Just got diagnosed...

I've had these symptoms for years but never made the connection. I finally decided to video tape myself sleeping, and what I saw shocked me enough to talk to my Dr. It took about a month and a half but I've finally been diagnosed officially. I stop breathing close to 50 times per hour and the sleep Dr said I have a severe case. Unfortunately, it's another 3 weeks until my next overnight study to work on treating it. I feel lost and hopeless because all I do is get up in the morning with a headache, fumble my way to work where I find myself unable to focus, and then I get home and all I wanna do is sleep. But then my sleep doesn't give me what I need and I keep repeating the same day over and over. I used to love to play the guitar but now I don't have the energy or focus. My dog is disappointed because I don't want to play with her. I don't even watch TV. I just lay in bed and drift away in my mind. My life is like a blur and I have suicidal thoughts. I haven't made any attempts but I feel like I need to talk to someone because it's not getting better it's just getting worse. I've pushed people away that love and care for me. I don't know how to bring them back. At least now, with the diagnosis, I have some hope. I know I can hold out until I get this machine because it's the only thing giving me any hope right now. I want it to put me to sleep so I can wake up.

Hang in there just a little while longer. With a titration study and the proper equipment you can get your life back.
On your way, the good folks here will help.

I firmly believe CPAP totally eliminated my depression. Hang in there. Help is on the way. I totally understand how you feel. I didnt have ambition to do ANYTHING prior to CPAP. Now I am about to start a new job and looking forward to it.

One idea: call the sleep center and ask to be put on a cancellation list. They call people in on short notice when someone else cancels or doesnt show up. dont be afraid to call a couple of times.

I'll add a plus one to oak's post for sure. Sleep labs often have cancellations and you could very well be titrating much sooner.

Depending on whether or not you have insurance, you may consider purchasing a used autoset and mask from someone who may not have been able to tolerate pressure therapy. Don't hesitate to inquire at your doctor's office. I've known more than one doctor that had a spare machine for people in your situtation.

Good luck. Hang in there.

I just got my lab orders cleared away at 2:00pm today and here I am in the sleep lab. They had a cancellation and I pushed it.

So the advice to check with the lab is good advice.

great!!

Ben, I just want to add to the others' encouragements -- you were soooo smart to videotape yourself and then head to the doctor's. Do pursue the cancellation list, three weeks is a long time to have to wait after getting a severe diagnosis.

If you're up for it, I think talking to someone is a great idea while you're waiting to get on effective treatment, just to deal with the losses you've already experienced, and to help you cope with whatever this diagnosis and its impact means to you. And to support you as you get your life back on track, going in the direction you want it to go. It might just be short-term counseling but it could help, especially while you're waiting.

Is your diagnosis specifically Obstructive Sleep Apnea? If not, or you don't know, please check with your doctor before following the suggestion of going out and buying a used autoset.

Ben - for now, if you have the opportunity, sleep somewhat upright (relatively) in a recliner, or if not, then at least on your side or front, but NOT on your back - put a wedge of something behind you to prevent it if necessary. Back sleeping makes more apneas happen.

Julie wrote:Ben - for now, if you have the opportunity, sleep somewhat upright (relatively) in a recliner, or if not, then at least on your side or front, but NOT on your back - put a wedge of something behind you to prevent it if necessary. Back sleeping makes more apneas happen.

I tried this but I couldn't fall asleep and ended up going back the bed. Maybe I just need to keep trying and eventually I'll get it. I do normally sleep on my side or front but my arm tends to fall asleep a lot. I will keep trying the recliner.

I called the sleep lap but and they couldn't put me on any list. I have to go through the normal, business hours only center. They don't call people in if there's any last minute cancels or no shows. Everything is scheduled in advance. I will call the normal center though and see if I can get in sooner.

But even if I can't, I guess I've waited this long, what's another 3 weeks? If it makes me feel better it will be worth it.

And I don't know what type of apnea I have just yet, since they haven't tried anything on me. I had trouble falling asleep for the first test and so they couldn't hook me up to any air because we ran out of time.

I appreciate the support from everyone.

Hi Ben, welcome. If you have a decent rapport with your Dr, can you speak to him and tell him exactly how you're feeling? He may be able to pull some strings with the lab to get you in sooner. Here's a tip I got when my hubby was in the ER overnight without his machine. The nurse wrapped an ace bandage around his head to keep his jaw from dropping open and it helped. Good luck.

Amarillo_Ben

Good luck in the hurry up and wait period that you now find yourself in.

While you are waiting, it is worth it to start doing the necessary legwork to insure that you wind up with a full data machine of your choice rather than a compliance-data-only brick a DME you've never heard of decides to stick you with.

It may be that becoming proactive and learning as much as you can about both your OSA diagnosis and the CPAP therapy that you will soon be starting may make that waiting period go by faster.

For my full advice to those diagnosed with OSA and who are waiting---either for the titration study or their machine, click on my Advice for those newly diagnosed with OSA link in my signature.