My First Post

[zsnoreking]

Hi Happy Hose Heads! This is my inaugural post here on cpaptalk. I was diagnosed with OSA about 5 years ago and was fitted with a cpap machine back then. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't seek a lot of support and thus I fell quickly into non compliance. Eventually giving my machine to GoodWill, if you can believe that! Anyway, in the last 5 years, I have felt worse and worse. I have gained weight. And my wife has finally gotten it into my thick skull that I'm going to die early if I don't do anything. I'm a procrastinator by nature but through her intervention, some friends on facebook who use cpap and scouring the internet for info and forums like this one, I have been moved to finally get back in the game. I went yesterday and picked up my new ResMed S9 along with the Opus 360 nasal pillow. I immediately took a 2 hour nap when I got home; however I didn't let the machine warm up first and I was so dried out! I had things sticking together up in there that I didn't even know existed! What a weird feeling that was! But anyway, I let it warm up before I went to sleep last night and bumped the humidifier setting up to 4, and got 6 glorious hours of sleep. The machines of today are one million times better than just 5 years ago! My main reasons for non-compliance before were the continuous pressure through the nasal pillow that gave me the sensation of sticking my head out of a car window and trying to inhale. Rainout. And the pillows irritating my nose. My prescription setting is 9, and I could not believe how easy it was to breath last night. Exhalation was a breeze! The machine was virtually noiseless, and the pillows felt feather light and too were virtually noiseless. You couldn't even tell the machine was on unless I put my hand in front of the exhaust from the mask! Amazing! In a nut shell, I'm ecstatic! Although I haven't posted here before, this site is a veritable wealth of information and support and I'm am truly thankful that I have found this place. I am looking so forward to feeling better and breaking this viscous cycle of not feeling like doing anything (ie: losing weight) due to being tired all of the time. Here's to all of our journeys!

[Mary Z]

Welcome to the forum. Glad to hear things are going so well for you right now. Kudos to your wife for keeping after you!

[SnoozyQ]

Welcome to the board and welcome BACK to CPAP!

Hope your nights continue to be glorious!

[Big S]

Welcome back into the game! You know, if you keep wearing this machine, your face is really going to look like your avatar!

[sleepycarol]

Welcome to the forum.

Yep, without this forum I wouldn't have the correct machine and a mask that works for me with least amount of trouble.

It is a shame that everyone starting in this journey isn't aware of the support that is available and all at a cost everyone can afford -- FREE!!!

No matter if it is to vent and cry and howl cause things are going badly to when things finally turn around and you are shouting for joy from the rooftops -- members are here for each other.

[rosiefrosie]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds as if you are off to a good start. Good luck on your cpap journey.

rosie

[scrapper]

Welcome back! This is a step in the right direction. We'd be glad to help and support.........and then you can do the same for the next bunch!

[Cindy Lou Who]

Welcome back
Wouldn't it be great if every Dr who prescribed XPAP told their patients about cpaptalk? Wishing you continued success and great sleep!
Cindy

[rested gal]

The machines of today are one million times better than just 5 years ago!

There's a lot about the new ones (and the masks, too) that sure can make it easier for many people.

The masks still have a ways to go... finding a mask comfortable enough (and leak proof enough) is still the #1 stumbling block for most people, imho.

Glad to hear that this time 'round, you're having such a good experience with the new stuff, zsnoreking!

Welcome to the forum.

Wouldn't it be great if every Dr who prescribed XPAP told their patients about cpaptalk?

Amen, Cindy!!