Newbie with a few questions

[Blackbird3]

Hello there.

Roughly thirty days ago I was diagnosed with OSA and started CPAP treatment. My numbers were 54 AHI with REM AHI of 61.

I immediately started using my CPAP all night long. My Resmed myAir showed an average of 2 or less apneas per hour. Almost every day for the first week or so I felt like I had been walking through water the night before. It was almost like every muscle of my body just relaxed all at once. Is this normal?

Last Wednesday I caught a head cold. Being unable to breath through your nose makes using a mask with nasal pillows quite hard. As a result I had my first night without a CPAP. In the morning I felt emotionally exhausted. So much so that I called my PCP in tears asking for medication recommendations. Has anyone else experienced this?

Saturday night my head was was finally clear enough to use my CPAP again. This morning I again felt like I'd been walking through water the night before. Is this to be expected when I can't use my CPAP?

Oh, I have two more months to go before I can get a mask to cover my nose and mouth. During my fitting and orientation to my Resmed AirSense 10 AutoSet my first question of my respiratory therapist was when I could get a second "in case of sickness" mask. 60 more days to go before I can bring one home.

[zoocrewphoto]

I have an obvious difference between cpap nights and without cpap. I actually had a bad dream the night after my titration that I would have to wait 6 months to get my machine. My brain, even while asleep, knew that it really wanted that machine again.

As for the mask, contact your insurance company and ask them directly. Many equipment providers lie. Sometimes, they want to avoid the hassle. Sometimes to save money. Sometimes they just don't know and don't care. I didn't know those rules when I started. So, a month into my treatment, I asked how soon I could try another mask (didn't want to get rid of the first one, just try another style). They said I could get one right away.

[Blackbird3]

Thank you zoocrewphoto. I'll call my insurance provider in the morning. It just makes sense to have a second mask just in case something goes wrong.

[kteague]

Trying to understand your experience of feeling like you've been walking in water. Can you explain that to me maybe in a different way? Do your legs feel heavy or tired? If you have a copy of your sleep study reports, is there any mention of limb movements?

[Julie]

Hi - I realize you weren't necessarily being so literal (about water), but you also said you'd caught a cold and I wonder if you've got the humidifier on a high setting, because that can certainly cause congestion and cold symptoms unless you're in a dry environment. I wouldn't dare use mine at all now - humidity's way up anyway (with the heat here) and rarely use it even in winter it certainly isn't part of therapy, just a comfort thing.

The walking on water though - is it possible you accidentally cover the CO2 vent with bedding when asleep? Rebreathing CO2 can make you feel disoriented for a little while... not a great idea either!

[SewTired]

Blackbird, I'm on disability and chose to use my few funds to buy stuff rather than wait for Medicare to pay for it. There are as some less costly mask choices and cpap.com has a current coupon code for free shipping if you buy just $50 worth of stuff.

[Blackbird3]

This afternoon I spoke with a manager at the medical supply company I use. She helped me get a mask that covers both my nose and my mouth. Although it's a decent fit and not my idea of heaven, I will sleep better tonight with it.

Have you ever gone on a drive and let your hand dance on the wind out the window? If you do it for long enough, your hand and arm will feel strange when the car stops. It's a odd kind of feeling; moving in slow motion yet relaxed and a little bit weightless. That's how I've felt immediately after starting therapy.

I haven't accidentally covered my exhaust.