Anyone been diagnosed with sleep apnea?

[Ukaduja]

So I've been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Apparently I average 34 breathing interruptions/hr and they are telling me I need to use a CPAP machine for the rest of my life likely. This is depressing as I check online at these machines and the pictures are all of old people with these masks on their faces. I am going in for a consultation but on the phone they didn't say I had any other options.

Anyone else suffer from this? I realize that things could be a lot worse as I could have been diagnosed with cancer or something but I hated just one night of wearing the test gear and the thought of wearing one of these things every night is kind of bumming me out.

[LSAT]

This is a CPAP message board...everyone here has SA and uses a CPAP. Your mention of all old people is wrong. There are children with sleep apnea. This can affect anyone... young and old, fat and skinny.
https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=child ... s&ei=UTF-8

[LoneStar]

This board and the people on it can help you, but you must take the time to read, learn, and ask questions. Start with the "What a CPAP Newbie Should Know" tab and read through it.

We've all been there - shock (at having SA), denial (Uh uh. No way, not me!), learning curve (questions and answers) and finally, learning to use CPAP to improve your health.

[Julie]

And while the official measurement considers 34 to be 'severe', there are people with 70, 80, 100 + scores, so you're just barely average!

And stop looking at pix that may have no bearing on the equipment you would get - some of it is very 'small' and not a big deal at all, especially if you consider that a) it can save your life, and b) you will feel better every day, and c) you might even get to keep your job if not using it may help you lose it.

[Dog Slobber]

This is depressing as I check online at these machines and the pictures are all of old people with these masks on their faces.

Damn_old_people_and_their_CPAP.jpg (574.86 KiB) Viewed 4863 times

[zonker]

This is depressing as I check online at these machines and the pictures are all of old people with these masks on their faces.

Damn_old_people_and_their_CPAP.jpg

<sigh>

SO glad i cleared out all of my attachments.

[babydinosnoreless]

So I've been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Apparently I average 34 breathing interruptions/hr and they are telling me I need to use a CPAP machine for the rest of my life likely. This is depressing as I check online at these machines and the pictures are all of old people with these masks on their faces. I am going in for a consultation but on the phone they didn't say I had any other options.

Anyone else suffer from this? I realize that things could be a lot worse as I could have been diagnosed with cancer or something but I hated just one night of wearing the test gear and the thought of wearing one of these things every night is kind of bumming me out.

We all have it. I had an AHI of 143 when I had my sleep study done. Once you find the mask that works for you putting it on and going to sleep will become routine, your mask will be a comforting old friend. I feel better, have lost weight since I have more energy and my memory has improved....all things my significant other appreciates.

[chunkyfrog]

Cpap turned my life around.
I was suffering from the constant assault of events,
tortured by lack of sleep, and in danger of losing my job.
After--I felt like an entirely new person.
I can only imagine what I missed by not being diagnosed (and treated) years earlier.
I probably have had it my entire life.
Young people with apnea have the opportunity to bypass all the misery
that I suffered for decades.

[Miss Emerita]

Ukaduja, welcome! I think we all know that feeling you're describing, but it will pass. I remember feeling much the same way when I learned I needed glasses; now of course I don't give them a thought. Same thing with PAP; it's just part of the routine of my daily life now.

What led to your having a sleep study? I ask, because clearly something wasn't going right for you. Now you have a chance to make it better -- and without drugs or invasive procedures.

At some point, the question of what machine and mask you'll be getting will come up. People here would be very happy to give you advice about what to say "yes" to and what to push back on. Ditto for the best ways to get started. Just ask!

[Cannuck 1]

So I've been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Apparently I average 34 breathing interruptions/hr and they are telling me I need to use a CPAP machine for the rest of my life likely. This is depressing as I check online at these machines and the pictures are all of old people with these masks on their faces. I am going in for a consultation but on the phone they didn't say I had any other options.

Anyone else suffer from this? I realize that things could be a lot worse as I could have been diagnosed with cancer or something but I hated just one night of wearing the test gear and the thought of wearing one of these things every night is kind of bumming me out.

Sort of a normal thought, I was not really all that trilled to be hooked to a machine either. I knew I snored terribly because of people complaining and what got me considering I needed one possibly we went on a expensive vacation and it was not great for my son who could not get to sleep so I gave in and tests done and it was confirmed that I needed a cpap machine. 12+ years later best thing I ever done for myself and family. You reduce the risk of other ailments that are associated with high apena and you might even feel better. If you snore and want to know for sure all I did was put a voice activated tape recorder beside my bed and in the morning it will tell you how bad it is. You will hear your self chocking off and gasping for air you need to keep going until the next episode usually a few minutes later. My $.02 worth of my personal experiences.

[booksfan]

And actually now there is a mask that is so minimal it doesn't even have headgear! Check out the Bleep. A number of us here on the board use it and are very satisfied.

[zonker]

hope the poster of this thread comes back....