One Month on CPAP - Major Disappointment

[DoriC]

Do you have a good support system, family, friends? Is there anyone you can really talk to? You may be dealing with general depression/anxiety which may be making adjustment to cpap therapy more difficult. Have you ever had an overnight oximetry test to see where your 02 levels are?

[qmx]

This remark might not be legitimate but I'll give it a whirl. I am into cpap 7 weeks with great results. I use the Mirage Quattro full face mask. If I had to rely on air pressure delivered just through my nose, I would still be snoring like a dying hippopotamus. Are you sure your getting adequate air pressure delivery? Have you ever tried a full face mask? As I say, I am relatively new at this but have had such great results that I wanted to point out the advantage of the FF mask for me. I hope my questions aren't naive. Try to stick with it. Best of luck to you. DEAN

[Mozart22]

Do you have a good support system, family, friends? Is there anyone you can really talk to? You may be dealing with general depression/anxiety which may be making adjustment to cpap therapy more difficult. Have you ever had an overnight oximetry test to see where your 02 levels are?

My family and friends are supportive. Now, they don't know much about sleep apnea, they don't have it themselves (as far as they know at least). That's why I
came to this forum, because everyone here either has sleep apnea or is married to someone who has it. Also I'm not depressed, just real tired 90% of the time.
The only oximetry test I had was during my sleep study a couple months ago. I'm broke and uninsured so I have very little money to spend on more tests.
I've already paid out of pocket for blood tests, sleep study, APAP with mask, special pillow, etc. So for this apnea thing has cost me about $1,300 in total, which
is a lot when you're uninsured and can't work much due to fatigue. Maybe next year I can get a Zeo or something but for now I have almost no money left

[Mozart22]

This remark might not be legitimate but I'll give it a whirl. I am into cpap 7 weeks with great results. I use the Mirage Quattro full face mask. If I had to rely on air pressure delivered just through my nose, I would still be snoring like a dying hippopotamus. Are you sure your getting adequate air pressure delivery? Have you ever tried a full face mask? As I say, I am relatively new at this but have had such great results that I wanted to point out the advantage of the FF mask for me. I hope my questions aren't naive. Try to stick with it. Best of luck to you. DEAN

I like my nasal mask, and use both saline nasal spray and Breathe Right Extra strips. The Breathe Right Strips really help in keeping my nasal airway open
and I feel they make a positive difference, especially when my nose is a bit congested. According to SleepyHead my snoring is minimal and leaks are minimal.
I don't have any money left to buy a Quattro mask, especially since the mask I have now suits me well.

[cosmo]

You said you were 65lbs overweight on your other thread. Did you lose any of it yet?

[Sir NoddinOff]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I think you will be fine if you stick out your CPAP therapy. A couple of things make me believe you will succeed. One: You're obviously above average intelligence. Two: You seem determined. Three: You seem to have the discipline to set a therapy schedule and stick to it. Four: I sense an ability in you to find the necessary solutions. Five: You found this forum and communicate well.

Given these big pluses, I suspect your fatigue will fade away and your concentration will gradually improve. Thusly, your social life and sense of self worth will improve. I don't know your daily exercise or quality diet issues but I think you know the right thing to do in these areas. Good luck and let us know whats going on in your life.

[sleepnasta]

Don't rule out depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders. A lot
Of what you've said on this thread and on the previous point in that direction.

[JO'M]

CPAP is not a magic potion, like many medical treatments it takes time and people respond differently to the treatment. I think all of us would love it if we strapped on the mask for the first time and woke up the next day with unlimited energy. But that is not the reality for most of us. It takes time and effort. You need to acknowledge the successes of the treatment. 1 - you're waking up each morning breathing, 2 - you are not getting up in the middle of the night to pee. Two indications that it is working.

I figure it took a long time for my health to get to this place and it will take a while for things to rebound. Hang in there.

[idamtnboy]

Move to Canada and get their free health care.

You know, that actually may not be such a crazy idea. If a person is chronically ill and uninsured and is in a situation where changing jobs is feasible, moving to Canada on a temporary basis may just provide the avenue for determining what is required to overcome health problems.

Sad when a US citizen may need to look outside the US for proper medical care because of financial constraints.

[RogerSC]

Move to Canada and get their free health care.

You know, that actually may not be such a crazy idea. If a person is chronically ill and uninsured and is in a situation where changing jobs is feasible, moving to Canada on a temporary basis may just provide the avenue for determining what is required to overcome health problems.

Sad when a US citizen may need to look outside the US for proper medical care because of financial constraints.

I'd be interested to hear if you can make that one work...I've looked into moving to Canada, and they pretty clearly don't want me, I don't have enough money to meet their criteria without stretching things thinner than would be comfortable. They might want you, but it takes a while to get to the point where you can get the medical care that a citizen would get, even if you can emigrate.

Good thought, though. Given the condition of our government for the last 12 years, I gave some thought to seeking political asylum in Canada, starting from when George Bush was elected. However, according to what I've read, they don't allow that if you come from the US.

[Papit]

You said you were 65lbs overweight on your other thread. Did you lose any of it yet?

And you indicated that you're not getting any regulare,significant exercise.

Mozart, Mozart, Mozart. It's time to get serious.

Also, if you must, consider Canada, but first loose the 65 lbs, all of them, and walk 1 to 2 miles every single day, rain or shine.

[49er]

You said you were 65lbs overweight on your other thread. Did you lose any of it yet?

And you indicated that you're not getting any regulare,significant exercise.

Mozart, Mozart, Mozart. It's time to get serious.

Also, if you must, consider Canada, but first loose the 65 lbs, all of them, and walk 1 to 2 miles every single day, rain or shine.

Totally agree with the advice on exercise as one who is finding it quite beneficial.

Mozart, since you tapered off of Paxil, you might like this article about a guy who came off Benzos who found walking very helpful as far as his brain fog. And you will notice that he mentioned having a big struggle for the 1st 15 minutes and then would suddenly gain alot of energy.

http://www.madinamerica.com/2013/01/walking/

49er

[Guest]

IYAM, I think you need to find out just exactly what you're trying to fix. You keep alternating between "tired" and "fatigue". Tired is a sleep problem, fatigue comes from other stuff.

Further, "tired" does not automatically mean OSA. It means insufficient sleep (either quantity or quality).

[jtmarten]

Really doesn't sound like your initial problem was apnea. Many people with severe apnea work full time, raise kids, go to school, work a 2nd job, etc. They may be tired, but are still functional.

If you can't work 20hrs/wk, and your AHI is <5, something beyond apnea is going on.

[JO'M]

Move to Canada and get their free health care.

You know, that actually may not be such a crazy idea. If a person is chronically ill and uninsured and is in a situation where changing jobs is feasible, moving to Canada on a temporary basis may just provide the avenue for determining what is required to overcome health problems.

Sad when a US citizen may need to look outside the US for proper medical care because of financial constraints.

Ahhh no, you can't just randomly decide to emigrate to Canada. Especially, if you are seeking "free" healthcare. We have immigration policies, just like the US does.

And our healthcare is not free. I pay for my provincial healthplan, through my taxes and my supplemental insurance through my employer. Our healthcare is universal. There is a difference.