Questions To Ask

Hi Everyone,

I have been advised that I have severe sleep apnea and require a cpap machine.

I have been reading many posts with great interest to learn about the things I need to know before I invest in this machine.

I am going for an information session and mask fit this week and I am not sure what sort of questions I should be asking and what I need to keep in mind about masks, machines and everything else.

Can any one help me out with this?

Hi,

Be sure to keep checking in to this forum. There are lots of helpful people here, more helpful than me, for sure.

But we will need to know more. Did you have a sleep test, and did you get or see the report? By severe, what did they mean? If you had the test, did they test you with a machine and face mask? If so, were you able to sleep with it, breathing through the nose and not your mouth? Anything you can tell us will help us try and help you. Keep in touch.

Linda

Hi Linda,

I did have a sleep test but it was without a mask on.

I did get to see some of the report, but I can't really remember all the details in the report. There was also a lot I did not understand I was in a bit of shock to hear the results that I think I went straight into emotion and totally could not use my brain for love nor money.

I do remember that he said I stop breathing on average 17 times per hour.

There was another figure he brought to my attention that I am not really sure what it was for..my understanding was that it was about how restless my sleep is but I am not really sure.. and it was 96.1 and he was talking about normal as about 7-25.

I live in Australia so I am not sure if there are different measurements taken and used by different health professionals.

I am very glad that I found this board..I do not feel like I am alone and tired any more.

RAWTSgirl

Look, I certainly know what it's like to be in shock by what the doctor's saying, and all the details just fly by. That happened to me, still does. It can be a real rollercoaster of emotions, dealing with this.

Here, in most cases, the doctor actually prescribes a particular machine and its settings (like the pressure needed to keep your airways open). Has the doctor prescribed or at least recommended a type of machine? I'm hoping someone here, who is either from Australia or knows about the system there, can help you. Keep checking for suggestions that will likely come your way from the forum.

I see you listed as "guest". Have you joined as a "member"? That is helpful, for you get notified through your email about replies to your messages, and you can send private messages to people if you like. Just a thought. Keep in touch.

Linda