Help...I'm still in shock!

vicinsb · Post by **vicinsb** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:48 pm

I just found this website...I am very new to this. I was sent for a sleep study by a Pulmonary sleep specialist...the technician told me I definately have sleep apnea in the morning when he woke me up. I am waiting to see the doctor in a couple of days again for my results. I would appreciate any information that will help me get started. I feel horrible and it seems to be getting worse very quickly. ANY insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed May 24, 2006 10:05 pm

Read, read, and read some more. There are cpap faqs and a cpapopedia above the messages on this board, you'll also find lots of info on cpap.com's faqs, and at http://www.talkaboutsleep.com and http://www.sleepapnea.org and their forum http://www.apneasupport.org.

Stick around, don't be afraid to ask anything, and you can be very very very glad you were diagnosed.

Good luck!

O.

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Wed May 24, 2006 10:13 pm

Welcome, Vicinsb........welcome to the very best place you can go to learn about this new way of life you've just been dropped into.........and yes, READ, READ,READ,.........then ASK,ASK,ASK.......there's lots of helpful,knowledgeable, supportive folks here.

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Wed May 24, 2006 10:17 pm

vicinsb,

Welcome to CPAPtalk! Read, read, read is great advice.

CPAP.com has a "CPAP Basics" section of their FAQ that'll point you in the right direction:

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
What is CPAP therapy
I suspect I have Sleep Apnea, what should I do?
I have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, what should I do?

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/CPAP-and- ... tml#FGID-1

Johnny

vicinsb · Post by **vicinsb** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:39 am

Wow...I am absolutely amazed at the information! I don't have enough time to read it as fast as I would like. I had no idea what I was in for and I certainly had no idea there were so many of us out there.

path2others · Post by **path2others** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:34 am

Don't worry about time. Most of us have had a long wait between our first sleep study and the first night on our machine. By the time you have dealt with the doctor, equipment supplier (DME) and your insurance you will feel like an expert - and may know more about sleep apnea than your doctor I had my sleep study in the beginning of March and I have been using the CPAP for 2 weeks. I am still adjusting things but I am feeling some inprovements already. The members on this forum are great. Good luck, Don

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu May 25, 2006 10:00 am

It took about two months to get to take my sleep study, then about three more weeks to get back into the sleep doctor to get my prescription. I used that time to learn all I could about my affliction, searched the Internet for solutions and price comparisons of brands and models of machines and their capabilities, found CPAP.COM, talked to local DME providers, talked to my insurance provider about my options. Then, once I got my prescription, started narrowing down the machines to what I wanted (one that I could monitor my therapy). Then purchased from CPAP.COM and submitted a bill to my insurance provider. Another thing that side-tracked things for another week or two was that the doctors office hadn't sent my sleep study to my insurance provider for their review......AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!

Yes, there are LOTS of us with this affliction.....and our population is growing by leaps and bounds.
The longest period of time for me was from the completion of my sleep study (where it was confirmed that I had OSA) and the arrival of my equipment. It's also a "trying" period waiting for the effects to kick in, too. You have to think of it in terms of like running a marathon.....one step (or night in this case) at a time. We're in it for the long haul.

Best wishes,

Den

Help...I'm still in shock!

Help...I'm still in shock!

Thank You!