what did you do while you were waiting?

ok so tried to get a hold of my sleep dr and there was no answer. i didn't bother to leave another message. i guess next week is another chance to try cause it's the weekend now.

so i'm wondering for all of you with machines. if you did not get your machine right away what did you do to try to help some of you sleep apnea symptoms while you were waiting? i'm so tired. i tried staying awake and not having naps but i get so tired and then really irritated.

I did nothing except read a lot on this and other forums about sleep apnea. I learned lots especially about various machines and how some DME's try to pawn off old outdated equipment on unsuspecting patients.

I kept living my life the way it had been before the diagnosis, I picked up a new/used machine within 2 weeks (had 10 minutes of use on it). I have no extended benefits to cover xpap supplies so I had to pay out of pocket, good thing I will have extended benefits starting later this year.

Our medical insurance here does not cover equipment of any kind therefore extended insurance (usually through ones workplace) is needed to get cpap covered.

To make a long story short, I fretted. Unusual stuff seems to happen to me, and my wait was inordinately long.

The first two machines were purchased out-of-pocket at CPAP.com, and had insignificant waits associated with them. The third machine came through a DME, with the usual hassles. I waited a month, and initially had the same experience you are having. After 2 weeks, I finally went down to the sleep clinic, and after two visits there, things finally started to happen. (The DME had lost, or never received all the paperwork). After that was finally straightened out, the rest of the wait was getting paperwork through the insurance company. Still, I stood on everyone's hands to keep things moving. My RT took the kindness to open up on a Saturday to let me pick up my machine. He was initially concerned I was really upset. i was, but not at him (I know this guy, it turns out). Since then, I have pretty much been on my own, which is really what I want.

All the hassle was worth it, as I saved $5,800 (minimum), and the therapy being provided is working well for the first time. As a confirmation, I took my first machine on a camping trip last week. Even though I set the machine up to provide the basic pressure therapy the new machine provides, the numbers show that the ASV (Adaptive Servo Ventilator) algorithm is indeed making a big difference in my somewhat unusual case.

For many people, obstructive sleep apnea gets worse while sleeping on their back. So try to sleep on your side or stomach.

If things seem really bad, sleeping in a recliner can help, too.

From the sleep study results: ---Recommendations:
"The patient may be instructed to avoid CNS depressants, alcohol, and tobacco products, which may exacerbate obstructive apnea."
I was verbally instructed to cut back on caffeine; and I discovered by myself that eating lightly and not too close to bedtime helps significantly.
Also a little mild exercise--whatever you can COMFORTABLY tolerate, but also not too late in the evening--helps quite a bit.
--But that's just me. Good luck--It is the beginning. . .

When I was waiting, they told me to elevate my head when I was sleeping, so I got one of those wedge pillows. Also, they told me not to drive, which scared me a little. I was really afraid to sleep while waiting for my machine. I was in the severe catagory, though.

I found that if I put a pillow under each of my arms, and one under my forehead, I could sort of do this massage table type position,
and my tongue would fall forward, and that helped.. I do that sometimes when i cant take the machine anymore..

and yes, no spicey foods before bed, or dont eat too close to bedtime, acid reflux can worsen the osa symptoms..

The last 6 weeks while waiting to go through the testing and get my machine I was sleeping on the couch. My snoring was so disruptive I finally had to do the right thing and let my wife get the rest she needed for her to maintain a healthy life and be productive at work.

We were never apart before. I hated that and I prayed I would get something to control the snoring. I didn't care what it was. I was over joyed when i was diagnosed and told that I would be eligible for the equipment. I had a 4 week wait after 2 weeks of appointments.

I am thrilled now that I can sleep soundly with my wife without getting elbowed a dozen times a night for snoring. We both get restful sleep. She doesn't mind the mask at all though she likes to rib me on occasion. It has been a very positive experience for both parties. She is very supportive of the whole thing as well as my kids.

During the waiting stage I read as much as i could on the forums and watched you tube videos on the equipment. I knew what I was in for way before the gear arrived. I felt confident I would master the equipment after reading all the help that was given to others here. That really gave me an idea on what problems i could have and what could be done to correct them. I had a few and the support here is top notch. These folks really know their stuff.

I was fast tracked, it didn't take that long. I was on O2, after a Quad By-pass, as soon as I was allowed to drive I did the sleep test, ten days later I had my new machine up and running, it was a full data unit. It took 6 months to get the software and reader, not like now. Pressure was a concern, I didn't want to have any non air leaks. Things weren't too bad started with a pressure of 14.5 CM with a FF mask, and 2 L of O2 which I soon changed to 4L. Pain from the pressure in my chest for two weeks, then got better quickly. Never used a ramp, did use C-FLEX 3 setting. Jim

thanks for responding. i actually do have issues with stomach acid and have been taking prevacid for it for awhile (prescription). i also was put on a sleeping medication from my p-doc, imovane. not sure once i see him if he will want to take me off that prescription once you hears about the sleep apnea diagnosis.