Restful sleep. WOW (Update)

[drj130]

I just got back from my titrition (sp) and i feel great still. I can't believe that I feel this good. I made the 3 1/2 hour trip back to my base with no stops at all. On my way up to the hospital yesterday, I had to stop 3 times because I felt that I was going to fall asleep at the wheel. I hope that this doctor looks at my paperwork first thing on Monday.

The sleep tech said that he tried to wake me via the speaker they had in the room, I'm not sure how loud he got, but I was told that I didn't move at all. I doubt that there is any way that I will not use my machine once I get it unless it is broken.
All I can say is wow.

[sleepyprm]

I can relate, d..... I used to call people on my cell, on the way IN to work in the mornings just to stay awake - and that was an hour after getting up! Now that I look back, I can see other things that I didn't even realize were happening due to sleep apnea. I would set the alarm an hour earlier that I really needed to get up, because I knew I would hit the snooze button at least five times, and barely dragging myself out of bed, drink coffee all morning, and then hide in my office with the door locked, taking a nap at work. My brain wasn't functioning (still working on that one). I NEVER thought of sleep apnea, nor did my doc ever ask any of the right questions..... then my husband mentioned that I stopped breathing, gasped and struggled for air, and my mom, traveling with me, said the same thing, and she was so alarmed I finally went for the sleep study. Amazing! That was 2 1/2 years ago, and it hasn't been perfect, but thanks to this forum, I have learned so much and benefitted from everyone in some way. I'm so glad it went well for you, and I wish you the very best.

[MoneyGal]

When I got my machine my doctor told me, "go home and take a nap. Don't wait for tonight." I did, then when I got up, I came downstairs and was so happy I cried. I have cried tears of joy many many times since then (January 30), and I cry just thinking about it now and reading your story.

I feel the same way. I don't even CARE what hassles the machine involves. Sleep and rest is such a gift in my life I already know I will never not be compliant.

[BlackSpinner]

When I got my machine I had been warned to expect nothing and to try maybe keep the mask on for an hour or two.
I put it on at 10 pm and next thing I knew it was 7:30 am I was stiff from not having moved an inch but it was like "wow its morning lets get up" for the first time in years. That was also the first day in over a year that I didn't have a headache at lunch time. And the first time in month that I felt that is was in the real world.

[SaltLakeJan]

Hi there, I have followed your thread, and I was surprised that you didn't have your machine yet. Man, you need it. I'm fighting a losing battle with wanted to sleep all day, and not sleep at not. Eventually I'll get it worked out.

Keep us posted on what goes on with you. You have friends on this forum who care about your welfare.

The best to you

Jan

[drj130]

All I can say to you all is thanks for your support. Get more support from you all than I do from some of the Army doctors. Not surprising though.
Jan, with that all I can say is "That's the Army for you". They take their time in doing things and try their best to save money. I think that it will cost them more in the long run with the route their taking in my care right now.

I can tell you all the machine the used. Well, at least who made it. it was a Respironics w/ Humidifier. The blue lights weren't all that bright to me, but they might have found a way to dim them because the room was very dark. I know that they used a nasal mask, but no idea what kind. I also see what you all mean when you talk about leaks. I did notice that if I laid a certain way, the mask would shift just right and I'd get woken up by the air escaping from the mask. Once i adjusted myself back, the mask re-sealed and all was good. Felt strange to feel the air coming out of my mouth the way it did when the tech told me to open it.

All these new feelings to get use to, shouldn't be too hard I hope. (yeah, right.)

[taberge]

I had a similar experience. The titration was the first step in separating night and day again. Before then, I would go to sleep and wake up and feel no difference than when I fell asleep. Basically I closed my eyes but got zero quality rest. Good luck with rest of your journey from the land of the dead back to the land of the living. It took me about 3 nights to train my mouth to stay shut. Get some chapstick and painter's tape for delicate surfaces and think of it as training wheels. It worked for me. Don't tell the doctors about the tape, they will look at you as if your are nuts. The crazy people on this board relayed the tape trick to me. All I know is that it worked.

Good luck..

[DarkSideOfTheMoon]

I relate so much to everyone's experience on this post. I am a few weeks out and I can't stop talking about how much better I feel. I tell complete strangers. You never know who you might help to get relief. It's so weird to feel rested.

