I'm new.... help?

G00fy217 · Post by **G00fy217** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:23 pm

Hi there! I just found out this morning that I have Sleep Apnea! Wow, I quit smoking 1 year ago on 1/7/04. Then in March of 2004, I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux Disorder, then in April, 2004 I was told I have an in-active Thyroid and I have stopped putting on weight since then. I eat soup and salad (sure once in awhile I eat alittle more than that, but basically that's all I eat) and I still can't loose weight.... have gained 50 pounds since last April.

This month, I went into the doctor and told him he needs to increase my synthroid because I just don't have the energy and am tired all day long. He suggested I take a Sleep Apnea Test.... well, I did that! NOW! Dang.... that's my new disease! WHY DID I QUIT SMOKING??? Atleast, I could have used that as my excuse for being sick!!

I am a single mom of 2 teen boys.... I have stress in my life because my boys don't make it easy for me..... Their father could give a damn about them let alone me. He's been out of their lives for 10 years and I have been both mom & dad to my boys all these years. Do you know how hard it is to try to raise 2 boys on your own and work full time too? Sure, I have family, they help as much as they can..... but still after the door is shut, it's all me and them. Now, I will have to wear some freaky looking mask at night ---> what a gorgeous date I will make some day!!

Does anyone know if there are any better masks out there besides the ones that goes directly over your entire nose or the nose/mouth area? I am claustraphobic on top of it all.... and I felt very restricted with the mask on. At the clinic, they also gave me this one that goes just into the nostrils, but that kept slipping too...... I really haven't looked at the different masks yet.... just wondering.

Oh, does anyone know if there's a support group in Illinois? Well, thank you for listening or reading..... I hope to hear back from anyone soon.
:cry:

Clownshow · Post by **Clownshow** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 2:19 pm

[quote="G00fy217"]

have gained 50 pounds since last April.
Weight gain and apnea go hand in hand - your body is in shock

WHY DID I QUIT SMOKING??? If you don't know the answer to that one now just think back on how it really was, I just quit myself end of week one (Mmmm Nicorette)

I am a single mom of 2 teen boys.... I have stress in my life because my boys don't make it easy for me..... It's time to take care of yourself, You've done a good job and the kids arn't going to learn anything new from you. Sit them down and give them the cold hard facts - Mommy's sick, help out and grow up - maybe someone in your family could take them for a month or two and let you get your self together

Does anyone know if there are any better masks out there besides the ones that goes directly over your entire nose or the nose/mouth area? I am claustraphobic on top of it all.... and I felt very restricted with the mask on. At the clinic, they also gave me this one that goes just into the nostrils, but that kept slipping too...... I really haven't looked at the different masks yet.... just wondering.

There are lot's of different masks on the market

Here's a Click-> LINK <-Click

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 6:51 pm

Hi Goofy,
I admire how you are hanging in there and managing your life along with your boys. Life is not fair and full of challenges, at times more that the others.
I think you did a great thing to stop smoking. I know that lot of things contribute to weight gain. Just make sure you get a lot of exercise.
As far as OSA, it is a treatable condition. Surgery, CPAP or dental appliance could be the answer. It's one of those things that you need getting used to, but once you feel better, acceptance sets in. It could improve how you feel drastically.
I don't like nasal masks either, and found out about nasal Breeze nasal pillows on this forum. I have really got used to it and find it quite comfortable.
I have heard of others on this forum about Swift nasal interface.
Good luck and hang in there. Things will get better.

HOTTUBKID · Post by **HOTTUBKID** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:04 pm

hEY DON'T FEEL BAD, i HAD BACK PROBLEMS WHEN SHE TOLD ME SHE WANTED OUT. nOW SUGAR, BLOOD PRESURE AND SLEEP . tRY THE PILLOW BY RESMED. i'VE HAD ONE FOR TWO MONTHS AND IT IS GREAT. I've lived through three divoses with my kid just visiting many problems with exwife and am still happy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:52 am

Thank you to all of you! Thanks for your advice and support. I am just glad to know that I am not the only one. My kids think I am a freak or something.... although, they do still love me... just I look freaky now at night - thanks kids!

