New Diagnosis, Titration Tomorrow!

[Iridesce]

Hi, folks!

I'm 35, living in CA, and I've always been a snorer. Recently, at 7 months pregnant with my 2nd child, I noticed I was waking in the night with a loud snort (my husband didn't notice this because he's been sleeping in a separate room for months, a familiar lament for y'all, I know!), and it reminded me of the sound of my dad's apnea. I was worried about my baby getting enough oxygen (not really because I was sleepy during the day, since I was pregnant and have a 2-year-old at home), so I went for a sleep consultation, did a sleep lab Saturday night, and I'm headed in for my titration tomorrow night.

My OSA is moderate, with 16 respiratory events/hour (all hypopneas, no true apneas). Oxygen never went below 87%, so I feel good about the baby now. I'm actually GLAD to have this diagnosis, so it means I can head toward a solution!

I really love the community you guys have going here, so I hope you'll indulge a few questions I have. The "beginner's guides" I checked out were either for folks learning about sleep apnea or people working with CPAPs, and I'm kinda in the middle!

1. So... What do I need to ask at my titration tomorrow night (Thursday)?
2. I'm a major drooler. Is there a mask style that might work better for that?
3. Should I acquire a lot of "stuff"/accessories from the get-go or try it minimally and only try the extras if I need 'em?
4. What are the best features of CPAPs/masks/etc. I need to look for? I'm already interested in good data-uploading (on a Mac, is that a problem?), a humidifier, and quietness.
5. I sleep on my stomach (well, I do when I'm not pregnant!), sides, and back. Will that be problematic?
6. Any of you have experience with using CPAP while living with a nursing newborn? Can I just use it a few hours at a time and get benefits?

(And yeah, I know none of you are doctors, so I won't hold you liable for any of your advice or opinions!)

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to getting to know everyone as I acclimate to my "new normal." I can't wait to get the "extra" energy that a good night's sleep will give me!

[Catalytic]

If you are sleeping, you need to be using it. It's not something you can use once in a while, this is a forever thing, because anytime you are sleeping, you're at risk for the O2 drops.

While I am new to CPAP, I am not new to nursing or babies. I nursed and coslept with 5 of them. If you plan to lay in bed to nurse, or do any cosleeping, Would say your very first purchase needs to be hose management. A lot of people used the Hozer, there are other things out there, I personally bought an IV stand on eBay and use it with a Scrunchie, since I don't sleep in a bed and it's a very portable, adjustable solution for me. You MUST keep your hose away from the baby to prevent any risk of strangulation, so I think this needs to be a priority purchase for you, if there is any chance you will be using the machine around the baby.

I would definitely aim for a mask with a quick release, so you can just disconnect the hose quickly when you need to.

[Sheriff Buford]

1. So... What do I need to ask at my titration tomorrow night (Thursday)? I would be nice to the tech, so he'll give you the scoop. Lots of them will say the sleep doctor needs to review the data, but tell him you never talked to him. He's seen enough to know what he's looking at. I do it when I get a MRI. The tech KNOWS right away what he saw... but he can't tell you.
2. I'm a major drooler. Is there a mask style that might work better for that? Probably a nasal-pillow mask. If you can tolerate it, it is less intrusive. If you have a full face mask, the drool will end up inside the mask. The nasal masks will allow you to wipe.
3. Should I acquire a lot of "stuff"/accessories from the get-go or try it minimally and only try the extras if I need 'em? If you have insurance... make sure the place you get your mask (DME) will allow you to return it within 30 days. Finding a mask that is comfortable and doesn't leak is the key to successful therapy. You'll need a cleaning regiment. I wipe down my mask daily and wash and soak it on weekends. Do a search here for cleaning tips. The issue comes up 3 or 4 times a month.
4. What are the best features of CPAPs/masks/etc. I need to look for? I'm already interested in good data-uploading (on a Mac, is that a problem?), a humidifier, and quietness. I would get the Resmed S9 Autoset. Make sure the doctor prescribes it on the prescription. It is top of the line, will give you data and you can use it in straight cpap mode or autoset mode. Don't accept any machine that says "Escape" on it and be sure you look.
5. I sleep on my stomach (well, I do when I'm not pregnant!), sides, and back. Will that be problematic? Nope, lots of folks here do. You'll need to be able to position your head so you don't bump the mask and start leaks.
6. Any of you have experience with using CPAP while living with a nursing newborn? Can I just use it a few hours at a time and get benefits? Can't help you here... I'm a guy, but you need to wear the mask all night. The amount of time you sleep without the mask will cause apnea events and cause damage. Once you start this therapy and become successful, you won't WANT to sleep without it. You'll start to feel better and your health will improve.

(And yeah, I know none of you are doctors, so I won't hold you liable for any of your advice or opinions!)

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to getting to know everyone as I acclimate to my "new normal." I can't wait to get the "extra" energy that a good night's sleep will give me!

Work all your issues here and best of luck to you. Its a journey, but one we've all taken. and will help you along the path. Sheriff

[Julie]

Little thing, but back sleeping usually provokes more apneas, so we try not to sleep that way if we can help it... now might be a time for you to practice side sleeping (with a Pap pillow if necessary to accommodate the mask - Google it.. it has a special cutout for masks).