False diagnosis

[Julie]

And consider the possibility that the mask they used was uncomfortable, not 'chosen' by you after trying on many (as you should get to do when you buy your own gear). They may have had it too tight (happens all the time), or just slapped on the wrong type for you (nasal pillows vs cushion, etc.) but that doesn't mean you're stuck with that otherwise. Give things a chance to work for you, but don't work against yourself.

[DreamStalker]

Ok my turn ... it does appear we all want you to be part of our gang.

Think of it this way. You can take the chance that you were falsely diagnosed ... but keep in mind ... like in Las Vegas, the house always wins in the long run.

So you have no symptoms at this time (you are winning) but as you play the roulette wheel of your health, you may get that unexpected stroke or heart attack. Then the ante goes up and you not only have to use "the machine" to live but you will have to use it along with the health complications of the stroke and/or heart attack.

At the very least, if you feel that you got a false diagnosis ... then go have another sleep lab study to see if you can confirm your own feelings ... better chances of winning.

Best of luck!

[Snooter]

snorer,

I feel a pretty much as you do. I seemed to sleep well, often existing on about 6 hour a night. My sleep study showed my min SaO2 was 90.6% and my mean was 96.6% not much different than my wake Sa02..

However, my blood pressure has been elevated and my girl friend would sometimes end up in the other room. So I don the mask. She hugs me as I fall asleep. And is there in the morning. I have adjusted to keeping things quiet.

snooter

[jules]

bump

[jda1000]

In May 2005, on a family trip to a graduation, my brother and I slept on the floor of my sister's apartment.

The second day there he said, "Dude, you sound like you're choking to death in your sleep."

"So? I was asleep - who cares?"

My mother overheard, and proceeded to nag for three and one-half years, which I thought accounted for my steadily rising blood pressure, steadily rising resting heart rate, the deep dark bags under my eyes, my irritability, my exhaustion, two failed relationships, falling asleep on I-5 in Seattle in the middle of the day (which is completely safe, as that freeway never moves anyway), and complete inability to reduce and manage my developing obesity.

While shopping for my fourth alarm clock - three were not enough to wake me - I ran into my physician and realized it was time for my semi-annual physical.

I mentioned at the physical I'd been feeling run down. He looked at my throat and sent me to the sleep lab.

I've got it. I have complete empathy for the recent posting about smashing a machine with a bat - but I feel better today than I have in a very long time.

My approach? Accept the treatment, reduce from 235 to 155 (at 213 now), eliminate caffeine from my diet, quit drinking except with dinner and before six, practice good sleep hygiene, and beat if I can. If not?

Tough. I'm 44 and alive; I've a few kin now gone that barely saw 40. They'd give anything to breath through a tube.

[Paul56]

I am still having trouble accepting the fact. My original complaint was snoring. I've been snoring ever since I can remember. The ENT suggested a sleep study. That is when I was told I have it. I still disagree... The machine is not something I can tolerate. I was just given a sleeping pill to aid with tolerating the mask and machine. First night I had it on all night. No change. I never complaine about being tired, still don't and never will. Why treat something that is not effecting me? Thanks for the comments.

Obtain a copy of your sleep study and post the summary results here where folks knowledgeable about reading sleep studies can give you a 2nd opinion.

Now, having said that... being in denial and having trouble accepting the results of a sleep study is common. For a long time I knew I had something going on... just did not know what.

I was diagnosed and immediately went into denial; however, despite that I still forged ahead with getting a machine and starting treatment. After a while I started feeling a whole lot better.

I feel I dodged a bullet given the history of heart issues in the family.

You don't complain about being tired, BUT... are you tired at times and just don't complain about it? There is a difference between not complaining about being tired and being tired.

Best of luck to you.