+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Help, new diagnosis (/Thread-Help-new-diagnosis)
Pages:
1
2
Help, new diagnosis - Scared - 04-04-2015
hello, I have told I have sleep apnea after my sleep test, I stop breathing 75 times an hour and my stats go down to 68% I don't see anyone until Thursday am
I going to die n my sleep, am so scared...any advice please.
RE: Help, new diagnosis - retired_guy - 04-04-2015
No Scared, you will not die in your sleep. You'll be fine.
The thing is, you've had sleep apnea for a long time even though you did not know that. So waiting for a little while for the medical stuff to catch up will be ok.
But I do understand your concern.
So, do this: First, when you go to bed, make sure the head of your bed is elevated some. Also do whatever you can to make sure you are sleeping on your side, not your back.
You'll be ok. I promise.
RE: Help, new diagnosis - OpalRose - 04-04-2015
(04-04-2015, 03:47 PM)Scared Wrote: hello, I have told I have sleep apnea after my sleep test, I stop breathing 75 times an hour and my stats go down to 68% I don't see anyone until Thursday am
I going to die n my sleep, am so scared...any advice please.
Scared,
I have been where you are at, and understand the panic feeling that goes with this diagnosis. After my sleep test, I had to wait almost two weeks for a sleep doc. to read results and another three weeks to see him just to get a scrip for my CPAP.
Within that time span, I was scared and panicky. I felt what you describe as feeling like you might die in your sleep. I didn't want to sleep at night, that's how scared I was! I didn't find this forum until I had been on therapy for a few weeks, and got no support from Docs, DME, or sleep clinic.
I did however find articles that told me to sleep on my side and make sure I was elevated. So for all that time between sleep study and getting my machine, I found myself sleeping in my recliner most nights.
It's a shame that we go through such nonsense. There should be more compassion and support.
So until you see your Doc. On Thursday, try to relax....I know...easier said than done! Sleep elevated! You will be fine. Check back when you get your machine,
and please be sure your Doc. writes a scrip for a Fully Data Capable Auto machine.
OpalRose
RE: Help, new diagnosis - truetopath - 04-04-2015
Welcome to the board! What R_G said you've had apnea for awhile. So it's a good thing you're taking the steps now to get your apnea treated. Best of luck on your journey.
RE: Help, new diagnosis - Joedozer - 04-04-2015
You have been like this for a while I suspect,so don't worry about dying just yet. I would use extra cushions or pillows to prop you up to try to help blocked airway.You will get help very soon so hang in there and the best of luck to you!
RE: Help, new diagnosis - trish6hundred - 04-04-2015
Hi Scared,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Just try to sleep on your side and elivate your head a bit, as others have said, you'll be ok.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you as you start your sleep apnea journey.
RE: Help, new diagnosis - archangle - 04-04-2015
Welcome.
Relax. Take a deep breath.
Think of not using CPAP as being like smoking a few packs of cigarettes a day, and you've been doing it for years. It's probably not going to kill you tonight, but there's a good chance it will kill you eventually. Stopping smoking today vs. stopping smoking in a few weeks isn't going to make a big difference in the long term odds.
If you're a newly diagnosed apneac, the chance you'll have some sort of new serious problem like a heart attack or stroke in the next few weeks is pretty small.
However, there's good news.
You got here before you got your CPAP machine. Read up on the tricks and tips for new CPAP users here. If you go into your doctor and DME (CPAP salesman) unprepared, there's a really big chance you'll get screwed in various ways.
Read the Useful Links in my signature line at the bottom of this post. It will help you deal with the DME and not get screwed with a bad machine that will make good treatment nearly impossible.
RE: Help, new diagnosis - Scared - 04-04-2015
Thank you all so so much, I feel a little better knowing I am not alone, I have an electric bed so have raised it so I am nearly sat up.
Another question sorry... I live in France so do nit know what to expect, but has anyone any advice on what questions to ask and what machine to get, I suffer from a very dry mouth and throat, are they electric. also I am going on holiday do I have to notify the airline and can you carry them on the plane without being in your hand luggage?
No doubt will think of more questions ....
RE: Help, new diagnosis - DariaVader - 04-04-2015
Does Insurance cover any or all of your equipment? If so, you may be more or less bound to use whatever they will pay for. The rules in France may be wildly different than the rules in the US which is what I am familiar with
There are people on this board from a variety of countries and with a variety of coverages , maybe one of the others knows more about your situation than I do. If you have choices, go with - data capable (not just compliance data, or ahi - but extended data
- auto titrating (bonus, these systems have the data too)
- resmed or respironics (that is what most of us have)
Archangle gave you links to tell you this and more. it's a lot of data!
yes they are electric.
they do not count as extra baggage, and can be added to the carryon count. there are several threads on here about traveling with cpap.
RE: Help, new diagnosis - retired_guy - 04-04-2015
Only thing I'll add to Daria's comment is in regard to your dry throat/mouth. That's another symptom of Sleep Apnea, usually caused by mouth breathing and snoring. So that will improve once you get started on your therapy. Usually the machines will come with a humidifier and that will make things nicer for you as well.
So study up a little, and just know that your life is getting ready to get a lot better.