newbie. yep, that's me

[SunniDai]

Hello, all. I am new to this whole CPAP machine thing. Been using it for about three weeks now. Seems to be doing OK. At least I've not been as dizzy and light headed lately. That's gotta be a plus!
When I went for my sleep study, the tech told me that I never reached REM sleep. Then the doc told me that I'd had 71 events in one hour. 71!!! That's me stopping breathing more than every minute. No wonder I've been so tired, dizzy and light headed all the time!!
Few things I need to get used to, apparently: sleeping on the stomach is more difficult; coughing can be an issue (I have Sarcoidosis and a chronic cough is something I live with); with a full face mask, an itchy nose has to be ignored
So here's to restful nights and pleasant dreams.

[healthychioces]

So happy the cpap is working for you!!!! I bet you will feel better than you have ever felt.Thanks for sharing your positive results.

[OkyDoky]

Welcome,
You can actually sleep in any comfortable position. Yes you may have more events on your back and it is not the preferred position, but if you are running your machine in APAP mode with a range of pressures, it would adjust for increased events. If you monitor your data you can see if your events increase, then make changes if needed. Go for comfort and sleep.
If a nasal mask or pillows are possible, they make coughing a little easier.
If PaleRider is here, he would tell you the itchy nose could be from air blowing nasal hairs even if you feel it on the outside of the nose and a trim might help. This is also where nasal pillows are better because you can scratch that itch.

[Bill44133]

Welcome to the forum... This is the land where the walking dead recover.. You are in a good place here.
Work all your therapy issue out here... lots of knowledge here....

While I understand how you feel at 71 AHI mine was 140 during my sleep study..


I wish you well...

[yaconsult]

Welcome, SunniDai! In some ways, it's easier for those of us in the severe category because the change is often dramatic once we start cpap. I had 80 events per hour during my sleep test and my treatment pressure is set to 13.5. What did they pick for you?

You can read the stickies at the top of the forum and get SleepyHead set up and monitor your progress. It's pretty impressive when you first get a look at all the data.