introduction

Hello all,

I am Angie and I just found this group. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea about two years ago. I never knew I had a problem until my new boyfriend insisted that I see a doctor about my snoring. So I did the sleep lab thing and was told that I stop breathing about 100 times per hour. The doctor said that my apnea was so severe that surgery was not an option. He told me to lose 25 kilos and come back. In the mean time he sent me for a CPAP. Well, I didn't get it. It was just too scary looking and my boyfriend didn't like the idea of sleeping next to "Darth Vader."

Now two years later and not single kilo lighter, I have decided to get the CPAP. I finally got tired of being tired all the time. And now my general health has gotten bad, seem I have no resistance to virus anymore and I catch every cold and flu that I come in contact with. Also I recently read an article that sited a link between overweight and sleeplessness. I realized that if I am ever going to lose those 25 kilos I have got to get some sleep.

And so the journey begins. I got my CPAP last week with the standard nose mask. I am scheduled to spend two nights in the sleep lab next week to see if it works for me. But I already called my doctor, after trying the CPAP for three nights, and asked if I can get a full face mask. Since my nose stays stopped most of the time I tend to breathe through my mouth, especially at night. I will get the new mask next week and am eger to see if it works better for me.

I am getting my machine this week if I am lucky. Try severl different masks until you find one that works for you. You shouldn't neglect your health for the sake of appearances, especially if the only person that sees you is someone that is supposed to care for you. Once you finally start getting some quality sleep you should find it easier to take off the weight, at least that is what my doctor tells me.

angelspeel wrote:In the mean time he sent me for a CPAP. Well, I didn't get it. It was just too scary looking and my boyfriend didn't like the idea of sleeping next to "Darth Vader."

It's a lot more scary finding out what sleep apnea does to your body!
So, it's two years you've wasted, but, hey, you're doing it now!

And it will probably help with your weight too; apart from the recent studies which have linked sleep deprivation with weight gain, simply having more energy will enable you to get more exersize, which will help, and make you feel better.

And tell your boyfriend that it isn't like Darth Vader, it's like he's sleeping next to a "Top Gun" Fighter pilot! Except not in an airplane.