I can't wait to get my ASV!

[fireman38355]

Hi all,

I have just been diagnosed with Complex Sleep Apnea. My o2 sat was dropping to the mid 70's, and when my breathing stops, it seems to be for prolonged periods. The longest was recorded at 127 seconds, with most being in the 90 second range.

I have felt SO bad for SO long, that I cannot imagine what it will be like to finally get straightened out and feel "normal". What does "normal" feel like?

I don't know what brand of machine I am getting, they just told me it was the "Rolls Royce" of machines. It is an ASV and should be here sometime later this week. Nobody around here has one. Our hospital (where I did my sleep study) only has one, so there isn't a loaner available. The anticipation is killing me! I slept for one night on their machine and felt like a totally different person the next morning. (the feeling quickly wore off, but it was enough that I can now see a light at the end of the tunnel...... and it isn't a train!)

I have had unexplained health problems for YEARS! At one point I got down to about 100 pounds (I am 6'1" tall) and my doctors wrote me off because they could find no explanation for my persistant nausea. I am now wondering if my sleep apnea hasn't been the root cause of all of my problems. The last few months have been just awful. Mainly with my lack of mental focus and abilities. Things that have been "routine" for me for many years I now have to think about how to do them. I couldn't even remember my pastor's name last week. EMBARRASSING!!

Anyways, I am new here and just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and vent a little...... I am sure I will be around here alot in the months to come. I am reading and learning alot, but I am sure I will have questions once my machine gets here.


Jeff

[jdm2857]

I'd welcome you but there are entirely too many Jeffs on the site. You'll have to change your name and then come back.

[fireman38355]

Jeff D. Any better? lol

[elena88]

hey there,
wow are you in for a cool ride!

yes, all that crummy health stuff was probably perpetuated by your central sleep apnea..

geez louise you really spent more time not breathing that breathing there kiddo!


youre gonna be a new man soon! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..

(Oh, Im having a matrix moment like this happened before)

Dont feel bad, I forgot my husbands name when I was trying to introduce him to some folks..
He stepped in and saved me.. We have only been together twenty seven years, so you would think I would remember

Anyway, it sounds like you have a great machine coming.. when you find out what the heck it is, if its new, I bet you can download data, and have a
great time checking out your graphs.. and the answers to all these mysteries will be at your fingertips!


good luck, and congratulations on being diagnosed and getting your new ASV space ship!

[sleepycarol]

I think Jeff is just fine. As someone with a common name (at least in my generation) it sometimes pays to be anonymous.


Welcome. I hope that your machine gets here soon. Any questions, we are here to help.

[fireman38355]

Thanks for the welcome! My doctor sat me down and told me that I was getting this "wonderful" machine, and that he was certainly glad I had insurance..... LOL He said I was special, and that I get the nearly $7000 one with all the bells and whistles..... But that it was absolutely necessary and that insurance should pay for it completely. (WHEW!!!)


So glad to have insurance again! about 2 years ago I got distracted while operating a 30 ton hydraulic log splitter (splitting firewood) and decided to put my hand in the wrong place..... Yep, mashed 2 of my fingers completely off. And had no insurance to pay for any of it. GGRRRRRRR..... O well, they get it a little at a time. I will eventually get them paid off. I always tell my doc he'd better keep me alive and healthy if he expects to get paid! Cause if I die or can't work, nobody else is gonna pay him! LOL

Jeff D.

[Hospiceangel]

Welcome and we are glad you're here.
Pull up a chair and stay awhile. Let us know if we can help.
Start reading under the "Lightbulb" at the top of the forum and get ready to stretch those tired brain cells.
Shar:)

[unadog]

Congrats fireman! I am **very** happy for you!

Do you know which manufacturer the machine will be by? Resmed or Respironics?

Do you know your settings? Have you used CPAP (not ASV) before?

Some questions you have will be specific to ASV. You won't get as many responses to those, as it is less common. Other, more general questions,. you might want to post (or serach) without ASV in teh title. You will get a faster response.

Many of us have "crashed" our lives, as you indicated. Humbling.

does take a while to claw back memory, cognition, physical health, and self confidence. Not to mention relationships .... How long can you keep saying "I'm not really like this ..." when, really, you are now (or were)?

Congrats again. Welcome back from hell! Hope you make quick progress!

Best,
Michael

[fireman38355]

I am assuming that they are giving me the same machine that they used during testing at the hospital. If so, it is made my ResMed. For the first few weeks, the doc wants me to bring the data card to the clinic and swap with him weekly so he can monitor my progress and make any necessary adjustments. I have not seen the prescription, but I have to assume that he would use the same machine.

I can't wait. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. This has been a lifelong problem and I just didn't know it.

Thanks for the replies,

Jeff