Newly diagnosed

[Starpilot]

Hello cpaptalk members. I have been reading your board for the last couple of days and am finally brave enough to plunge in. Let me just say I am SO HAPPY that this board exists and that there are so many friendly, knowledgeable and supportive people who post here.

I just got my diagnosis (moderate to severe OSA) this past Thursday. Don't have my equipment yet, and unfortunately it looks like I'll have to wait awhile still. I have my follow up sleep study with mask fitting in a week and a half and then a follow up to that with the doctor two weeks later (his schedule is super impacted) and then I should get to start setting up. The doctor gave me the URL to this board, and for the last couple days I've been obsessively reading everything I can about sleep apnea and CPAP.

I've been feeling lots of feelings, everything from elation to depression and every possible thing in between since the diagnosis. I have been dealing with chronic fatigue for a long long time, at LEAST 20+ years (I remember clearly getting kicked out of class in High School for falling asleep -- often). But possibly even longer. So I'm very excited that there might be an actual REASON that is TREATABLE for this and that I'll maybe feel better in the future. At the same time, everything is so overwhelming. I worry about the routine of keeping the equipment clean (there is so little time in my life to add anything to an already busy routine -- but maybe having extra energy will help). I'm nervous about getting everything set up properly and how long it will take to find the right set up. I'm nervous about intimacy with my husband. I'm frustrated that it took me so long to get this figured out. I'm nervous about the expense to get everything set up comfortably. And mostly I'm TERRIFIED that, when all is said and done, I won't actually wind up feeling much better and I'll have to go back to the drawing board.

While all this is going on, I've been feeling SO TIRED. I think, up until my first sleep study, I've had a tendency to push away the exhaustion and ignore it. But I can't ignore it anymore. I've been really feeling it. I feel awful. All I want to do is lie on the couch until I get my machine.

So here I am. I apologize in advance for all ridiculous questions or possible endless venting. I'm just so happy to find a group of people to talk to.

[Nozzelnut]

I'm new to this stuff too.

There are great folks here with a lot of experience with sleep apnea and the treatment of it.

As I've read before on this board; we've been dealing with this for years. The treatment of it might have significant gains quickly. It might also have small gains slowly.

There's going to be some ups and downs. The first mask you get may or may not be the one you use a year from now. It's ok.

Stick with it. It will get better.

[LSAT]

Hello cpaptalk members. I have been reading your board for the last couple of days and am finally brave enough to plunge in. Let me just say I am SO HAPPY that this board exists and that there are so many friendly, knowledgeable and supportive people who post here.

I just got my diagnosis (moderate to severe OSA) this past Thursday. Don't have my equipment yet, and unfortunately it looks like I'll have to wait awhile still. I have my follow up sleep study with mask fitting in a week and a half and then a follow up to that with the doctor two weeks later (his schedule is super impacted) and then I should get to start setting up. The doctor gave me the URL to this board, and for the last couple days I've been obsessively reading everything I can about sleep apnea and CPAP.

.

Smart doctor...he sounds like a keeper

[Starpilot]

Yeah I like the doctor I have very much. He really took the time to explain all my results to me, walk me through the charts and gave me time to ask questions. Its been troublesome reading all the accounts here of bad doctor experiences. I'm sorry so many people have to struggle with doctors that aren't very helpful.

Now I am just trying to prepare in any way I can before the next appointment. I was wondering if I should go ahead and invest in a CPAP pillow since I am primarily a side-sleeper? Anything else people wished they had the night they started treatment?

And this might be a weird question, but has anyone experimented with integrating their CPAP equipment into their bedroom in a way that is easy on the eyes/visually conducive to an overall restful atmosphere? I tried doing image searches of "CPAP bedroom" on google but only found a couple things.

Thanks!

