POLL: Why are you here?

[Runny]

I am here, once again after being fine for several years, because my sinus problems finally turned into the most terrible headache ever--but only on the right side of my head. That's the side I usually sleep on. Sleep doc was out of town. ENT was too busy to even call me back, because his partner was out of town. My family practice physician saw me, took x-rays of my sinuses that showed no infection, and then prescribed a course of prednisone. He said he thinks I am not getting enough air. This is the second course of prednisone I've had within the past 10 months. Last March I awakened on a Sunday morning with uvulitis, something I had never even heard of until that day! A PA in the local ER diagnosed it and treated it with prednisone. Had a follow-up with my ENT, and I've been on Astepro and/or Rhinocort nasal sprays ever since then. It finally got to the point where I could not even get through my yoga class without blowing my nose every 5 minutes--and then there were those sneezing fits! I gradually weaned myself from the nasal sprays; but, then, WHAM! Mega-headache! I've raised my CPAP pressure up to 9 (from the 8 recommended 5 years ago), and that does seem to help a little. But the prednisone course is almost over, and I am still having symptoms. My spouse is so worried about my degenerating health over the past 5 years that he wants me to have a CT scan or MRI or some other diagnostics to see if I might have a fungal infection or some other weird thing. I was CPAP compliant when all this started. Yes, I gained weight since 5 years ago. It appears from looking at my records that I am about 12 lbs. heavier than I was back then. I keep trying to lose weight, but as many of you know, this is a vicious cycle. The more tired I feel, the more hungry I think I am! At least I went back to the gym this morning. I could not even do that last week with the headache. I retired last July, mainly due to health issues surround this metabolic syndrome. Without the long hours and long commute, I can at least find time to work out in the morning now. The recent horrible headache issue is really bringing me down. Any similar stories out there? Any suggestions?

[jbn3boys]

I am here, once again after being fine for several years, because my sinus problems finally turned into the most terrible headache ever--but only on the right side of my head. That's the side I usually sleep on. Sleep doc was out of town. ENT was too busy to even call me back, because his partner was out of town. My family practice physician saw me, took x-rays of my sinuses that showed no infection, and then prescribed a course of prednisone. He said he thinks I am not getting enough air. This is the second course of prednisone I've had within the past 10 months. Last March I awakened on a Sunday morning with uvulitis, something I had never even heard of until that day! A PA in the local ER diagnosed it and treated it with prednisone. Had a follow-up with my ENT, and I've been on Astepro and/or Rhinocort nasal sprays ever since then. It finally got to the point where I could not even get through my yoga class without blowing my nose every 5 minutes--and then there were those sneezing fits! I gradually weaned myself from the nasal sprays; but, then, WHAM! Mega-headache! I've raised my CPAP pressure up to 9 (from the 8 recommended 5 years ago), and that does seem to help a little. But the prednisone course is almost over, and I am still having symptoms. My spouse is so worried about my degenerating health over the past 5 years that he wants me to have a CT scan or MRI or some other diagnostics to see if I might have a fungal infection or some other weird thing. I was CPAP compliant when all this started. Yes, I gained weight since 5 years ago. It appears from looking at my records that I am about 12 lbs. heavier than I was back then. I keep trying to lose weight, but as many of you know, this is a vicious cycle. The more tired I feel, the more hungry I think I am! At least I went back to the gym this morning. I could not even do that last week with the headache. I retired last July, mainly due to health issues surround this metabolic syndrome. Without the long hours and long commute, I can at least find time to work out in the morning now. The recent horrible headache issue is really bringing me down. Any similar stories out there? Any suggestions?

Welcome, Runny. That is quite the story. I think you would be best served by posting it as it's own post, rather than a reply to a poll. Not many people will likely see it here, but if you post it as it's own subject, you may attract many people who can offer words of wisdom and encouragement.

[BigBear]

I'm here as i needed to know more about what was happening to me, alltough the NHS over here are very good, not everything is in English! i found this foum after 2 days of being on the cpap and found the info a god send!. people who were on the same wave length and going through the same as me
I changed my mask to fit my style of sleeping...heavy roller and fidget allot.
I have since been reading more and more and found that everyones personal experience to be helpful in different ways and i am adapting to away best suited to me from everyone else.
I hope to learn from this forums and intend to stay around!

[OceanGoingGal]

I came to get advice and learn more about this illness we live with. I found a great bunch of helpful, friendly people. I like it here and come in to read and enjoy.

Laura

[Patrick A]

I refuse to answer under the grounds of the 5th amendment, anything I say can or may incriminate me.

