Its been a year!!!!!!

[BML]

Hello everyone,

I haven't been around in a long time. A little over 12 months ago I had a number of health issues that kept me away from work for a couple of months. One of those health issues was a diagnosis of severe OSA. I had ups and downs with my therapy and other health problems but had no trouble working since the sick leave. Last fall I had enough of thinking about and talking about my problems... so I gave everything a rest including this forum.

First, I'll say this place was a god send for me. You wil never know what a difference you made.. OK you probably know
When I started I had an AHI of 63, last fall it was still high for me 5-7 depending on the wek and I could spend 8-14 minutes in apnea every night. I finally saw a real respirologist (long story) who changed my therapy around. I went from BPAP 12-15 to CPAP 14 with an EPR of 2. It has made such a difference. I now have an AHI of 2-2.5 on average and some nights spend less than 1 minute in apnea. Most nights 1-2 minutes worst nights 4-5 minutes. I feel so much better. I know I am not the first on this board to go from BPAP to CPAP and notice a beneficial change. Anyway, it has been roughly a year since I started using my Darth Vader mask and I am soooooo greatful for the quality of life and well-being I have gained with this therapy. I am still scheduled for a sleep study in May and plan to go. the idea was to se how well I am doing and adjust my therapy if necessary. In the fall when I saw him I did a home study and my hypopnea index was high, much higher than my Respironics AUTO BPAP reports.

Anyway, thanks again, I am one very happy customer!

[kteague]

Thanks for stopping back in and letting us know what has been helping you achieve effective treatment. I hope while you were giving discussion of all this a rest you got to feeling well enough to have some fun doing some things you hadn't felt like doing for a while. Hope your other health issues have resolved along with the OSA struggles. Take care.
Kathy

[pdean44]

Awesome story. Thank you for sharing it!

[BML]

kteague,

It basicaly feels like I got my life back. That's how dramatic the change has been. A year ago in march, i would fall asleep at the nursing staion during a work shift; that is how bad it had gotten. Now I wotk part-time (60%), have a full semester university course load, and still have energy to go hiking, etc.... It is simply amazing.

Last night, after I posted I spent time reading some of the recent posts, especially those from new board members. I smiled as I recognized much of the frustration, worry, and HOPE that was mine when I started. To all you new members, I say keep the faith. First, you have found an amazing group of people to coach you and cheer you on. Second, you will see improvments, you will meet obstacles, but it does keep getting better. You will regain a quality-of-life and well-being you could only dream of before starting this therapy. It won't be easy but it will be worth it a bazillion times over.