Hello from a new person

john44077 · Post by **john44077** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:41 pm

Hello everyone. My name is John. I live near Cleveland Ohio. 37 yrs old. I am going next Wed night for a apnea test and found this site when looking for info on cpaps. My better half says i stop breathing at night and its gettting worse. I am always tired and other signs of apnea. I work at a medical clinic so i finaly talked to my doc about it and he agreed i needed this apnea test. Any advice on this adventure i am about to start? A 8 hrs of sleep would be amazing.

John

flygal6 · Post by **flygal6** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:58 pm

Welcome John,
You are in the right place. As you go on this journey stay persistent and keep a positive attitude. If you get frustrated with your doc, DME or equipment (if your diagnosis is positive for OSA) come here with any questions or problems, you don't feel are adequately being answered or resolved from your other sources. Do your sleep study, don't hesitate to ask questions and relax. If you are diagnosed your sleep study report should go to your MD who sent you for the sleep study. They will need to write you a prescription for your equipment, along with the settings. Make sure it includes a heated humidifier with the machine. If your first mask does not work....don't stress that's often normal. Just don't wait too long but recall the DME to fit you with something else. Find out from them what your insurance plan covers and doesn't cover. If no insurance, CPAP.com online is reasonably priced. Many here can help you with selections. There are a lot of very helpful people with lots of great info and willingness to help on this forum, as questions arise.
Let us know how things go.
Carol

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:01 pm

Your making the first big step good for you, I waited till I had to go for cardio version,before finding out that the cardioligist said apnea might have been the factor creating the irregular heart beat, I am back in regular rythem now, and so far I'm one hundred percent compliant with cpap treatment. Take all the great tips you can on this forum, people here will come to your aid when you need advice, Good health and piece to you.
Ed

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:16 pm

For my first night study I made sure I got up like an hour early in the A.M. and did not have any caffeine that day so that I would be good and tired for the sleep test. I also took my own pillow.

Ask your lab if they keep the temp cool in the room. My lab was freezing! I like a cool room, but this was cold! They said folks sleep better in a cool room rather than getting too warm and uncomfortable. All was well tho, they had extra blankets!

Best of luck!

sleepinginseattle · Post by **sleepinginseattle** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:42 pm

Hi John,

I went for my sleep study about this time last year. I had the usual anxiety about staying at the sleep center (in a hospital) but I really liked the technician so that helped me relax. I was asked to fill out a questionnaire on a computer before the study and in the morning after. Other than getting hooked up to a lot of sensors having to wear a telemetry harness around my neck, I was comfy.

The technician told me that this first study would be for sleep evaluation only and they would only wake me if I experienced extraordinary respiratory distress which would indicate an immediate need for CPAP titration. I apparently did experience some respiratory distress because I was diagnosed with severe OSA but I wasn't titrated that night.

Good luck and try to enjoy your visit.

Cale

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:55 pm

Hi John and welcome,

I thought this was an interesting thread, asking us what we would have done differently. It might give you some ideas by reading our responses:

viewtopic.php?t=17632&postdays=0&postor ... nt&start=0

Good Luck.

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:50 am

Hi, John,
This is probably covered in the thread that Linda gave you, but will point it out anyway.

1. Get a copy of your sleep study from your doctor.
2. Get a copy of ALL prescriptions from whomever.
3. YOU call your insurance company and find out first hand what they will cover for each item: xpap, humidifier, mask, headgear, and oxygen if that should be prescribed.
4. Try on as many masks as you can - and lie down if possible, for that's the position in which you'll be wearing the mask, and they do shift.
5. Let the Respiratory Therapist know whether or not you are a 'mouth breather'. If you're not sure, ask your wife. If you are, you can either place a strip of specialty tape down the center of your lips, or get a mask that covers both your nose and mouth.
6. Keep good notes, and be 'in charge' of what's going on. Some DME's tend to provide less-than-advisable services. Others are terrific. But you may not know until it is too late.
7. Print off pertinent parts to the thread that Linda referred you to for future reference.

Good luck!
If you have a favorite pillow, take it, plus anything else that adds to your comfort. I took a comforter to put on top of the mattress, knowing it would be too hard for me. They should also have an egg-crate mattress available for you if you need one.

Check out the premisis before your sleep study if you can. Know where the bathroom is, & if they have a breakfast bar, etc.
Ask for a quiet room, and if you are bothered by noise, take along some ear plugs. I didn't have that problem, but others have.

Relax, and look forward to getting a better night's rest and sleep from then on.

Kathleen

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:20 am

Good for you John, a good move getting online here and asking these sort of questions! I took ear plugs and an eye mask in to help me sleep and didn't have too much to drink to try and reduce the number of bathroom breaks during the night. Pre cpap I would normally get up 5 or 6 times, but on the machine I only got up once.

Good luck mate, let us know how you get on.

Peter

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:24 pm

Thanks everyone. I will be hanging around and will let everyone know how it goes next Wed..

John