Bummed Out _ need to start cpap

miguele3 · Post by **miguele3** » Thu May 02, 2019 4:14 pm

I just found out I have severe sleep apnea. My sleep test night was so depressing and awful. So now they tell me my test revealed over 30 times per hour and 76% oxygen. I knew I had problems and have been living with it. The night of the test, I first slept without a mask and they woke me up and said I had sleep apnea, then they tried a nose mask and did not get to sleep at all, just depression. Then after a couple of hours they switched me to a full mask and it took a while but I did fall asleep. The session was extended by an hour and a half since I finally got to sleep.

So now I'm depressed and reading what others have done helps, not completely since so many of you have had trouble with the mask. The one thing I am is persistent, sticking through something even it is bad. So it might work? Still I feel like a failure not really since I have sleep apnea but more because I've reached this point in my life where I let myself go by not exercising and being obese (BMI 32.6).

Now that I have that off my restless chest, how shall I pick a mask?

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu May 02, 2019 5:09 pm

Masks are better now than 9 years ago, when I started.
Try not to let others' troubles influence you.
Online reviews of anything are unreliable because of human nature.
Most people say nothing if nothing is wrong--but mess up one thing, and they cuss up a storm.
You have your diagnosis--you are ahead of maybe 90% of people suffering from sleep disorders.
Just hang around, and the kind people here will help you through the minefield.

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Thu May 02, 2019 5:17 pm

miguele3 wrote: ↑
Thu May 02, 2019 4:14 pm
I just found out I have severe sleep apnea. My sleep test night was so depressing and awful. So now they tell me my test revealed over 30 times per hour and 76% oxygen. I knew I had problems and have been living with it. The night of the test, I first slept without a mask and they woke me up and said I had sleep apnea, then they tried a nose mask and did not get to sleep at all, just depression. Then after a couple of hours they switched me to a full mask and it took a while but I did fall asleep. The session was extended by an hour and a half since I finally got to sleep.

So now I'm depressed and reading what others have done helps, not completely since so many of you have had trouble with the mask. The one thing I am is persistent, sticking through something even it is bad. So it might work? Still I feel like a failure not really since I have sleep apnea but more because I've reached this point in my life where I let myself go by not exercising and being obese (BMI 32.6).

Now that I have that off my restless chest, how shall I pick a mask?

welcome to the zoo! and so your journey begins.

thanks for actually going through and reading posts. i sometimes wonder why more people don't do that! so, as you've found out, getting the just right mask is rather like the holy grail here. it sounds like you fianlly got to sleep with the full face. and when you say "nose mask", do you mean one that fits over and surrounds the nose? or one that has just the pillows touching yor nose?

as the frog has said, it may help to read reviews. and buy from our sponsor cpap.com. they have a return policy of 30 days. (or is that longer now?) at any rate, have a look at what they carry-

https://www.cpap.com/

look for the pull down menu that says "cpap masks" and start having a look.

good luck!

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Thu May 02, 2019 5:19 pm

miguele3 wrote: ↑
Thu May 02, 2019 4:14 pm
So now I'm depressed

You shouldn't be. You should be hopeful, because you've found out WHY you've been feeling bad, and your health has been suffering... and there's hope.

miguele3 wrote: ↑
Thu May 02, 2019 4:14 pm
and reading what others have done helps, not completely since so many of you have had trouble with the mask.

Finding the right mask is something some people struggle with... me, I put on my first mask, and went to sleep... and slept over 8 hours through the first night... in fact, I made the mistake of sleeping on my arm, and it ached for *weeks* afterwards, because I didn't move all night... so i advise people to make sure they're in a good position their first night.

miguele3 wrote: ↑
Thu May 02, 2019 4:14 pm
Still I feel like a failure not really since I have sleep apnea but more because I've reached this point in my life where I let myself go by not exercising and being obese (BMI 32.6).

Perhaps you're obese *because* you have sleep apnea... that is a thing.

I used a FFM for several years, then switched to the P10, and now am using the Bleep Dreamport.... basically going smaller and smaller over time

katestyles · Post by **katestyles** » Thu May 02, 2019 5:21 pm

You have the distinct advantage that you have found this forum!!
Welcome!

I get how bummed you are - I was in denial for 5 years about my apnea, and just got back on a machine this year, and I wasn’t happy about it!

I won’t tell you that it is all going to be easy, but I will tell you that it is much different when you are in your own home and your own bed.

Read here, get to know us, ask for advice and pointers.

