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Hiya! - Stroppy - 07-25-2014

Hi. I have been lurking here for a couple of weeks gleaning information in my own battle with apnoea down here in Australia. I am in my mid 50s and, according to my respiratory specialist, have probably had apnoea from about the age of 35, when my weight ballooned massively. Funny thing is that looking back, I reckon he is spot on. I don't eat any more than I did back then but I am twice the weight I was! Also, I can remember back before my mid thirties when a good night's sleep gave me a refreshing morning and day with no yawning and nodding off whilst on the job!

I have read so much about this condition now that I am surprised that the various national health authorities don't target the condition in PSAs like they do smoking and bad driving. For me apnoea has contributed to a wonky heart, struggling kidneys and bouts of urgent urination along with chronic depression. I bet it has hurt many people here the same way. It is a silent and pernicious killer. More should be done to advertise the fact.

My own fight with the condition started with a friend urging me to have a sleep test because I was so drowsy and tired all the time. So off I went for the test...the spaghetti wiring, the works (you all know the drill). A week later the sleep doctor's receptionist calls me and tells me to ignore my appointment time set for a couple of more weeks and to come in to see the doctor straight away. When I arrive I am spirited past the patients in the waiting room and taken straight into the doctor. He looks at me, then back at my results and then proceeds to tell me that in the twenty years he has been a sleep specialist he hasn't seen results as bad as mine (my heat sank...) and to be frank he was surprised I was still alive (more gulping from me!). He told me that my heart was more rested when I was awake and lying still than when I was asleep, such was its struggle with the apnoea. He tells me that I have to have a follow-up test immediately to assess the pressure requirements for cpap therapy. I leave his office shell shocked. I bet many of you understand how I felt.

So I go for the next test. I find using the mask like trying to breathe in a balloon. During the night I awaken to catch the tail-end of my snoring in the mask...a most comical sound! At other times I awaken because the pressure leak jets into my eye. The technician comes in to see me in the morning and says, "Mate, you need to get a machine at home fast! Your official results will go to the doctor today but here's the pressure requirements for you should you want to rent a machine straight away. You need one urgently!" He scribbles "17cm"...blah...blah...

And so here I am. I will probably get my machine this coming Monday or Tuesday and then go into battle with BUPA (my private health insurer in Australia) for a rebate on the cost. The technician told me to forget about CPAP and go for APAP such was the severity of the results he logged overnight. I'm looking at a Fisher & Paykel Icon+ and the Simplus mask. Any thoughts?

Also...has anyone experienced relief from chronic depression after using a cpap/apap machine? And what about relief from enuresis...and shedding weight?


RE: Hiya! - retired_guy - 07-25-2014

(07-25-2014, 10:17 AM)Stroppy Wrote: I'm looking at a Fisher & Paykel Icon+ and the Simplus mask. Any thoughts?

Also...has anyone experienced relief from chronic depression after using a cpap/apap machine? And what about relief from enuresis...and shedding weight?

Hi Stroppy, welcome to the funny farm.

It will be interesting to see what settings they put on your machine. My guess is they'll just send it out defaulted to minimum of 4 and max of 20.

As to the mask, I have had wonderful luck with the Pillows mask, in my case the Resmed P10. I'm concerned at a high pressure what the best mask for you might be however.

As to enuresis, yes PAP therapy may very well resolve that problem. Once established on the therapy, if it continues be sure and have a nice chat with your friendly local Urinologist. (oh dread)

As to the weight loss? Sorry --- so sorry........... Not my experience anyhow. BUT it well could be that once you begin your new lifestyle you'll find more energy and interest in eating right, exercising more, and all that sort of thing.



RE: Hiya! - Stroppy - 07-25-2014

(07-25-2014, 11:07 AM)retired_guy Wrote:
(07-25-2014, 10:17 AM)Stroppy Wrote: I'm looking at a Fisher & Paykel Icon+ and the Simplus mask. Any thoughts?

