CPAPtalk.com

good post........and glad you mentioned the dentist, as I had nearly forgotten.
Nearly 5 yrs ago, during a procedure where the dentist had to numb my palate well
for a molar issue, he noted that I snored (and airway looked tight, even though I was
awake) during procedure, once I was numbed. He recommended I see and ENT as
airway appeared to collapse, and think it startled him. I never followed through on
that recommendation.......lost alot of precious sleep in those years I'm certain.
My therapy has been an awakening,as I didnt realize one COULD sleep this well.
Granted, I dont sleep long stretches, but for the first time in my life, I'm experiencing
dreams, and feeling rested after 6 hours, and nearly look forward to my mask at night.
Sure, some nights are better than others, but looking back over the years, I"m far better
rested than I've been over the last decade, as I was the walking/driving/talking zombie
for wayyyyyyy too many years. Life is precious, and I want to enjoy it without the haze
I was living in for too long. This site, and the members here are tremendously informative
and helpful, so to any newbies out there, continue to check in regularly, and post. You'll
be surprised the tips you will learn from the group.

Hi Nellie:

I am 59 this November and have been on a CPAP since 1998. I love my CPAP. I don't care what anyone things, I have lived without it, if you can call it living, falling asleep in front of people, falling asleep while your driving, not remembering phone numbers for 15 seconds, losing the ability to see properly, having no memory, oh my dear life has changed with my CPAP.

iT gave me back my life and made it even better. There is a period of time that you suffer and then you are diagnosed, but there is that long period of time, that you are going downhill and being treated for fibromyalgia, and every other disease possible; no women get it and never feel bad you have it, just celebrate you were diagnosed and can do something about it.

At 59, I am ocean fishing, sailing, scuba diving, racing around in a zodiac, working 3 businesses, I am a placer miner, which means I pan for gold in the hills, I am an avid gardener, I network, market, and I love life, people, places, all because a CPAP gave me back my life.

I found a husband 5 years ago, who loves my CPAP as much as he loves me, I dated and told many men of my CPAP; many were accepting but they weren't the apple of my eye; I fly, I travel, I go through power cut offs, as I keep batteries, and plug my CPAP into batteries, I camp, I stay overnight in my boat, my CPAP has only enhanced my existence, given me back my life.

Yes, women get apnea as well. I am diagnosed at a 17 mean; I learned everything about CPAP'S and have my own software, I monitor myself, I use Remstar Auto CPAPS, but if I have a cole I will use a C-Flex - learn everything there is to know, then it all becomes a piece of cake. Study how you sleep, what would make it better, email me anytime ddvic@shaw.ca I would talk to you anytime, as I said CPAP gave me back my life, and I am living it to the fullest. Ten years on CPAP and planning on many many more.

Blessings and care.

Hi everyone!

I have just started using a cpap. ....and yes, female.

I would never have known I had sleep apnea, if it wasn't for my husband witnessing me stopping breathing at night.
I just shrugged it off at first, as I never...I thought....felt tired. Well, I didn't think more tired than anyone else.

Anyway, after using it, my head feels clearer, and I feel more rested.

As yet, using it only for 3 weeks, I have only had 2 nights where I woke up and found the swift in place. Sometimes it is under my chin, sometimes on the floor. I don't remember taking it off during the night!!!! I guess the biggest hurdle was looking like a Trekky at night. Thank goodness my husband is a Star Trek lover!!!

Glad this is available. I have learned a lot already reading some of the posts.

illinigal wrote:I want to vote too ! I am female, 56, on cpap since January 2008..I am lucky because I have/had no other health issues unless dozing at red lights count..I had been a zombie for about 2 yrs tho before I finally admitted defeat and went and complained to my family doctor. I had fatique as my main concern, but my blood pressure was 210/98, cholestral 206..and on and on and on..where as before all my numbers had been good. Right now I am struggling and have a titrated sleep study coming up, but my first 4 months was great with all my numbers back in normal range. Yes, I did diet and did a 3 mile walking DVD in my living room everyday but I think most of my success was due to my CPAP therapy..

The only thing that is not going to change is that Slinky is younger than me and smaller..I am 5' 8, and despite losing 30LBs, still tip the scale at 200 and a little more ! We all know men can't resist those tiny little things so I guess between having first bid and her natural cute build she wins Blackneto..but I am still lingering in the shadows and live closer !

Illinigal

I am a 62 year old female, recently diagnosed with OSA. Just got my CPAP equipment this week. It is, indeed taking some getting used to, but am totally sold on it, and feel a little better already. I, too, have been a zombie for years. Family docs ran the usual tests, and all they could come up with was that I must be depressed. Who wouldn't seem depressed if they were only getting a few hours of sleep at night? Then I woke up one night with a collapsed lung and before it was all over, both lungs had collapsed and I was lucky to make it off the operating table. That lead to my getting acquainted with an excellent pulmonologist who treated me for COPD, and eventually discovered my OSA. Although I have COPD, I think CPAP therapy will improve my quality of life and allow me to do a lot more than I can now. I do have one question: Does CPAP therapy cause gas? (Sorry. I don't know of a more delicate way to put it.)

I do have one question: Does CPAP therapy cause gas? (Sorry. I don't know of a more delicate way to put it.)

Yes, it does - or it can do so, not always and not for everyone. The delicate (?) latinized term is aerophagia. Search for it, and you'll find lots of info.

O.

ozij wrote:

Yes, it does - or it can do so, not always and not for everyone. The delicate (?) latinized term is aerophagia. Search for it, and you'll find lots of info.

O.

Thank you! I will do a search.

Froggie, I LOVE your AVATAR!!!!! I love that show so much! I must have seen it a zillion times! Imagine my surprise when I watched Eddie in a recent TV show and GASP!!! No makeup??? He's AGED???? NO NO!!!!!

LOL,
Babs

Babette wrote:Froggie, I LOVE your AVATAR!!!!! I love that show so much! I must have seen it a zillion times! Imagine my surprise when I watched Eddie in a recent TV show and GASP!!! No makeup??? He's AGED???? NO NO!!!!!

I could have *sworn* that was a Monty Python sketch originally. Am i losing my mind??? It's still funny

Oh, probably. But it was really funny when Eddie did it anyway.

LOL,
B.

Babette wrote:Oh, probably. But it was really funny when Eddie did it anyway.

LOL,
B.

who the he#* is eddie?

The guy in the Avatar we are talking about is Eddie Izzard:

http://www.eddieizzard.com/

I like him better in makeup and heels.

LOL,
B.

Babette wrote:The guy in the Avatar we are talking about is Eddie Izzard:

http://www.eddieizzard.com/

I like him better in makeup and heels.

LOL,
B.

Wow....I'm liking this place better every day. Eddie is hilarious! Who knew cross-dressing could be cool...

Mike

Golly Mike, are you SURE you're happily married? You know I'm single...

LOL,
Babs

Wow! Hmmm... wanna see me squirm? I could say "unfortunately yes, I am happily married"...but my marriage isn't unfortunate. How about I just say "Thanks!"

And yes, I know you were kidding. I will say one thing though - you are a boatload of fun. I LOVE your posts!
Mike

Hey Mike, DITTTO!

But go print this off for your wife - she needs to know HOW VERY MUCH SHE'S ENVIED.

LOL,
Babs