unhappy newbie dreading cpap sleep study...

[arinekhen]

I have been scheduled for a cpap sleep study after being diagnosed with apnea. I don't know to what degree; don't have the papers in front of me, and am not sure I could read them if they were. After reading at various sites about the machinery and people's experiences with it, I am almost ready to call the whole thing off. Why go through a test designed to set parameters for use with a machine that I strongly suspect I'd never be willing to use? During the first night's sleep test last month, more than once during the night I almost just got up and ripped off the sensors to go home, I was so miserable. I can NOT sleep when I feel constrained. I can't imagine successfully using the cpap machine. I tried calling my doc to call off the test today, but I couldn't get to talk to him. I guess I wish I could see a chart that showed how many people tried these machines versus how many refused to ever use them again and how many swore their sleep was vastly improved. For them, even, are these machines worth it versus simply coping with the apnea?

[chrisp]

Take a deep breath and relax. After the study you will get a new auto unit with a comfortable mask. You will look forward to sleeping with it. No wires or sensors. Just your Trusty Auto CPAP

Cheers,

Chris

[neversleeps]

.... Why go through a test designed to set parameters for use with a machine that I strongly suspect I'd never be willing to use? .... I can't imagine successfully using the cpap machine. I tried calling my doc to call off the test today, but I couldn't get to talk to him. I guess I wish I could see a chart that showed how many people tried these machines versus how many refused to ever use them again and how many swore their sleep was vastly improved. For them, even, are these machines worth it versus simply coping with the apnea?

Seems like you've already decided not to use it.

Are the machines worth it vs. simply coping with the apnea? Yes, if you don't want to die.

[TXKajun]

Another suggestion: Bring a couple of Tylenol PM tablets or, if you have a prescription, an Ambien with you and take them an hour or so before going to sleep at the sleep clinic. The test really isn't that bad. After all, when's the last night you got a good night's sleep? Aren't you sick and tired of being tired?? I know I was and I actually looked forward to getting my sleep test done so I could feel better. What I didn't realize was just how MUCH better I was going to feel!

And, to reinforce the previous suggestion: Take a deep breath and relax! There are bunches of us who have been exactly where you are, and we are still around, most of us feeling immensely better after having been on CPAP (or APAP or BiPAP) for a while. Try to focus on the positive.....how lousy you feel now will be a memory in a short time.

This therapy WORKS!!

[gailzee]

If you want to prevent future health problems, you will be able to adjust, we all felt apprehensive and uncertain and of course uncomfortable at first. We all are unhappy with a diagnosis that involves such a complicated solution, re: using masks/machines/etc. It is not easy, but we've all been in these shoes, and the wonderful part is this board is here for you, when you need suggestions, tips, chat, or sometimes laughter we can all learn from ea. other. I can safely say I knew ZIP ZILCH till I came across this board. I knew what sleep apnea was, and vaguely knew cpap therapy, but that was IT. Once I got onto this msg board the education is more than you could learn at school. My GP frankly told me he had one session in med school re: sleep problems and chuckled, as if it were not to be taken seriously. Once he read my reports on my titration study/diagnosis now he asks me all kinds of questions. Be an advocate for yourself, many many here have a lot of experiences with types of masks (where the bigger adjustment to long term success starts), so hang in there. Be patient with yourself and hopefully you'll come to a good solution, one that works for YOU!

In my opinion, there is a red flag in your statement "learning to cope with the apnea" is just the case in point. You will be asleep when the apnea episode hits, you probably will not know it and perhaps you may not START to breathe again. That fear alone keeps me hooked up every night.
My family means too much to me, to have them face this possibility! I ''hook up'' nightly for them, as well as myself!



Good luck![quote="arinekhen"]I have been scheduled for a cpap sleep study after being diagnosed with apnea. I don't know to what degree; don't have the papers in front of me, and am not sure I could read them if they were. After reading at various sites about the machinery and people's experiences with it, I am almost ready to call the whole thing off. Why go through a test designed to set parameters for use with a machine that I strongly suspect I'd never be willing to use? During the first night's sleep test last month, more than once during the night I almost just got up and ripped off the sensors to go home, I was so miserable. I can NOT sleep when I feel constrained. I can't imagine successfully using the cpap machine. I tried calling my doc to call off the test today, but I couldn't get to talk to him. I guess I wish I could see a chart that showed how many people tried these machines versus how many refused to ever use them again and how many swore their sleep was vastly improved. For them, even, are these machines worth it versus simply coping with the apnea?

[Guest]

I have two very good friends with sleep apnea who, once they started using a CPAP machine said it changed their lives (for the better). I have had apnea problems for years - once I decided to do something about it, I had to beg for a sleep study. Since it was going to take months to get an appt with a sleep doc, my GP finally ordered the study. I was so tired every afternoon I could barely function. I was tired when I got up each morning. This is what "coping with the apnea" is. Sound familiar? What led you to see a doc in the first place? If you want to feel better, give it a try. It will take getting used to being hooked up. When you read the various posts to this forum, you will see many people have had problems with masks, settings, and every aspect of dealing with the treatment you can imagine - this doesn't mean all (or any) of these problems will happen to you! Despite the problems many have had, I bet very few if any would give up their xpaps. My cpap and I started our relationship about 3 weeks ago, and despite the problems I've had, despite hating being hooked to a machine to sleep, you can take it away when you pry it from my cold dead hands! Ok, well maybe that is too dramatic, but I feel more rested than I have in years and fully expect to continue improving. I can even joke about it (now). Give it a try - you have everything to gain. Read the posts above again - also just because a bunch of us on this forum whine about our problems doesn't mean that everyone has them. Both of my friends have never logged on here, both are still using the same style mask they were prescribed, both took only a week or two to get used to it. If you end up with some problems like the rest of us, use this forum to find out how to deal with them. Post a problem, and you will get help. Good Luck, Jim

