Hosehead-to-be here...

major_works · Post by **major_works** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:29 pm

Yet another new member here.

Had my sleep study last night. The technician, bless his heart, wouldn't tell me a darn thing about the results other than to say it was a "good study."

It was a full night with CPAP as opposed to a split study (I'd had a sleep study done about 2-1/2 years ago; the sleep doc called it "obstructed airway syndrome" or something like that. I declined to pursue CPAP then, which was surely a mistake... oh well.). I think I tolerated the study fairly well. They fitted me with a Mirage Activa mask, which took two tries. First one too large with many leaks; second smaller one worked great. The kicker there is they gave me both of them to take home!

I'd guess I got about 5 to 6 hours of sleep with the mask in place. I wish I could say I awoke feeling like a "new man" vs. the groggy one who stumbles through the day in a hazy fog. But alas, I can't. I felt pretty much as I did yesterday without CPAP. But hey, Rome wasn't built in a day.

So... I'll have my followup with the sleep doc in two weeks. While I've waited for my study, I've spent a good deal of time (probably too much) on this board reading and learning from all the highly informative posters. Thanks to you all, I will be well-armed with information when I see the doctor to discuss CPAP treatment options.

I'll return with more information later...

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:53 pm

Love your attitude!
Just because you may not be one of the overnight success newbies, you will ultimately discover that the benefits of cpap therapy are worth the wait!
As you have probably read here, sleep debts can take weeks or months to repay!

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:44 pm

I did not feel outstandingly wonderful after my titration study, either. For some of us (excuse me while I quote myself again) it is a "subtle but significant difference" from pre-CPAP existence.

One reason I had been sent for the study was my excessive sleeping. It was over half of my life (12-14 hours). I have now dropped down to 9 hours, after 7 months of treatment.

I hope that you will also notice a subtle but significant difference over time, as it DOES improve the quality of one's life!

Best wishes, and welcome to the best forum on the web, IMHO.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:49 pm

Hi major_works,

You may have already seen this, but if not...it's a very comprehensive compilation of OSA and cpap info that Mile High Sleeper wrote:

http://www.smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com
Mile High Sleeper's great information resource for cpap users.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:00 pm

Sounds like you had a decent sleep test. Good start.

You say you have been reading so I will assume you have read all the stuff that comes next, like your options on where to buy, getting your prescription in your hands and a copy of your sleep study, and doing financial analysis to make those decisions, deciding on options you want to have etc....

If you haven't the next phase will begin soon and while I hope you have as good an experience there as you did in your sleep study, be prepared and careful and you will be fine.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:53 am

Thanks to all for the warm welcome, words of wisdom, etc.

Snoregirl: Yes, I have been paying attention to the threads on the ins and outs of procurement, insurance issues, and particularly how to deal with the doctor at my followup. That's why this forum has been such a great find; the collective experience of the "hosehead fraternity" as chronicled here is invaluable to newbies like myself.

Rested gal: I probably have seen the material you posted a link to, but I'll review it per your recommendation.

And to Birdshell and Inacpapfog: I was hoping for the miracle but wasn't altogether let down when it didn't happen. When I say "the miracle," I mean waking up feeling totally refreshed and wide awake. Rather, I woke up with a bit of a headache and feeling not unlike I do every other day.

I will say this, though: As my first post-CPAP day wore on, I found myself not feeling quite as washed out as I typically do. I felt more alert and awake heading into the evening hours than normal and found myself abruptly crashing around 10 pm. That, to me, was a wonderful sign of things to come. I was very encouraged by my first night with CPAP. I think I've already found a mask that will work well for me and as others have stated, that's a significant hurdle to achieving compliance and ultimately, success.

Thanks again to all.

FLJim0121 · Post by **FLJim0121** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:21 am

Welcome to the forum!

I'm a newbie here too and like you, I'm just about to begin treatment as well.

To me the keys to success are learning as much as possible about sleep apnea and CPAP, keeping an open mind about treatment options, and having and optimistic attitude that things will get better.

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:02 am

Welcome to the world of air leaks and new questions. LOL Only kidding been on mine for two months I also did not start out with positive results, was mainly getting used to a new way of sleeping, and getting use to restrictions no matter how small being on your face. Keep tract of which adjustments make you feel more comfortable, and in a while you will know whats best for you, without spending to much sleep time trying to fiqure it all out.
Hurricane

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