stunned1 - can't believe I have this

I found this site looking for information on cpap machines. I had no idea this many people are out there! I do feel better and not alone but I really can't believe I have this. I am middle aged, fit, 2 teenagers but have been waking up exhausted, moody, no motivation........went to doctor, then to sleep study and yes I do have it.

I find it a difficult thing to tell people about, almost embarassed. Most people react that it is probably something else and I should go to another doctor. I have decided to keep it to myself, but am very happy to have found this support group.

I have a Remstar with Cflex and am trying to get comfortable but lay awake listening to the machine. I seem to have air escaping out of my mouth which keeps startling me. I tried a full face mask but the air schooosing sound is annoying. I went yesterday to get a chin strap and will try it tonite with my regular nose mask.

Does anyone know why after all these years there is something different with the narrowing in the throat? Appreciate any feedback.

OSA is very common and very treatable. There are many degrees of sleep disordered breathing from actually stopping breathing to the snoring that is causing mini-awakenings all night.

Education is the key concept here. Doesn't so much how matter what your weight is but the condition and anatomy inside your throat because this is where the collaspe occurs.

OSA has been around a long time. Now people are starting to realize that it isn't normal to be tired all the time, also physicians are asking the right questions during routine exams and in general people are more concerned with their health.

Don't keep it a secret! Help educate people. The driver coming towards you may have OSA and has just fallen asleep driving!

Hi Stunned,

Welcome! If you've looked at this forum some, you've probably seen how useful and busy this site is. I urge you to keep in touch, and to post topics or replies to the main section where all the topics are shown. I think you'll find lots of people willing to answer questions or just talk about the experience.

I too stumbled onto this, just after getting my sleep test. Like you I found it difficult to talk about this new thing, even to close family members. I searched the internet trying to learn more about it, so as to be armed with questions for my rather intimidating sleep doctor. Finding this place was like, well, a breath of fresh air, so to speak, because I had felt so utterly alone about all this. I too was stunned by all the people with this, and suddenly felt less alone. This forum became habit-forming!

Sounds like you've had similar feelings about things. I couldn't even believe this was a real condition; how was I to expect my friends and family to believe it either? I thought it was some failing of mine. And the whole process of diagnosis and setting up treatment was scary, lonely, and for me quite emotional. I can't thank the forum enough for making it all so much easier, even after only about two months in this experience.

Please let us know more about your condition and treatment, so people can help where they can. And don't be fooled if people preface their knowledge by "I'm no professional, but........" You will learn alot from them, I'm sure.

Again, welcome.

Linda

Gotta agree with everything that's been said. People don't realize how serious this condition is. My own mother chuckled when she heard I had OSA until she did some research on the Internet. Her attitude changed.

I cannot sing the praises of this forum enough! Everyone has been so helpful and I've learned so much from them.

Jeanne