Hello, I'm new, and just diagnosed with severe apnea

CI_SeaWolf · Post by **CI_SeaWolf** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:30 pm

Hello, I'm new and am kind of depressed thinking about the fact that I'll probably be wearing CPAP for the rest of my life. It doesn't look very sexy, but I guess I'll be a lot heathier for using it. I've only been to my cpap study, and that was pretty uncomfortable. I'm a mouth breather, but I'm not sure whether to try the nasal prong style or go for the nasal mask. I see that a lot of folks on here have some great questions and are very supportive. I'm going to try my hardest to get a discipline going when I get my perscription. I'm a little scared but I hope that I'll be able to get this down to a normal daily routine. Thanks for your support,

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:38 pm

Welcome!

You are right, there are a lot of helpful and caring people here on the forum. Reading some of the complaints and problems can be discouraging, but if you are like I was, the forum was comforting, knowing I wasn't alone with this thing. I hope you keep checking in and asking questions. People here are really nice, and know what you're going through. Good luck!

Linda

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:43 pm

Welcome aboard,

I thought the same at first, then I put the mask on and went to sleep. I can't imagine sleeping without it now. Scary thought. I don't wake with headaches, fall asleep whilst driving . I can even read without my face hitting the pages now.

Look on the bright side. Now you know what the problem is and the treatment is fairly simple. Not like they have to disassemble your body and seperate your guts and then some how get it all back together .

Just a simple mask and off to sleep you go.

Think positive or you willl go nuts.

Cheers,

Chris

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:01 pm

It really isn't that bad... If you are a mouth breather. consider a Ultra Mirage Full Face. Even if you don't like it for full time, its a good backup for when you can't breathe thru your nose... (i.e. cold or sinus problem...)

BigE · Post by **BigE** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:49 pm

Sea Wolf,

Ditto to your thoughts...wearing CPAP hose/mask for the 'rest of your life'. Man!! What a terrible thing...

I was also scared...initially...however, now I look forward to...as you say a 'normal daily routine'. Bedtime for me is now enjoyable.

Good luck...maybe this will be a RENAISSAINCE for you. It was for me...I am now a morning person...I have found that energy that has been missing for about 6-8 years! I am living again!!

Best of luck................BigE

Snorenomore · Post by **Snorenomore** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:39 pm

Hey man I know what you mean about feeling a little depressed over having to wear the mask for the rest of your life. I feel for you cause I am in the same boat I felt sorry for myself for a couple weeks but a lot of people reminded me that there are much worse physical conditions to have, and fortunately I have never had any of those.

The good news is that it does get better. I have only been on the machine for about 2 months myself and at first could only wear the mask for an hour or so per night. Good advice for me was to try the mask a little each night and take it off when it really starts to drive you nuts.

I know at first I would avoid going to bed at night cause I knew I would have to put on the mask. Of course that kinda made matters worse cause then I was more tired going to bed so late.

I guess for me it became a mind over matter thing. I knew it was good for me so I forced myself to do it. Don't get me wrong, I still not in love with the mask but I do see the benefit from it and do feel worse when I don't wear it.

So like the advice my wife likes to give mothers of small children - it does get better, hang in there.

Snorenomore, practicing patience night after night.

I know for me

firemarshal · Post by **firemarshal** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:42 am

After reading the posts and I have talked to many people that I run into that have been using cpap, and they say it has changed their lives, that I can not wait to get mine to start sleeping. I found this forum right after my sleep study and started reading and the people that had problems in the begining have worked through them and most talk about how much better life is after using. It makes me jealous when I read and hear how well people are sleeping and feeling. I am still waiting to get mine and can't wait. I look at it as it can't make things any worse.

Rana · Post by **Rana** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:52 pm

I've been sleeping with a CPAP for 4 years. It took me a couple of months to get used to it and finally relax and get a good night's sleep. The mask that I was fitted with was too large and constantly leaked. I tried a smaller size and it took me a while to learn to adjust it to fit correctly. When I was finally successful, it changed my life. My confusing medical symptoms disappeared and I began to be able to stay awake all day long. I no longer felt like I had been hit by a truck when I woke up in the morning and my energy level returned. I began to fall alseep and stay unconscious until morning for the first time in 10 years. One friend of mine had immediate success but most people tell me that there is a period of adjustment. My quality of life is definitely worth the inconvenience of using this machine.

Good luck.

scott54 · Post by **scott54** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:32 pm

I too have newly been diagnosed with sleep apnea. On one hand it's depressing to know that I am going to have to use a CPAP, etc. On the other hand I am really excited to know what is wrong with me - I didn't have a clue but it seemed things were getting worse and worse.