Clown, thanks for the link to the Cpap.com, looks like there are other types of masks out there - not that they don't all look "freaky" - but what the heck - if it'll make me feel better, great!

I think the nasal pillows will probably work best for me or whatever they are called..... it's atleast something that doesn't go over my entire face or nose.

Thanks again... Now, Does anyone know if there is an A.W.A.K.E. support group in Illinois?

christinequilts · Post by **christinequilts** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:54 pm

From your description of what you are looking for in a mask I would recomend the ResMed Swift. It is one that has pillows/prongs that go very slightly into your nose and has very little headgear. I've been using it for a couple of months and I love it. I have used Breeze nasal pillows and Respironics Comfortlite dirrect seal in the past but for me the Swift is easiest and least obtrusive. Take a look at the various mask options available and once you have narrowed your search down some you can always post here to get info from people who use them.

It will take time to adjust to using your CPAP. Remember it is helpign your overall health- not just your sleep. Talk to your sons about what is happening so they understand that it is not just to stop snoring and that using it is important for you to be healthy just as insulin is for a diabetic. Let them know that in the begining you may need extra help around the house.

FOr the AWAKE groups your best bet is to visit http://www.sleepapnea.org/awake.html and either call or email them to find out what is available in your area. Your SLeep Lab of DME may also know of local support groups.

Keep up the good attitude and the rest will come with time.

Christine

G00fy217 · Post by **G00fy217** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 5:21 pm

Christine. Thanks for your message! I greatly do appreciate it. I already feel like there are people out there that understands me and what I am going through.... glad we all have one another.

bozmon · Post by **bozmon** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 5:31 pm

G00fy217 wrote: I am a single mom of 2 teen boys.... I have stress in my life because my boys don't make it easy for me..... Their father could give a damn about them let alone me. He's been out of their lives for 10 years and I have been both mom & dad to my boys all these years. Do you know how hard it is to try to raise 2 boys on your own and work full time too? Sure, I have family, they help as much as they can..... but still after the door is shut, it's all me and them. Now, I will have to wear some freaky looking mask at night ---> what a gorgeous date I will make some day!!

It sounds like "Growing up Gotti"...you better watch that those guys don't hook up laughing gas to your machine!

RAWTSgirl · Post by **RAWTSgirl** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 10:11 pm

I have named my cpap machine 'Manny', short for Man Repellant!! So I understand about the date thing.

Does anyone else have names for theirs?

The Don · Post by **The Don** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:56 am

This is my first time on this site. I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea a little over a year ago and gave up on ever getting used to the masks. Within the last two months I have lost two friends to heart failure. Both were attributed to the apnea. I have used my machine faithfully ever since the second buddy past away. I am using the full face mask because I like to whistle out of my mouth if I use anything else. I tried 3 different masks before this one. I would suggest just keep trying different ones until you find the one that works for you. I also live in Illinois. Belleville to be exact...Central Illinois..Where are you from?

G00fy217 · Post by **G00fy217** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 1:01 pm

Bozman - I sure hope the boys don't do that to me..... They can be evil, but I sure hope not that evil...

Raw - Cute name for the Cpap!! I never thought of naming mine, but now I'll have to really think about it.... I'll let you know when I come up with something

The Don - To answer your question, I live in the Schaumburg Area. Not too far from the Woodfield Mall. Sorry to hear about your friends. I keep thinking about my boys and what would they do without me.... they aren't old enough yet to be on their own. I have a friend that thinks apnea is a big joke.... I was talking to her last night and she said she has the same symptoms, so I told her to go talk to her doctor about it. She said she wouldn't wear any sort of mask, would rather die than wear a mask..... I feel so sorry for her to think that way. Her boys aren't much younger than mine. You would think she'd want to be around for them abit longer. I know, I want to be around for my kids to have kids..... just so I can torment them (not the grandkids... my kids... )

Oh well.... talk to you all again another day... in the meantime, everyone hang in there!! We do have each other to go through this all!

[/quote]

I'm new.... help?

I'm new.... help?

Re: I'm new.... help?

YOUR NOT ALONE

Thank you!

Thanks Christine!

Hi Goofy

Just to answer a few questions and comments