forum regarding the change and recognition of it. The thread was started by akcpapguy.

Great info. Thanks, slinky!

Yer welcome. And I forgot to suggest that you read thru the various links under the Yellow Lightbulb and the Red Ball w/the Question Mark at the top of the page. LOTS of good info there and answers to a lot of your questions that you didn't even know (yet) that you had. NEVER be bashful or afraid to ask a question here no matter how trivial it might seem. If nothing else, curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back. Just ask!