Just diagnosed

Bebe · Post by **Bebe** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:09 pm

Hello to all!

I am so happy to have found a group to speak to/with about my sleep apnea. I just received a call from my doctor unfurling me that I have moderate severe sleep obstructive apnea. He has scheduled me for another test in order to try out a CPAP. I'm so excited to finally get some help. I have many questions and I would appreciate any feedback. My first question is does the CPAP truly help you sleep and if so do you feel more energized? I have a very stressful job and I have a difficult time concentrating because I am always tired, I always feel like I'm in a fog and it takes me a while to get going in the morning. Also, I struggle with depression, does sleeping well/using a CPAP help with depression?

Thank you!

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:29 pm

The 'depression' so often turns out to be due to apnea, and so often just goes away once on Cpap!

Tassie Devil · Post by **Tassie Devil** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:33 pm

Hi Bebe - welcome here.

WARNING: you can expect it to take quite awhile, even months, for you to get used to CPAP. At first attempt I could not stand it and gave up after only a week - bad decision. It really does take some time to persevere and get your brain tuned up to accept it. Second time around I did not have it on every night and some night used it only for 4 hours. But, bit by bit acceptance was better so it is a no brainer every night now.

One of the most annoying aspects is air leakage. You have the mask well adjusted, turn over and dislodge it enough to displace the seal so the noise of escaping air wakes you up. This might mean the strap needs slightly tightening, something rather annoying, but necessary, in the middle of the night. But if that annoys you too much, abandon CPAP for that night.

Be prepared to experiment with different masks. Not all are comfortable and some can bruise your nose. I started off with a full face mask but now use a nasal (not nostril) one only. But we are all different so what suits me might not suit you.

Bottom line is that some people feel remarkably better after CPAP but others, like me, did not so do not expect miracles. However I DO suffer from sleep apnea as you obviously do, so CPAP iis needed. However it has evolved I also have a heart condition and need a pace maker and you might also have other problems being masked by sleep apnea.

Best of luck

John.

Bebe · Post by **Bebe** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:36 pm

Thank you so much Julie! I have struggled with depression for a while and some of it is because I am always so tired...and then I get anxious because I have to use more energy to focus at work because I am tired. I then feel overwhelmed, which makes me depressed. So, I am hoping that by using the CPAP, that I will get a good night's rest each night and I will be more productive at work and at home.

Bebe · Post by **Bebe** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:40 pm

John,

Thank you for the info. I struggle with anxiety, depression and concentrating. I am hoping that the CPAP will at least help a bit. It may not be the "miracle drug" we all want but I think if something can give me a good nights sleep, I feel I will be more prepared to handle my stressful job.

Thank you so much for the support!

Bebe

SleepDisturbed · Post by **SleepDisturbed** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:43 pm

Bebe wrote:Hello to all!

I am so happy to have found a group to speak to/with about my sleep apnea. I just received a call from my doctor unfurling me that I have moderate severe sleep obstructive apnea. He has scheduled me for another test in order to try out a CPAP. I'm so excited to finally get some help. I have many questions and I would appreciate any feedback. My first question is does the CPAP truly help you sleep and if so do you feel more energized? I have a very stressful job and I have a difficult time concentrating because I am always tired, I always feel like I'm in a fog and it takes me a while to get going in the morning. Also, I struggle with depression, does sleeping well/using a CPAP help with depression?

Thank you!

Welcome! Sorry you have to be here though.

CPAP CAN do all you ask about but there is no way I can tell if it will do all that for you or how long it might take. We are all unique and can have different results. However, for me I got rid of multiple wake ups to urinate, stopped snoring, got rid of morning headaches and brain fog, lost a little weight, got my blood sugar and blood pressure under control, and stopped nodding off behind the wheel and falling asleep at the drop of a hat. Good enough for me!

When you get your titration and they give you a machine be sure you get one wth full data capability. This not an option. Then come back here and get the really smart people to help interpret your data, and learn how to manage your treatment.

Good luck!

Bebe · Post by **Bebe** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:07 pm

Thank you SleepDisturbed.

Please explain titration? I will def come back and get advice/help with regard to interpreting my data

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:28 pm

Titration is when they put a mask on you (attached to a machine of course!) and gauge what pressure settings would be good for you to try, which ones bring down the number of events you have, and what's the lowest setting that'll do the job.

Bebe · Post by **Bebe** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:42 pm

thanks Julie!

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:54 pm

Some reading you might do while you are waiting and sorting all this out
Assuming you are in the US with some sort of US insurance.
https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what- ... me-part-i/

https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

yaconsult · Post by **yaconsult** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 10:24 pm

You've already gotten terrific advice, so I'll just say WELCOME! Having a place to go for information and advice can make ALL the difference between being successful or not. Successful cpap therapy has changed the lives of many of us.

You are already way ahead of the game by being here so early in your process so that you can make sure that you get a good data-capable machine that is supported by the wonderful, free SleepyHead software.

sleepydc · Post by **sleepydc** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 10:50 am

Good luck to you and welcome! My two cents to help you through: be your own advocate, no one else will care about your condition and work on it as much as you will, so inform yourself and learn (as you are doing by coming here); if prescribed an xpap machine, avoid a "brick" and get one that will provide lots of data so you can be in charge of your own adjustment period; scour the permanent posted sections here on advice for new xpap users and things to get and accessories (like a means of controlling/hanging the hose); read through the "success stories" section for encouragement; perseverence, perseverence, perseverence; and hang in there. Good luck!

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Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: I abandoned an ESCAPE S9 (on hire) for the much better used S9 AUTOSET - recommended