Thanks to ppl on this forum I am almost CPAP phobia free!

[Matty332]

Thanks to the kind people on this forum I am almost CPAP phobia free now. My AHI was 121.0 before treatment, and this morning I checked the info page and it said that I had 6 hours sleep with an AHI of 1.4. This is good I imagine?

Before I started this treatment, for some reason I thought that the CPAP would change who I was as a person and that I would not be able to continue University study as my cognitive functions wouldn't be up to par because the treatment might degrade it. But I have almost beaten this because although I am having a hard time getting used to the treatment - I still feel like me! Just better rested.

I see the CPAP now as atonement for my sins. My sins being - me letting myself get to 190kg's while working as an electrician by eating a really bad fast food diet (due to stress eating but there is no excuse). I developed OSA because of it. The CPAP is cancelling out the OSA whilst I lose weight back to 90kg. Remember news stories that America was the fattest nation on earth? Well now Australia has beaten it in that department according to news sources! We got most of the American fast food joints here and they were too popular and successful LOL.

Thanks again! Gotta stick with it..

[Sheriff Buford]

wow... your story is an inspiration to me... thanks, Sheriff

[tetragon]

What I found with university, is that after a few weeks with my machine, focussing on my assignments and readings is easier than it was before. I still can't stay awake through class, but at least the classwork gets done, and done better than before.

[DoriC]

Congrats Matty! My guess is that an AHI of 1.4 is pretty good! Your post is very inspiring so keep us updated.

[chunkyfrog]

More than likely, the obesity did not bring on your apnea; it was probably already there--but the obesity and the apnea feed one another.
It is good to see that you have the courage to tackle this challenge; and are SUCCEEDING!
WOOT, WOOT! (Americans sometimes say that, too)

[idamtnboy]

Thanks to the kind people on this forum I am almost CPAP phobia free now. My AHI was 121.0 before treatment, and this morning I checked the info page and it said that I had 6 hours sleep with an AHI of 1.4. This is good I imagine?

Good, just good? No way! It's way TERRIFIC!

[Janknitz]

Before I started this treatment, for some reason I thought that the CPAP would change who I was as a person and that I would not be able to continue University study as my cognitive functions wouldn't be up to par because the treatment might degrade it.

I'm curious why you thought that???? The entire idea of treatment is to make sure you are getting enough oxygen at night to improve your cognitive status and general health. Didn't anyone explain that to you?

I think that part of the reason so many people "fail" at adapting to CPAP is that they are never educated about it. After a sleep study they find a DME at their door delivering equipment they had no say in getting, told to strap it on and use it, and how to turn it on and off. That's it. People believee that it forces them to breathe and works like a ventilator, they don't know how to get comfortable with it. There is no acknowledgement of the panic issues (caused in some part by the OSA itself), the grief issues in dealing with this diagnosis, etc.

Now that you know what you know, you should give feedback to your doctors and other clinical staff that they need to be doing a better job of patient education so others don't avoid CPAP thinking as you did.

[chunkyfrog]

Or avoid the initial sleep study.
It's like avoiding a colonoscopy.
Fear of taking the first step can result in a lot more pain than anyone deserves.

[ARA]

Thanks to the kind people on this forum I am almost CPAP phobia free now. My AHI was 121.0 before treatment, and this morning I checked the info page and it said that I had 6 hours sleep with an AHI of 1.4. This is good I imagine?

Before I started this treatment, for some reason I thought that the CPAP would change who I was as a person and that I would not be able to continue University study as my cognitive functions wouldn't be up to par because the treatment might degrade it. But I have almost beaten this because although I am having a hard time getting used to the treatment - I still feel like me! Just better rested.

I see the CPAP now as atonement for my sins. My sins being - me letting myself get to 190kg's while working as an electrician by eating a really bad fast food diet (due to stress eating but there is no excuse). I developed OSA because of it. The CPAP is cancelling out the OSA whilst I lose weight back to 90kg. Remember news stories that America was the fattest nation on earth? Well now Australia has beaten it in that department according to news sources! We got most of the American fast food joints here and they were too popular and successful LOL.

Thanks again! Gotta stick with it..

Stick with it! I'm writing my doctoral dissertation, and am REALLY glad I started CPAP therapy a few weeks ago. Writing has been easier than it was several months ago. I still have days when I didn't sleep as well and can't concentrate well, but I have more days that are better with therapy. It also takes some adjustment. I'm in my third week and have gotten a different mask and hose, and had my pressure changed twice. It's about tweaking until you get it right. Keep it up!