New Kid on the block
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astromonkey
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 5:09 pm
- Location: Santa Cruz
- Contact:
New Kid on the block
Howdy! So after being pushed into going to the doctor by my partner because of not breathing at night I just found out that I have sleep apnea and as the tech at the sleep center said "its a severe case" This was a total shock and a whole new thing I am dealing with. I would love any words of wisdom or advice on "what now? my new life with sleep apnea." I will be getting a CPAP tomorrow and starting that. I have always had a "stuffed up" nose when I sleep so I am a little worried about how all of this is going to work. Don't get me wrong Doctors rock at what they do but do not always have "experience" in actually dealing with the machine.
It is a shock, isn't it? My husband had been after me for years to do this and it took a near mishap behind the wheel to convince me. I, too, have always had a plugged up nose at night so I started out with a full face mask because I didn't think I could breathe through my nose. I am now using a nasal gel mask and doing very well. I think the key is the machine. Mine has a heated humidifier and it's really nice. I am prone to sinus infections and bronchitis and such so I am curious to see how things go for me this winter. I've been on CPAP for about 8 weeks now. I had a little cold a couple of weeks ago and sleeping with the machine actually helped me. Good luck and know that you have support here.
CPAP has saved my life!!
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Jenna
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rested gal
- Posts: 12880
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
welcome
Hi astromonkey,
You are on the right track in several ways. Number one, you got yourself diagnosed, so you're on your way to hopefully feeling better soon. You also found your way to this message board where you can get support and help while you adjust to all this "new stuff".
Like Suserbec, I also didn't think I'd ever be able to breathe through my nose while sleeping. A lifetime of breathing through my mouth at night (trying to get more air!) was a hard habit to overcome, but I'm able to use nasal masks just fine now. As Suserbec pointed out, a heated humidifier can often help relieve a stuffy nose problem, as it did for her. I'm a big believer in having a heated humidifier - don't go home without one!
All that said, IF you find that you just can't get enough air through your nose with a nasal mask, do try a full face mask. Despite the name, a full face mask covers only your nose and mouth - not your whole face. You'll be able to breathe through your mouth easily when you need to. The ResMed Ultra Mirage FF (full face) mask is my favorite for nights when I have a cold or nasal congestion that makes mouth breathing easier. I've also used the Respironics ComfortFull, which is ok... but the ResMed Ultra Mirage FF is more comfortable and less likely to leak, in my opinion. It's also slightly "roomier" so doesn't push against the sides of my nose at all. Everyone's face is different, but I'm a big fan of most of the ResMed masks - love their cushions! And I especially like the way ResMed masks can usually be worn with the straps looser than many other masks. No, I don't work for them - heheh, but I sure wear 'em. And if you do find that you can breathe ok with a nasal mask, the ResMed Activa is far and away the #1 nasal mask in my opinion.
You are on the right track in several ways. Number one, you got yourself diagnosed, so you're on your way to hopefully feeling better soon. You also found your way to this message board where you can get support and help while you adjust to all this "new stuff".
Like Suserbec, I also didn't think I'd ever be able to breathe through my nose while sleeping. A lifetime of breathing through my mouth at night (trying to get more air!) was a hard habit to overcome, but I'm able to use nasal masks just fine now. As Suserbec pointed out, a heated humidifier can often help relieve a stuffy nose problem, as it did for her. I'm a big believer in having a heated humidifier - don't go home without one!
All that said, IF you find that you just can't get enough air through your nose with a nasal mask, do try a full face mask. Despite the name, a full face mask covers only your nose and mouth - not your whole face. You'll be able to breathe through your mouth easily when you need to. The ResMed Ultra Mirage FF (full face) mask is my favorite for nights when I have a cold or nasal congestion that makes mouth breathing easier. I've also used the Respironics ComfortFull, which is ok... but the ResMed Ultra Mirage FF is more comfortable and less likely to leak, in my opinion. It's also slightly "roomier" so doesn't push against the sides of my nose at all. Everyone's face is different, but I'm a big fan of most of the ResMed masks - love their cushions! And I especially like the way ResMed masks can usually be worn with the straps looser than many other masks. No, I don't work for them - heheh, but I sure wear 'em. And if you do find that you can breathe ok with a nasal mask, the ResMed Activa is far and away the #1 nasal mask in my opinion.
Hey,
Welcome to the big boat that we are all in together. I know how you feel about being shocked.
I diagnosed myself after waking up in the middle of the night feeling as if I was jumping out of my skin with anxiety and my heart beating a mile a minute. When I went for my yearly chest x-ray (had a lobectomy in 1998) I asked my Pulmonologist about it. He had me fill out a questionnaire and then the next day he called me to set up a sleep study. The first study I could not sleep and only slept 2.5 hours and they could tell that I had "severe" sleep apnea (was shocked too) and set me up for another test with the machine and mask. So, needless to say, I went on CPAP July 20th of this year and after 1 month I was switched to an Autopap (which is wonderful for me). It did take me 6 weeks to sleep through the night with the mask on but like I have said before, its a part of me now and I could not imagine sleeping without it.
