newbie. hello

i got diagnosed with Severe OSA about 6 weeks ago.

i've had 2 overnight sleep studies. with the first in early march, i got the diagnosis. the second, on March 31, i got titrated and i got to try out a couple of masks. I found the Mirage LT set up to be the most comfortable. the morning following my second sleep study was great. my blood pressure had returned to a normal range. I felt great and full of energy all day-- like i was naturally caffeinated. I felt truly alive, for the first time in years.

I'd suspected sleep apnea for several years, but I hadn't pursued a sleep study due to a lack of insurance.

now, i'm insured.... i ordered the equipment from CPAP.com last week after shopping it from the locally approved medical suppliers--- since i have a high deductible, i'm basically paying out of pocket. But it seems cpap.com will save me about 40% anyhow.

i hope UPS delivers it tomorrow... actually, I am really looking forward to my first night with a cpap in my own home, probably because of my good experience at the sleep clinic.

i guess i just want to say hi. i'll post on this forum as my treatment progresses. i've read the FAQs on cpap.com and here the New Users and Our Wisdom section.

Anything else I should know?

Welcome to the forum! Do post after your first night and let us know how you make out. There are a bunch of helpful folks here so whenever you're not sure of something just post and someone will get back to you shortly. Remember to post your successes too...we all like to hear what works for others.

Brenda

Welcome aboard! You're in good hands here.

You sound just like me, when I was first diagnosed and titrated. I couldn't wait to get my own equipment so that I could replicate that rested and alert feeling I had when I left the sleep lab after my titration. The fog had finally lifted.

Sounds to me like you're starting off on the right foot, doing your research and finding this forum as quickly as you have. I hope the rest of your journey as a "hoser" is comparable to your good beginning, but utilize the wisdom and experience you'll find here if/when you have questions or problems. Making this therapy as effective as possible is the goal, for each of us.

Best of luck, and keep us all posted.

Sounds like to me you are ready that's fantastic, good luck to you keep everyone posted,

Welcome Lebowski8 -

I am glad you had such a wonderful experience after your sleep study. I have been on CPAP just over a week. Even though my sleep study with the CPAP was like torture I got good benefits when I got set up at home. This forum has made things so much easier for me. From understanding the numbers, getting a good seal, to soothing a sore nose this group has been great. I always say read everything and ask anything. You are a member of a very special group.

Mark

Good luck on the first night but it is worth it. I fought everything and insulted everyone but it is worth it. I have never shot the tube in a surfing sense but that is what is it like on the day it all kicks in. You pop out of the tube, then look back at mess behind you and say damn, "that was a scary place".

Welcome to the site Good luck in the upcoming days and nights

first, thanks to everyone who replied and welcomed me to the cpaptalk.com community.

So, last night was the first night I had the CPAP at home. I thought the set up was pretty intuitive. I played around with the machine and mask around 8:00 pm. I spent about 10 minutes getting used to the machine and played around with the Cflex and ramping.

I got settled into bed about 11:00. I had few problems getting settled-- mostly with arranging the hose. I found 6 feet good enough for now. My wife and I watched TV, and a I fell asleep during the Colbert Report, per my usual time.

I woke only 2 or 3 times during the night--- waaaaay less than in the past. I do wish the Cpap's digital display had a back light, I was interested in looking at the stats in the night.

Anyway, i got 7.2 hours on my first night.

This morning I feel... awesome. Refreshed. Vital. It's so weird not to feel like a zombie! I don't have a morning headache-- which was my usual thing 3 - 4 x weekly. What a revolution!

My wife said I was so quiet (and so was the machine) she kept worrying I was dead during the night. She's used to me choking and gasping and snoring all night. The sound of the CPAP didn't bother her-- it was my quietness! (It's our habit sleep with either a humidifer or room fan, we both like the white noise).

Well, so far, so good. I give the first night an "A-" --- Off to clean the hose and then to go to work.

Lebo.....

If you don't already have it, invest in Viewer Software and a card reader. Therapy without software and print-outs....is like flying in a fog without instruments. You're already doing great because of your positive attitude....and you can do even better if you have the software.

Welcome to the Hosehead Underground.

Gerald

Congrats and Welcome!!! You sound exactly like I did my first night a month ago.

Don't be surpised if you have some bad days, just remember that feeling today knowing you'll get it back!! I had a fantastic first night, an epically bad second night, and then I slept for 12 hours a day the rest of that first week (with the cpap) I couldn't believe how tired I was!! I'd venture a guess that it was my body's way of saying..."hey girl, you haven't slept right since forever, time to catch up". Since then my metabolism is equalizing, blood pressure down, etc etc. The best part is now after a month? I have energy to burn and feel at least 10 years younger. I'm happy,which means everyone else in the house is happy...lets face it, unhappy mommy means unhappy family.

Keep with it, you have a great attitude and a supportive wife...keys to success my friend.

(Love the hosehead underground comment...I was telling someone the other day this place was like the cpap underground I have a friend I learned has been on cpap for nearly 3 years, and is having trouble...I told him to check this place out, he was shocked at how informed I had become in such a short time and how uniformed he actually was about his entire treatment/therapy) Kudos to everyone on this site for helping me through my time prior to getting my equip and support during my first few days.