Finally got a diagnoses

Well, it has been a long two weeks waiting for the results of the sleep study, and I finally got some numbers and a date for a titration study.

I forgot to ask if I actually got any REM sleep, but I guess I am not overly concerned about that statisic yet. The numbers that I did get are

O2 sat - 88%
Apnea/hr - 16.2

Now I feel like a light weight, with only 16.2/hr considering some of the 80+ I've read, but none the less the O2 sat figure definitely can explain some of the other physiological side effects I am feeling.

So the big night is Monday, should be interesting. And again, thanks for all the help you've all given. And I guess since I will be a full member of the club I need to get a picture taken of myself. And Bill, well you know.

And of course, from the other side of things, I figure I am going to spend about $1200 at CPAP.com in the next week or so, if treatment can help get me off the blood pressure meds, that will save me $50-75/month, so the payback will be less than two years. Better than spending the extra $$$ on a hybrid car

cheers,
Tom

Well Tom, that could be worse -- a lot worse -- but at least now you know.

What are you planning to buy that runs up to $1200? I was only able to spend $1013 and that included 420e plus humidifier and software, 2 masks and overnight delivery. If I'd had only one mask or regular delivery it would have been under $1K.

Tom, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but it may (just maybe) be one of the better things that can happen. Yep, you've got what's considered moderate OSA, but your 02 sat of 88% could be a big part of your high blood pressure. The good news is that CPAP therapy can definitely help on that!

As for spending $1200 for a CPAP, cpap.com has some great package deals. I ended up with the PB 420E, heated humidifier and software package for only about $750. Add another $100-$150 for a top of the line mask and there ya be.....and still have $300 toward a downpayment on that new hybrid! LOL

You didn't mention anything about other symptoms, such as snoring, feeling tired, falling asleep during the day, etc. With your AHI of 16.2, I bet you're going to respond to this therapy quickly and easily.

Good luck and keep us posted. And speaking of posting, yep, a picture for sure!!!

This therapy WORKS!!! (and it got my life back on track and my wife back into my bed! WOO HOO)

Tom, I know you're glad to have the diagnosis. Well, that sounds funny. More like glad to have it "official" if you've got to have it at all, so you can put in motion the well researched plans you've been making.

"only 16.2/hr" That's not to be sneezed at. Can wear a person out just as surely as the higher AHI's and more severe O2 drops can.

You'll be on your way to feeling better soon now. Yea!

Whatcha' gonna roll the dice on as your "first of many" mask? LOL!!!

TXKajun wrote:You didn't mention anything about other symptoms, such as snoring, feeling tired, falling asleep during the day, etc.

I can vouch for his snoring, although we haven't been under the same roof in almost 2 years ( wow, how time flies!)

In another thread he talked about his symptoms. All the above plus drug resistant hypertension, stressed and anxious, memory and concentration problems, etc. Classic bag of symptoms.

Good luck and keep us posted. And speaking of posting, yep, a picture for sure!!!

If he doesn't have one, I'm sure I can dig one up. My kids and wife took a bunch at his wedding. Did I mention we are close friends? Willemina even made their wedding cake.

WAFlowers wrote:Well Tom, that could be worse -- a lot worse -- but at least now you know.

What are you planning to buy that runs up to $1200? I was only able to spend $1013 and that included 420e plus humidifier and software, 2 masks and overnight delivery. If I'd had only one mask or regular delivery it would have been under $1K.

Well, I guess I over guestimated. I was including sales tax as I live in TX, but then again, do you have to pay sales tax on DME?

From listening, if I have no problems with straight CPAP, my choice will be the 420e and humidifier, and I will probably get get Swift, and possibly Aura. Not sure on the masks. I am fairly sure I am not a mouth breather at night.

All I know, if all goes well, both Stacy and I will sleep much better.

As for symptoms, right now I will occasionally fall asleep at work. I am okay if I am doing something interactive, like typing, but if I have to concentrate on a problem my head wants to head for the keyboard pretty quickly. I also don't have near the capacity to concentrate that I used to have. My short term memory is off as well, I sometimes feel I am turing OC, cause I honestly can't remember if I shut the garage door for example. Very hard to control Hypertension. My body does not seam to heal well, I feel like my recovery time from physical activity is much longer that normal. Minor headaches in the morning. I snore, sometimes very badly. Finally, constant cravings to eat.

