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Newbie saying hello - linn - 09-27-2015

Hi everyone,

I woke up choking in June and I am waiting for my sleep study on Nov. 1. I sleep for 8-10 hours at night and need a nap in the afternoon. When I wake up, I feel almost hungover - like I haven't even slept at all. Chronically exhausted...I can't even work.

I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea about 7 years ago and didn't follow up on it due to a death in my family.

I'm sleep deprived, very depressed and I am having great problems functioning. I was hoping to connect with others on this forum because I am feeling very alone.


RE: Newbie saying hello - zonk - 09-27-2015

Hi linn and welcome to the forum

Good luck with the sleep study on Nov 1
keep us posted of how it goes
Cheers

RE: Newbie saying hello - OpalRose - 09-27-2015

Hi linn,
You've come to the right place, your certainly not alone.

It's good that you have a sleep study scheduled, but in the meantime, try to sleep on your side, not on back if possible. It also helps to sleep slightly elevated.

Check back with us after your sleep study, and in the meantime there is a lot to learn. Start checking out the different machines available. Knowledge is everything. DME's are famous for trying to stick you with what we call a "brick". You will need a fully data capable machine.



RE: Newbie saying hello - linn - 09-27-2015

(09-27-2015, 07:28 AM)OpalRose Wrote: Hi linn,
You've come to the right place, your certainly not alone.

It's good that you have a sleep study scheduled, but in the meantime, try to sleep on your side, not on back if possible. It also helps to sleep slightly elevated.

Check back with us after your sleep study, and in the meantime there is a lot to learn. Start checking out the different machines available. Knowledge is everything. DME's are famous for trying to stick you with what we call a "brick". You will need a fully data capable machine.

Thanks everyone. I always sleep on my side - I can't breathe when I sleep on my back. I really hope that I can adapt to the CPAP - I'm hoping it will save my life.
(09-27-2015, 07:23 AM)zonk Wrote: Hi linn and welcome to the forum

Good luck with the sleep study on Nov 1
keep us posted of how it goes
Cheers

Thanks Smile



RE: Newbie saying hello - trish6hundred - 09-27-2015

Hi linn,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
You are not alone in this.
Check out this link: http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Archangle:Machine_Choices .
There is lots of great information to help you with machines to avoid and which ones are good machines to get with data-capability so you can see and know what is going on as you sleep.
Much success to you with your sleep study, and as you start your CPAP journey.

RE: Newbie saying hello - linn - 09-27-2015

(09-27-2015, 08:39 AM)trish6hundred Wrote: Hi linn,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
You are not alone in this.
Check out this link:
There is lots of great information to help you with machines to avoid and which ones are good machines to get with data-capability so you can see and know what is going on as you sleep.
Much success to you with your sleep study, and as you start your CPAP journey.

Thanks Trish Smile I am on disability, so I will have to take whatever machine they give me. I have been trying to get back to work, but I have really bad fatigue and depression - it's been going on for years. I can't seem to get any refreshing sleep and I don't know why.

RE: Newbie saying hello - cate1898 - 09-27-2015

Hi linn
Welcome to the forum. You have certainly come to the right place!

While you're waiting for your appointment November 1st make sure you read as much as you can as you will learn a lot as I am doing. When it is time for you to buy your machine, after your loaner machine period, make sure you get a fully data cable machine. That way you can take the SD card out of the machine and track your own progress as you will find the health care system lacking here in Canada. You can download the software on this forum. It is called 'Sleepyhead'.

RE: Newbie saying hello - linn - 09-27-2015

(09-27-2015, 03:26 PM)cate1898 Wrote: Hi linn
Welcome to the forum. You have certainly come to the right place!

While you're waiting for your appointment November 1st make sure you read as much as you can as you will learn a lot as I am doing. When it is time for you to buy your machine, after your loaner machine period, make sure you get a fully data cable machine. That way you can take the SD card out of the machine and track your own progress as you will find the health care system lacking here in Canada. You can download the software on this forum. It is called 'Sleepyhead'.

Thank you Cate Smile Is it better to get a nasal mask or a full face mask?


RE: Newbie saying hello - kaiasgram - 09-27-2015

(09-27-2015, 08:51 AM)linn Wrote: I can't seem to get any refreshing sleep and I don't know why.

Hi linn,

Even mild sleep apnea can wreck your sleep. And since you already know you have sleep apnea there's no mystery here. I wonder too if your apnea has gotten worse since your initial diagnosis (it often does over time), or if it was never actually mild to begin with -- it's not unusual that a sleep study underestimates the severity of apnea. People are not sleeping in their normal sleep environment and may not sleep as deeply, or as long....

While you may not have a choice of machine, it never hurts to advocate for yourself and request a machine with full data (not just hours of use) capability. Without treatment data it can be very difficult to get therapy dialed in correctly -- even your doctor cannot get any treatment data from "brick" machines that only record the number of hours used so there's no way to evaluate your treatment.


I'm sorry you have to wait so long for your sleep study. Sad But stick around. There's lots to learn and you are not alone. Many of us (me included) have been where you are and we're happy to help.

RE: Newbie saying hello - linn - 09-27-2015

(09-27-2015, 04:14 PM)kaiasgram Wrote:
(09-27-2015, 08:51 AM)linn Wrote: I can't seem to get any refreshing sleep and I don't know why.

Hi linn,

Even mild sleep apnea can wreck your sleep. And since you already know you have sleep apnea there's no mystery here. I wonder too if your apnea has gotten worse since your initial diagnosis (it often does over time), or if it was never actually mild to begin with -- it's not unusual that a sleep study underestimates the severity of apnea. People are not sleeping in their normal sleep environment and may not sleep as deeply, or as long....

While you may not have a choice of machine, it never hurts to advocate for yourself and request a machine with full data (not just hours of use) capability. Without treatment data it can be very difficult to get therapy dialed in correctly -- even your doctor cannot get any treatment data from "brick" machines that only record the number of hours used so there's no way to evaluate your treatment.


I'm sorry you have to wait so long for your sleep study. Sad But stick around. There's lots to learn and you are not alone. Many of us (me included) have been where you are and we're happy to help.
Wow - the people on this forum are SO kind Smile
My doctor at the time told me not to worry about the apnea - since it was mild. I have gained about 25lbs since then so I imagine that it is worse now. I literally feel disabled - I can barely function. The mornings are worse than the evenings and the depression is horrific.

I will try to get a machine with data -- hopefully, the CPAP will include that. If not, I will try to advocate for myself.

Thanks for your kind words...I really appreciate it!