[ResMedUser]

I am here to get reacquainted with current OSA gear as mine broke recently. And I am having to start all over again with new gear. I have been doing well until December and was not keeping up with OSA gear changes and trends...when you are feeling well the last place I want to hand out on is a medical Internet forum. But when I am not feeling well I find I start posting at boards like these to gather intel so I can hopefully make better decisions gear wise.

For the first year and a half of my treatment I kept up with all the gear and the companies that made the gear, new gear, etc. After about a year and a half I got employed and was doing good and did not have the time nor motivation to do the Internet message board thing anymore.

My goal is to be back where I was in early December or November 2010 by March or early April at the latest and then you probably wont see me anymore after that. I am also buying a backup machine this time.

Mikey

[BernieRay]

I originally lurked some last summer, as I was contemplating a new machine and found the forum via google. My first one had been working for 13 years at the time. I was very interested in the S9, but work got busy, so I set it aside. Well, that well-used machine had had enough in November and retired itself, so I came back just to see if the perception of the S9 was still good overall. I was also interested in the data capability, so the info on the software has been helpful.

I'm still around because I'm not too old to learn new things and even a blind squirrel can help another blind squirrel every once in a while.

[Slinky]

Love you sense of humor, BernieRay. Glad to have you come out of the woodwork and post. So I take it you got an S9 to replace "old faithful" last November? The S9 Elite or S9 AutoSet? Have you gotten the ResScan software downloaded and used it yet?

[JohnBFisher]

How about the following?

I want to "pay it forward" and help others struggling with similar issues.

I went through hell (and it the process seriously damaged my health) to get a proper diagnosis and therapy for my central sleep apnea. I want to do what I can to help others avoid similar problems. If I can help others it can make my own situation a little more bearable.

[jbn3boys]

I went through hell (and it the process seriously damaged my health) to get a proper diagnosis and therapy for my central sleep apnea. I want to do what I can to help others avoid similar problems. If I can help others it can make my own situation a little more bearable.

I know you've helped me, John! I just wish this road were shorter (to finding the real answer for my situation).

[BernieRay]

Love you sense of humor, BernieRay. Glad to have you come out of the woodwork and post. So I take it you got an S9 to replace "old faithful" last November? The S9 Elite or S9 AutoSet? Have you gotten the ResScan software downloaded and used it yet?

Thanks, Slinky. I insisted on the AutoSet and I actually had the software (and an Rx for it) a few hours before I picked up the S9.

[Slinky]

Hey, hey, then you are READY to ROCK, BernieRay!!

[SleepyGramps]

Why Am I Here? After 25 years of CPAPing, I need to buy my fourth CPAP machine. Past CPAP purchases have simply been what my CPAP dealer wanted to sell to me. I'd like to make a more informed purchase this time. But where are the reviews? Are they buried somewhere in these 1822 pages of cpaptalk?

[chunkyfrog]

The easiest route would be to visit our host site, cpap.com.,
and check out the reviews. (They even print the negative ones)

[GettingBetter]

My AHI was 134.8 in my sleep study; no typo it was 134.8. I have cardiomyopathy/early stages of chf. I VOTED OTHER - I don't want to die.

I look at the forum with the same attitude of an old joke.

The story goes that two twin boys had very opposite personalities. One was a irascible pessimist. Everything that kid heard, saw, tasted or felt was too loud, too ugly, too bitter or too uncomfortable. Nothing pleased him and he let everyone know in angry tones and vicious comments. The other twin brother was a flaming optimist. He absolutely beamed with positive thoughts and energy about everything.

The twins father took the boys to a psychologist who wanted to test them. The pessimistic twin was shown a room full of toys. "All these are for you," he was told. The Pessimist started crying and stomping his feet. "These will only break and get dirty and old! Why did you give them to me!" the twin cried. Shaken, but not stirred, the psychologist took the optimistic twin to a room filled the ceiling with horse manure. The optimistic twin broke into the widest grin and peels of laughter - "Well, let's get to digging!" he cheered, "there's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"

I need to find some ponies. 134.8 is no good. I would take my kids to school, drive home, put the car in park and fall asleep with the motor running. I fell asleep and exhibited some irregular breathing / stopping completely in an MRI machine. I've been using a Eson mask and F&P Icon auto for two weeks. Yesterday's numbers were 2.34. I've taped my mouth and endured the chapped lips until I trained myself to press my tongue to the roof of my mouth and create a seal at night. I can sleep a good 7 and 1/2 hrs with the mask comfortably. I learned I wasn't taking my evening coreg at the right time and after having ahi in the 50's during the first week, I started see some nicer numbers. I can tell when I wake up if it was a good night.

There are ponies here, if you can ignore the whining pessimists and keep digging.