Hi everyone - just got diagnosed

Quick intro:

I generally lurk around the IL state boards but I can now call this section part of my routine. I am really new to all of this and I am trying my best to play catchup with all of the various post in here. The tech stated that they were able to restore my H20 levels to a normal range at 7cm and that I would need to get fitted for a cpap mask and obtain a  machine. The store they referred me to is now dealing with my insurance and I am just waiting for the callback from them for my appointment. I had some ???? that I was hoping I could get some answers on.

1. I am a side sleeper (have been for a while), will they only fit me for a full mask? if so, do any side sleepers find it difficult to sleep with that type of mask?

2. Is the purpose of the machine to allow me sleep more comfrotably on my back or just in general? (I know that sounds like a silly ? but they place so much emphasis in the test on sleeping on my back that I felt bad when they finaly allowed me to try and sleep on my side.)

Thanks in advance for your advice.
Omar

I'm a back and side sleeper. I've noticed it is easier to lay on my back with the full mask but I can find comfortable spots on my side, it's not the same as it was before the mask but it is doable. They also may allow you to try the nasal mask and ask you which you prefer.

The purpose of the machine is to stop your episodes of apnea. It will allow you to remain breathing throughout the night. You with sleep better, wake up less and get more energy. I wasn't sure I was getting much benefit from the cpap till I took it off one night too early, the next morning I felt like such crap and I realized that's how I used to feel all the time. I love my cpap for what it does for my energy level, I won't be sad to see it go after my wls though.

Hi Omar,
I have had sleep apnea since 1998. I have always chosen the face mask that covers the nose, but not the mouth. I am a tummy sleeper, but I always I usually lean towards having the hip on the mattress and tuck one leg up to my tummy and put my arm straight up under the pillow; kind of a combo of tummy and side. This allows me to keep from burying my face. It's very comfortable.  I am aware, during the night, of changing sides and flipping the hose over to the other direction, but I'm so used to it now, that it's not a distraction to me. Use the softest pillow you can find...almost one you can punch and wad into any shape or direction. I never sleep on my back; at least  not intentionally, or I'm not aware of it. Maybe after WLS??? If I'm on my back now, at my weight, I feel like I'm about 2 years pregnant...lol. My shoulders hurt too much if I lay directly on my side for too long. So, I hope this helps ya...It will be great! to sleep and lie flat and breath at the same time. Hang in there. Oh, yah, I tried the mask with just the two little plastic thingies that go into the nose; it's ok, but I like my usual mask better.

Hi everyone,

I got my machine and the sleep tech was awesome about going through all of the available mask with me. I settled on the pillow mask (nose mask) because it was one of the very few she had that would allow me to wear my glasses with the mask on. It has helped a lot to just wear it for a while before I fall asleep by watching some TV . I have also experienced my first cold and all of the issues with a stuffy/runny nose can do with that type of mask. I am still adjusting but so far I have gotten in 3 full nights with it and still learning.

Thanks
Omar

I have had mine for about a month and I love it.  I used to be a belly / side sleeper, but I am finding that I am sleeping on my back most of the time now....not sure why, I think I have been falling asleep quicker (on my back) and I end up staying that way.  I am definitely not tossing and turning like I used to.  Sure is nice to breathe again!!!!

I have the nasal pillows, but I may switch to the nose only mask as it is quieter and the little plastic things kind of bother my nose sometimes.

They put emphasis on sleeping on your back bcuz that is the hardest position for them to get the airway pressure correct. If they can get it on ypour back then should be able to get it working in all areas  I have a full face mask and i can sleep on my side with no trouble (except 1 time i turned on side away from c-pap & pulled the machine off the table)   My c-pap is set at 16 with 1 liter of oxygen at night and most episodes of not breathing are under control the tech said as hard as  they tried they still couldn't stop all thje episodes of not breathing       Good Luck to you, I hope after RNY I will be able to come off the c-pap

I was just dx in Jan this year and mine is set at 10 I use the one that goes over the nose and is padded. I also sleep on side, sometimes back or stomach. I have no problem with mine.

I am able to just use the little nasal pillow, but it's because I sleep with my mouth tightly suctioned shut.  If your mouth comes open while you sleep, the pressure's pretty ineffective.  They'd find that out during your titration session, and wouldn't recommend it for you, I believe.  I am a tummy sleeper with my head turned to the side, and the nasal pillow doesn't interfere with that.  I just have deeper sleep marks from the head harness LOL!

When you're awake, you have muscle tone that helps to keep your airway open.  When you sleep, you lose that tone, excess weight can bear down on your windpipe, and your attempt to suck in air creates a suction that literally closes off your breathing.  In other words, your own diaphragm is unintentionally suffocating you!  The positive pressure of the air replaces that muscle tone you have when you're awake, and keeps that windpipe open.

Good luck with your machine.

I was put on a cpap 5-6 years ago, pressure was 17, Feb. 2008 had another sleep study and they moved me to a bipap with pressure from 17-27.  I just went in last night and I am not even in the teens (my sleep has been declining since December, had my surgery in October).

I sleep on my back and side, side most of the time. (I LOVE MY SELECT COMFORT BED!) It gives me a lot more flexibility in my sleeping and comfort levels.  OK, so to get back on track.  I love the nasal pillows.  But once I started using the bipap the pressure was entirely to high for the nasal pillows so I switched to a nose mask.  I naturally keep my mouth shut when sleeping so I didn't need an aid to keep my mouth shut or wear a full face mask.  I did buy a full face mask for the times when I have sinus issues but that is rare anymore.  I also bought an extra hose and the connector to attach two hoses together so I have more freedom.

I put a large coat rack hook above my bed and I hang my hose over it and it keeps it out of the way for the most part, plus I hang my mask on it in the morning.  It keeps the mask about 18 inches above the bed, easier to make the bed and such then too.  Get a mask that fits you well and keeps a good seal and ALWAYS wear the mask and use the machine, even if just taking a nap.

From Oct. 2008 to a few weeks ago I have lost 200 lbs and I have another 100 to lose.  Just because I will be at the 'right' weight or a healthier weight doesn't mean I will no longer have sleep apnea.  I have several friends who also have sleep apnea, 2 of them are in great shape so it is not always a weight thing.

I never go without mine.  I always use it.  I never even lay down to take a nap without putting my mask on.  I have read stories about people simply not waking up because they didn't use their machine when sleeping or napping.

I now have a personal story to tell. My brother-in-law has a friend that died, within the last month, when he fell asleep in his recliner and simply did not wake up.  They did an autopsy and everything was okay, he died from sleep apnea.  the story is more gruesome because another brother-in-law is on the rescue squad and the guy lived at home alone so it was a few days before anyone checked on him.  It was the weekend and he had 3 days off so no one at work was looking for him.  Sad really when it could have been avoided by just wearing the damn mask.

-Jaime

Just an update here, I have also added this update to a few other posts I had on the sleep apnea forums.

I got my results form last weeks sleep study...

Feb 2008, 515 lbs pressure was 25-27
Oct 2008, 570 lbs pressure the same but wasn't retested (when I had my wl surgery)
Apr 2009, 360 lbs pressure is set at 8 now

I am so excited, 8, WOW no wonder my sleep has gone so far downhill since about Christmas.

I have to buy a new machine, I am no longer able to use bi-pap I get to drop down to a cpap.  NICE!!! 

I hope, i really hope losing another 100 lbs will get my off the machine all together, that would be cool.

-Jaime