New to the hose!

Good afternoon all.
I thought I would finally create an account and join in the conversation.
I was having a lot of issues, PTSD is one. I mentioned to my psych that my wife said that I snore something awful. The thing that I finally brought it to my Dr's attention was my little daughter asked me to stop snoring. That was enough, I read about sleep tests and how there was a VA study about vets with PTSD and their incidence with Apnea.

After a few weeks of waiting I was scheduled for a sleeping test on 10.11 of last month.
It was the CNN debate night, and that was everywhere in the hospital. That made me really anxious to get my own room and fall asleep, because I knew nothing good was going to be on TV that night. I also could not have my PC with me, so that was another reason to sleep quickly.

Got all connected and brain sensors connected. Did the eye movements and what have you that she told me to do through the speaker system. After that she said, "now try to sleep."
About 20-30 minutes later I was out cold. I was amazed how easy it was for me to sleep in a foreign place, but I was tired. I did not know what chronic fatigue is at that time.
After about 3 hours she came in and all I remember is the sound of plastic bags opening and some Velcro sounds. A few seconds later I felt like I was a balloon being filled up. I told the nurse and she did something that made it easy to slip back to my log state of sleep.
That morning I asked how I did. She said I was had moderate Apnea. 23 times average, blood saturation level dropped to 85% and she said that is when she decided she saw enough and plugged me in.
The weirdest thing happened that morning at 5:30 am, I felt awake. I had remembered this feeling from years ago and thought that it was amazing. On my drive home I was hoping that I was bad enough for the Va to give me a machine, well I was.
I was waiting on the results for 3 weeks, then got some prescription nasal spray in the mail. I thought that was weird, so I called them. They said that I was approved on the morning of the 15th and that someone was supposed to call me. Ooops! So I scheduled a pickup of my machine this Monday.
I have had 2 nights to sleep with it, I felt amazing Tuesday morning. I logged a little over 9 hours.
This morning I woke up with my little pillows in my nose and thought that the machine was not working. Popped em out, oh yeah it was!

I was gifted a S9 with the humidifier, Swift FX nasal pillows and another nose mask as well.

Found this site Tuesday, read a LOT during work
I am having a positive experience so far, but my real question is how much better will it get?

I will post some information from the software tonight or when I can get me SD reader working.

Thanks for the site guys!

Glad you had such an immediate positive experience! Welcome to the site.

Welcome to the land of hoseheads Urtoo, we don't need to recomend that you do alot of reading here...you've beat us to the punch . With an attitude like yours you will do just fine and be caught up on all that lost restorative sleep in no time.
Cheers
Nan

Found this site Tuesday, read a LOT during work
I am having a positive experience so far, but my real question is how much better will it get?

We like to hear that!
Hard to say. Just go for it. Happy for you!

Thanks all. About to go plug in

ideally, it returns you to normal. After being really, really tired, normal is pretty nice.

It will get better. Some folks, like me, will get really better. Some folks see improvement, but not much. Keep up the treatment and give it time. Some folks start using the machine and in one week want to know why it's not getting better. Most of us have damaged our bodies over several years , and some, decades, because of sleep apnea. You need to find a mask that is comfortable and does not leak. If you look around this forum, you'll see that this will be your biggest challenge. Work all your issues here. There are a lot of people that have conquered sleep apnea because of this site. Also, the real goal is feeling better, not chasing numbers. The difference between a zero leak rate and a 4 l/m, is considered acceptable, but to me, will tell me I will not feel all that great that day. What works for me may not work for you. Best of luck on you cpap journey.

Happy papin'

Sheriff

Wow. So I forgot to fill my humidifier last night..... LARGE mistake.
Got a gallon of distilled water on my way in to work.

What a dry nose and mouth, my morning breath was like a dragon's that ate something that was decomposed and putrid.
My poor nose as well.

That will not happen ever again.

After I started using distilled water, every night before bed, it is much better.
Took a 2 hour nap today with being connected. So I guess catching p on that "Sleep debt."

Going up now to hook up and get another 7 hours or so.

I'm starting to take naps with the machine too. Sometimes, I'll dose in the recliner, and not hook up, but yesterday I knew I was going down for a while, so I masked-up and went into la-la land. I felt much better. Looks as you really need the humidifier. Hope you now that a bunch of folks would kill to have your experience! Consider yourself blessed. Work all your issues here as they crop up.

Sheriff

Sheriff Buford wrote: Hope you now that a bunch of folks would kill to have your experience! Consider yourself blessed. Work all your issues here as they crop up.

Sheriff

Why, is it that difficult using the mask for some? I have always been the type that just does what is suggested.
Adapt and overcome! It is worth the uncomfortable feelings, to feel that much better in the AM. I am amazed at this machine.

You are a great role model for those here who are finding this transition of life difficult. I found this board a little over a month ago, and have been learning a lot. I've been on the hose 12 years, and have learned more from these folks than I ever learned from DME's & Dr. Your positive attitude will be a help to some of the posters here who are having trouble coming to terms with and learning how to use CPAP as a tool to better their lives. Saw a post this weekend from a 19 yr old boy, he was really having trouble. If he is reading this, I hope your story will inspire him.
Good Luck & Welcome Aboard,
Jen

Sheriff Buford wrote:Sometimes, I'll dose in the recliner,

Buford, you stay out of that evidence locker, you hear!!!

archangle wrote:

Sheriff Buford wrote:Sometimes, I'll dose in the recliner,

Buford, you stay out of that evidence locker, you hear!!!

oops! busted...

Urtoo wrote:

Sheriff Buford wrote: Hope you now that a bunch of folks would kill to have your experience! Consider yourself blessed. Work all your issues here as they crop up.

Sheriff

Why, is it that difficult using the mask for some? I have always been the type that just does what is suggested.
Adapt and overcome! It is worth the uncomfortable feelings, to feel that much better in the AM. I am amazed at this machine.

Urt: browse around this sight and you will see the challenges newbies (and including myself) go thru in finding a comfortable mask that doesn't leak. The inspiring thing for me is that people know they need this therapy, but cannot get used to wearing a mask that's blowing air while they are trying to sleep. I cannot express some of the anguish is see (or read) in people trying to get this therapy right. To help someone thru their treatment journey is rewarding. That's why I stick around.

Sheriff