Fortunate Diagnosis

Had my sleep study done and diagnosed with severe sleep apnea.  It was scary to hear this but I was so happy to have gotten the diagnosis, if I wouldn't have been in the program who knows if I would ever had found out.  I live alone and my cat never tells me anything..LOL.  I have had a friend visiting state that I probably had it but didn't take much credence to this...I now call her Dr...lol.  So happy that the Assistive Devices Program pays a good chunk of it and my insurance will cover the rest.  

I have no idea of how long I've been symptomatic it must have been a few years but will be going for an echocardiogram just to make sure my heart will be okay for the anesthetic or if it will need to be adjusted.  Just getting used to the mask and machine for the last few days, certainly not a fashion statement but I have gone through an entire weekend without any naps (used to take a few hours on the sly)...I'm sure as the weeks go by I will start to feel a difference...anyone else who can relate to this?

I was diagnosed with mild to severe sleep apnea 10 years ago and have been using the cpap ever since. It can be annoying at first, many times I woke up and fund it beside me as I had ripped it off during the night.  Took a few months to get used to it, but felt a huge improvement in my energy and sleep quality.  One thing I would recommend are softies, they are soft padding for the straps so they do not leave a mark when you get up.  They are available at medigas and other places that sell cpap.  I know it sucks and is not sexy but it is sooo worth it, you will see. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

I found out I had sleep apnea too, and the CPAP machine has made my sleep so much better!! And, it was great to read about these softies......I have to get some because those red marks last for more than an hour after waking up! People at work are always looking at me odd in the morning........:-P

i was diagnosed in July also with mild to moderate sleep apnea.  Just last week i had my second sleep study awaiting my results from this one.  I had no idea always figured i just tossed and turned every 10 minutes approx. in my sleep little did i know i stop breathing every 12 minutes (oops lol)  for years i have told people i do not dream and i always feel like i never sleep & always napping and feeling like crap.  Come to find out the minute i hit REM i stop breathing which is approx every 12 minutes hence i would roll over and self arouse and return into this endless cycle without ever hitting REM.  I was getting zero restful sleep and always only in the 1 state, no wonder i woke up to every little pin drop.  I've had my CPAP machine a little over a month now and on my 2nd mask (first leaked too much i'm a side sleeper) I have to have a full face mask because i am a mouth breather. Within days i was dreaming and the medigas person said my sleep apnea is corrected and no more apneas as long as i use my CPAP machine.  I am sleeping any where from 8 to 12 hours a night and i have not had a nap in over a month.  Its a pain i have woken up with "rain out" a friend has sewed me a cover to put on my hose (fixed so far) i have woken up a few times with the mask on the night table beside me but i have to say on those nights i have woken up feeling like crap.  As much as i do not like to use it, i do not like to feel like crap and have no sleep.  I am just happy i asked my doctor in advance to have a sleep study while i was waiting since i have found out i have sleep apnea and it could have held up my process a bit longer.  

I had very sever sleep apnea. I could fall asleep anywhere including while driving. It was very scary a few times. The cpap saved my life. I want to just add a note of caution. You should change your mask at least once a year. The seal with your face is really important. Mine was blowing air on one of my eyes all night. I didn't realise this. My eye it appears does not close tightly and I ended up with damage to the eye.

The good thing is 2 1/2 yrs after rny I hardly need it. Initially I had the pressure reduced but I can sleep without it sometimes now.

Thank you for the info, advice and words of wisdom...I have just had the machine for 4 days and may need to change the mask...I too am a side sleeper and find that it will leak..I know I only have a month to change it up for free...I figured at first I just didn't have the straps tight enough...it was on really tight and it was still happening so...guess I know what I have to do.

Even with the right fit, they often leak when you sleep on your side.  I have tried many over the years and keep going back to the same one I got in 2002. I replace mine every 6 months as I find the seal seems to break down and then the hard plastic of the mask bites into my skin.  If you don't need a full face one, you may want to try the nasal pillows, most that use them love them.  I have terrible allergies so they were hell for me as my nasal cavity was always too swollen from allergies then the air just going in there would choke me.  

do you go to medigas for your cpap machine? i originally went with ResMed Quattro FX mask but i would have to tighten the mask so tight that i was almost bruising my face.  Went back 2 weeks ago and i got this mask instead http://www.medigascpap.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product5_10151_10001_21851_-1_10008_10001.  I have very little leaking now i can sleep on my side and it just fits more better for me.  I have a smaller face and the other mask was so high up that when it leaked it was going right into my eyes. Good luck finding the right mask

Your story is similar to mine. I had to get this test as part of qualifying for surgery. I had NO idea I had severe sleep apnea, and like you would never have known, My husband would say I snore-as does he...but not even on my radar. with 3 kids under 15, just thought I was tired from that crazy life! I do notice I am yawning less during the day since on my CPAP. No, its not a fashion statement. Good to know though, because you are flat on your back for surgery, and they want to eliminate any risk. Makes sense.

Doc says it will likely diminish if/when I lose weight...so away we go....

C

I just wonder how many people who are out there not getting diagnosed...and I work in the medical field for 27 years...strangely I first worked with a specialist who dealt with sleep apnea.. But then I was only 24 and 130 lbs ago!