I am new to cpap talk

sleepygirl4278 · Post by **sleepygirl4278** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:04 pm

My name is Laurie and I was diagnosed two years ago with OSA. I have had both the nose and throat surgery to clear my airway and make it easier for me to either get off CPAP or make it easier to use it. I have been losing weight and doing all I can to not have to use CPAP, But here I am still on the machine. I am six months out of surgery and really feel very overwhelmed by the surgery not working. I can now breath through my nose for the first time and my throat is still healing, I guess. Feels like lettuce stuck all the time. I have been told that weight loss and CPAP will make me sleep better. I am still in the process of finding the right nasal mask thru trial and error. I am waiting to get the Flex Fit 406 Petite nasal mask Jan. 6th. My Dr let me try one for a few nights and it helped me do at least 6.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep for the first time in the past two years. I have tried full face mask and nasal pillows. I am frustrated, and I feel like I will never sleep like a real person who has no OSA. Will I?

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:19 pm

Yes, I truly believe you will. You had a glimmer of it when you made it for 6.5 hours. Once you've adjusted to the mask and are able to sleep with it all night, every night, you will start to feel the difference.

It seems from all I've read, some surgeries meet with very limited success. The thing you should keep in mind, is that you've done everything you could do (including losing weight--which is a lot harder than having surgery) to improve your OSA. You've left no stone unturned. Now, with continued CPAP use, you should start to feel better and sleep uninterrupted like a person who has no OSA. It is definitely possible, and judging from all you've done so far, it seems you are destined to succeed!

sleepylady · Post by **sleepylady** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 2:01 pm

Hi Laurie and welcome to the forum. It sounds as neversleeps just said that you are doing everything possible to get to wear you can sleep like someone who doesn't have OSA. Congrats on the weight loss. That isn't easy to do when you're sleep deprived and to go through surgery as well...you are a very strong person.

I have found that finding the right mask is the key to success with using CPAP. It's great the FF406 worked so well for you. Hope you get the mask soon. I've been trying different masks since I began my therapy at the end of September. I believe I'm on my 6th mask. They say three times a charm, but for me it was six. I have been using the Aura mask for 5 nights now and I feel more rested. When I wake up in the morning now it's as if I was before OSA. I'm still tiring toward evening, but every day is better than the previous one.

Keep working at it, you'll get there.

Best of luck,
Melinda

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:04 pm

Just wondering, but what specific surgeries did you have performed?

nodding off · Post by **nodding off** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:39 pm

Hi Laurie,
I went the same route a while back (the beginning of 1995) with a deviated septum and a UPPP surgery. I remember the pain well and sympathize with you! My untreated AHI is still in the low 90s but the surgery did allow me to tolerate CPAP. It took a while, but you will adjust and get great sleep. My AHI on my APAP is under 5 and I get a great night of sleep. I wish you a speedy recovery!

Jere · Post by **Jere** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:47 pm

I had my septum straightened (twice) and turbinates reduced (thrice). It was the pitts, and I still don't understand how I agreed to do all that. Flash forward a few years and my breathing is 100% on the left side and 75% better on the right. That was good (and it does take a long time to heal).

Too bad all that did not prevent me from being diagnosed with OSA this summer. But I am SURE that the surgery has allowed my to adapt much easier to the CPAP. Sometimes one has to look very had to find the silver lining .

.