OSA THERAPY ROOKIE

[Skimmer]

Where [quote][/quote]do I start? They caught me by surprise, had no idea I had OSA, guess maybe I didn't fully understand what it was. I am an over the road Owner/Operator Truck Driver, went in for my semi annual physical and i filled out a questionaire and one of the questions was if i snored and i put down that my wife has accused me of it from time to time. The next thing you know i'm off to a sleep study. And here I am! Had trouble with the titration levels so I am starting out with a bipap machine set at 20/15. Got my machine today so tonight will be the inaugural run. I have been reading a lot of things on this forum the last couple of weeks and am glad there is a support system to lean on if need be. Being under federal guidelines I have to make this work or I will be out of business and i'm not ready to start another career. I am 56' 275lbs.,and 6 ft. tall, my AHI was 21.6 not sure how that stacks up. I'm not sure how to get my profile or equipment listed, so could use some help there. See ya around the forum!!

Skimmer

[Pugsy]

I'm not sure how to get my profile or equipment listed, so could use some help there.

Try going to the upper left corner where you should see user account control. Then go to your profile and click on the equipment tab to list your equipment. Text saves us from having to click on the icon (which is too small to see exactly which piece of equipment you have).

Welcome to the forum. My husband is over the road truck driver and so far he has avoided what you have gone through. He rarely snores and I haven't notice him gasping or stopping breathing but he is about your size and if that BMI law passes he won't have any choice but to get tested.

Good luck. Yep, you have to make it work. No slacking for you. They are going to be watching you like a hawk. It isn't easy but it isn't all that hard either.

[cflame1]

One more thing to get... pick up a copy of Encore Viewer and a card reader. This way you can prove your compliance at any point in time to whomever asks.

Yes you got a good machine.

[jweeks]

Skimmer,

Welcome to the forum. I have the same machine and the same pressure levels. My OSA was bad enough that I was no longer able to function--couldn't work, and driving was getting dangerous. The machine instantly did me a world of good, but even a year later, I am still recovering. When you have OSA, you can be in somewhat of a fog and not realize what it is doing to you. It kills brain cells and can damage your heart. It is good that your doctor followed up on this, and that you are getting 'on the hose'. Don't be discouraged if there is an adjustment period and some bumps along the road. I thought I ran into every problem possible, but in reading other postings, I think there are one or two that I somehow missed having.

Good luck! Please post back on how the first night goes.

-john-

[Skimmer]

The morning after report! Things went as well as expected, I was on the machine 6.9 hours although it seemed I was awake often. I had a few leaks when I changed positions but were easily corrected. I feel about the same as any recent morning but I know it will take time to realize significant changes. It may be coincidence, but I didn't have to get up for the 3am ritual trip to the bathroom. I think exhaling against the pressure has worked the diaphragm a little more than usual as I tend to feel a slight discomfort. All in all I think the first night went fairly well.

Skimmer

[Pugsy]

It may be coincidence, but I didn't have to get up for the 3am ritual trip to the bathroom

Probably not a coincidence. The first symptom that I saw a huge improvement on was the frequent bathroom trips.
It was immediate improvement, first night zero trips when I used to have at least 3.

Good job and yes the exhaling against the pressure might be working some muscles that haven't worked out in a long time. So a little soreness is not unusual.

[jweeks]

The morning after report! Things went as well as expected, I was on the machine 6.9 hours although it seemed I was awake often.

Skimmer,

Congrats...you lasted about twice as long as I did on my first night. Being awake often might be part of the adjustment. These is a lot of new stuff going on here. After a while, you will get the mask dialed in and be able to make small adjustments without even being aware of it.

The lack of a bathroom trip is an indicator of success. When you have OSA, you have periods of low blood oxygen. When that happens, your body wants you to wake up. One way it does that is by producing a chemical which happens to be the same chemical that tells you that you have to go to the bathroom. As a result, folks with untreated OSA get up and go to the bathroom a lot. I used to get up every 60 to 90 minutes. I haven't done that in nearly a year since becoming a 'hose head'.

-john-

[Birddog]

Good luck Skimmer on your therapy. Let us know how you're doing. i am a Truck Driver too,but a local under 300 mile dedicated run 3-4 days a week and home every night Company Driver.

I had my Physical last year and am on blood pressure & Cholesterol pills but active enough not to have any diabetes problems even though close to 300 lbs. I talked to alot of other drivers even competing companies about my upcoming physical and how i have been on Apap for over a year and had it under control and asked many drivers should i report something they can't see,and most had the don't tell atitude. My sleep doctor sees i keep so much documentation that she said come back in a year.My employer know i have it and keep it under control. But the Fedral motor carrier safety comission will be changing the physical requirements soon that if your BMI is i think over 35 they will recommend a sleep study. I have a year till i have next physical so i'll fess up next one and have doctors papers showing compliance. For drivers it is 4 hours on the machine 70% of the time which will be very lenient. I'm sure this will be my last 2 year certificate since the changes coming.