Praying for CPAP

SirSnorzALot · Post by **SirSnorzALot** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:32 pm

I have been a chronic snorer for many years and began looking into sleep apnea when my wife mentioned that sometimes I gasp for air in my sleep. After learning of the effects of SA I was convinced I had it. I am always fatigued, can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, have a hard time losing weight, etc. I got really excited about CPAP as an alternative to surgical procedures that are so often ineffective. I had a sleep study over a year ago and slept nearly the entire night on my stomach. The techs were unable to wake me and roll me over. Despite the fact that they had never heard anyone snore so prodigiously on their stomach before, I was diagnosed with mild apnea, not bad enough for CPAP. I was prescribed a steroidal nasal spray and sent home. I was crushed. I was convinced CPAP was going to cure me of everything that ailed me.

I recently went to a new doctor for a routine physical and mentioned my fatigue, etc. She ordered a new sleep study and I was determined this time to sleep entirely on my back. A short time into the study, the tech woke me to titrate me on the CPAP. She said I was having an episode about every minute. I put on the nasal mask and fell asleep about 10 minutes later. She titrated me to a 13 over the course of the night, and when I awoke, I was amazed. Despite sleeping in a strange bed, with wires connected everywhere and a mask over my nose, I haven't slept that well in years if ever. I woke refreshed and alert and felt as if I had gotten a full night's sleep in 4 hours on the CPAP. Anyway, I have been craving the CPAP since, and am set to see my doctor again next week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this time.

NOzsnAZ · Post by **NOzsnAZ** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:58 pm

A CPAP junkie!!!

I agree that first "hit" opened my eyes to what my life could be like too!

A short time into the study, the tech woke me to titrate me on the CPAP. She said I was having an episode about every minute.

I'd say this is a good sign for you. I'd also say that if you do indeed end up on CPAP, your positive attitude will go along way in helping you get through the initial "learning phase" and stay compliant.

I've only been on CPAP for 10 days and I'm already finding myself skipping excitedly to the bedroom each night in anticipation of getting my "fix". (My wife says I haven't been this happy about going to bed since we got married! )

Welcome to the darkside!

NOzsnAZ

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:05 pm

Count your blessings, most of us have lousy sleep clinic experiences. But it does sound like you will have no trouble adjusting to cpap. Wait till you wake up in a few months and you go WOW!. Good luck and welcome!

Paul V · Post by **Paul V** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 2:19 pm

I had the same experience during me sleep study. The 4 hours on CPAP were the best sleep I had in years. I too craved me CPAP and hated waiting the 3 weeks post SS to get it. I ahve had mine for 10 days and I dont think I have felt this good in years.

Good luck to you. Your life is about to change for the better!

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 2:49 pm

I can relate....took me about 7 years of having my wife, hunting buddies and snowmobiling buddies telling me "man...you stop breathing in the night a lot..did you know that??" before I finally went in. Tridens (a good friend of mine) related his story to me earlier this year and I was inspired to go in also. Sooooo glad I did...

Welcome to the club....remember, attitude is everything.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 6:13 pm

What a great start!. So many people tell of their sleep study horror night. Mine left me with a sore head.

If you came out with such great feelings you are well on the path to improvement. The little gotchas lurking behind the masks will be easy to deal with

Welcome

DSM

mcdunde64 · Post by **mcdunde64** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 11:58 am

well i praise the Lord for my sleep doctor the frist time i went to see him he knew i had sleep apnea and even had a machine i could take that day and use till i had study done and got my cpap machine have been on cpap for over a year had 115 episodes a hour so they said i had it bad but now my only problem is insurance will not cover suppys any more but i manage cpap is for sure a life saving device

SirSnorzALot · Post by **SirSnorzALot** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:46 am

Got my sleep study results last week and just as I thought, severe OSA. Went through billmyinsurance.com and my machine should be here today. I'm really looking forward to getting started. Kudos to Bonnie at bmi. She is awesome.

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