Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

Newly Diagnosed, awaiting CPAP study
#1
Newly Diagnosed, awaiting CPAP study
Hi! I have been snoring terribly for years and only recently thought about sleep apnea as a cause. I mentioned it to my doctor after my wife mentioned it to me. I had no idea what it even was but I knew I was exhausted all of the time mentally and physically.

I should say that I am exhausted because I still have no treatment. I went for my first sleep study this past Friday night. What I found out today shocked me. In lighter sleep I have a stop breathing episode (for an average of 15 seconds each time) around 62 times per hour. In deeper sleep that number shoots up to 98 times per hour. The sleep specialist are so sure I will be returning for the CPAP part of the study that they went ahead and scheduled it for this coming Monday and said they would work the details out with the doctor.

I have read a short bit but already I know more than I did before I start this journey. I am so excited that I finally know why I am tired, why I can't remember anything and have deep circles under my eyes. The reason my limbs ache in the morning and my head pounds almost all day long every day. From what I hear this CPAP journey, though not easy at first, will change my life. As a writer, I can imagine how much more successful I could be if I get a little rest.

Wish me luck!!
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Newly Diagnosed,,, awaiting CPAP study
Hi Sleepened Shadow,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
It sounds like you have a positive attitude and that will go a long way for you as you go through your adventures in CPAP therapy.
Good luck with your sleep study.
trish6hundred
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Newly Diagnosed,,, awaiting CPAP study
(10-09-2012, 10:22 PM)Sleepened Shadow Wrote: Wish me luck!!
Best of luck on your journey and hope all goes well


Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Newly Diagnosed,,, awaiting CPAP study
Welcome to the hosehead club. Wish you didn't have to be here but, since you do, you might as well get comfortable. Just don't spill your coffee on the carpet.

Since your AHI is high, you should really push to get an autoPAP (APAP) and one that is data capable. Do NOT settle for a 'brick' dumb machine.

Push for a Resmed S9 Autoset (not Escape Auto) or a Respironics PSR1 Auto (not one with Plus in the name).

The hardest part is the mask. Ask the supplier (DME) what their mask policy is. Most allow you to try a mask for several nights (2wks to 30 days) then return it to try another. Some of us have gone through a lot of masks before finding one that works. If you breathe at night with your mouth open, try a mask and a chin strap before you try a full face mask (FFM). They leak a lot and it is harder to get used to.
PaulaO

Take a deep breath and count to zen.




Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: Newly Diagnosed, awaiting CPAP study
(10-09-2012, 10:22 PM)Sleepened Shadow Wrote: From what I hear this CPAP journey, though not easy at first, will change my life.

Your success will be dependent on getting the right equipment.

First, get the right machine. That means a fully data-capable machine. Find out the name and model of the machine they want to give you before they give it to you. Let us know so can make sure it's a fully data-capable machine. You'll also need to tell us the prescribed pressure, something they'll determine during your second sleep study.

Second, get the right mask. This is a trial and error process so it doesn't matter much which mask they start you on, but you need to be aware that you'll be changing masks in an attempt to find one that works well for you. I've been on CPAP therapy for less than one year and have tried four different masks. They all worked for me, but some work better than others. Next month on my one-year anniversary I'll be trying out a different mask just to see if it will work better than what I've got now.

Sleepster

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#6
RE: Newly Diagnosed, awaiting CPAP study
Sleepened Shadow Wrote: From what I hear this CPAP journey, though not easy at first, will change my life.

Welcome and good luck on your new journey

I have been a hose head now for just over 12 months and it certainly has made a big change to my days:
- dont want to have a nap during the day
- my memory is back
- my whole body feels younger
- happy to go walking every day
- wake up feeling a lot better

As other have said get the right machine that records data, get software to read the data to see how you are going. I have learnt to self adjust the machine, not that I need to now.

