I might have sleep apenea?

Tamihott · May 17, 2008

I had my CPAP study last night to follow up from my sleep study. I first tried the whole mask and it was ok, until I tried to fall asleep. I felt really clausterphobic and panicked and had them try another one. I went with the air pillow, not sure of the model. It was easier to sleep with, but everytime I had a hypopnea they cranked up the air and I was abuptly awake. I felt like crap when they woke me at 5am. The inside of my nose is super dry and sore. I feel very depressed that I am going to have to do this every night. Any of you pros have any advice for me? Thanks Tamara

singledad167 · May 17, 2008

Hi Tamara, ya the sleep study stinks. Please don't let that discourage you. The CPAP you get in your home is much different. Make sure you ask your doc to write a script for a full auto cpap with humidifier, and data capbable. Check to make sure your insurance covers it, because it is more. Also, retronics makes one with what's called c-flex that reduces the pressure when you breath out so it makes it easier to breath. You may run into resistance where ever you go to get your cpap. They don't have as much as a markup than the cheap models, and they are more difficult to setup, so they'll try to push junk on you. Go to the links posted earlier, and get all the info before getting your unit. Once you roll off the lot with it, it's your's and the insurance wont pay for another one.

singledad167 · May 17, 2008

sleepygirl is my name because I am an RPSGT (Registered Polysomnography Technologist), I help diagnose and treat sleep apnea. It sounds like you do have sleep apnea. When you have this, your airway is obstructed when you exhale. Often times because of excess body fat pressing against upper airways; however, this is not always the case. Sometimes it is just the structure of your airway. Most of the time; people can loose weight and correct the problem; but not always. Your best bet is to have a sleep study. If you do have sleep apnea you will see about a 30 pound weight loss just from being treated for this. When we sleep; we go thru stages of sleep.During the deeper stage; growth hormone is released, even in adults. This helps us loose weight. Obstructive sleep apnea keeps you from getting to that deeper stage of sleep; thus you are not getting your growth hormone released from the brain.
Talk with your physician and they will write an order for a sleep study.

My ENT suggested my sleep study (although I knew I already had OSA) even when I was at my ideal weight. They woke me up because I was so bad, and cpap'ed me and did a split study. Before the cpap I had 108 events/hour got as low as 67% o2 and went 70 sec one time without breathing. I feel a world better since getting a cpap. After doing alot of reading on another site I fought really hard to get the auto cpap fully data capable. However, I never heard back, or have asked to come back for a follow up with my ENT. I thought of buying my own card reader and software so I could look at it myself, but should I be going to see another doc?

Telecia · May 18, 2008

My ENT suggested my sleep study (although I knew I already had OSA) even when I was at my ideal weight. They woke me up because I was so bad, and cpap'ed me and did a split study. Before the cpap I had 108 events/hour got as low as 67% o2 and went 70 sec one time without breathing. I feel a world better since getting a cpap. After doing alot of reading on another site I fought really hard to get the auto cpap fully data capable. However, I never heard back, or have asked to come back for a follow up with my ENT. I thought of buying my own card reader and software so I could look at it myself, but should I be going to see another doc?

If you have the reader and softwear you can do some self diagnoses and adapting yourself but that shouldnt be a substitute for treatment with your sleep doc. I suggest calling them to find out why there was no follow up and go from there. If they don't seem to think a followup is needed then by all means find another doc. Cause it can take time to get your machinery set up to best suit you and even after that as you lose or gain weight your pressures will change! So keeping in touch with your sleep doc can be important.

WestCoastFatGuy · May 18, 2008

I had my CPAP study last night to follow up from my sleep study. I first tried the whole mask and it was ok, until I tried to fall asleep. I felt really clausterphobic and panicked and had them try another one. I went with the air pillow, not sure of the model. It was easier to sleep with, but everytime I had a hypopnea they cranked up the air and I was abuptly awake. I felt like crap when they woke me at 5am. The inside of my nose is super dry and sore. I feel very depressed that I am going to have to do this every night. Any of you pros have any advice for me? Thanks Tamara

Hey there... I was also very very depressed that I had to use the CPAP every night. No matter how hard I tried.. I just couldn't adjust. As stated earlier.. I ended up using the AutoSet machine.. along with the Mirage Swift II pillows AND... most importantly... the warm humidity attachment. Without the humidity... I dry out so badly that I get sinus infections. With this combination... my LIFE HAS BEEN CHANGED! If somebody took my CPAP away frome me now.. I would claw their eyes out. To tell you the truth... when I am sure my sleep apnea is gone (as I lose more weight) I will truly be sad to let it go.

I don't wake up with marks on my face unless I have the straps too tight.. and they really don't need to be tight at all if one uses the correct nose piece. Initially I was using the middle size (of the three sizes included with the mask).. but moved up to the biggest. Also... I checked the setting on my machine and found that it was set to the "generic" mask instead of the "swift". Once I changed it to the swift.. I stopped having so many leaks... and my sleep became even better.

Telecia · May 19, 2008

Tamihott, I actually didn't have a hard time adjusting to my CPAP, It took maybe a week, at first I did remove it when I slept but most come with alarms that will tell you your mask is off. The amazing difference I felt waking up rested was enough to make me compliant fast. lol.

My best suggestion to anyone starting is don't let your DME just give you whatever mask they feel like. Make sure they give you several to try. With mine I have to go into their local office to try em on. It is WORTH it.

And LAY DOWN to try them on. Your face changes from sitting to laying and a mask may fit when sitting up and NOT fit when laying down. When you find one that feels best try it for a week, If you have problems with it there are loads of suggestions on cpaptalk to help you with things like mask leaks etc..

It may take trying several masks till you get one right for you. BE INSISTENT if your DME tries to tell you otherwise. Or tries to have you make due with one that is not right for you. And communicate what problems you are having. My DME always tries pushing Respironics masks for some reason, they don't even have any other brands out in their fitting room. But After explaining my problems to the woman who was fitting me with a new mask she left and came back with another company's and it was soooo much nicer!! This one put NO Pressure at all on the bridge of my nose.

As for getting used to the CPAP it's self. Be patient. One thing that helped my brother & Sister in law get used to their machines easier was wearing it while being awake watching tv or something. Getting used to it. A couple hours a day can really help you to be able to wear it while sleeping.

And have your doctor write you a perscription for a HEATED HUMIDIFIER, have him/her be exact cause many DME's will try to say your insurance wont pay for a heated. Call your insurance yourself and find out. Most times this isn't true. And if you had issues with the dryness during the sleep test you will for sure have major issues at home.

Tamihott · May 19, 2008

Thank you soo much everyone for all of your great advice. I will at least know what I am talking about when I am trying to get my mask. The humidifier is something I am happy to hear about, as I am still having issues and my study was Friday. I hope I have as much success as you guys. Thanks again, Tamara!!