The only problem is that I have to wait until March 15 to get my CPAP but in comparison that is a brief period of time.

Scott

Sleeping With The Enemy · Post by **Sleeping With The Enemy** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:02 pm

I understand how you feel because I was a little bummed about having to wear a mask and felt sorry for myself as well.

However, when my 9 year old son, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes last March, says he'd rather wear a mask at night than have Diabetes. I guess that put it into perspective for me. It could be worse.

dankazoo · Post by **dankazoo** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:09 pm

Yeah, I've got diabetes (with injections) and sleep apnea. But having both is better than my friend who has only Crohn's. It is all a matter of perspective. You're about as happy as you decide you want to be.

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:09 pm

hhunt wrote:However, when my 9 year old son, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes last March, says he'd rather wear a mask at night than have Diabetes. I guess that put it into perspective for me. It could be worse.

Absolutely. An important thing for us to remember. Some of my symptoms had us at one point thinking I had MS. It doesn't look like I do, but I remember thinking at that time "MS would suck, but it'd be much better than cancer or leukemia or diabetes or heart disease or...". This is better than MS.

By comparison, when I found out that many of my symptoms were probably either caused or greatly exacerbated by poor sleep, and when I found out I could combat that poor sleep with something as simple as a vacuum cleaner and Darth Vader's mask?

Why, if I didn't have two left feet, I'd have danced. If I wasn't married, I'd have kissed my DME. If I was a drinker, I'd have had a beer in celebration. Actually, I AM a drinker, and had two.

Liam. MmmmMMMMMmmmm. Beer.

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:43 pm

Good Luck. If you can get the dr. to write a scrip for autopap, you'll be thankful. There are several that actually can be downloaded, so YOU can monitor your progress. Also, you must have heated humifidication to prevent dryness.

Cpap.com has a comprehensive and easy to surf website. They are excellent to deal w/shipping/on time, and also the follow thru on the phone if any questions.

Print out some of the better postings, or website info. You want to be informed when you go in, and just don't accept without questioning, what's right for you. I learned an enormous amt. on this board, and I'm only ''hosing'' 3 wks.
Don't think about how "long" the rest of your life is wearing these things, think about longevity, and accepting this therapy will enhance your life and minimize other med. complications possibly down the road.
I'm three wks tonight, some nights easier than others, some not too bad.
Someone very wise once told me, we are works in progress.
Take the long range attitude that ea. night is a new night to improvment of your health.
I probably had apnea for DECADES, so I'm trying to be patient and get used to this apap lifestyle. I've already ordered my back up machine for travel.

Don't worry, this msg board is a great place to learn, and VENT.
Good luck......

CI_SeaWolf wrote:Hello, I'm new and am kind of depressed thinking about the fact that I'll probably be wearing CPAP for the rest of my life. It doesn't look very sexy, but I guess I'll be a lot heathier for using it. I've only been to my cpap study, and that was pretty uncomfortable. I'm a mouth breather, but I'm not sure whether to try the nasal prong style or go for the nasal mask. I see that a lot of folks on here have some great questions and are very supportive. I'm going to try my hardest to get a discipline going when I get my perscription. I'm a little scared but I hope that I'll be able to get this down to a normal daily routine. Thanks for your support,

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:40 pm

Another question to ponder. Would you rather wear your hose at night for the next 30 years or would you rather your friends and family attend your funeral in the next 4 or 5 years? For me (and my sweetie and our 8 year old), the answer was REAL easy. *s*

Hang in there and use your XPAP unit. I've only been on mine 4 days and can notice major positive differences. I just take it one night at a time. One restful night at a time.

CI_SeaWolf · Post by **CI_SeaWolf** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 6:02 pm

I'm sorry I've been away on vacation. I 'd like to say thanks to all of you who responded. I'm actually looking forward to getting started with my own machine at home. I am very aware of the fatigue factor right now. We were in a resort that didn't even have a tv in the room and I'd still wake up tired. I like to travel and hope to find some answere to questions I have about camping and sleeping with the machines. I'm just a few weeks from seeing my doctor and hope that I can find a good place to shop for my perscription. Thanks again,

Hello, I'm new, and just diagnosed with severe apnea

Hello, I'm new, and just diagnosed with severe apnea

Welcome

My thoughts...

Could be worse . . .

Re: My thoughts...

Re: Hello, I'm new, and just diagnosed with severe apnea

Thanks for all of the kind words and support.

Humidifier

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