I was given a cpap machine about 3 years ago....i had some basic home testing with a finger sats monitor...went back to the hospital and a gentleman ( not a dr) who was from a different country and i severely struggled to understand his accent gave me a cpap machine, he showed me how to use it, told me how expensive it was and sent me on my way. I did quickly ask him what was wrong with me and he said i had sleep apnea, i had to drag details out of him,,, he said i wake up 32 times an hour every hour, and stop breathing 4 times, i can't remember if he said an hour or each night? He said my oxygen levels went down to the 80s. Well that was 3 years ago and i have since moved and i still am not wearing this cpap machine, i just cannot get on with it. Ive tried the face mask, the nose pillows and the nose mask and air always leaks out and blows into my eyes.....my face sweats and i itch like i have a thousand flea's on my face. I have tried to go to my new hospital and she gave me one of their machines to use and said come back in 6 months, ive been ill since then with a pulmonary embolism, almost lost my life i was so ill....so i'm still not able to use this machine. Ive finally contacted the hospital to help me only to find the whole unit has shut down and moved miles away from me, so i still don't have any help. After 3 years i wonder if the settings have all gone, also im still only on the first setting ever put on there so maybe thats not enough when i do manage to use the machine. I'm so confused with it all. I'm sure the consultant in the hospital when i had my clot said something about it being really important to use my machine as there is a link to blood clots and sleep apnea....but im still not fully well and just can't seem to remember.
I have my own finger sats monitor at home and before i had the blood clot 5 months ago my oxygen levels were perfect....but now even just sitting here my oxygen levels are 93%.... i don't see anyone for my apnea, im not under anyone for my apnea so i have no one to ask, but even when i go to bed i can see my oxygen dropping down to 91% sometimes and i wonder if this is ok or not? At first it was when i was feeling tired and laying down, but now its happening more often and i dread to think exactly what my oxygen level is when i fall asleep. I know im still snoring badly as my husband has had to shut himself in the spare bedroom!! Does anyone else have these problems, i really don't know what to do to be honest xx