Encouragement for Newbies

[ksilb]

Hi everyone...it's been a bit since I posted, have a full month and a few days under my belt and am feeling really good. I know there are ups and downs and have experienced some myself, but I'm hoping this post will help anyone who might be a bit discouraged with their treatment.

First I'd like to thank this forum's members who were kind in their responses to me when I first came online about a month ago. I knew nothing and had a steep learning curve. Much still to learn but boy do I feel better about understanding the treatment issues as well as the insurance and DME issues. All this information has made it very easy for me to be assertive in asking questions and demanding changes in billing etc. So far so good but I'm always on high alert...haha.

As for my treatment, I started with my sleep study AHI of 113.3...really? Wow, no wonder I was so tired. Who had time for sleep with that number! My AHI now is never over 4 and usually well below it. My more important AI fluctuates as most do and with hardly any obvious reason, but has been as low as 0.4 and as high as 2.4. I'm not complaining! The most important thing, I feel so good. I was having horrid problems with falling asleep at my job. No more...work my full 10 hours and never feel the need to close my eyes. And I've seen four movies from beginning to end at the theater without getting jabbed by whoever happens to be with me there and doesn't want me to embarrass myself by snoring! I don't love the feel of the equipment but I love that I have it and have not missed a night yet. Total compliance for me.

I did meet with the DME today and got a few new masks so those of you having mask problems, do be sure to persist until you get what feels good and works. You will stop using your machine and suffer all the consequences if you can't find a good interface. I started with the Mirage Micro. Worked ok but the last time I washed the cushion something happened and it never sealed well after that. My leak rate started climbing and actually hit 12 l/min. one night! Oddly the events didn't seem to be that bad but I also know from reading on here that the machine starts to give false apnea information when the leaks get high. That isn't the worst I've seen but it scared me. After that it went back down but in the past week I could see everything trending upward a bit. Last night for the first time I woke with a bit of a dry mouth and leak rate of 10.2 l/min. Not so bad and the best AI in a long time at 0.7. So today I decided to try new masks. Got the EasyLife nasal which seems much softer and hopefully less rigid around my nose. I also got a Swift FX and am hoping that it will hold up to my high pressures. I wouldn't have tried but for some encouraging posts here about pressures and pillows. And in case I'm starting to mouth breathe or for those congested times, I got a hybrid, the Liberty. I haven't had any of them on for long yet but I feel like a kid in a candy store with all these tasty new things to try.

So that's my story. Again I thank those who were kind in their responses to me earlier. The encouragement, to say nothing of the good advice and great information on this forum, is more than anyone could hope and what most everyone needs. There are a few of you out there who are so consistently upbeat and generous with your time and post replies that it is amazing. I hope you know who you are cause I'm talking to you! Thanks again from this beginner who feels so much more intelligent about this whole subject thanks to all of you. I'm sure that my beginning success would not have been as easy had it not been for you. Here's to more dream filled low apnea event nights

I wish you all a positive experience, the fortitude to remain with it if you are struggling, and in the end, the restorative peaceful sleep you deserve..