[/i]I had my follow up appt. today with pulmonary Dr., got my sleep report, so much information to understand. I go next week for 2nd study to try cpap. My first instinct is to go with the smallest, least strappy one to begin (nasal pillows) by experience...is that the right move? I really just want to get on something to make me feel better, so the thought of going through a lot masks and problems sounds depressing. From what I have read thats probably just what you have to do to get it right. Any suggestions or reccomendations would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks.
ADVICE...Going for 2nd sleep study
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Vic--
Personally, I think you should file your sleep study in a drawer and not look at it for a long, long time. You've got enough to deal with without all those numbers. Just my opinion.
But the one issue with masks that is important to deal with right away is whether you are a mouth breather, and if so, can you expect to stop, either with will or tape. If not, you will need a full face mask. I think you should get that option on the table now. If you have a deviated sepum, chances are slim that you will be able to use a nasal mask or even a pillow system. Why play around with all kinds of nasal masks and pillows if the reality is that you can't/won't stop mouth breathing?
Caroline
Personally, I think you should file your sleep study in a drawer and not look at it for a long, long time. You've got enough to deal with without all those numbers. Just my opinion.
But the one issue with masks that is important to deal with right away is whether you are a mouth breather, and if so, can you expect to stop, either with will or tape. If not, you will need a full face mask. I think you should get that option on the table now. If you have a deviated sepum, chances are slim that you will be able to use a nasal mask or even a pillow system. Why play around with all kinds of nasal masks and pillows if the reality is that you can't/won't stop mouth breathing?
Caroline
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caroline
I agree with the post above.
When I went to my titration study they put the swift on me. I didn't have a clue how to keep the air from coming out my mouth and with no time to play, it wasn't going to work. I used the UMFF mask for the study. Didn't mess up the study with mouth leaks.
Luckily they were nice and sent me home with both setups.
I tried the Swift at home and used the advice on this forum for taping etc and love the swift. No one at the sleep study offered tape or any other suggestion.
I think unless you have a little experience you might want to try full face for the study (go ahead and try the nasal pillows first, maybe you can do it right from the get go, and if you can't maybe they will send them home with you since you used them).
But from what I have read, a lot of people like to have a full face mask anyway for colds etc. AND depending on what choices they have at the study, the full face mask could actually be more expensive so you could buy the pillows on your own for less out of pocket.
Go with an open mind and see what options they have for you. Not only type of interface, but BRAND!
When I went to my titration study they put the swift on me. I didn't have a clue how to keep the air from coming out my mouth and with no time to play, it wasn't going to work. I used the UMFF mask for the study. Didn't mess up the study with mouth leaks.
Luckily they were nice and sent me home with both setups.
I tried the Swift at home and used the advice on this forum for taping etc and love the swift. No one at the sleep study offered tape or any other suggestion.
I think unless you have a little experience you might want to try full face for the study (go ahead and try the nasal pillows first, maybe you can do it right from the get go, and if you can't maybe they will send them home with you since you used them).
But from what I have read, a lot of people like to have a full face mask anyway for colds etc. AND depending on what choices they have at the study, the full face mask could actually be more expensive so you could buy the pillows on your own for less out of pocket.
Go with an open mind and see what options they have for you. Not only type of interface, but BRAND!
Thanks so much, its great to hear from other women going through this. Should I know from my first ss if I sleep with my mouth open? I know I will find out on the next one. How long did it take you to feel better once you started with a mask? Did your energy return? I was always a very energetic person, but the last several years I have gained weight and slowed down and attributed it to lots of other things (thyroid, aging, stress, etc.). I went through breast cancer 7 years ago...so this is just another thing to work at! Thanks!
vic:
One tip is to lie down as if you're going to sleep, and make sure your mouth is closed. Now breathe. Can you breathe through your nose? Or do you have to open your mouth? If the latter, you're a mouth breather. If the former, then good. But that doesn't mean either one can't change during the nite. Meaning, that nose breathers can become mouth breathers while sleeping and some mouth breathers can train themselves to breathe through their nose. Even deviated septum people can learn to breathe through their noses if they have a nose spray that will keep their nasal passages clear during the nite--but it will be harder. How do you feel about taping your mouth shut if necessary?
You sound very up about your cpap treatment. That's good. Beceause the going can get rough.
Everybody is different in terms of how quickly they respond to cpap treatment and maintain any energy gains. I'm not sure that breast cancer is the best analogy -- i had breast cancer, too -- except that you know what it's like to have a health project. I don't know how your breast cancer experience compares to mine, so I'd be hesitant to compare breast cancer and cpap.