Also...has anyone experienced relief from chronic depression after using a cpap/apap machine? And what about relief from enuresis...and shedding weight?

Hi Stroppy, welcome to the funny farm.

It will be interesting to see what settings they put on your machine. My guess is they'll just send it out defaulted to minimum of 4 and max of 20.

As to the mask, I have had wonderful luck with the Pillows mask, in my case the Resmed P10. I'm concerned at a high pressure what the best mask for you might be however.

As to enuresis, yes PAP therapy may very well resolve that problem. Once established on the therapy, if it continues be sure and have a nice chat with your friendly local Urinologist. (oh dread)

As to the weight loss? Sorry --- so sorry........... Not my experience anyhow. BUT it well could be that once you begin your new lifestyle you'll find more energy and interest in eating right, exercising more, and all that sort of thing.

Hi R_G and thanks for the welcome. I was a little shy about coming onto the forum. Enuresis isn't a topic that enthuses me to wax lyrical, if you get my meaning! Bigwink

The doctor seems to think that increased energy levels will lead to increased movement and some weight loss. I certainly hope so! At 120kgs I am one big porker! He also said that apnoea makes the kidneys work overtime giving the sufferer the "night trots"...the endless trips to the toilet. He thinks it will help in that department as well. I sure hope so. The other area is the depression. If it helps me in not having to take more medication I will be eternally grateful.

Is 17cm a very high pressure? It certainly felt like it. Like I said, I felt like I was breathing against the pressure of a balloon. Very odd sensation which I hope I get used to. I suppose I have to.

The mask being discussed is one that is meant to be great in stopping air leaks. Anything would have to be better than the Phillips mask I used in the last test which leaked like a sieve every time I moved from one side to another.

Ain't getting old a bummer? In the words of the inimitable Dr. Zachary Smith... "Oh the pain...the pain!" Grin


RE: Hiya! - retired_guy - 07-25-2014

(07-25-2014, 11:23 AM)Stroppy Wrote: Ain't getting old a bummer? In the words of the inimitable Dr. Zachary Smith... "Oh the pain...the pain!" Grin

Actually, I have found that as I get older I have new found energy and vitality!

I have also found that as I get older I can lie with impunity.




RE: Hiya! - Stroppy - 07-25-2014

(07-25-2014, 11:45 AM)retired_guy Wrote:
(07-25-2014, 11:23 AM)Stroppy Wrote: Ain't getting old a bummer? In the words of the inimitable Dr. Zachary Smith... "Oh the pain...the pain!" Grin

Actually, I have found that as I get older I have new found energy and vitality!

I have also found that as I get older I can lie with impunity.

Never were truer words spoken (or written, in this case)! I tell my knees and back to lie all the time but they keep replying...oh mercy me, do they reply! Dielaughing



RE: Hiya! - ImaSurvivor - 07-25-2014

Welcome to the forum Stroppy! Glad you are here and hoping your machine arrives soon so you begin therapy quickly.

I had nocturia. I was running to the potty 3-5 times a night. Because my mother has a chronic problem with weak bladder I thought I was heading down that road. I was shocked when I began using CPAP that my nightly runs immediately ceased. I don't have the need to get up at all. There was a post several months ago describing the physiology of what exactly happens when an event occurs. It was very interesting and I had no idea it had anything to do with sleep apnea. So glad that issue is resolved. The amount of times I have to go during day has diminished as well.

As for weight loss, some have lost weight. I have read of it on this forum. I think there is debate on why weight loss occurs. Some have more energy after receiving restful sleep and more inclined to move around, implement exercise into lifestyle, etc. Others say it improves metabolism. I had great hopes that CPAP would help me lose weight but I have not seen any yet in 8 months. I do go to the gym regularly. I gained a lot of weight in the last 5 years. With the weight gain is when symptoms of sleep apnea manifested. I began gaining weight while on post cancer medication. With that medication comes fatigue, joint and muscle pain too so it may be that I just don't do as much and as long as I should in the gym. My eating habits have not changed from when I was very trim prior to the medication. I do know the medication causes weight gain and is very difficult to lose it while on the drug. I am hoping when I go off that it will stop working against me with my efforts in the gym. It is hard to be dedicated with exercise with no results. And I am not getting any younger which also makes it more difficult.