[chunkyfrog]

Designer cpap bedroom! What a concept!
Some have posted images of their machine hiding in a drawer (opened, of course while in use)
Many hide their masks in a drawer --more to protect from curious pets than bedroom aesthetics.
A few use the top frame of a canopy bed for hose management (a Velcro loop could hide the hose in daytime).
A doily or custom quilted cozy could hide machine or jug of distilled water.
Skinit makes decorator skins for some machines, for those who don't really care to hide their machine,
but to make it look nearly as awesome as it works.
My hearing aid is metallic blue and silver BTE (NOT hidden)-also an amazing bit of technology.
I show off my cool stuff.

[Starpilot]

Yeah I didn't mean necessarily hiding the equipment. I looked at the skins and saw some I really liked. I guess I mean more integrating the equipment or whatever bedside kits you might have into the design of the room. For example, I noticed that hose covers come in many different colors and I was wondering if anyone thinks about their machine etc. in relationship with decor. It seems to me that if someone had some DIY chops they could make some really spiffy bedside table that holds everything AND looks really cool.

Or maybe I'm just trying to find another project to do.

[echo]

I have my machine inside a drawer (I keep the drawer open at night to allow for proper air circulation), and hang my hose from the ceiling (the rope dangling from the ceiling isn't very subtle ), and there's a hose cover on the hose, which makes it look less clinical.

[raziegler]

I too am recently diagnosed (September) I noticed a difference driving home after the sleep test using a machine - no foggyness. I woke every day with a headache before I was diagnosed and now...no more headaches. Although the mask and equipment are not the most glamorous items to use - I will continue to use them everyday - I LOVE to wake up feeling so refreshed. I look forward to the healing that good sleep promotes.
This site has given me lots of information and insight. Thank you.

[chunkyfrog]

There are a few bashful pappers out there--we each handle it our own way.
Some only need to prevent the kitties from stepping on the buttons, and keep supplies handy.
I like the idea of skins or cozies, or even beaded ornaments for the machine.
Maybe when I have more time . . .

[Pugsy]

I like the idea of skins or cozies, or even beaded ornaments for the machine.
Maybe when I have more time . . .

Wouldn't it be cool to add some bling with crystals? Would need to be removable I suppose in case someone wanted to sell the machine to someone unless a person was lucky enough to find someone else who liked the bling idea.
To make it removable...more work requiring more time....and that is not something I am keen on. Especially the work part.

[HerdingDogRescuer]

You know everything you've written and are experiencing is completely normal. It's a total new experience for most. I've been on my machine for a week now and it's going great. I have a medical background and am intimately familiar with apnea and it's treatment. So, all I had to deal with really with was denial. Once I got over that, it just makes sense to treat a problem that causes so many symptoms and issues in our lives.

Wishing you the best. The second study is crucial to get you the best treatment settings possible.

Looking forward to you future posts to see how you are adjusting.

Cheers

HDR

[Starpilot]

I like the idea of skins or cozies, or even beaded ornaments for the machine.
Maybe when I have more time . . .

Wouldn't it be cool to add some bling with crystals? Would need to be removable I suppose in case someone wanted to sell the machine to someone unless a person was lucky enough to find someone else who liked the bling idea.
To make it removable...more work requiring more time....and that is not something I am keen on. Especially the work part.

Yeah something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Rhineston ... rhinestone

Or maybe:
http://www.amazon.com/Rhinestones-Engli ... al+letters

[Starpilot]

It's watching you!
http://www.amazon.com/Accoutrements-123 ... s+stickers

[MagsterMile]

I love the big googly eyes! I recommend a hose cover for the winter months. It helps keep the hose warm and you get less moisture in it. Alas, I have no sense of design. I throw a hand-towel over the cpap during the day to prevent dust. Best of luck to you as you start your cpap journey and keep reading and trying new ideas.

[Denial Dave]

using a hose cover is great year round.... it really helps eliminate the medical feel of the hoses.

Dave

I love the big googly eyes! I recommend a hose cover for the winter months. It helps keep the hose warm and you get less moisture in it. Alas, I have no sense of design. I throw a hand-towel over the cpap during the day to prevent dust. Best of luck to you as you start your cpap journey and keep reading and trying new ideas.