hi...

Hello everone.
I have been trying to get WLS for quite some time, and as part of the process my doctor had me do a sleep study last spring. I was really anxious about it because I thought I had it, but didn't want to know. I used to be a CNA and I associate sleep apnea with sick, elderly, and bed bound bariatric patients. I've always been overweight, over 200 lbs since I was 12. Anyway, I found out I have moderate/severe sleep apnea, I am supposed to use a CPAP machine with the setting 18.5 (if anyone knows what that means, cause I don't) The air blows so strong I have to have the mask so tight that it gives me an instant headache in order to keep if from leaking air. I have severe depression and anxiety issues, and the mask makes it worse. The straps cover my entire head and the mask goes from right under my chin over my mouth and up to the bridge of my nose. I hate it. I have finally worked up where I usually can wear it all night (after the hour or so it takes to adjust it/relax with it on and get to sleep). I feel so ashamed that I have to have it. I don't want to tell my family or my friends about it, I'm already the fat girl of all my groups, this is just one more thing. And I don't feel any better yet. My doctor told me it would help with my headaches, depression, reduce my tiredness and maybe even help with my weightloss efforts if I treat my sleep apnea. But so far, nothings better. I guess I just want to know that I'm not the only young person out there experiencing this (i'm 29, feels too young for all this!) and whether or not it gets better. Also, any tips on dealing with the mask...I wear glasses, and I can't wear them with my mask, which means no reading before bed (often I'll read till I fall asleep). I'm sorry if I sound whinny, I just don't know what to do. :-(
thanks
Heather S.

Hi I am new here and this is my first post.  I understand how you are feeling I had to have a sleep study as well and have apnea.  I wear glasses and I have been researching masks that will allow me to wear my mask.  I just had my titration so I dont have my cpap machine yet.  Here is a piece of advice my friend told me.  "Be happy it is only sleep apnea, someone was diagnosed with cancer or Aids today.  You only have to waer a mask and once you have the wls you might not need that."  That is not meant to minmize what you are feeling because I am there to but in the big scheme of things it is a small thing and again we see and end in sight once we lose the weight.

Hiya!
I'm also Heather and I am 28 and also have sleep apnea.
I was diagnosed in September while going for my clearances for RNY. I was actually cleared by my pulmonologist, but then when I had to go for my big final clearance at the hospital, they overrode my pulm's clearance and decided that I had sleep apnea and I needed a split night sleep study--they did it split night, thankfully, because I was done with everything and seeing my surgeon just a few days later for my final consultation before they would send my file for insurance approval.

Anyway...they found that I had severe sleep apnea. Yuck. So, they sent me a bi-pap. It has the air pressure in both directions--breathing in and breathing out, I am not sure what number the setting is, but I know they mentioned it was pretty high. The mask I have covers my nose, but not my mouth.It has two rubber pieces that hold the plastic fram to my forehead.  Also, I have the small nose mask because they said I had a small nose! LOL It's the only small thing on me--no I lied--boobs, boobs are small, LOL All the rest is big though, I assure you! haha
The straps go around my forehead and then another set around my lower head, under my ears. So, when I go to bed with my hair in a ponytail, there's one strap above the ponytail and one below the ponytail.

Now, I always say "I hate this machine!" Of course, most of the time, I barely wisp out "Hate" to my husband, since I can't talk while the mask is on, or I would choke to death! LOL He says "I know, Honey" But, we both know it is helping...and I have worn it every night sinceI got it--even though I hate it! lol

But, what I really wanted to share with you is that my machine is on a settling mode, so it starts off at a low setting and eventually progresses to the prescribed pressure. But, by that time, I am asleep. This is really great because when the man came to my house to bring the machine, he fitted me with the mask and showed me how to use everything and then he said we should try the prescribed pressure to see if I could handle it. Well, I was gasping for air...like when you open a door to go outside and a huge wind gust hits you right in the face! lol So, he quickly shut it off and then showed me the settling mode...so, you can program it to settle for different amounts of time, but he said he'd set it to the max amount of time which is 45 minutes. He said that that would ensure that I was asleep by the time it got to the high prescribed pressure.