I just mentioned the mouth breathing thing because you shouldn't let them play around with nasal systems for very long if it's just not going to work. Sometimes they do that out of ignorance or they think you'll give up on cpap if you have to do full face, so they withhold that option for as long as possible. but if like snoregal, your sleep lab is ready and willing with both options, there should be no problem.
caroline
One tip is to lie down as if you're going to sleep, and make sure your mouth is closed. Now breathe. Can you breathe through your nose? Or do you have to open your mouth? If the latter, you're a mouth breather. If the former, then good. But that doesn't mean either one can't change during the nite. Meaning, that nose breathers can become mouth breathers while sleeping and some mouth breathers can train themselves to breathe through their nose. Even deviated septum people can learn to breathe through their noses if they have a nose spray that will keep their nasal passages clear during the nite--but it will be harder. How do you feel about taping your mouth shut if necessary?
You sound very up about your cpap treatment. That's good. Beceause the going can get rough.
Everybody is different in terms of how quickly they respond to cpap treatment and maintain any energy gains. I'm not sure that breast cancer is the best analogy -- i had breast cancer, too -- except that you know what it's like to have a health project. I don't know how your breast cancer experience compares to mine, so I'd be hesitant to compare breast cancer and cpap.
I just mentioned the mouth breathing thing because you shouldn't let them play around with nasal systems for very long if it's just not going to work. Sometimes they do that out of ignorance or they think you'll give up on cpap if you have to do full face, so they withhold that option for as long as possible. but if like snoregal, your sleep lab is ready and willing with both options, there should be no problem.
caroline
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caroline
Caroline, thank you for all the info. I can breathe fine through my nose while lying down and have never had any nasal/breathing difficulty but we'll see what happens with something up my nose! It sounds like everyone should have a few different masks, so hopefully I will be able to get what I need right away. I am told my insurance is great for this.
In mentioning breast cancer, I was only comparing the fact that its another health matter to handle. I hope that your recovery is strong.
I am for up for this, I am just happy to find an answer to whats been happening to me these last few years. At least then I can do something positive about it. Thank you again for your insight!
Vicky
In mentioning breast cancer, I was only comparing the fact that its another health matter to handle. I hope that your recovery is strong.
I am for up for this, I am just happy to find an answer to whats been happening to me these last few years. At least then I can do something positive about it. Thank you again for your insight!
Vicky
The nasal pillows don't really go all that far up your nose on the swift. I can't speak for the others. I also had worried about that. I don't like ANYTHING up or touching my nose like when my kids were little and pinched my nose...
But it really isn't the issue for me that I thought it might be.
As for feeling better. Of course it is different for everyone. But for me I stopped getting up in the night to visit the bathroom immediately. I had been getting up 3 times a night. Not really productive visits, I think more psychological since I was waking up.
I started feeling better in a couple of weeks after starting treatment. Not perfect, but better in that I feel like doing some stuff that I was not interested in before since I was dragging all the time.
I had all sorts of tests prior to this like thyroid, another lyme test, anemia tests. All were negative. So I figure I had been sliding down hill for 4 to 5 years just judging from the dates of those tests.
Of course there are days when I am still tired and lack sleep (I have two kids in high school who seem to do homework until all hours of the night and have to be kicked out of bed at 6am), but in general I feel much better and when I get a full night a couple days in a row I am feeling very good.
I have been on almost 2 months now. But of course everyone is different in their recovery. I still have things that I don't "feel up to doing" but more and more projects I am feeling like tackling that I ignored before.
But it really isn't the issue for me that I thought it might be.
As for feeling better. Of course it is different for everyone. But for me I stopped getting up in the night to visit the bathroom immediately. I had been getting up 3 times a night. Not really productive visits, I think more psychological since I was waking up.
I started feeling better in a couple of weeks after starting treatment. Not perfect, but better in that I feel like doing some stuff that I was not interested in before since I was dragging all the time.
I had all sorts of tests prior to this like thyroid, another lyme test, anemia tests. All were negative. So I figure I had been sliding down hill for 4 to 5 years just judging from the dates of those tests.
Of course there are days when I am still tired and lack sleep (I have two kids in high school who seem to do homework until all hours of the night and have to be kicked out of bed at 6am), but in general I feel much better and when I get a full night a couple days in a row I am feeling very good.
I have been on almost 2 months now. But of course everyone is different in their recovery. I still have things that I don't "feel up to doing" but more and more projects I am feeling like tackling that I ignored before.
Snoregirl, thanks for the info. My 3rd/last child graduated high school last year, so I know of what you speak.
Your improvement sounds hopeful...just wanting to tackle things sounds good to me.
I have never gotten up during the night, I always was proud that I was asleep when my head hits the pillow and I never wake till morning! Little did I know. I have had tests over the years also, I have been on thyroid meds for almost 3 years. I force myself to play golf every week and work 5 days a week.
What equipment do you use?
Thanks so much, Vicky
Your improvement sounds hopeful...just wanting to tackle things sounds good to me.
I have never gotten up during the night, I always was proud that I was asleep when my head hits the pillow and I never wake till morning! Little did I know. I have had tests over the years also, I have been on thyroid meds for almost 3 years. I force myself to play golf every week and work 5 days a week.
What equipment do you use?
Thanks so much, Vicky
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