We will be here to help.

babydinosnoreless · Post by **babydinosnoreless** » Thu May 02, 2019 5:57 pm

miguele3 wrote: ↑
Thu May 02, 2019 4:14 pm
I just found out I have severe sleep apnea. My sleep test night was so depressing and awful. So now they tell me my test revealed over 30 times per hour and 76% oxygen. I knew I had problems and have been living with it. The night of the test, I first slept without a mask and they woke me up and said I had sleep apnea, then they tried a nose mask and did not get to sleep at all, just depression. Then after a couple of hours they switched me to a full mask and it took a while but I did fall asleep. The session was extended by an hour and a half since I finally got to sleep.

So now I'm depressed and reading what others have done helps, not completely since so many of you have had trouble with the mask. The one thing I am is persistent, sticking through something even it is bad. So it might work? Still I feel like a failure not really since I have sleep apnea but more because I've reached this point in my life where I let myself go by not exercising and being obese (BMI 32.6).

Please don't be depressed, you are looking at it wrong. Maybe because you have sleep apnea it caused you to gain weight ? Plenty of skinny people have apnea. I have lost 30 lbs and am still losing since I've been on pap therapy. Once you are sleeping better you have more energy to do stuff. And btw my events were 141.3 per hour. My oxygen was below 89% all night with a low of 81%. Even with that horrible report I ignored it for a year before I finally was able to get a machine. So the fact that you are doing something now be proud of yourself! You admit you have a medical condition and you are trying to solve it !

SDBud · Post by **SDBud** » Thu May 02, 2019 8:23 pm

miguele3 wrote: ↑
Thu May 02, 2019 4:14 pm
I just found out I have severe sleep apnea. My sleep test night was so depressing and awful. So now they tell me my test revealed over 30 times per hour and 76% oxygen. I knew I had problems and have been living with it.

When first tested, I hit 58+ events, and about the same % as you.

Trust me, you WILL feel better, maybe not quickly, and it's likely NOT going to be easy at first,
but as you get used to the machine and find a mask that works for you, you'll be amazed at the
difference in your life, AND health.

Just keep with it, and TALK to your people when things don't fit right, or feel right.

Bookit · Post by **Bookit** » Fri May 03, 2019 6:06 am

Skinny people need a cpap too.

I actually had to twist my doctor's arm to get a sleep test scheduled. But I was done with sleeping 12 hours at night and then needing a nap to get through the day.

Keep posting here and letting us know how your journey is going. Lots of people here to help, to encourage, and sometimes make you laugh.

miguele3 · Post by **miguele3** » Fri May 03, 2019 10:44 am

Thanks everyone, very encouraging. I have a feeling the sleep doctor is going to encourage me to buy from them, but listening to you it might be best to shop around. I guess the doctor helps you find the right one...I'll figure it out!

realshelby · Post by **realshelby** » Fri May 03, 2019 10:51 am

Actually, is not likely your Doctor will be all that much help in selecting your machine and mask. Unfortunate, but true.

Two ways to go. Either deal with insurance and the hoops they make you jump through, or buy your own equipment out of pocket. Top level machines can be found new for in the $600 range. Masks all under $100.

Most would agree a safe machine to pick is the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset. Be aware there are more than one Airsense 10 models, having the Autoset or Autoset for Her after that is what you are after.

Masks are more or less either full face or nasal style. I started with full face and as quick as I could changed to the nasal pillow type masks. You have to find what works best for you.

I will tell you that I suspect you will feel enough better, and right away, that you will look at this as "not so depressing". In fact it might lighten your mood quite a bit. Give it that chance.

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Fri May 03, 2019 5:04 pm

You finally did fall asleep, that's a good sign! The more severe your case is, the more noticable the relief will likely be.

Miss Emerita · Post by **Miss Emerita** » Fri May 03, 2019 8:49 pm

To pick up on D. H.’s comment, maybe the place to start on masks is with the kind they gave you during the sleep test, since you did actually fall asleep with it on. Its pluses and minuses could then give you something to go on if you wanted to try something different.

Human bodies can be amazingly resilient, and with even just a start on weight loss and exercise you might be surprised to find how much better you start to feel. And maybe once you start sleeping better you will find it easier to make those other changes you’d like to make. Heaven knows it’s easier to steer your life the way you want to when you’re not tired, gloomy, and stupid-feeling all the time. (I speak from experience.)

I’ll be interested to know how the beginning of your apnea therapy goes!

Bummed Out _ need to start cpap

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Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max