The people on this list are so helpful and supportive and no question is too small to ask. I am so thankful for everyone. Stay tuned...........and keep us posted how you are doing.
Judy
A Georgia "Hosehead" (that terms always makes me laugh)
Welcome to the big boat that we are all in together. I know how you feel about being shocked.
I diagnosed myself after waking up in the middle of the night feeling as if I was jumping out of my skin with anxiety and my heart beating a mile a minute. When I went for my yearly chest x-ray (had a lobectomy in 1998) I asked my Pulmonologist about it. He had me fill out a questionnaire and then the next day he called me to set up a sleep study. The first study I could not sleep and only slept 2.5 hours and they could tell that I had "severe" sleep apnea (was shocked too) and set me up for another test with the machine and mask. So, needless to say, I went on CPAP July 20th of this year and after 1 month I was switched to an Autopap (which is wonderful for me). It did take me 6 weeks to sleep through the night with the mask on but like I have said before, its a part of me now and I could not imagine sleeping without it.
The people on this list are so helpful and supportive and no question is too small to ask. I am so thankful for everyone. Stay tuned...........and keep us posted how you are doing.
Judy
A Georgia "Hosehead" (that terms always makes me laugh)
Welcome ---I'm glad you've found this place. The folks on here are really great-patient, kind and lots of times funny. Whatever you're going through, there's a good chance that someone on here has already been there, done that and they really try to help. If you read many posts, you'll find that one of the most important things is finding a mask you can live with (no pun intended). I agree with Rested Gal - Activa is the best I've tried so far. Keep posting and let us know how you're doing.
Kathy
Kathy
Greetings, Astromonkey!!!
Welcome aboard! You will find that there are many kind and experienced folks on this board who are more than willing to share their vast knowledge and experience with you. And I have found "No question is too dumb to ask". Hope you will stick with us.
BTW, JudyAnne, where have you been? We've missed you. Glad to have you back. (Or maybe I just missed your posts, or why you were going to be away.) I considered asking about you the other day, but decided, surely you would be back soon. Hope nothing was wrong.
Welcome aboard! You will find that there are many kind and experienced folks on this board who are more than willing to share their vast knowledge and experience with you. And I have found "No question is too dumb to ask". Hope you will stick with us.
BTW, JudyAnne, where have you been? We've missed you. Glad to have you back. (Or maybe I just missed your posts, or why you were going to be away.) I considered asking about you the other day, but decided, surely you would be back soon. Hope nothing was wrong.
Josie
Hiya Astromonkey. . .
I'm new too, just starting my second week on the hose. I will say that daytime drowsiness and falling asleep/fighting sleep is already gone. Only side effect so far is with my wife: she hears the box or mask making a wierd noise, she wakes me up.
Still working on leaks: I have the size: L mask, but think I need a longer one: I know I needed a Large/Long/Narrow oxygen mask in my USAF days of flying jets. . .
I'm new too, just starting my second week on the hose. I will say that daytime drowsiness and falling asleep/fighting sleep is already gone. Only side effect so far is with my wife: she hears the box or mask making a wierd noise, she wakes me up.
Still working on leaks: I have the size: L mask, but think I need a longer one: I know I needed a Large/Long/Narrow oxygen mask in my USAF days of flying jets. . .
Keith
Somewhere just outside that 8-lane death-strip that separates Washington, DC, from objective reality. . . .
Somewhere just outside that 8-lane death-strip that separates Washington, DC, from objective reality. . . .
Hi Astromonkey,
Welcome to the club! We likely have the same sleep doc's as we live in the same county. They are wonderful to work with and are very knowledgeable.
It will take time for you to feel better and get used to your new equipment or "bed partner". As you may know, Jolene the Respitory Therapist (RT) at the doc's office is great and she will be your coach... along with all of us. If you are unhappy with your mask etc. just let her know and she will help you keep trying until you find one that works for you.
Please feel free to PM me or post questions on this board. I have found this board invaluable, as many others have. I highly recommend reading the older and newer posts... read read read and ask questions.
Good Luck!
Teri
Welcome to the club! We likely have the same sleep doc's as we live in the same county. They are wonderful to work with and are very knowledgeable.
It will take time for you to feel better and get used to your new equipment or "bed partner". As you may know, Jolene the Respitory Therapist (RT) at the doc's office is great and she will be your coach... along with all of us. If you are unhappy with your mask etc. just let her know and she will help you keep trying until you find one that works for you.
Please feel free to PM me or post questions on this board. I have found this board invaluable, as many others have. I highly recommend reading the older and newer posts... read read read and ask questions.
Good Luck!
Teri
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW -- What a Ride!"
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