I wish you good luck getting your therapy under way and improving your sleep and health.


RE: Hiya! - justMongo - 07-25-2014

(07-25-2014, 10:17 AM)Stroppy Wrote: ... The technician told me to forget about CPAP and go for APAP such was the severity of the results he logged overnight. I'm looking at a Fisher & Paykel Icon+ and the Simplus mask. Any thoughts?

Also...has anyone experienced relief from chronic depression after using a cpap/apap machine? And what about relief from enuresis...and shedding weight?

17 cm-H2O is on the high side but you're not setting any record there. We have many people with higher prescribed pressures.

Absolutely go for a APAP -- Most of the Aussies on the forum get the ResMed S9 Autoset. (Nothing wrong with other brands -- but you want a data capable auto machine.) With an Auto, you get a quasi titration every night. So, your pressure will not have to stay at 17 for the entire night.

CPAP is not a panacea; but it can improve other areas of health.
Apnea raises blood pressure which pushes fluid out he kidneys -- so, you'll hit the head less frequently at night. Sleep quality can improve insulin resistance; give you more daytime energy; and possibly lose weight.

You're about 265# (British Units) -- heavy but not as much as some.
Yes-- get the APAP. Best Wishes.


RE: Hiya! - Tez62 - 07-25-2014

Welcome Stroppy, you should get around $500 back from Bupa but you can't claim on any of the equipment. If you can afford it go for the APAP rather than straight CPAP. If you are getting it from Australia the all up cost is around $2,500 then you can claim the $500. If you get it over the net it is much cheaper but you can't claim for it.
My depression lifted a few months after starting CPAP, I have been off anti depressants for over two years now.
The symptoms for sleep apnea and depression are very similar and quite often people get misdiagnosed for depression when they actually have sleep apnea and are then given sleep meds which actually make the apnea worse and so it continues on.
Good luck and keep us updated.


RE: Hiya! - Doc J - 07-25-2014

Welcome and I'm glad your here. As you have discovered this is a great way to teach yourself what you need to know and get advice on making it work. At my sleep test I asked if they would try a mask if needed and she said that they had to log x# of events before they could put a mask on and ck for pressures needed. I said see ya in a while knowing I had severe problems. Three hours later they were in with the mask, this seems to be a good way of killing two birds in one night.

I stopped getting up to pee at night, my gerd/reflux all but went away and I could stay awake like a normal human during the day. So far I have not lost much weight but three out of four ain't bad. I would think it would help your mental outlook also but that gets complicated. I think I remain blissfully unaware and don't beat myself up too bad but it is a common problem and I wish you luck.

As for mask I am big on the nasal pillows if you can make them work. Leaking of the mask is not a problem for me, just can't open your mouth. I think I do eat some air at night which can be a whole other issue also.

So keep up the fight and I hope you feel better in many ways.
Doc J (not a doctor just a nick name)


RE: Hiya! - Gabby - 07-25-2014

Welcome to the forum Stroppy. You will obtain a wealth of information from this site and don't be afraid to ask questions.
The toilets stops at night should be one of the first things you notice will cut down. It seems to be what e everyone notices first up.
I went from 5-6 times a night to 1-2 within a week. It is brilliant.
When I was looking in to a Full Faced mask I checked out the Simplus and by all accounts it seems like a very good mask, I read some really good reviews, hopefully it will be suit you. However be prepared sometimes it takes a few masks before we find THE one that suits us.
Once you are getting a good nights sleep and wake up feeling good in the morning, who is to say if your depression will lift and if other things will fall in to place that will help with your weight loss, I think it will all work itself out.
One thing though, it does take time. Don't expect it all to happen overnight.
One day at a time is a great motto. Try to remain relaxed and patient, it will eventually all fall in to place.
The best of luck to you.