Newbie--Scared, Overwhelmed & waiting.....

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Taz
Posts: 71
Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 5:33 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Newbie--Scared, Overwhelmed & waiting.....

Post by Taz » Thu Apr 17, 2014 9:02 pm

ems wrote:Taz... you are allowing yourself to get overwhelmed - which most of us did. Looking back, I worried for no reason at all. No, the sleep study isn't the most fun you'll ever have but you'll get through it and you'll be fine! Keep reading and asking questions.

As others have said, wait until you get the results of your sleep study so the veteran members can suggest which machine to get. Don't be pressured into getting one. Also, be sure you try several masks before you decide on one. Always ask if you can return it within 30 days if it doesn't work for you. Some places allow this but some give you a hard time.

One of the most important things to remember, and I still tell myself this many nights, your "medicine" to help you feel less tired is only AIR! Only AIR... not another thing in the air... ONLY AIR! It's not anything to be scared about.

Some people have an easy time adjusting to the "newness"... for others it takes longer. It took me awhile to finally realize how important getting proper oxygen really is. You'll be fine!
ems...thank you for those encouraging words, I really needed to hear that...ONLY AIR...that's a great way to look at it. Yes, in some ways I'm feeling overwhelmed but in others, I'm somewhat relieved to know what my problem is. When I went to this new doctor I was fearful that the headaches were probably some kind of brain tumor or the fatigue, depression and total lack of motivation meant I was dying from some awful disease. I had just about convinced myself that I probably had cancer. Today hasn't really been a very good day. I began the day in tears with such an awful early morning headache and it was all I could do to make a short trip to the grocery store. I do have good days & bad days...maybe tomorrow will be better.

Thanks,
Taz

_________________
Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: SleepyHead and ResScan software

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OboeVet
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Re: Newbie--Scared, Overwhelmed & waiting.....

Post by OboeVet » Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:03 pm

I concur with previous posters. At its most basic level, human earth-life is really one breath at a time, anyway. While you are inhaling there isn't much you can do about exhaling, and vice versa. We just have the added challenge of obstructive sleep apnea suffocating us slowly one non- breath at a time.

I had a little mind game when I did the take- home sleep study and first started CPAP/APAP: I pretended I was a crew member on a high altitude flight and it was my turn for some sleep. But we had to mask up in case we lost cabin pressure. I would recall my days on Guard Duty overseas when we were scheduled for only 2 hours of sleep. I wouldn't panic if I woke up to turn me, my mask & hose over. Thankfully, I can fall back to sleep anywhere ... even on convoys.

It really is super when you re-experience sleeping and breathing together again! All the best. DON'T LOSE HOPE!

Don

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User avatar
Taz
Posts: 71
Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 5:33 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Newbie--Scared, Overwhelmed & waiting.....

Post by Taz » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:08 pm

Newbie Woman wrote:You're going to be fine. For the actual sleep study, you don't need to know everything. It's when you get your report and pick a machine that you'll benefit from all the knowledge you can get. The advice you get here is priceless.

I slept poorly during my sleep study, but it was enough for the techs to get their data. Also, they count that drifty stage where your mind wanders as sleep.

This is a premature comment, but if I don't make it, I might forget to. I hated the idea of sleeping with a CPAP machine. I felt negative and angry and I kept telling myself it wasn't fair, I'd look stupid, it would be for the rest of my life, and so on.

I decided I needed an attitude change and when I got my machine, I put the mask and the hose in my lap and decided to love the machine. It felt kind of like adopting a pet you hadn't asked for.

I can honestly tell you that this is one of the best things that ever happened to me. Something so basic as sleeping and getting enough air into your body can be a life changer.
Hi Newbie Woman,

Thank you for your supportive comments. I'm trying very, very hard to stay positive about this. I know I have to because I sure can't go on living this way anymore. I feel like the past 2-3yrs my life has been passing me by. In January, I took early retirement from my job of 17yrs because I no longer had the motivation or energy to get up at 5:30am and go to work. I really did feel my life was coming to an end. I'm determined I will learn as much as I can and that CPAP will become my "best friend".

Taz

_________________
Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: SleepyHead and ResScan software

User avatar
Taz
Posts: 71
Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 5:33 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Newbie--Scared, Overwhelmed & waiting.....

Post by Taz » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:11 pm

OboeVet wrote:I concur with previous posters. At its most basic level, human earth-life is really one breath at a time, anyway. While you are inhaling there isn't much you can do about exhaling, and vice versa. We just have the added challenge of obstructive sleep apnea suffocating us slowly one non- breath at a time.

I had a little mind game when I did the take- home sleep study and first started CPAP/APAP: I pretended I was a crew member on a high altitude flight and it was my turn for some sleep. But we had to mask up in case we lost cabin pressure. I would recall my days on Guard Duty overseas when we were scheduled for only 2 hours of sleep. I wouldn't panic if I woke up to turn me, my mask & hose over. Thankfully, I can fall back to sleep anywhere ... even on convoys.

It really is super when you re-experience sleeping and breathing together again! All the best. DON'T LOSE HOPE!

Don
Hi OboeVet,

Thank you for your comments. I am really looking forward to "re-experiencing sleeping and breathing together again"!!!

Taz

_________________
Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: SleepyHead and ResScan software

robertnugent
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Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 4:20 pm
Location: Katy, TX
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Re: Newbie--Scared, Overwhelmed & waiting.....

Post by robertnugent » Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:04 pm

I have been using CPAP machines for over 15 years, and this will become a normal part of your life. They have improved tremendously over the years.
You will not feel like you are experiencing jet lag any longer. Stay positive