Newbie to group and cpap(bummed out)and waiting

[reffus1881]

I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea on Friday. i wasn't expecting it at all. I have to go for another sleep study 1st of Feb to start cpap then. So i have to wait 2 to 3 weeks. Which seems like a couple of decades I did not know that i felt the way i felt because of poor sleep or none at all. It has been one of the biggest revelations in life. I am not sure what i want here. But needed to share. Thanks Bill

[Pugsy]

Yeah, it is sure a bummer to have to wait. I had a 3 week wait to get the titration study myself. Use the time to educate yourself on what to expect.

For starters the Wiki at the top of the forum page has a wealth of information.
And this blog started by one of our forum members Janknitz about the various machines, data and what to expect from DME. She also has some other informative links at her blog.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

Welcome to the forum. I know you would rather not need to be here and not have the sleep apnea diagnosis but it is what it is. I would rather not use the mask at night myself but the alternative is not very pretty so I do it.

[Elle]

You came to the right place. There are lots of knowledgeable people here (I am not one of them...I am learning a lot though). It is frustrating to wait once you know there is a solution around the corner. Hang in there and voice your concerns here.

and welcome.

[retrodave15]

Don't get too bummed out. I went to the sleep study as I made a pact with my wife that I would have a sleep study if she would have one. We were pretty sure that she had sleep apnea, I just thought my issues were due to my RLS. We both have sleep apnea, she was a little worse than me, but we both have CPAP now. I never realized how much like crap I felt like before, CPAP is been a life changer for me and my wife.

As for the wait, possibly get on the cancellation list for the lab. That is what I did as once I got the diagnosis, I no longer wanted to wait. They were able to get me in within about a week for the titration study.

[Gaga58]

Hi Reffus and welcome to the forum...I'm a 4 month newb myself and still learning, but I also had to wait several weeks before getting my equipment. While I couldn't wait to get started, since I felt like I finally had an answer to why I felt so lousy, I also knew there was going to be a lot to learn. I found this forum during one of my first searches and am so thankful I did. The time I had to wait I spent reading on here, asking questions, learning about what kind of machine, what to expect out the DME's (which usually isn't much! ), what all those things like AHI meant, and how to somewhat choose a mask. Don't let it bum you, let it be your learning time and you'll be and feel much better prepared once it comes time to order than machine and start your therapy. Good luck to!

[BrettAnd]

I was in a similar situation. I knew nothing and googled everything. I read for hours. I knew what the tests were for before I was wired for the sleep test. I was not familure with the various machines on the market however. I was stuck with data capable machine with no way for the user to get the data, ResMed planned it that way. So, my advise, start with the new user button. Learn the lingo. You may have noticed all the accronyms already. Lean the law. Most insurance companies use medicare laws. Talk to your insurance rep. if you like about purchasing out of pocket and sending in the reembursement forms yourself. You can save on pieces parts in the future. Example; my DME (durable medical equipment) bills by the numbers of each part for the max price allowed by law. So they charge, for example, 200$ for the mask and 50$ for the headgear(straps), 40$ for the cushions, even though they are sold in the same package. That's 290$ compared to the online price of 190$ for the whole package. Even on a co-pay arrangement you save. Did I mention they charge 50$ for a hose you can buy for 10$ online? I buy my own stuff now. Once you get your machine, say a S9 autoset, remember the DME charges the same for a good machine and a piece of garbage alike, get a good machine! Poke around your local equipment suppliers online and in your area. Do not leave your initial Doctor consult without a copy of of his report and the script/machine order. Then take both to the local print shop and have them convert it all to a DOC and PDF formats. You need those to buy online. Don't go in there cold. Once you get a good machine, use it !! Non compliance laws could drop the equipment costs right in your lap!! If you have problems, see the Doctor day one!! Do not wait for some appointment three weeks later!! Learn as much about everthing in the time you have. Happy hunting!

[Mary Z]

Since this was a total surprise to you I imagine you'll have to go through the stages of grieving. Your whole life has been turned upside down. You're right, bummer. Soon you'll get titrated (if you want to go sooner see if the office has a cancellation list) and hopefully start feeling better when you get on the machine.

[Goofproof]

I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea on Friday. i wasn't expecting it at all. I have to go for another sleep study 1st of Feb to start cpap then. So i have to wait 2 to 3 weeks. Which seems like a couple of decades I did not know that i felt the way i felt because of poor sleep or none at all. It has been one of the biggest revelations in life. I am not sure what i want here. But needed to share. Thanks Bill

Would you be "Bummed Out" if you had a sore hand and taking a pill would relieve the pain and make you better, I think not. It's important to start with the right attitude, XPAP treatment is a mild hassel, that will help you health and prolong your life. You have to choices, embrace the treatment or Don't and pay for your De-Nile, with even poorer health or early death. It's a No-Brainer.

By not embracing the treatment you will be sure of failure. Jim

[Lizistired]

Welcome. The more you know the easier it will be. Do your homework.
If you are available on short notice, let the lab know to call you in the event of cancellations.
Be sure to get copies of the full reports and condensed graphs for both studies. Knowledge is everything.

[cowlypso]

Since this was a total surprise to you I imagine you'll have to go through the stages of grieving. Your whole life has been turned upside down. You're right, bummer. Soon you'll get titrated (if you want to go sooner see if the office has a cancellation list) and hopefully start feeling better when you get on the machine.

What she said!

If you want to get the ball rolling faster, definitely ask to be put on the cancellation list. I got in a week sooner because of it.

Also, it's okay to be bummed out, especially since you weren't expecting the diagnosis. I'm 30 and was diagnosed last spring. For about a week in between the diagnosis and the titration study, I was definitely bummed out. I was angry about it, frustrated, feeling sorry for myself, and cried a bit. But once I got my machine, I sucked it up and got on with it. And it wasn't as bad as I thought. It's portable, quiet, and I feel SO much better. I have slept a total of 1 night without it since I got it (in May?), and that was involuntarily (power outage). I felt so bad the next day, that I refuse to go without it again!

Go ahead and be bummed out for a few days. It's natural. Just commit to making it work so you can feel better.