Looks like I'm joining the CPAP world!

I'm new here, and it looks like I have a lot to read around here! But, I did want to take a quick moment to introduce myself, because I suspect I might end up needing to be a regular here!

Something's been wrong for a while now. I know that. So, a few years ago, I did a sleep study. The tech I had was horrible. And, I don't think my test was done correctly. I fell through the cracks and never got any help.

As many of you know, sleep problems don't go away; they just get worse. So, earlier this year, I'd had enough of all the daytime sleepiness. It's to the point, now, that I have to FIGHT to stay awake at work (I don't always succeed ). I'm terrified that I'm going to have a heart attack, my brain is "fuzzy" a lot of the time, and I can, literally, fall asleep just by sitting in a chair for 5 minutes. Things are not good.

So, I told my doctor that I wanted to do another study. And, at a different place this time.

According to the 1st part of the study a few weeks ago, I stop breathing about 29 times an hour. I never did make it to deep sleep that night. So, I did the 2nd part of the study this past Saturday. They put the CPAP on me, and did the titration throughout the night. The tech (a good one this time!) said that my last hour of sleep was perfect. I finally made it to the right sleep stage.

So, it appears I'm going to be using a CPAP.

Tell me this is ok. Just reassure me that I'm "weird" or "freaky" for needing to do this. This is a medical problem that I'm fixing, right? And, I'll feel better after using one? I'll be healthier and won't fall asleep at my desk at work anymore?

Will this help me lose weight? Seriously, I don't FEEL like exercising right now. When I get home, all I want to do is just sit on the sofa; my body's exhausted. So, once I start getting rest, I'll feel like moving around? What about the chemicals in the brain/body? Will they realign properly, so that my body loses weight? Surely not sleeping well affects the way the body metabolized food, right? So, fixing that will help me in that area?

I know a lot of my questions are probably answered in the other threads on the site. And, I'm going to read them. But, just reassure this newbie that I'm finally on the right track. Am I doing a good thing?

Welcome aboard. This is a great community. You will do great.

You are not weird or freaky, or at least, not because you need an xPAP. If you are, then you're in good company here.

As far as losing weight, it could go either way really. Some people have better luck after getting their SA treated, others not so much. Diet is still very important as the pounds are not likely to melt away simply because you're getting some restorative sleep. With all the other factors in right place, treating your SA will probably make it a bit easier.

Welcome to the group.

DottyG wrote: I'm terrified that I'm going to have a heart attack, my brain is "fuzzy" a lot of the time, and I can, literally, fall asleep just by sitting in a chair for 5 minutes. Things are not good.

Tell me this is ok. Just reassure me that I'm "weird" or "freaky" for needing to do this. This is a medical problem that I'm fixing, right? And, I'll feel better after using one? I'll be healthier and won't fall asleep at my desk at work anymore?
Am I doing a good thing?

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41514&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit

We're all weird...we're all freaky...in our own ways.....we're all special.

You're doing a good thing.

The mask I used in the study was a nasal pillow. Am I committed to that kind now? Or, can I switch to something else when it comes time to really choose what I'm going to be using? Does the titration change depending on what kind of mask you use?

I didn't try any other kinds, so I hate to limit myself if there's something that might actually work better for me in the long run.

Hi, Dotty, and welcome to the forum.

Yes, you're definitely doing the right thing. Just don't expect miracles. Getting the therapy dialed in properly can take some time, but ANY therapy is better than none. Also keep in mind that you have a sleep debt to repay after years of untreated OSA, so don't expect to feel markedly better for awhile. But it WILL happen, so hang in there when you feel frustrated. Patience and perseverance are important aspects of this therapy.

IMHO, you've found the best apnea forum online. Start reading the info under the yellow lightbulb at the top of the page, and feel free to post your questions. Everyone here is willing and able to help you with any aspect of the therapy you might be having trouble with.

I know you don't have any equipment yet, but when you do, please fill in your profile so we'll know what machine and mask you're using and can better assist you with any problems you're experiencing. To list your equipment in your profile (which will help other forum members help you), click on:

User Control Panel link (top left of the page)
Profile
Edit Equipment and choose the equipment you have from the drop-down lists (machine, mask, humidifier, software, etc.).
Allow Others to View? Choose Yes.
How to display equipment? Choose the TEXT option (not images).
In the Additional Comments area, you can list your pressure settings, whether you use a chinstrap or tape your mouth, etc. - any extra info you want the forum to know about your set-up.
Then click on the Submit button.

And no, you're not limited to the type of mask you used during your titration. There are many different styles of mask to choose from, so do some research (and try different ones on, with the machine blowing your prescribed pressure) to see what's comfortable and effective for you. You might want to check out https://www.cpap.com (our forum host) to see different masks (and read the user reviews at the bottom of each page). Also, many DMEs (Durable Medical Equipment dealers) will let you exchange a mask within 30 days if it's not working well for you at home.

Anyone can "fit" you with a mask, but the real acid test happens when you actually sleep with it. Your own adjustments to the headgear straps are, more often than not, necessary.

Again, welcome aboard.

I did my titration study with nasal pillows and have never looked back. If they work well for you and you are comfortable with them then keep using them. Though if you have problems there is no reason why you can't try other masks. Therapy pressure doesn't really hinge on the type of mask.

I have tried different types of nasal pillows and do well with a number of brands. I don't do particularly well with anything that has to go over the bridge of my nose because the least little pressure causes congestion. I don't do well with a mask that has lower straps that come around the base of the skull because I have a bad neck. So the least amount of stuff on my face and head is best for me.

