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On CPAP 2 months - Feeling great


Posted by TiredNoMore on July 10, 2000 at 15:52:07:

I got my CPAP almost 2 months ago, and I'd like to share my experiences so far and thank this forum for being here. When I fell asleep at the wheel, ending up on the wrong side of the road (thank goodness nobody was coming), I was determined to figure out what was wrong with me. I searched the internet for the conditions I had, morning headaches, fatigue, terrible memory loss, falling asleep at work, weight gain, extreme sleepiness when driving,etc., and ended up on this site. I made an appointment with my family doctor, and I asked him if I might have sleep apnea. He thought it was very possible, and he immediately referred me to a sleep clinic. I got in much earlier by being put on a cancellation list. I was diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA, and given an appointment for a titration sleep study. Again, I got in much earlier by asking to be on the cancellation list. A week after that, I was sent home with my Goodknight CPAP set on 8, a Mirage nasal mask, and a passover humidifier (I was told my insurance company wouldn't provide a heated one without a battle).

From the time I went to my family doctor, I read this forum every day. I was prepared for whatever might happen; leaks, sore nose, dry throat, mouth breathing, feeling maybe even worse than before, and worst of all, looking like a female Darth Vader!

The first night was probably the worst night of my life. I remember lying there most of the night, staring at the ceiling, and thinking I would NEVER be able to sleep with that thing on! I even yanked it off once and threw it across the bed. I was totally exasperated. I thought about it the next day, and I was absolutely determined to make it work. The second night was a lot better, and I have been 100% compliant ever since.

I have learned - how to clean everything, to adjust for minimum leaks, that I can use a heating pad under it to make it heated (works MUCH better), where to find an inexpensive hose insulator to banish the dreaded rainout, that achy hips are normal, and well, I could go on and on. My point here is first of all to thank everybody for posting all of the information which made my experience less scary and mysterious, and at the same time gave me the knowledge to ask the questions I did of the sleep lab and equipment provider personnel. I asked for and received the results of both tests and already knew which mask I wanted to try. I was told that it was really nice to meet someone who was already knowledgable about OSA and its treatment.

My other reason for writing this is because I read more about problems than I do good experiences here, which is very understandable. After all, I didn't post! I probably still wouldn't be, if it weren't for a good friend with whom I work, who also has OSA, and who also keeps encouraging me to write a positive post here! I have solved every problem I have run into so far by faithfully reading this forum for the last 3 months or so. And I realize I never posted, just learned. But now I feel it's time to give something back to everyone who has unknowingly helped me. I feel like my life has been given back to me! I had immediate results, and I no longer get sleepy at work or in the car, my memory seems to be just like new, and I have so much energy. I'm 56 years old, so I just thought I was getting old, and I didn't like it! Well, now I know it was the apnea, not my age. I still haven't seen any of that weight drop off, but I'm hoping!

I wish good sleep to everyone, and I'll be here every day reading each and every post. Thanks to all of you. You have helped give me my life back.


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