Brand new at 5 nights in

[Tallnap]

Hey y'all, I'm emotional already writing this. I've just finished reading the reposted article that idamtnboy, a member from Idaho, has on this forum. It was really helpful. I'm definitely bouncing around in the stages of grief about this change In my life. In some ways I have acceptance of the machine cause my husband has to use one. But it's kind of like "it's fine for him, but not for me!". I'm sure I'll get over this initial shock, and I'm hopeful that this will be the solution because I don't want to continue to feel like I was. Could fall asleep at any time, confused thinking, headaches in the morning, dragging myself through the day...and I teach high school! My husband is helpfull and supportive, but I hope to find some added support here from all of you. So glad I found you.

[DreamStalker]

Sounds to me like you already have an easy path to the fountain of youth ... at least that's what I call it.

[qmx]

Dear, Dear Tallnap, Don't be discouraged. You simply will not believe the positive changes in your health and your life when you get onto cpap. I have been so helped by cpap (on it about 2 months now), that I am literally excited to go to bed at night. Stay with it ... work through any problems ... and stay in touch with this forum for guidance. It's not a negative thing ... It's POSITIVE !! Best of luck. DEAN

[jweeks]

Hi,

Here are a few thoughts that I hope are comforting:

- Your husband is probably worried about you. The better you do with CPAP, the more relieved he is going to feel. He might be secretly terrified at what might happen if your treatment doesn't work. Your best gift to him is to do what you can to make it work.

- People that you know and work with are probably worried, too. For example, they might be worried about how you are doing at work, about you driving, or about your future. They are going to be very relieved when they see you doing better.

- Many people get a renewed sense of optimism about life. That leads some people to really blossom. I know that I have had the best years of my life since starting on CPAP. You might discover whole new aspects of yourself that you didn't know existed, or had long since forgotten existed.

- Many people get a boost in energy levels once their sleep disorder is treated. For me, I went from couch potato who often watched 2 movies a day on TV to someone very interested in outside activities. I have lost 153 lbs in the process, and am looking forward to running a marathon this fall. You might end up being able to focus this energy on something that is just as life changing.

The possibilities are limitless. A sleep disorder makes your brain a little numb, and that makes it harder to really get going with CPAP, it makes it harder to problem solve when issues come up, and it steals your optimism so you don't feel as much of a drive to beat the issue. When you get past this mental fog, life can get a lot more interesting. That is the best gift that you can give to yourself. You deserve it.

-john-

[qmx]

SO WELL SAID JWEEKS (JOHN) !! DEAN :^)

[Sleepy Pilot]

Hey, 5 nights too! John is right. You are doing the right thing. Please continue with your treatment. It is a very tough thing to accept. I knew that i owe it to my myself, my wife and my passengers. So, when I made the decision, I cried, then walked into my directors office and turned in my wings. I turned in my dream job. But I knew I had to. I realized my quality of life was more important than any job. Even if I can never fly again, I have faith that my new life with CPAP will be so much better than before. I am truly excited to see wear I go with my brain so clear. We can do this!

[qmx]

Hey, 5 nights too! John is right. You are doing the right thing. Please continue with your treatment. It is a very tough thing to accept. I knew that i owe it to my myself, my wife and my passengers. So, when I made the decision, I cried, then walked into my directors office and turned in my wings. I turned in my dream job. But I knew I had to. I realized my quality of life was more important than any job. Even if I can never fly again, I have faith that my new life with CPAP will be so much better than before. I am truly excited to see wear I go with my brain so clear. We can do this!

Sleepy Pilot, Just a curious question. Did you have to quit flying? I know that commercial truck drivers just have to show evidence of successful cpap treatment. I've been flying an ultralight for 17 years ... got drowsy doing anything else ... but never when flying. I've been on cpap for just 2 months. It's been absolutely life-changing for me. Just curious about YOUR situation. DEAN

[RestedRebel]

Hey y'all, I'm emotional already writing this. I've just finished reading the reposted article that idamtnboy, a member from Idaho, has on this forum. It was really helpful. I'm definitely bouncing around in the stages of grief about this change In my life. In some ways I have acceptance of the machine cause my husband has to use one. But it's kind of like "it's fine for him, but not for me!". I'm sure I'll get over this initial shock, and I'm hopeful that this will be the solution because I don't want to continue to feel like I was. Could fall asleep at any time, confused thinking, headaches in the morning, dragging myself through the day...and I teach high school! My husband is helpfull and supportive, but I hope to find some added support here from all of you. So glad I found you.

Here's my thinking on the subject. I started using my machine almost a month ago, so I still consider myself a newbie. From the very beginning, I've felt reborn into a new life. Instead of feeling 61, I feel 41 now because I'm just bursting with energy. I've already started dropping weight, and I'm getting tested to join our local hospital's weight loss plan so that I can lose even more weight. I'm going to check with my doctor about stopping my anti-depressants because I don't need them anymore. I was depressed because I wasn't feeling well, had no energy, and was tired all the time, which made me feel as though I wasn't in control of my life. Now, I'm back in control of my life, and I LOVE it!

In addition to my weight loss plan, I'll start exercising again once I get the okay to do so (The early part of this weight loss plan once I start it, won't allow me to exercise for about 6 weeks.) I used to love to exercise and plan to join a gym as soon as I'm able. I'm planning a trip to Sweden next summer and have started to get involved with the local Swedish club in town. I'm going to start learning Swedish and will be starting those classes soon.

