Newbie - Titration Study tomorrow night

[bandee90]

I have my titration study tomorrow night.

I have mild/moderate OSA. I don't remember what my numbers were, but it averaged out at 6 apnea episodes an hour I think. I had my first sleep study back in March. I though I try just sleeping on my side. That seemed to work for a while. I was also going to try the mouth guard since I was also having some problems with TMJ, but that resolved. The fatigue had gone away for a while, but has come back with a vengeance.

I have been treated for depression for the last 3 years, but I am coming to think the problem may have been just OSA all along. I know the two can be related, but I had no "feelings" with my fatigue, lack of interest, concentration problems, focus problems, etc. The concentration/fatigue affected me so much I have gone on 3 and 6 month FMLA leaves from work over the last 3 years because I felt I was doing such a poor job -- though I was out for "depression". So I am hoping going for the "gold standard" of care and am committed to doing this CPAP, APAP, BiLevel thing right (whatever I get put on).

So I will be looking forward to your help over the next several months.

I live in Upstate NY and do travel occasionally for work. I am also traveling with my wife to the Cayman Islands for our 5 year anniversary in December.

So I will be looking for a traveling version of machine as my standard or as an additional machine.

[Muse-Inc]

Welcome! Great info here and great folks!

Yup, depression is one of apnea's side kicks, not everyone gets it. When you get results, post 'em, ask questions, the more ya know, the better prepared you will be to get the right equipment right at the start. At the very least, you want an efficacy data capable machine not just compliance data to track and manage your condition...some docs frown on patients managing their condition, some don't -- we recommend it...it's your body, your life. Backup/travel machine -- great idea! Get your data first.

Meanwhile, no caffeine or exercise after early afternoon and eat a light dinner. Take your favorite pillow or 'cuddly' (no bed partners ) if that's what it takes to fall asleep.

And again welcome aboard!

[OutaSync]

I suspect that CPAP will fix that "depression". Six apneas an hour may not seem like much to some, but long apneas, no matter how few, can really mess you up. Did you get a copy of your sleep study? Don't forget to ask for the complete titration report, too.

The Respironics M Series Auto is very easy to travel with, assuming that you are not camping out and needing a battery.

Sleep well during your titration and let us know how it goes.

Bev

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, bandee90! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help!

You're lucky to have found this forum as you begin CPAP—took me almost year before I found this place and, with the help of folks here, got my CPAP therapy working as it should. It does take time to get everything tweaked and working at its best, so patience is key as one begins CPAP.

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[bandee90]

I do somewhat feel bad posting...I KNOW folks have much worse numbers. But I can tell you the impact on my life is BAD. So here I am hoping to learn and hopefully improve my quality of life.

[YouMaySayImaDreamer]

Hope all goes well.

Welcome!

[Muse-Inc]

I do somewhat feel bad posting...here I am hoping to learn and hopefully improve my quality of life.

That's what this place is all about, each one helps one. Ask, learn, pass it along. Don't compare numbers, it's a useless game, each of us suffers with apnea and its side kicks to one extent or another.

[millich]

I do somewhat feel bad posting...I KNOW folks have much worse numbers.

There's no competition here. We're just all trying to get by (with a little help from our friends!). Welcome.

[jdm2857]

Well, my hose (ResMed, 2 meters) is longer than yours (Respironics 6 feet).

So there.

[rested gal]

Well, my hose (ResMed, 2 meters) is longer than yours (Respironics 6 feet).

So there.

ROTFL!!!

That was funny!!

Laura

[bandee90]

The sleep study went well. I started with the nasal mask and felt good about that. Woke up in the middle of the night so decided to try the nasal pillows. Didn't do as well with those, so went the rest of the night with the nasal mask. Small size seemed to work best (not based on the size of my nose, but on the size of my face ) Then went away on a camping trip in Ithaca, NY for the rest of the week.

The nurse said I had "low pressures" and that I spent most of the time on my side. I have been working on that which is why I put off going to cpap until I started feeling really fatigued again. Will let you know the details when I do.

[robertmarilyn]

I do somewhat feel bad posting...I KNOW folks have much worse numbers. But I can tell you the impact on my life is BAD. So here I am hoping to learn and hopefully improve my quality of life.

Do not feel bad for posting just because your numbers aren't worse than other folk's numbers. I have a whole slew of problems that haven't been figured out yet (but we are trying) and until very recently have had really awful numbers (my resmed charts are full of pretty red and blue apneas and hypopneas) but I sure don't feel like bad numbers give me more of a reason to post than folks with good numbers. We are all learning from each other and I may learn things that may help me from what you post in the future. This is a great place to get help, to research various sleep topics, and to get support. Hope all goes well for you and your CPAPing.
mar

[thenapper]

Just an FYI, I was put on antidepression meds for 18 years. My husband thought I needed a sleep study. Sure enough I probably hadn'st slept all night in 30 years. A month after getting my CPAP I was able to decrease my meds by half. I have waited for a year and am currently decreasing again, (no more than 5% every two weeks or until you feel as good or better) Anyway, also found out I was allergic to many foods that I ate on a regular basis. Removing those from my diet also relieved the depression. So many things cause depression, its just a matter of weeding out all the possibilities. Actually, I think my antidepressant is what is making me depressed, because after decreasing this time I feel so much better. So good luck to you, and I hope this solves your problems.