Newbe waiting for equipment from DME

Hiya All..

I am newly diagnosed with OSA although I thought I had it for years. My father has been on a CPAP for many many years. I remember as a child hearing his snoring from across the house through closed doors. He went through various treatments including surgery. Which is something he warned me about since the surgery (a few of them) did not help.

Learning from my fathers experience and at my wife's urging (it seems that I too became a very heavy snorer) I asked my physician to send me for a sleep study. The first sleep study was to be a split night but the technician decided that I did not need to be on a machine. It was a horrible night with all the wires everywhere and constant interruptions. Weeks later my physician called me about the report and sent me back for a second night. I finally got around to it several months later. I became a walking zombie. I am forgetful, tired all the time, can't concentrate and my body aches constantly. Most of the time I wake up more tired than when I went to bed. The only thing that keeps me going is coffee...

The second night they started me on a cpap. I started with a nose mask but at any pressure I was choking. I was waking up gasping for air. They tried a chin strap but that did not work. Finally they put me on a full face mask. I was out like a light... The best 3 hours sleep I have had in many years.

The doctor ordered a BiPap machine and full face mask with chin strap. I am waiting for my DME to get back to me. My insurance will pay for three months rental at a 80/20 split and then buy the machine outright if I am compliant for three months. I can't wait to get going... I have read here so many stores about how much things improved. Thank you for being here.

Welcome, webbie.
O.

Finally they put me on a full face mask. I was out like a light... The best 3 hours sleep I have had in many years.

Hi Matthew,

Sure does make a difference, being able to breathe, doesn't it?

When they give you the FF mask, if it's not a ResMed Ultra Mirage FF mask, get them to let you try one of those. Everyone's face is different, but generally that mask is less apt to leak for people than the Respironics ComfortFull most DMEs would give you.

Good luck with your treatment!

Hi, Matthew. So glad you've joined us and that you are finally getting help. If you got the best three hours sleep in many years during your study, just wait until you've been on the therapy for a few weeks and see how you feel then.

If you run into any snags, as you probably know already, there is always usually someone here who can lead you in the right direction. Don't be shy. Best of luck to you with your treatment.

Thanks for the support I am glad I found this site. I also wonder how many of you have had the side effects disapate or go away.

I have a hypothyroid, constant joint and musle pain (Fibromyalgia?), depression (on meds for years), high Cholesterol, athma, memory loss and more.. Could I expect to "get better" for a lack of words?? I've read about how people get their energy levels back..

Matthew

Matthew,

The things I had along with untreated OSA were high BP, high cholesterol, migraine headaches, a few extra pounds, extreme faitgue and lethargy, poor muscle tone, which mean aches and pain if/when I could bring myself to do anything physical, poor sleep, snoring and no life other than work unless I forced myself.

Since being on therapy, my BP no longer requires meds. My migraines have disappeared except for one special time each month, which you don't have to concern yourself with, and even then they are usually just headaches, not migraines anymore. My snoring is gone. Once I started to feel energetic again, in about a little over one week of being on the machine, I decided to take my life back by eating correctly, drinking lots of water and exercising three times a week, which is now lowering my cholesterol, eliminating aches and pains from physical exertion and has allowed me to lose 14 lbs. I have zero fatigue or lethargy and am raring to do anything at any time of the day or night since I keep an almost constant high energy level again. I used to be called hyper by my friends and family. Never used to be able to sit still. Then out of nowhere, I was a zombie who had no energy to do anything I didn't have to, not to mention overwhelming fatigue. That is all a thing of the past.

The best thing you can do for yourself, I think, is to keep a positive attitude, thank God you were diagnosed and do not give up. It is not easy to be compliant. But if you look at it like you don't have any other choice but to be if you want to regain your health and feel incredible while you're doing it, then it will be a no-brainer.

Hang in there, keep posting and good luck!

I had difficulity testing too, like you. I am always glad to hear of great outcomes as yours. I think you will really appreciate the machine and the sleep they provide. You can probably search the web and save some $$ on a machine, and perhaps you provider will pay the full amount since they will save lots. Good luck, sleep well.

thewebbie wrote:Thanks for the support I am glad I found this site. I also wonder how many of you have had the side effects disapate or go away.

I have a hypothyroid, constant joint and musle pain (Fibromyalgia?), depression (on meds for years), high Cholesterol, athma, memory loss and more.. Could I expect to "get better" for a lack of words?? I've read about how people get their energy levels back..

Matthew, welcome.

I've had a few side effects completely disappear, not just "get better". Not only have my memory, concentration and creativity problems been totally eliminated, but the last time I had nocturnal gastric reflux was the night before I begain treatment almost 2 months ago now! Also my type 1 diabetes seems to be completely under control to the point that my doctor is talking of taking me off my Avandia Rx. It also appears that my blood pressure is returning to normal and he is speculating I can eliminate some of those meds also.

Yes, the side effects can be reversed.

TheWebbie:

Bill had a good point about something I left out. My memory has really been restored where as when I was pre-treatment, I'd always forget what I was saying in the middle of a sentence.
Also, my memory has really been restored, whereas pre-treatment, I would always forget what I was saying in the middle of a sentence.
Oh, yes, and my memory has really improved.

Signed...ah...grrrr......oh, yeah, Lori.

It is so nice to hear good results, it makes me feel like there is hope.

BTW.. I just got off the phone with my DME. they needed the first night study.. I forgot where I put it and freeked out that they did not ask for it before. With some prodding they agreed to call my doctor and have them fax it. I don't feel confident that they will be prudent about getting me the equipment and with Rita on the way here things at the end of this week will come to a grinding halt (I am in the Houston area). I just hope I can start treatment soon.. I can't even manage to get out of the house to work the last couple days..

Update... I heard back from the DME and my equipment is being delivered to my house tommorrow. I am getting the BiPap Pro 2 with humidifier. Can't wait.. Hope they bring me some good face masks to try. Too bad the Hurricane Rita is heading this way.. I may not get compliant till next week.