How do you cope while you wait?

[writergirl2002]

I'm trying to cope with all this while I wait for my cpap (I'm calling them tomorrow to see how long it will all take...they just found out about my diagnosis at the end of the week). How did you cope while you waited? I'm scared of the brain fog I get...I'm at the point I'm afraid to leave the house. I wasn't like this before I got the diagnosis. I just pushed through. Now I'm a bit of a basket case about it. I know part of that is psychological and part is the sleep deprivation. I'm a person of faith and I'm trying to hold on to that right now and enjoy the lucid moments I do have.

[Stormynights]

Remember that every day you are one day closer. Waiting has never come easy for me. This too shall pass.

[caffeinatedcfo]

I shared similar stress once I was diagnosed but waiting for my machine. Luckily it was only about a week. Like you mentioned, I realized I was just getting psyched out, but once I accepted my diagnosis and treatment I just couldn't wait to get started.

Hang in there and you will be on your way to a better life in no time.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I suspect it's same way you tough our bad news from your dentist, GP, boss, gov't or whatever. You just have to suck it up for awhile until things get sorted out. Of course, there's always drugs, transcendental meditation, anger management and booze but I don't recommend stuff like that. Just hold on for awhile and you'll get your machine, then glory be, you'll have a whole new set of challenges to deal with.

[imsleepynomore]

Waiting is a bummer true ; but remember your sleep apnea has been a problem for a long time and you just pushed through as you stated. Your condition is not different than it was before your sleep study. Think where your new CPAP will be placed and busy yourself learning all you can from this site time will pass sooner.

[jaybeem]

Sleep as much as you can. The day will come when your sleep will be productive!

[kteague]

It does seem that we have a hyper awareness once we know. Until you get your equipment, do some basic things to help yourself not to worry too much. Elevate the head of your bed few inches - maybe roll up a blanket and put it across the head of the bed between the mattress and box springs. And try to stay off your back. These things aren't going to cure your sleep apnea, but may reduce the severity of it enough for you to feel better about the wait.

[stage0]

Find "faith" ppl in our church to do things with....ones that are currently using cpap woud be best. Get out of the house for a time.

As to sleep, try some chomomile or passion fruit tea for calming effects. YOu can try sleeping in a recliner as a stop-gap, but do not get used to this.

[sawinglogz]

My wife noticed a similar decline after my diagnosis. It was like I finally had permission to be as tired as I felt. It took me another 2 months because I needed two titration studies!

But after the second titration study, I called the sleep lab and asked for their help in expediting their results (they got it sent to the DME in 4 days), and I called my DME and asked for their help in getting me scheduled as soon as they could (1 week out), and got my machine about 10 days after my final titration study.

One tip for setting your expectations, though: the first night might be a little rough. For me it was pretty bad, but at least it was better than the titration. The second night was a little bad, but an improvement. The third night was terrible, where I swallowed a truly colossal and painful amount of air. And the fourth night was much better. It's been a steady improvement since then, with occasional minor setbacks, and the occasional bad night's sleep (usually due to fighting leaks). But now even the bad nights just result in tiredness, not the kind of fog that I experienced before. And they're getting rarer.

So expect a few bumps along the way & don't get discouraged! Venting here is very cathartic.

[Kiralynx]

Well, I occupied myself with research and with harassing doctor's staff and the DME....

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35319&p=303060#p303060

Hard to believe that was almost five years ago.

[SleepSleuth]

The only suggestion I have is one made to me when my kids were babies, & sleep was always an issue (their issue, & therefore mine, even pre-diagnosis) - How much will this [insert issue here] matter in ten years' time?

Im curious if you're located in the states (seems most here are)? I notice quite a difference in the process which seems to be the norm for sleep apnea diagnosis & ensuing treatment for members of this forum & my experience. The process for me didnt involve waiting for a diagnosis or waiting for a machine once I'd decided to try one. Posts like yours remind me that I must be lucky my experience was the way it was. I get the feeling it's not the way most people end up using CPAP though. My dentist gave me a referral for a sleep study, I rang the bloke, we made an appointment for a day or so, he came to my place (some 200kms away), hooked up all the gear, I watched some tv for a while, went to bed when I was ready to, had a shocking night's sleep, took the gear back to the sleep bloke & got my results on the spot. The report had to be emailed to the doc for medical approval, a copy of which was emailed to me a few days later. Once I decided to try CPAP, I rang the sleep bloke again (same bloke), went to his office that arvo & left with a hired unit, & an appoinment to return it two wks later. When I returned the hired unit, I exchanged it for one I purchased along with all the trappings. A letter for my health insurance was emailed, so I could claim what allowance my cover provided. So I didnt have any waiting, or have to go a night without CPAP. Is this how others' got their CPAP?? People speak of waiting for delivery, or waiting for their results for a week or more, seems cruel!