Intro to Lynn

[Kairosgrammy]

Well, I figured if people want to know me, at least from a sleep standpoint, I should introduce myself and give a bit of history so here goes.

I just turned 60. Yikes, how scary is that?! I have one daughter and two grandchildren who I adore. I've been so tired lately that my time with them has been limited. Hopefully that is straightened out. I'm a school based speech pathologist and love it.

My journey with sleep apnea doesn't actually begin with me. My brother was diagnosed in the mid 90s with sleep apnea, severe, severe sleep apnea. He could no longer drive because he would fall asleep, he was having multiple health problems and he pretty much had all of us scared silly. His lips were even blue from lack of oxygen. Finally, we had a family intervention of sorts and he went to the ER, found out he was in congestive heart failure and that the doctor suspected sleep apnea was part of the cause. They started him on bipap before he was even officially diagnosed. He died two years ago but I'm convinced that had he been diagnosed and treated much earlier, he might still be alive. Years of no sleep and oxygen deprivation just did too much damage. But because he was diagnosed, I think he lived a lot longer than he would have and those years were definitely a gift from God.

A few years later, my sister was also diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. About that that time, I was starting to have some symptoms, tired even after sleeping a full night, groggy and muddle-headed etc. My family said, Lynn, go ahead and take care of this and I did after awhile. I'm nothing if not stubborn, wouldn't even really admit to snoring, LOL. Found out that indeed I did have sleep apnea although mild. The doctor said that I did fine the first part of the night but as the night progressed, I became more and more apnic. So I was started on CPAP and felt a lot better. Strangely though, when I thought I might have sleep apnea, I wasn't horribly bothered but when I found out I really was, I was terrified. I'm pretty sure that not breathing for periods of time is not really good for your health.

Well as the years have gone by, my weight problems have gotten a lot worse and two and 1/2 years ago, I was hit by a tornado in the middle of the night. I've always had insomnia off and on but after that, sleeping became very difficult. I guess I was afraid to sleep. After my brother died, sleeping became even more difficult and so I finally talked to my doctor. He started me on zoloft and ambien.

Still, I've felt run down and groggy, I'd sleep 8 and 9 hours and still felt groggy, y'all know the drill. So when I went for a check up with my family doc, he asked me how the sleeping was going (he knows this is a big problem with me) and I told him I was feeling run down and tired. He then says, well, how long has it been since you had a sleep study (strange how people's views change, when I asked for the first study, he was like sure, it can't hurt. Don't know why they don't sell them over the counter) and I think it was in the early 2000s. My setting on the cpap was 7 so not very high.

He said, let's do another and he sent me locally for a sleep study while also doing some blood work to rule out other problems. The results of the sleep study were horrifying to be honest. The doctor sat down and explained in much more detail than my first study. My oxygen levels were dropping down to 80% on current settings and even when they got me up to 10, my oxygen levels would drop down to 80% again when I was on my back. Of course, there were those moments of not breathing. He said I woke up enough that if he walked in the room, he could strike up a conversation with me. And that was on CPAP. Weird that you don't remember most of that!

Well, long story short, I was given a new cpap (Respironics One) since my old one didn't have the sd card (set at 12) and a sorta new style mask (Resmed Swift FX) that I love, so much less bulky than even the Resmed Mirage nasal prong thing I had before. I've even learned more. I've been on a youtube binge and was watching some videos on sleep apnea.

One video talked about two major problems that keep people from being compliant which was mask and nasal congestion. I'm always sinusy, particularly at night. Said to increase humidity and I did a couple of nights ago. Didn't even have to blow my nose the next morning.They are right about the mask too. When I first started using cpap years ago, I almost gave up on it because the mask I got initially freaked me out nightly (It was one that covered the nose). At the end of 3 weeks, I was more tired than I had been with no cpap. The last night I used the nose thing, I threw it against the wall in utter frustration, turned and went to sleep without the durned cpap. Next day, went back to medical supply place where I got my cpap and told the respiratory therapist the problems I was having. She gave me the resmed mirage something or other but it was the nasal pillows style and it was a lifesaver. I guess I am just too claustophobic to ever use the nose or full face styles. I do have to use a chin strap now though. Maybe not for much longer though since I seem to have solved my nasal congestion problems.

Well, that's me. It will be nice getting to know y'all. Hope I can help some of the new folks just starting on the road to recovery and even learn more myself.

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum. I will be turning 60 myself in May. Geez...my mind is having a tough time with that one. I have one daughter and a grandson. Doubt there will be any more grandchildren.

When you have time can you add your equipment to your profile like I have showing in mine?
Here's how if you don't knowwiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile
Hopefully you have full data available on that SD card and not just hours of use. Check my signature line for SleepyHead information and also your software choices if your machine is a full data machine.

I also use the PR System One machine. Great machine. I also use the Swift FX mask...as close to nothing on my face I can get.

Lots of really nice people here to help you or just be friends with. We are always glad to have a new face to chat with.

[wildman 2]

Welcome
I too will be tuning 60 in May. Since I am only one month into the CPAP journey I don't have many of the answers you will be seeking. You are in the right place however! The folks here have a wealth of information and experience. they are very willing to help out us Newbies! Just read as much as you can, and ask the questions you need answers for. Good luck in your journey.
Know His Peace,
Bob

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

Kairosgrammy,

Welcome to our little world!

I found your story very interesting and moving. The transition that we all seem to go through in our OSA journey, though varied, is also so similar as well. I am sorry that therapy was not enough to save your brother. It is a wake-up call to all of us who have OSA or know others who have it. The signs are always there if we look through honest eyes that are not too over-shadowed with fear and denial. Never give up...