I no longer wake up in a fog and feel clear-headed upon waking. I never had headaches, just a foggy feeling, and I'm alert with no headaches now. I don't sleep well every night, but that's not related to my machine but other factors in my life. I don't have bags under my eyes anymore, and people tell me I look and sound younger (I had a lot of sinus drainage in my throat, and that's gone now too).

Now, keep in mind that I was unable to do much of anything other than going through the motions. I enjoyed nothing, saw everything as hopeless, and had no ability to plan for anything. I won't say that I was suicidal, just depressed, but I didn't find any meaning in life despite the fact that I've had some good things happen to my family and me in the past two years.

So, yes, I consider the machine as enabling me to have a rebirth in my life, and I hope it will work that way for you too.

[qmx]

Hey y'all, I'm emotional already writing this. I've just finished reading the reposted article that idamtnboy, a member from Idaho, has on this forum. It was really helpful. I'm definitely bouncing around in the stages of grief about this change In my life. In some ways I have acceptance of the machine cause my husband has to use one. But it's kind of like "it's fine for him, but not for me!". I'm sure I'll get over this initial shock, and I'm hopeful that this will be the solution because I don't want to continue to feel like I was. Could fall asleep at any time, confused thinking, headaches in the morning, dragging myself through the day...and I teach high school! My husband is helpfull and supportive, but I hope to find some added support here from all of you. So glad I found you.

Here's my thinking on the subject. I started using my machine almost a month ago, so I still consider myself a newbie. From the very beginning, I've felt reborn into a new life. Instead of feeling 61, I feel 41 now because I'm just bursting with energy. I've already started dropping weight, and I'm getting tested to join our local hospital's weight loss plan so that I can lose even more weight. I'm going to check with my doctor about stopping my anti-depressants because I don't need them anymore. I was depressed because I wasn't feeling well, had no energy, and was tired all the time, which made me feel as though I wasn't in control of my life. Now, I'm back in control of my life, and I LOVE it!

In addition to my weight loss plan, I'll start exercising again once I get the okay to do so (The early part of this weight loss plan once I start it, won't allow me to exercise for about 6 weeks.) I used to love to exercise and plan to join a gym as soon as I'm able. I'm planning a trip to Sweden next summer and have started to get involved with the local Swedish club in town. I'm going to start learning Swedish and will be starting those classes soon.

I no longer wake up in a fog and feel clear-headed upon waking. I never had headaches, just a foggy feeling, and I'm alert with no headaches now. I don't sleep well every night, but that's not related to my machine but other factors in my life. I don't have bags under my eyes anymore, and people tell me I look and sound younger (I had a lot of sinus drainage in my throat, and that's gone now too).

Now, keep in mind that I was unable to do much of anything other than going through the motions. I enjoyed nothing, saw everything as hopeless, and had no ability to plan for anything. I won't say that I was suicidal, just depressed, but I didn't find any meaning in life despite the fact that I've had some good things happen to my family and me in the past two years.

So, yes, I consider the machine as enabling me to have a rebirth in my life, and I hope it will work that way for you too.

It truly is a rebirth, isn't it Rested Rebel. Totally life-changing. I feel 20 years younger ... and OUT OF THE FOG that I didn't fully realize I was in. Take Care, DEAN

[Tallnap]

Oh my, this is all so encouraging. I'm 51 and I used to do a lot of bike riding and haven't done that for about 7 years, and I got outside with my dog a lot, but when she died two years ago, that ended too. Funny, we got a new adult dog in September right around the time I was really starting to be worried about my change in energy, interest and drive. If it weren't for the new dog to walk, I don't know what I would have done these past few months. I have just been going to work and coming home to watch tv. I'm not overweight, so I don't fit what I thought was the reason for apnea. And I thought that I was just being lazy. I now see how much I have to learn and how much of my attitude I need to change. Thanks for the great replies so far. Off to sleep now.

[Sleepy Pilot]

Dean,

My FAA medical certificate has been revoked because of the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. The FAA looks at each case separately. So far, they required me to have two sleep studies, first one without treatment and the other with CPAP and tritration. For now, I'm on a full data CPAP collecting data on my sleep. Once my doctor declares that I am fixed , my data and medical records are sent to the FAA sleep doctors for review. My job requires me the carry a Class 1 medical certificate, airline type, which is tougher to keep with issues. Over the last 7 years, I have seen 6 pilots loose their medical certificate for sleep apnea. Three pilots were able to return with a Special Issuance Class One Medical. So yes, you can be a pilot and be on CPAP. It usually grounds you for six months while you prove to the Feds that you are safe. If you need assistance, contact the AOPA and they will go to work helping you get your medical back. For now, I am flying a desk and pushing papers instead of flight controls.

[qmx]

Dean,

My FAA medical certificate has been revoked because of the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. The FAA looks at each case separately. So far, they required me to have two sleep studies, first one without treatment and the other with CPAP and tritration. For now, I'm on a full data CPAP collecting data on my sleep. Once my doctor declares that I am fixed , my data and medical records are sent to the FAA sleep doctors for review. My job requires me the carry a Class 1 medical certificate, airline type, which is tougher to keep with issues. Over the last 7 years, I have seen 6 pilots loose their medical certificate for sleep apnea. Three pilots were able to return with a Special Issuance Class One Medical. So yes, you can be a pilot and be on CPAP. It usually grounds you for six months while you prove to the Feds that you are safe. If you need assistance, contact the AOPA and they will go to work helping you get your medical back. For now, I am flying a desk and pushing papers instead of flight controls.

Thanks for that reply SLEEPYPILOT. It was very interesting. I hope you'll be able to get back to flying. If not, consider ULTRALIGHTS (for the fun) ... no licence required. DEAN