Alls good at the end of the day

Good luck and happy sleeping
Happy sleeping
From Worthog in Brightwater (Mountain Creek)Oh-jeez
Post Reply Post Reply
#7
RE: Newly Diagnosed, awaiting CPAP study
Sleepened Shadow,
Good luck. With your attitude you should do well. Perhaps (since you're a writer) you should write down all the negative things you're experiencing so if things get tough you'll remember how bad things were pre CPAP. I took to the machine with only mask difficulties. I'm at just over 4 1/2 years now. Be sure and keep this thread alive by keeping us posted.
Post Reply Post Reply
#8
RE: Newly Diagnosed, awaiting CPAP study
I had the second sleep study last night. I guess all I can say is that I am blessed to have a great place that did the test. The guy that presided over my tests was also a hosehead himself so that was great for questions getting answered. I am not sure what type of machine it was they had me on last night but it was a perfect match the first time out. I didn't have to change masks one time.

The mask itself was the kind that just covers the nose and the straps secure it into place with a nice seal. The machine itself had a digital readout and I was able to see and feel that there were no leaks. The feeling I felt at first was almost like when the dentist used to gas me when I was a kid. It was like my brain was shocked because it was getting oxygen or something.

This study was in a bed that while comfortable was not as good as mine at home. Also I was away from home and that in and of itself can make sleeping difficult. I only briefly woke up (really not fully awake then as I barely remember it) and got a sip of water before going back to sleep quickly. I was able to lay on my side if I wanted to though I found out that I preferred being on my back. What can i say about the results? I feel great already after just the first time. The guy said that since mine was a severe case that I should definitely see some results immediately. I know for a fact that the air level was increased during the night and that he did it electronically or the machine did it by itself. From what I understand they plan to get me the same machine i had last night. If that is the case then the only issues will be figuring out where to plug it in, where to put it and how to keep the lights from waking up my wife.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! They plan to get me to the place to receive the mask Monday midday or early Tuesday. I am so thankful that this place did it. It has been a great experience thus far and I only regret that I couldn't snatch a mask and hose set to use over the next few days.

EDIT! I do know that the machine I was on and am planning to receive has a humidifier and a digital readout. Also as I said it was able to be changed either at the computer he was sitting by or by itself or both.
Post Reply Post Reply
#9
RE: Newly Diagnosed, awaiting CPAP study
The pressure was being changed by the tech. He was trying to find the minimum pressure necessary to keep your airway open. A process known as titration. This will become the prescription pressure that the doctor will write for you.

The fact that you had no problems with the machine indicates that you can tolerate a simple CPAP machine and therefore probably won't need anything fancier.

As I said before, do not let them give you a machine that is not fully data capable. That would be the biggest mistake you could make.

The other thing I talked about before was getting the right mask. You tolerated a nasal mask in your sleep study,and that is awesome. Later you can experiment with a nasal pillows, as that will make it easier for you to roll over on your side or stomach.

It looks like you are off to a great start.
Sleepster

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Diagnosed with SA 70AHI Newbie2024 15 260 2 hours ago
Last Post: HalfAsleep
  Questions on sleep study nikkib9899 0 45 Yesterday, 01:18 PM
Last Post: nikkib9899
  New to CPAP Titration Study and OSCAR Data Help Needed slowmoto 0 50 03-17-2024, 07:09 PM
Last Post: slowmoto
  Home Sleep Study - Low AHI but significant desat ArcherNeedsSleep 57 5,614 03-07-2024, 05:22 PM
Last Post: Sleeprider
  Only CAs on Oscar but diagnosed with OSA - 2 months CPAP and no improvement 444zane3 4 270 03-07-2024, 02:06 AM
Last Post: Deborah K.
  [Diagnosis] Sleep Study and no solution? CChelios445 3 223 03-03-2024, 09:13 AM
Last Post: Sleeprider
  are there pulse oximeter synced CPAP/Bipap/sleep study devices? bhavintu79 1 181 03-02-2024, 04:53 AM
Last Post: Gep232


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.