[mrhyak]

Opps - that last reply was me Jim

[SheilaB]

Don't despair. It really is not that bad. My sleep tech offered to give me an Ambien but I refused. I wanted to know what was going on. I did feel a bit "trapped" when the mask was put on but I did my visual imagery relaxation and went to the beach. After just a few minutes visualizing the waves and the sand I was fine. I got up once during the night--was able to disconnect and reconnect myself with no problem.

My machine at home is so quiet my spouse says he doesn't even hear it. It does not bother me too much--took a few nights to get used to.

[There]

The sleep studies are miserable. Using a CPAP at home is miles different. Plus, you can customize things quite a bit with different masks (and different hacks suggested on this board). In the end, the struggle IS worth it. It's a hard hump to get over emotionally, physically, but priceless for the renewed energy once you get into your groove.

Be brave and face it head on, you won't regret it. Just be patient with yourself and the equipment, and never take anything that happens to you during a sleep study as an indication of what will happen once you get the gear home

Tina

[tbone106]

I was sooo tried, when the tech got the presure right I was out.

IT FELT SOOOO GOOD the next day. You talk about constrained, I like sleeping in my underwear only. I had to bring PJs in addition to getting hooked up.


Hell, give your name, and I'll go for you

[Boomer]

To be honest, I was dreading my 2nd sleep study, as well, since, the first one was miserable. However, I was reading this board every evening, gaining knowledge and understand as I read. I think it was alot easier to handle the 2nd sleep study, because I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. (Also, I took 3mg of melatonin before I went in, thanks to a suggestion I read here.) When the tech put that mask on me, I thought, "Shoot, this ain't nothin'..." was actually, alot less than expected, pressure-wise. But then after a few minutes, getting drowsy, I started drifting off, and the pressure went up, I woke up a little, then drifted off some more. A little while later, I woke up and I remember thinking, oh man, this crap ain't happenin', I don't think I can stand this much longer........next thing I knew, the tech was waking me up, telling me the study was over. I thought there must be some kind of problem, because I hadn't been asleep that long, but nope, I had pretty much slept all the way through. I couldn't believe it! The tech did put a chin-strap on me sometime during the night, which I vaguely remember. The strap was probably the worst part, and it wasn't that bad. Also, 98% of my sleep was on my back, and that has not happened for years, like 15 or 20 years, since I was able to sleep on my back.

So, keep reading on this board, asking questions, and keep in mind, this will help you feel BETTER, maybe even save your life. I think the people on this board, are a great tool, therapy, if you will, to just get used to the idea.

I haven't even gotten my machine yet, just ordered it today, from cpap.com, should have it by the end of the week, and already, I wish I had it now so I could get some REAL sleep!!

Thanks everyone!!

Boomer

[Guest]

Stop being a BABY! Do the sleep test, get the machine, and USE IT. After you find you're not tired at 9 am, don't fall asleep at stop lights, and can watch the late night news at 11:00 out an afternoon nap, you'll thank me for being a jerk. %-) ...it's a picasso

[Severeena]

When I had my last sleep study the tech showed me all kinds of masks. She told me that she would find the one that would work for me and then I could keep it.

I was in so much back pain that I was in tears. My new PCP, sleep and autoimmune disease doctor, nor the so called pain management doctor would not give me the pain medication I was already on from my previous autoimmune doctor that the sleep study was halted when I woke up at 4:30AM.

There was no chance of me with the machine nor mask.

I learned of this suggestion on this forum, if you have to go into the DME, Distributor of Medical Equipment, take your pillow with you and lie down either on one of their beds or on the floor. This way you will get a better idea of which mask will work best for you.

For some of us it isn't the machine it is finding the right mask. I have only been on my machine not even three months, and I am trying to find the right mask.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME

[Guest]

I am grateful for the encouragement that has been offered by all of you.

I am now trying to look at at it from this perspective: I would not ride my motorcycle without a helmet and protective gear - maybe I can try to accept a cpap machine in that vein: safety equipment. <sigh> Another thought occurs to me: I have had an elevated heart rate for a few years, and at first it was thought to be due to hyperactive thyroid, which I occassionally have; it comes and goes. Perhaps once on cpap therapy my heart rate would no longer need to be controlled via atenolol. I'll have to ask my doc, I guess.

I'd like to know why such high-tech exams have to be so barbaric. I'm a computer programmer, and I have a highly refined set of opinions regarding technology that is not yet fully developed: sleep diagnostic sensors, cell phones and weed-whackers, to name three examples. <weak smile>

[mrhyak]

Good to hear your adjustment of attitude.
Try not to flinch when they use the nailgun to attach the sensors to your head, if only to deny the tech the satisfaction!
Jim