I, too, know that more hours of sleep are yet to come. I currently get about 5 hours when I subtract out waking up from leaks or discomfort or from being stiff. It's still an amazing difference. I want to take a nap during the day just because it repays my sleep debt and I can wake up in 45 minutes and feel like a million bucks. I used to nap daily for 3 hours and be exhausted.

I can't wait to see how you feel when you get your machine. It truly is life changing!!!! I'm so sorry you have to wait so long. I was kinda freaked out between my diagnosis and getting my machine because it seemed so serious and yet, here I am going to bed everynight without help!

Cathy

[Muse-Inc]

I just got back from my titrition (sp) and i feel great still...

Great news! This was my experience too; I was elated, best sleep I'd had in nearly a decade, full awake, fully alert, I hummed & sang all the way to an IHOP for b'fast before work...no doubt at all that I had apnea, that experience convinced to never never never close my eyes without being connnected.

[Muse-Inc]

..used to call people on my cell....

Glad to know I wasn't the only one doing that! I was OK on the drive to work, it was the drive home in heavy slow traffic that was my bear. I got an extra 100 mins free from my cell service when I called and told them what I was doing to stay awake until apnea therapy started working...it helped that I'd been a customer for 9 years (they're good to me) .

[sleepyprm]

Muse, that is amazing that your cell company did that. With I would have thought of that!!! Reading and participating in this thread has been inspiring for me, and reminds me how grateful I am to be getting my health back through better sleep. d,,,, I am looking forward to hearing about your progress.

[drj130]

Got the call on Monday informing me that I qualified to be put on a xPAP machine and was informed to visit the people here on post who would make that happen. I go and visit them today to find out the status, and was informed that I have to wait longer until someone else says that I can have my machine. I also find out that I may get kicked out of the military because of this. I've been in for 18 1/2 years and only have 1 1/2 before I can retire. I can't believe that they are playing around like this. Well, yes I can, but that isn't the point. Sorry for venting, but better I vent here and not lose my temper with the people who can make my life harder if I let my temper run free with them. Just thought I'd let people know how things were going. Wonder what their reaction would be if their delaying was to cause me harm. Anyways, I wish everyone else better luck than I'm having.

David

[Silence]

Got the call on Monday informing me that I qualified to be put on a xPAP machine and was informed to visit the people here on post who would make that happen. I go and visit them today to find out the status, and was informed that I have to wait longer until someone else says that I can have my machine. I also find out that I may get kicked out of the military because of this. I've been in for 18 1/2 years and only have 1 1/2 before I can retire. I can't believe that they are playing around like this. Well, yes I can, but that isn't the point. Sorry for venting, but better I vent here and not lose my temper with the people who can make my life harder if I let my temper run free with them. Just thought I'd let people know how things were going. Wonder what their reaction would be if their delaying was to cause me harm. Anyways, I wish everyone else better luck than I'm having.

David

David,

I am really sorry to hear that they may force you out. I thought especially since you are already in that it would just limit where you could be deployed i.e. no third world countries or forward combat locations where your access to electricity and Xpap might be compromised. I’m prior service and I was considering trying to return and get an active duty JAG slot. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea this month. From what I’ve read this does not completely eliminate my chances of returning, but it has greatly reduced them as I will now require a medical waiver and my deployment options would be limited. Perhaps what I’ve read is wrong, but I am reluctant to speak with recruiters to confirm it just yet. I really hope they find a way to keep you in for at least 1.5 more years.

[Muse-Inc]

...informed that I have to wait longer until someone else says that I can have my machine. I also find out that I may get kicked out of the military because of this...

Oh sad news, David, I am so sorry! One that you have to wait and two for having this sword hanging over your career. We treat our military so shabbily...I'm embarrassed.

...Sorry for venting, but better I vent here and not lose my temper with the people who can make my life harder if I let my temper run free with them...

Feel free, I'm interested!

...Wonder what their reaction would be if their delaying was to cause me harm...

Might trying asking that and hear what reaction you get

[sleepyprm]

Oh, David, I'm so sorry to hear that. I echo what Muse said about how terribly we treat our military. It is a disgrace. How they can disregard years of valued service and a lifelong commitment. Please do keep us posted and don't give up hope.