New Here and Hello

[GrumpyGurl]

I wanted to stop in and say Hello and thank everyone for all of the informative posts. I have been dx'd with OSA, with a 97 AHI. My longest event of not breathing was 41 seconds and my oxygen level average was 84%. My PCP is the one that sent me for a sleep study. I have been so tired. This has been building for several years as I think back on it. I am at the point now that I can't sleep, have a hard time getting to sleep, can't wake up, and can't stay awake during the day. I have some other health issues, and I thought my extreme fatigue was due to those. It has taken me 4 years to get these other issues in hand, but I am still tired, mean and as my daughter says "why do you have to be so grumpy!". I have memory problems, emotional outbursts, and have gained more than 50lbs in 4 years.

I am trying to learn all I can about this condition, but to be honest, I can only read so much before I zone out. I am keeping a constant headache, and my eyesight is blurred most of the time, but I don't think those are due to the OSA.

BTW, on a most positive note, I am going tomorrow for my "fitting" and pick up my machine. I am pretty sure it's the ResMed Elite II. Whether that is good or not, you guys can tell me. I am so pinning all my hopes on this therapy helping me come back to life. I am missing out on so much.

Thanks for listening.

[GuyK]

Welcome, G.G. I think you found the right place.

Your story reads exactly like tons of other people here, and relief is within reach.

Guy

[momadams]

Yes, welcome.
Let us know about your progress - we've all been down that road.
I've been using CPAP for 2 years now. In addition to the resolved (or resolving) health issues, I am definitely calmer, handle stress better, and am much less of a control freak. My favorite husband just quietly smiles when I mention things that I notice about how I've changed - I think he was very patient for 30-odd years (some more odd than others, as we say).
Shari

[robertmarilyn]

BTW, on a most positive note, I am going tomorrow for my "fitting" and pick up my machine. I am pretty sure it's the ResMed Elite II. Whether that is good or not, you guys can tell me. I am so pinning all my hopes on this therapy helping me come back to life. I am missing out on so much.
Thanks for listening.

If you do get the Resmed Elite II...it is data capable which is a very good thing. You probably are going to be feeling a lot better in the future, once things get fine tuned and tweaked and you get used to the new way of life.

Good luck and ask questions!
mar

[alnhwrd]

Hello and welcome! Sounds like you have it bad. Headaches, irritability, memory problems can all be a result of OSA. Hopefully you will be on the road to recovery soon!

The Elite II is a fine machine and should give you good therapy. It is a straight CPAP, meaning that it is designed to treat simple obstructive sleep apnea. It is also data capable, which means that it will record your nightly pressure, leak rate, and the number of apneas and hypopneas you have through the night. Do NOT let them give you a Resmed Escape or Compact. While these are good for travel or as a backup machine, you do not want them as your primary machine, as they only record the number of hours you use them to track compliance for insurance purposes. When you get your machine, look at the top of it. The model will be printed somewhere on the top of the machine near the LCD screen, so make you sure it says "Elite II". Make sure they give you a humidifier. Also make sure that the exhalation relief and ramp features are activated, especially if you have high pressures. You might not need them forever, maybe not even for very long, but they are comfort features that make acclimating to CPAP much easier.

Equally important is getting the right mask and having it properly fitted. If they are doing it right they should have a cot or bed for you to lay down on with the mask on your face and hooked up to a cpap with your prescribed pressure blowing. Lay down and get into your normal sleeping position and see how the mask feels, if it is leaking excessively, etc. Take the time to try to adjust it. It will take some time, but make lots of little adjustments rather than a couple of big ones. Ask about their return policy. Ask to try as many masks as they will let you, and pick the one that feels the most comfortable and has the least problems with leaking for you. If you have to tighten it way down to stop the leaks its probably the wrong size so don't take it. Ask if the mask comes with multiple sizes of seals, and if it does ask for all of them so that you can try them out at home. Many masks come as a set with different sized seals but some DME's break them up and sell them separately. If after a couple of nights the mask isn't working for you, call the DME up and tell them you want to try a different one. Uncomfortable, ill-fitting and leaky masks account for a lot of people failing at CPAP, and you don't want to be one of them. If you can, bring someone along with you to help you with this process.

I hope some of this helps. Let us know how you make out tomorrow.

[rested gal]

Can't say it better than alnhwrd did. Try to read every single word of alnhwrd's post.

And burn " Elite II " into your brain. Don't accept an Escape or a Compact. I wouldn't even take an older "Elite" without a Roman numeral 2 in its name. Elite II ...that's your ticket.

The mask will really be the key to being able to "do CPAP" well. The mask will be even more important than what machine a person receives. alnhwrd nailed that, too.

[GrumpyGurl]

Thank you all so much for your replies and words of advice. I have 4 hours and 45 minutes left before my appointment. I got to wrok this morning at 8:30a, and have already been asleep 4 times, and it's only 10:15.

Thank you alnhwrd for taking the time to write that post. I will definately pay attention to the mask fitting and the machine today.

Again, thanks to everyone for giving me encouragement. I can't wait to get to the point where I don't fall asleep at work (and once so far while writing this post).

Talk soon!

[LinkC]

Best wishes and congratulations!

I hope you dream tonight...!

(OSA prevents you from reaching the level of sleep where dreams come. You may not have noticed, but ask yourself when was the last time you dreamed. I dreamed my first night on CPAP. The dream itself wasn't that memorable, but it was my first dream in many years. It was a very emotional experience the next morning when I realized that.)

[wandererrob]

Best wishes and congratulations!

I hope you dream tonight...!

(OSA prevents you from reaching the level of sleep where dreams come. You may not have noticed, but ask yourself when was the last time you dreamed. I dreamed my first night on CPAP. The dream itself wasn't that memorable, but it was my first dream in many years. It was a very emotional experience the next morning when I realized that.)

Interestingly enough despite having sever sleep apnea, I had no trouble dreaming quite a lot. I actually remember fewer dreams with the CPAP than without it. Though I chalk it up to not waking up during the night and thus forgetting them by morning.

[DyannaK]

I also want to add my welcome and good wishes... Let us know how your appt goes and I hope your sleep tonight is very restful