Thank you from a newbie to CPAPtalk regulars

[Java Time]

I'd like to thank those of you who answer questions on this site and help all of us new folks.

After visiting for a couple of months, I finally registered today.

I had pillar treatment about 6 years ago (without a sleep study) for snoring and supposedly could help with apnea (it was recommended I have a sleep study first, but I foolishly didn't). I wasn't diagnosed with apnea back then (probably my fault - see sleep study comment), but the pillar didn't seem to do anything for me.

I started waking up feeling like I couldn't breathe in August of 2010. After several doctor's appointments pursuing sinus infections, allergies, sinus surgery and acid reflux, I finally was sent for a sleep study.

The sleep study showed an AHI of 70 with average duration of 28 seconds and oxygen levels occasionally dropping to 86%. Oxygen levels dropping more than 3%, more than once per minute. As I'm sure you can guess, I have now joined the CPAP community.

Prior to getting the testing and the equipment I started surfing this site for info. MANY of you have provided helpful information that I used to adjust to the various new user issues.

I definitely don't have it all figured out yet, but my AHI has dropped significantly and continues to improve. Most important to me personally, I am no longer afraid to go to sleep due to the fear that I'll wake up feeling like I can't breathe. The CPAP machine has definitely given me the confidence to go to sleep.

I've seen a lot of posts on "how long does it take to feel better". For me, the first two nights I started to feel better than without CPAP. After a month I can tell I'm slowly improving. I'm not sure how much I'll eventually improve, but it does feel like I am gradually catching up on my sleep.

THANK YOU to all of you "regulars" who answer questions. Even as an unregistered visitor, I have benefited greatly from your knowledge during my first several weeks of CPAP.

[Lizistired]

Welcome to the club Java Time!

[ameriken]

The very best thank you is to pay it forward. Spend some time here and share your experiences. Even as a newbie, by sharing what you are going through can be a comfort, encouragement, and help to other people in the same shoes.

Welcome aboard and good luck!

[bdp522]

I'm with Ken, Pay it Forward whenever you can!

Brenda

[Gaga58]

From one newbie lurker to another...welcome!! I've been here since July, and like you, can't say enough how thankful I am for the folks here and all their advice! This has to be the most informative and helpful site on cpap therapy and it's trials out there...I think this site and it's web address ought to be posted in every sleep clinic in the nation and around the world!! Good luck to you!