thank you!!!

I recently had a sleep study to determine how much my RLS (restless legs) interfered with my sleep. I was surprised when the sleep center called to tell me I have sleep apnea. Weirdness. My husband was supposed to have a study a couple years ago but had to cancel due to work travel. I KNOW he has OSA...but me?

I started searching for info and found y'all. I also stumbled on a post from a friend of mine, would never have known he was a cpap user otherwise. So this place actually put me in touch with my cpap buddy. And gave me info on so many things I knew nothing about so that it was easier to make educated decisions and requests re:my own treatment.

I'm somewhat claustrophobic with things on my head, neck and face. I can't stand air--like the upper vents in the car--blowing in my face. Especially dry air. I'm not a mouth breather. So, from my reading here, I knew I needed to try a minimal nasal system. And that I needed warm humidity. But not too warm, since I live in MI--where it gets cold. See? Y'all were so much help and I hadn't even registered.

So, I go for the titration study and give them all this info I'd figured out and they brought me the Swift. The medium was a bit big, the small fit fine. I'd made sure to take no naps for several days before so I went out like a light. I slept six hours straight...in the freaky sleep lab, with cpap on. Wow.

Picked up my equipment this Tuesday. Tuesday night took forever to fall asleep. I was worried about knocking it off. The long hose was awkward, the shorter one in the way when I tried to sleep on my side. Weds. found me back here, where I discovered the velcro-hose-strap-through-the-top-buckle solution. WOO HOO! It works beautifully.

Last night, the stiff sides of the head gear annoyed me. "I wish there was some way to pad them," my last thought as I drifted off to sleep. Sure enough, I check in here this AM and find the toe sleeves fix.

I was so afraid I couldn't do this but I have so far managed three nights and two naps of total compliance right off the bat. I foresee many more, since I'm finding solutions to every issue I've come up with. Thanks to all of you.

I just wanted you all to know that you're not posting in a void...we (the newly dx'd and besnorkled) are out here and we are listening (reading) and learning.

Darn it, I registered before I posted. Don't know what happened but--I HAVE A NAME!

And we are so happy you found us, too! Thanks for sharing that story. When you hear things like what you wrote, it makes it all worthwile.

Great attitude and lots of success!

When someone says something so nice in my (general) direction all I can respond with is: Thank you.

P.S. I'm glad you are finding ways to solve your problems and make this treatment work for you!

Twinsanity,
You are really on top of things, I'm glad to hear you are off to a good start!!!! When I started CPAP, I was A TOTAL MESS!!! You can learn alot from this site and all the people who post here, THEY ARE THE GREATEST!!!
CD

Hi Twinsanity, I am glad you found us and that the info you have found has really helped you.

I am really lucky because I have my built in info system and support system. My new hubby.

He even learned from me when I brought up that he is a mouth breather and he needs either a chin strap or a full face mask.

He never heard of a chin strap and never knew they existed until I brought it up and his best friend is using a chin strap.

So, we all learn.

I have a long way to go and I am still learning.

Twinsanity -

You will find only kindness on this site. I am new at this CPAP stuff too, and I am sure I could never have come this far this quickly without the generosity of the people on this board.

Keep it up and don't be a stranger!

I have been on CPAP for 10 days and these folks have been a real help. I too have had great luck woth my therapy. Tonight I will crack the 100 hour mark and I can honestly say that I feel better than I've frlt in YEARS.