We all are different and you will likely want to experiment a bit as time goes by and that is normal and it is fine to do so. If you find you are someone who breathes from their mouth a lot or enough to lose significant therapy pressure then a full face mask would be something to consider but cross that bridge if and when you come to it.

Most important thing is to find a mask that is comfortable (so you can sleep) and gives you the consistent therapy that you need. If you can't sleep, all the greatest masks in the world won't be much help. What works for one person may or may not work for the next person.

Welcome to the forum.

And even more important is to insist on a machine which will give the data you need to tweak your therapy. That means data with respect to leaks, apnea events and HI's NOT just the number of hours used.

Absolutely jump up and down and freak out if they won't give you one which will give you that provides this data. Don't leave with a "temporary" machine. Don't let them tell you that your insurance won't cover it, because there is one number they bill under and it covers both types of machines.

Mine is a Resmed Elite (don't let them fob you off with an "escape")

DottyG wrote:...This is a medical problem that I'm fixing, right? And, I'll feel better after using one? I'll be healthier and won't fall asleep at my desk at work anymore?

Absolutely!

DottyG wrote:...Will this help me lose weight? Seriously, I don't FEEL like exercising right now. When I get home, all I want to do is just sit on the sofa; my body's exhausted. So, once I start getting rest, I'll feel like moving around?

Very likely...might take some time after getting good sleep. Weight gain is often a result of apnea; when you start getting restful sleep, you might start losing before you have the energy to exercise. I've lost 53#s so far and my sleep doc's reduced my pressure! He thinks my OSA will disappear as I continue to lose (got lots more to lose).

DottyG wrote:...What about the chemicals in the brain/body? Will they realign properly, so that my body loses weight? Surely not sleeping well affects the way the body metabolized food, right? So, fixing that will help me in that area?

Absolutely! Again, might take some time after you start gettin some restful sleep. If you've gone so long with apnea you've developed hypertinsion, it might disappear in time (angiotension receptor blockers are very effective against the hypertension caused by oxygen deprivation from the nightly desaturations of oxygen). If ypu've gone so long with apnea that ypu've suffered some brain damage...cognition, memory, mood...they do improve in time with restful sleep.

DottyG wrote:...Am I doing a good thing?

Yes Dotty, you're doing the RIGHT thing! Getting a full data reporting machine is essential and getting excellent mask fit is critical. Read, ask questions.

Welcome!

Welcome Dotty! I want to reinnerate (sp) that you need to get a fully data capable machine. You'll be much ahead if you do. I know my sleep lab actually on the RX REQUIRES a fully data capable machine--some do some don't. I'm now just into my 2nd week of CPAP. I can't say that I "love" going to sleep every night with a mask on my face, however I am enjoying that I feel better the next day. It might take some getting used to so don't give up too quickly! READ READ READ! there's a wealth of information here on the site and ask all the questions even if they seem silly to you. There's lots of people who are eager to help. Now might also be a good time to check with your insurance company and see which DME's are on your preferred provider list (DME's--Durable Medical Equiptment dealers) and possibly visit the supplier that you think you'll use. You might be able to do some mask "shopping" there--You'll need an RX before you can actually purchase anything but at least you'd be able to look at the different types and possibly try some. Make sure you get a copy of your sleep study reports --you are entitled to them.

DottyG wrote: Tell me this is ok. Just reassure me that I'm "weird" or "freaky" for needing to do this. This is a medical problem that I'm fixing, right? And, I'll feel better after using one? I'll be healthier and won't fall asleep at my desk at work anymore?

Hi,

I have been amazed at how many people I know who use CPAP. My supervisor's brother. The guy who sits 2 cubes down from me at work. One of the techs I work with has a father on CPAP. The woman at my ISP has father and relatives on CPAP. My brother has a friend who uses a machine. I was in line at the airport a few days ago, and the person in front of me had a machine. These "hose heads" are all over the place.

Getting treated for a life-threatening illness is not weird or freaky. If you broke your leg, you wouldn't think twice about the need for a cast. Well, your breathing is broken, and CPAP is the cast. Nothing at all wrong with that.

-john-

You have every reason to go forth with confidence that your life will improve with your OSA effectively treated. In what ways, when, and to what degree your life improves is anybody's guess at this point, but you just may get pleasantly surprised with it meeting and even exceeding your hopes. I was just so glad for an explanation for my decline and to have something treatable, every degree of improvement has been cherished. I agree with the suggestions that you start off with a data capable machine. I can't even express how strongly I agree. Getting off to a good start may help you avoid months of floundering, as many of us did. You're in the right place - the help I got here enabled me to resume using cpap when my doctor wasn't helping me. Best wishes.
Kathy

Welcome: I just was recently diagnosed a month ago and have realized I had this for longer than I knew I had.(Wish I got my sleep studies sooner). I just want to say that you are on the right track to getting better. Your body will after a while of having better sleep will when you are awake to not crave those quick energy foods: i.e. high sugar to get the energy to move around more. You if you had them: night sweats should stop. Use the heated humidifier that comes with the machine with distilled water. From my own experience since getting my machine: I have no more night sweats, have more energy and have dropped another 2pounds(now 236.4 from 245)since joining Weight Watchers in August. I recently switched to an Opus 360 last night from a Flexifit 407 and I no longer have a congested nose. Not every mask is for everyone and will take some time to get used to it. It will take a different amount of time to see any full-time results per person. you can go to the company's website for whatever mask you get and watch the videos for fitting and cleaning. I will help you with whatever you may need.

Just to let everyone know: my Sleep doctor has asked me to write an article to be put in a at least a local paper and he will comment on it. will let people know when it is finished and give a link here.

DJ