I am hoping, that with successful therapy, my ability to concentrate on a task will improve, thus helping me a work, eat less, easier to get to the gym. I've got so much in live I want to do, and right now I feel like an over-weight couch potato. I will also be joining the Friday club, I would like to go from the 265lbs I am right now to about 210lbs, but anything under 220 will make my doctor and I much happier.

So Bill, since your the only one here who has seen my face, what mask's do you think I should try first

Again, thanks for all of the help, and the encouragement!

cheers,
Tom

Honestly, I'd be tempted to get an Activa and an Aura if I were you.

Of course, if I was doing it again those are the two I'd get, so maybe I'm just a bit biased. (You think?)

I use my swift 99+% of the time. But when I had my cold a few weeks back a traditional nasal mask sure was handy. I think I've used mine only 3 or 4 times in 8 weeks. The rest of the time I'm on the Swift.

Also, seriously consider the Aussie heated hose. Mine is in-transit. I'm looking forward to cranking the humidity up a bit very soon (without rainout).

TXKajun wrote:Tom, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but it may (just maybe) be one of the better things that can happen. Yep, you've got what's considered moderate OSA, but your 02 sat of 88% could be a big part of your high blood pressure. The good news is that CPAP therapy can definitely help on that!
[/quyote]

I appreaciate that, it is funny, one the one hand I hate being told there is something wrong with me, but it explains so much of what is happening with my body. I am actually relieved, and almost running on a high. To a couple of the people here at work I am just weird, that is, I am looking forward to having this thing attached to my face when I sleep. Of the two guys that sit in the cubicals next to me, one has been diagnosed with OSA, but refuses treatment, even thought he takes no less than 3 or 4 cat naps a day. Or the other one who has almost all of the classical symptoms, he is going to wait and see if loosing weight will fix it.

TXKajun wrote:As for spending $1200 for a CPAP, cpap.com has some great package deals. I ended up with the PB 420E, heated humidifier and software package for only about $750. Add another $100-$150 for a top of the line mask and there ya be.....and still have $300 toward a downpayment on that new hybrid! LOL

Yeah, I over guesitmated, and I did not know about the combo package. I know I will be trying on a few different masks at the titration study (did I mention it's this Monday ) But I still figure I will get more than one. I guess I am lucky I can afford the machine, software and mask out of pocket.

So I wonder, think they clean the masks well between patients at the sleep clinic? Sorry, random thought.

As far as the extra $$$, it would be going for a

if the budget had the money for a new toy, I mean vehicle

cheers,
Tom

rested gal wrote:Tom, I know you're glad to have the diagnosis. Well, that sounds funny. More like glad to have it "official" if you've got to have it at all, so you can put in motion the well researched plans you've been making.

"only 16.2/hr" That's not to be sneezed at. Can wear a person out just as surely as the higher AHI's and more severe O2 drops can.

You'll be on your way to feeling better soon now. Yea!

Whatcha' gonna roll the dice on as your "first of many" mask? LOL!!!

Thanks RG! As I said in the other post, I am just plain happy I am moving forward in making myself feel better. It is hard to explain to people what that feels like. Well, except for y'all. I hope the person who was trying to decide weather to try CPAP, or just go straight to gastric bypass listened to what we (esp. Lori) said and decided to give CPAP as shot.

cheers,
Tom

Tom-

You might want to check out the SnoozeNewz from ResMed on BP & OSA- http://newsletters.resmed.com/Newslette ... 0328r1.pdf

They have a bunch of pie charts on the prevalence of SDB (OSA, CSA, & UARS) in various cariovascular disorders- it shows 80% of those with treatment resistant high blood pressure have SBD, so the odd are in your favor.

Christine

Thats not a motorcycle...for the sake of rationale....
Its a Positive Airway Pressure Training Device.

