Scared and confused

I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, I had about 49 episodes an hour..not counting the less than 10 seconds. I had deviated ceptum surgery 10 years ago..a total thyroidectomy after trying to shrink developing goiter and nodules..have scar tissue around inside area..anyway this is all really scary. I dont have insurance so thats not good either. Doctor says i need to get C-pap machine..i hate it..i dont know but ive been doing a lot of reading, as I always have before I have ever done anything. If anyone feels like writing Id really appreciate it. I am a very active person and exercise and run regularly..except for the last 2 months or so..Im just too tired. I should also say Im 55, recently ..finally..got my thyroid back to somewhat normal..because of no insurance for so many years ..my bloodwork hadn"t been checked and finally when I was checked..I was 4 times lower than I should have been..so I had gained 25 pounds over that year and it took almost a year to get to "normal" now this...again thanks to all who can help with information, would love to correspond with others facing sleep apnea. God bless you all

I am a very active person and exercise and run regularly..except for the last 2 months or so..Im just too tired.

While the thyroid problems are undoubtedly contributing to your tiredness, the sleep apnea is most likely also contributing to it as well. Since your apnea is severe and since you may be having daytime symptoms, CPAP therapy may very well make you feel much better in the long run.

If you will have to buy your CPAP machine outright because you have no insurance, then you may need to do some serious shopping around. You can start by looking at the prices here on CPAP.com (the sponsor of this forum site) and compare them to what you're able to find in brick-and-morter DMEs near your house. Other posters may be able to provide you with guidance if you post about the need to buy your own equipment without insurance and on a budget with a subject that makes it clear that you need that kind of information.

Starting CPAP can indeed be very scary and confusing. I've only been using CPAP for three weeks and I've had some real adjustment issues. However, I do believe that in the long run I will prevent or minimize future apnea-related health issues by treating my apnea now (while it is moderate and before I've started having symptoms beyond my husband noticing my snoring and occasionally quitting breathing at night)

Best of luck and welcome.

I have only had my machine a month and to be honest I really didn't want to have to "wear a mask" to bed. However, instead of fighting this I am tackling it head on. I have 2 kids and a wife to think about. I am 39 and still have a lot of life left in me....I don't want to lose my mind, have a stroke or a heart attack. It's not fun sleeping with the mask on but each night it gets easier and I am trying to make the best of it. Look around this site long enough and you will find just as I have that there are plenty of people who have walked this road and are getting by very well. We are now aware that we have a problem...now instead of worrying about the problem or giving up just embrace the solutions and attack it head on. Good luck in your journey.

I would suggest you look at http://secondwindcpap.com for a fully data capable, gently used auto cpap machine. They get used (less than 500 hrs on them) machines, check them, sanitize them, and provide a 6 month warranty on them. Their prices are very reasonable. They also work with organizations who help out those without insurance or financial ability to buy the equipment. The owner is a Respiratory Therapist and they have excellent customer service.

You can do this ..... Keep reading everything you can on this forum. Your name is showing in black, not blue....so you need to register on the forum in order to participate fully. Be sure you fill in your Profile, and when you get your machine, mask, etc., you can have that show up in your posts by going to to the User Control Panel --> Profile --> Edit Equipment. When you choose your equipment, be sure to show it in TEXT, not icons.

Good luck, and keep us posted on our progress!

There is also CPAP auction, hosted by the owner of this site and CPAP.com. There are links to this site at the top of the main forum page.

Hi - also go to the lightbulb at the top of the forum page and read your head off - everything you always wanted to know about apnea, cpap and the whole darn thing. None of us ever imagined that we would ever be able to do this, but believe it or not, we can't imagine sleeping without it now... it gets to be a routine like anything else and it feels good not to be a wreck all the time!

starflypoo@aol.com wrote:I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, I had about 49 episodes an hour..not counting the less than 10 seconds. I had deviated ceptum surgery 10 years ago..a total thyroidectomy after trying to shrink developing goiter and nodules..have scar tissue around inside area..anyway this is all really scary. I dont have insurance so thats not good either. Doctor says i need to get C-pap machine..i hate it..i dont know but ive been doing a lot of reading, as I always have before I have ever done anything. If anyone feels like writing Id really appreciate it. I am a very active person and exercise and run regularly..except for the last 2 months or so..Im just too tired. I should also say Im 55, recently ..finally..got my thyroid back to somewhat normal..because of no insurance for so many years ..my bloodwork hadn"t been checked and finally when I was checked..I was 4 times lower than I should have been..so I had gained 25 pounds over that year and it took almost a year to get to "normal" now this...again thanks to all who can help with information, would love to correspond with others facing sleep apnea. God bless you all

Starfly, we are here to try to help you with any questions you have - and some you probably haven't thought of yet. Fire away. And, while you're waiting for replies -- there is a lot of information for you to read in the CPAP Wiki wiki/-- created by us through the years -- and then there's the first post on this thread, with links to point you to further sources viewtopic/t35702/Where-A-CPAP-Newbie-Should-Start.html.

Many of us were relieved by the diagnosis when we finally got it -- many of us were terrified when we realized it may mean sleeping with a mask and machine for the rest of our lives. But when you finally get a good night's sleep things take on a life of their own. I never understood "I love my mask" statements -- till I got up from a night of restful sleep thanks to that hunk of plastic.

Welcome to the forum! You'll get greater benefit from registering, and posting publicy than you will for keepin up an email correspondence with one or - or even 10 people.

Is it the scar tissue that causes a narrowing of you airway?

Best wishes Starflypoo -- i'm a newbie myself also, so don't have any info to help you with, but you are at the right place. These caring people will give you great advice and answer all your questions....nothing is too silly to ask....and be easy on yourself...just read...don't let it overwhelm you, it takes a bit to start absorbing and understanding all the info....just keep posting...

and keep your chin up -- it will get better!

can the reggie white sleep disorder foundation help her?