Just diagnosed - more questions than answers

I was just diagnosed with moderate OSA with 72 apneas (2 were central) and 25 hypopneas during my sleep study. They also said there were 40 respiratory effort related arousals(REAS). What are REASs? I have suspected that I have had Sleep Apnea for about 3 months after my extreme daytime fatigue and sleepiness failed to be linked to any hormonal or other defficiency. I have been reading a couple of boards on and off during this time but I still find myself at odds with the idea of living with OSA for the rest of my life. Anyone know where to get affordable equipment. With my current insurance it looks like I'll have to pay for the equipment myself and I want to be sure I get a machine that works best for me and is relatively easy to use. I also have two 2 year olds and a 4 year old and worry about take care of there night time needs if I'm all strapped-up. I have had my sleep study with CPAP but haven't gotten results or equipment yet. I need to start thinking about how I am going to pay for the equipment. Any advice or encouraagement would be greatly appreciated. It will be great to have enough energy to play with my kids again but using this equipment sure seems like it will take a heck of an adjustment. How did you go about making this adjustment? Thanks for reading.

Hi karmich,

For the best price on equipment check out cpap.com. I did lots of searching for months and ended up buying from them. They also have great customer service and answer their phone until 10pm!

Sounds like you have twins. Are they a handfull like mine? Our twins are the youngest two of five children so I need all the cpap energy I can get.

You may want to find a mask that is easy to get on and off to facilitate the nighttime needs of your kids - I know how that can be.

Rested gal? do you have any suggestions along this line for karmich.

As far as getting used to cpap - that's an individual thing, but there is no reason to think it will be difficult until you try. It has gone fairly well for me and I'm thankful for that.

You will appreciate feeling better. It's not only your physical energy but your mental energy that will improve. A key in staying ahead of those young children.

If you have any questions about the type of equipment to buy ask them on the forum. You will get very insightful answers by actual users.

Good luck!

Easiest (quickest) mask to take off and put on (imho) is the Breeze with nasal pillows. No straps to undo...just slide it off the head in a sec. It's also not noisy, so would make it easier to hear the children at night.

Good luck, karmich! Facing the prospect of cpap isn't the most pleasant thing to contemplate, but it might be easier to think about if you think about this:

If therapy goes well, you'll feel soooo much better and can enjoy your children more now - and into a much more healthy future for you. Might even be the difference in your actually "being there" for them. It's that important. Takes time to get used to it. Takes time to find a comfortable mask...even though I love the Breeze, there might be another interface that suits you better - each person is different. Takes time to see results. Hang in there.

Thanks wading thru the muck and rested gal. I know this is one of the most important things I'll do for my self and family so I am determined to make it work. I do have energy sapping two year old twin boys and a four year old daughter and they are one of the many reasons I can't wait to get my machine and a semblance of my old energy and mental sharpness (it's amazing how foggy one's mind can get). I will definitiely ask about the "Breeze". So does any mask or nasal pillow system work with any machine? Can you tell I'm new at this? Thanks for the support. I needed that!

Hi Karmich,

Sounds like you are looking at buying your own machine. If so try not to let a local DME scare you into thinking you should overpay and buy it from them. The machines have a warranty from the manufacturer and if for some reason you need a repair you can rent a interim machine from a local supplier (I've read it's about $150/mo). The price difference between a local DME (durable medical equipment supplier) and an online supplier is astronomical. The folks at cpap.com have given me great service and support. If you find you have any questions (even now) call them at their help line.

If you have a little money to spend I would buy an auto-adjusting cpap - either the Remstar auto or the Puritan Bennett 420E (what I have). Rested gal has both machines and the breeze mask so I'm sure any combination of those would work. The auto machines sense what pressure you need to keep you airway open at any given time so you only get the pressure you need. Lower pressure - more comfort. Also If you are at all computer savy I would get the software to show you how your machine is working for you. It is really very easy to set-up and use.

If you are trying to keep costs to an absolute minimum, the fixed pressure versions of the machines would serve you well also.

Any more questions - feel free to post again, or If you're ready to shop check out cpap.com and if you have questions give them a call. I did a number of times when I was shopping.