Gotta get used to breathing against a back pressure after all.

Good training for getting used to headgear too....

I wonder if the IRS would have an issue with taking it off as a medical deduction?......

snork1 wrote:Thats not a motorcycle...for the sake of rationale....
Its a Positive Airway Pressure Training Device.

Gotta get used to breathing against a back pressure after all.

Good training for getting used to headgear too....

I wonder if the IRS would have an issue with taking it off as a medical deduction?......

I like the thought, seriously though, if I get my home business further along we will be able to talk.

BTW, I have a road trip coming up at the end of the month, and if all goes well I should be on the CPAP by then. My wife will be much happier. Of course, now I have to figure out how to get the CPAP, and my lap top into a mid-sized top box on my bike. I might have to by a campers roll for clothes for the rear seat. Anyway, way off topic.

BTW, speaking of the road trip, anyone got any good jokes, suitable for a best man's speech at a wedding? I think I've got the whole way they met, sparkle in their eyes thing going, but that ain't going to cut it.

I guess I will have to watch 3 weddings and a funeral again

cheers,
Tom

Awright, Tom! Great to see you have your priorities straight! Way kewl bike! I ride a 1999 HD Superglide Sport to and from work almost every day. It gets pretty good gas mileage (35+ in town, 45+ on the highway). I still haven't figured out how to get my medical insurance company to pay me to use it, though. I like the idea of it being considered a CPAP training device, though! ROFL.

Good luck in starting your therapy. The sooner the better. BTW, I would recommend a DreamFit mask. It's the only nasal mask I've tried, heck, it's the only other mask I've tried other than the UltraMirage Full Face mask. The DreamFit sure works well for me, though.

This therapy WORKS!!! (it also keeps me from falling asleep on the motorcycle! An entirely good thing!)

christinequilts wrote:Tom-

You might want to check out the SnoozeNewz from ResMed on BP & OSA- http://newsletters.resmed.com/Newslette ... 0328r1.pdf

They have a bunch of pie charts on the prevalence of SDB (OSA, CSA, & UARS) in various cariovascular disorders- it shows 80% of those with treatment resistant high blood pressure have SBD, so the odd are in your favor.

Thanks for the link. Actually today I am going into the doctors for a BP medication review, to wit I am going to ask him to go back a couple of medication steps to where I felt a bit better. No use going to extremes when, and the chances are pretty good, treating my OSA may do all that is needed.

BTW, a friend of mine has OSA, and had the UPP I believe, he said he is not perfect, but just could not use the machine before op, or now after and that he is okay. It still boggles my mind why some people are so resistant to treatment. I could maybe understand if you had to wear the mask 24/7. But that is a topic for another thread.

Thanks again,
Tom

TXKajun wrote:Awright, Tom! Great to see you have your priorities straight! Way kewl bike! I ride a 1999 HD Superglide Sport to and from work almost every day. It gets pretty good gas mileage (35+ in town, 45+ on the highway).

I am back to riding my FJR1300 to and from work every day as well. We also have a '98 Triumph Thunderbird Sport in the garage


The FJR is getting around 40-44 mpg, which is almost 3 times what my truck gets.

TXKajun wrote:I still haven't figured out how to get my medical insurance company to pay me to use it, though. I like the idea of it being considered a CPAP training device, though! ROFL.

Right now I figure the stress relief I get from riding the bike is the only thing keeping my BP as low as it is Shouldn't that be enough of an argument

TXKajun wrote:Good luck in starting your therapy. The sooner the better. BTW, I would recommend a DreamFit mask. It's the only nasal mask I've tried, heck, it's the only other mask I've tried other than the UltraMirage Full Face mask. The DreamFit sure works well for me, though.

Cool, like I said I am going to get at least two masks to try, not sure which ones. The sleep lab where I am going looks to have a reasonable selection, so I will know more after the study.

TXKajun wrote:This therapy WORKS!!! (it also keeps me from falling asleep on the motorcycle! An entirely good thing!)

I must admit, I have nodding a bit in the car/truck and on the bike. Actually riding to the gym after work was pretty ruff last night.

cheers,
Tom