Glad to hear your therapy is on the right track. I always have to remind myself that there will be ups and downs, good nights and bad nights, but as long as I am able to wake up and take the mask off of my face each morning, my therapy is working and I am blessed!

I look forward to you sharing more of your experiences/insights. This is a wonderful place with helpful, caring, and understanding people.

John

[idamtnboy]

I will be turning 60 myself in May. Geez...my mind is having a tough time with that one.

Don't fret, it's a good life!

It's been said in the past few years the new 60 is the old 40. Today's 60 year olds are as active and healthy as 40 year olds were several decades ago. I'm 67, which I can hardly believe, and still going (fairly) strong!

[JohnBFisher]

Thanks for sharing your experience. The fact that it was not an immediate "Godsend" is important for people to know. It usually takes a while to make things work. It takes some effort. But as you've noted, you can usually make it work. Getting the mask and humidity right is probably nine tenths of the problems.

What I can say is that as frustrating as it might seem to be - needing to use a machine to breathe at night - I can tell you from long, long experience (more than 20 years at this point) that you will adjust to it. And it will help you feel better and accomplish more. Might not make you feel as if you are 20 again. But it will keep you from feeling as if you were 120.

And yes, untreated the sleep apnea is VERY bad for your body. It often leads to an increased risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks, and even kidney disease (due to that high blood pressure). It really does adversely impact your health.

[amos]

Oh, to be so young and only 60 again!

amos

[chunkyfrog]

Ditto.

[Kairosgrammy]

LOL, I probably couldn't afford more than 2 grandchildren. Not that I spoil them rotten or anything.

Welcome to the forum. I will be turning 60 myself in May. Geez...my mind is having a tough time with that one. I have one daughter and a grandson. Doubt there will be any more grandchildren.

When you have time can you add your equipment to your profile like I have showing in mine?
Here's how if you don't knowwiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile
Hopefully you have full data available on that SD card and not just hours of use. Check my signature line for SleepyHead information and also your software choices if your machine is a full data machine.

I also use the PR System One machine. Great machine. I also use the Swift FX mask...as close to nothing on my face I can get.

Lots of really nice people here to help you or just be friends with. We are always glad to have a new face to chat with.

[Kairosgrammy]

Thanks all for the warm welcomes. Love y'all that talked about to be young and 60 again. So I can take it that those of you that said that (or ditto) are over 60 Actually, the lovely thing about cpap is that someday, a new user will come on and say they are about to turn 60 and I can say the same because I'm still alive because I used my cpap!

[Kairosgrammy]

Well, I'm actually posting to you to see whether my profile efforts worked.

Welcome to the forum. I will be turning 60 myself in May. Geez...my mind is having a tough time with that one. I have one daughter and a grandson. Doubt there will be any more grandchildren.

When you have time can you add your equipment to your profile like I have showing in mine?
Here's how if you don't knowwiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile
Hopefully you have full data available on that SD card and not just hours of use. Check my signature line for SleepyHead information and also your software choices if your machine is a full data machine.

I also use the PR System One machine. Great machine. I also use the Swift FX mask...as close to nothing on my face I can get.

Lots of really nice people here to help you or just be friends with. We are always glad to have a new face to chat with.

[Emilia]

Go up to the User Control Panel (under search, top left) and then to your Profile and then Edit Equipment. Choose your gear from the pull down menus and the choose to show those in TEXT, not pictures. Be sure to click Submit when done! This will put your equipment at the bottom of every post your write automatically, like mine below.

[Pugsy]

I see your equipment listed now.

The PR System One Remstar Plus CPAP with CFlex does have a SD card..unfortunately the only data it gathers is hours of use. How many hours a night you use the machine so that the DME can prove to your insurance company the machine is being use.

I wouldn't want this machine. It can't even let you know if you are leaking bad enough to impact therapy.
Flying blind. If you run into any problems...no way to try to figure out what it might be..except maybe get another sleep study. DME doesn't care if you spend lots of money on a sleep study..they make an extra $50 or so by giving you a machine that is cheaper.

Please read this blog from one of our forum members. It explains your options when you realize you have a dataless machine. Scroll down the page just a little till you see "Help, I am stuck with a brick"
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

[Kairosgrammy]

Not so. Give AHI, leakage etc. Perhaps I picked the wrong machine. I know mine has c-flex and its a respironics system one.

I see your equipment listed now.

The PR System One Remstar Plus CPAP with CFlex does have a SD card..unfortunately the only data it gathers is hours of use. How many hours a night you use the machine so that the DME can prove to your insurance company the machine is being use.

I wouldn't want this machine. It can't even let you know if you are leaking bad enough to impact therapy.
Flying blind. If you run into any problems...no way to try to figure out what it might be..except maybe get another sleep study. DME doesn't care if you spend lots of money on a sleep study..they make an extra $50 or so by giving you a machine that is cheaper.

Please read this blog from one of our forum members. It explains your options when you realize you have a dataless machine. Scroll down the page just a little till you see "Help, I am stuck with a brick"
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

[Kairosgrammy]

I boo booed. I've updated. It's system one pro with c-flex.

I see your equipment listed now.

The PR System One Remstar Plus CPAP with CFlex does have a SD card..unfortunately the only data it gathers is hours of use. How many hours a night you use the machine so that the DME can prove to your insurance company the machine is being use.

I wouldn't want this machine. It can't even let you know if you are leaking bad enough to impact therapy.
Flying blind. If you run into any problems...no way to try to figure out what it might be..except maybe get another sleep study. DME doesn't care if you spend lots of money on a sleep study..they make an extra $50 or so by giving you a machine that is cheaper.

Please read this blog from one of our forum members. It explains your options when you realize you have a dataless machine. Scroll down the page just a little till you see "Help, I am stuck with a brick"
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/