So, I have never had a problem...except that I hate wearing it...so, I know your pain..I wake up with lines on my face and sometmes with my ears killing me--not like an ear infection, but the outside, actual ear lobe and whatever--sometimes it kills! But-------it seems to really help me! I used to wake up half a dozen times at night and I would actually sit up in my sleep...it was terrible--I'd yawn all day and fall asleep while driving--not a good thing! But, now, I sleep through the night and wake feeling rested....well...mostly! LOL I stay up too late..like now..it's 2:30 am here and I am typing here instead of sleeping! LOL

I'm not sure what would help with the reading before bed, but maybe you could get one of those foam bands that you put around your head when you run with glasses...I guess it prevents the glasses from flying off your head while jogging or running, but maybe it would help hold the glasses over the mask--so you wouldn't need to worry about it not going over your ears or sitting on your nose because the strap would hold it around everything--if you could get a nose-only mask--then you could read til you fell sleep. =)  Also, maybe ask about that settling mode which might be good so that you could read while it progressed up slowly and then by the time you fell asleep, it would be at your pressure.

I hope some of this helps...I know what it is like to be young and feel old...to feel like you are not living the life you should be--I had my RNY on December 1st of this year, so I am almost 1 month out and I am feeling better already! I still have a long way to go and it takes effort every single day, every single minute, every bite takes concentration, but I am on the track...I just have to keep jogging...figuratively and literally! Let me know if you'd like to chat! =)

Hugs, Heather    Sorry this was so long!

Hi Heather!
Thanks for the post! It's nice to know someone my own age is in the same boat as i am! I have the setting on my machine that increases the pressure gradually, but found I do better without it. I would fall asleep on the lower pressure, and then wake up soon after it got up to what I need, cuz it was just too much. I've been slowly adjusting to wearing it. Now I just need to wear it more often. yuck. I know it makes me feel better, but the mask hurts!! not sure how to deal with that....the straps squeeze my head so hard it hurts, but when I loosen  them the air blows all over my face.  I just have to deal with it I guess.

What is the difference between a bi-pap and a c-pap? I'm not sure I get it. My machine blows a steady stream of air at me, whether I'm breathing in or out. It's just room air, not oxygen too. I know some machines give you oxygen if you're O2 levels are too low on normal air, but don't know what those machines are called.

Congrats on your surgery!! Thats terrific!! I'm still hoping to have mine, but don't know if I'll be able to afford it. I'm following atkins right now trying to loose some weight the old fashioned way for now.

TTYL!
-Heather S.

Hiya! Yes, these masks and machines can be a pain in the butt, for sure! Have you called the doc or place that gave you the mask and explained the problem to them? They should be there to help you...like when I got mine, I had to go for a followup appt to make sure that everything was good. They want you to use it, so they should make it useable. As for the straps being tight....do you have the foamy, soft straps or a different kind? Mine are like soft and colored black. They are pretty comfy, well...as comfy as they can be. Maybe a different mask might help. If not, then maybe you could place something soft under the straps? Like maybe even some tissues or a small washcloth..just to soften between you and the straps..don't know..just a thought. But, I would definately call them and tell them the issues....especially since you said it does help when you can wear it... =)

Your daughter is soooo cute, by the way! =) It must be hard to deal with all your issues and raise her at the same time!  I give you a lot of credit, girlie! Do you have anybody to help you? Are you married? I have a bun ch of neices and nephews, but we hope to have a baby someday--I couldn;t even get pregnant now if I tried! But, maybe after I lose the weight and get healthier--I would looooove to have a child. =)

I hope that you will be able to get the surgery, too! But, I think it's great that you are giving the Atkins thing a try--how has that been so far? I guess it is similar to the way I have to eat now, with few carbs and mostly protein. This surgery has been hard, so far....adjusting to the drinking and eating. It is soooo different than before. I actually taste food, now. LOL

Well, keep up the great work and have a very happy and healthy new year! I have a feeling this will be a good year for us both! =) I will keep you in my prayers...

Talk to you soon!
Hugs,
Heather