New and Scared to Death of My Score!

[Laney]

Hi,

I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and my score of "events" was 70! My oxygen went down to 85%. I have been visiting threads and have never seen a score that bad! I am on the pillows now. My pressure is set at 12. Still yawning during the day, but I am only on my third day, so I am waiting. Can the CPAP even work with my level apnea?

Should I just prepare to die now? I am only 35! Sorry for the drama. I just don't understand all of this and really need some assurance.

[Dan01]

If you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the CPAP is the best solution IMHO. After a couple weeks you will feel a little better. You will never feel perfect (we are not God).

You will always have up and down days. I had 77 episodes an hour during REM. I don't know what the other levels are. I want to get copies of everything from my doctor.

Good luck with it, and keep in touch.

Dan

[BuffaloAl]

Hey Laney,

Don't be scared. It takes a little while to learn to sleep with a cpap. But soon you'll manage, with good sleep and good humor, just like the rest of us loonies here.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[Lost Snoozer]

You have the support of the other members of this board to help you out, try and find comfort in the help of others on the board.

My oxygen level hit a low of 54% with an score of 59-62. My doctor says this when you start turning blue.

Use you machine every time you sleep as it only takes one night to fall down again like I did. The OSA is always there and is only kept away by proper treatment.

Lost Snoozer, lost snoozes in the past and trying to find them in my future.

[DanishLass]

at all?

[Ann N.]

Hi Laney,
Yes, you do have severe OSA, but are still lucky. You are lucky to have been diagnosed with it this early in life. That is much better than suffering from it unknowingly for many years as many of us have. At least you now know that you have OSA, and so you are able to do something about it before it causes other health problems.

I also have severe OSA. During my initial study I clocked in with an AHI of 98 and with a SaO2 minimum of 60%. That is pretty bad, right? Well, I am happy to report that I am very comfortable with my BiPAP and Breeze with nasal pillows. So much so, that I often leave it all on while I watch TV for an hour or so before I get up in the morning, just in case I go back to sleep. My BiPAP has brought my AHI down to less than 2 with no oxygenation desats! Modern technology is doing its job, for which I am thankful. It is okay, I can live with it. And you will be able to adjust too.

I might note that I would prefer that I didn't need glasses, yet I am happy that glasses are available. That is just a fact of life, just like OSA. You will get into a routine with your treatment for OSA, and OSA will not be the center of your life if you don't let it be. Just get on with your life!! Enjoy a long and healthy life!!

Best wishes,

Ann

[AllShookUp]

Hey Laney
Don't prepare to die, prepare to start living again. That's what these machines can do for you if you use them. My minimum oxy was at 55% (probably why I woke up every morning with a headache). with avg sats of 86%. If you need a place to go for encouragement you have found it in these guys. They can and will help you. Ask anything somebody has either experienced it or will help you find answers. What a team!

[gailzee]

FIRST OF ALL!! DO NOT WORRY! This board will be very helpful to you as you adjust to your machine/nasal interface, etc. Lots of great folks, even humor.

You should live and not be worry about dying. I had o2's in the 70's and 144 episodes in 1 night, so you can see, we get the ''news'' and then onto cpap, apap, bipap, whatever machine/system will help you.

Hang in there, and let us know how you are doing ok?

GZ
4 mos. and counting.........................
Be patient with yourself, we are ''works in progress"!!quote="Laney"]Hi,

I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and my score of "events" was 70! My oxygen went down to 85%. I have been visiting threads and have never seen a score that bad! I am on the pillows now. My pressure is set at 12. Still yawning during the day, but I am only on my third day, so I am waiting. Can the CPAP even work with my level apnea?

Should I just prepare to die now? I am only 35! Sorry for the drama. I just don't understand all of this and really need some assurance.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP[/quote]

[glassgal]

Hi Laney & welcome to the board & to the society of the hose!

My AHI was 78 & my desats were under 60%. I believe that I had been undiagnosed for at least 15 years. You are fortunate that you caught it early and can begin treatment while young.

My AHI with my APAP is usually under 2 and I recently had an overnight pulse oximetry recorded and was above 90% all night. I know that it seems scary and annoying at first, but it is something that you just have to learn to live with, understand and help with your treatment. You will feel better once you are used to wearing all of the paraphernalia, and the problems that can result if you DON'T wear it are severe. At least you don't have to carry earplugs for any roommates now!

Keep reading on this and other forums as much as you have time for. Use the search function when you have specific questions (or ask the board). There is so much great information here for you -- so that you can learn and take an active role in your treatment (if you want to).

I started feeling better so gradually that I didn't even notice at first, but I when I paid attention, I noticed that I wasn't falling asleep at my desk at work, sleeping all weekend and I had much more energy. The brain fog was lifting and my brain just seems to work better now. There is still room for improvement, but I feel so much better already that it is worth the effort to remain compliant!

You can do it -- don't be scared -- just take the bull by the horns and learn as much as you can -- knowledge will make it much less scary!

[SleepyGuy]

Laney, my numbers were similar to yours. My AHI was 80 and my oxygen level was 85%. I look at the readout on my machine every morning and it is rarely above 5. The number of apneas is usually less than 1.

Do you have a machine that gives you a readout such as a 420e or Resmed Autoset Spirit? They're great for reassuring you that things are going well. Even if they are, it may be weeks before you feel better, so don't give up hope.

[nodding off]

Hi Laney,
We all die sooner or later, but I wouldn't let a little thing like OSA hasten the Grim Reaper's appearance. You are one of the lucky ones..You are aware of your condition and can now begin to treat it and resume a normal life. I was diagnosed 9 yrs ago, AHI 94, Oxygen saturation level down to 78%. I was always tired and had health issues. I struggled for years with my old equipment and still felt ok. After I found this and other forums I upgraded my stuff and now get a great night's sleep effortlessly. You are not alone in this, and there is a wealth of information out here, along with some wonderful people willing to share it. Certainly not what I had 9 years ago. Learn all you can about your condition and treatment options, fight for what is in your best interest, and become healthy and well rested! Take it from me, it's well worth the struggle!
Sweet Dreams!!

[divajojo]

Don't let it frighten you. Mine was 61 events per hour, the longest one was 73 second and my oxygen level got down to 66%. I'm currently on a BiPAP set at 17/13. I'm still struggling getting used to the equipment at such a high pressure, but since starting therapy in April, my NP is down to 120/80 with meds (I've been on meds since January and couldn't get it below 170/110) and I'm sleeping better.

It can be frightening in the beginning, but just be patient, take it a step at a time and you'll see progress.

[CpapResmed]

I was pretty worried also after talking to My Cardio Doc. I had 122 Episodes an Hour, with My 02 levels dipping to 60%. August will be 1 year on CPAP and it has been just short of a miracle for me. My Blood Pressure has been better as well.