Living with sleep apnea.

catwood

Hello,
I am living with sleep apnea and was interested in others who have this condition as well. I have just begun medical treatment for it ( in fact. . . I have not recieved my CPAP yet) and would like to join a group for support. I have read some of the info out there, but would rather here first hand accounts of how treatment and the lack there of has affected your life. I hope this is not too personal, but understand if it is for some. I hope that what I have read is accurate about the treatment and l am looking forward to getting a good night of sleep for the first time in a very, very, very long time.

HonestOmnivore

I've had my CPAP machine for five years and I LOVE IT . I actually have two -one is tiny for travel, the other a little bigger (and quieter) for home. I use it every single night, and I use it for naps. If I start dozing off in a chair I'll get up and go up to my bed or I'll wake up - if I need a nap its worth using the CPAP.

It took me two weeks with the machine before I felt like I slept even a little:grumble: . I kept messing with the mask, it would come lose, or I would roll over on it and stuff - just a mess for the first two weeks - but a friend told me to wear it every single night for three weeks before I decided if I had a problem. After two weeks I think the mask might still have come lose a few times at night but I got so I could readjust it or reset it in my sleep. Plus - I know I wasn't REALLY sleeping right without it so even though I felt like it was horrible with the mask on, I knew I was giving my brain the oxygen it needs!

I hope that when I lose weight and go back for a sleep study I will find out I'm ok without it - but until that happens, I consider my CPAP my best friend

msh0530

I have had my cpap for a little over a year and a half, and it's the best thing I ever did! I got my life back! I have 3 sons in law who have them now, and we all say we would not go without them for even one night. Did they show you that film to educate you, where people looked like they were half dead before, and now look like they are walking and leaping and praising God?? I was so hopeful when I saw that, and it turned out to be true. Waiting to get my cpap was very hard, knowing that I could be better if I could just get it. I hope you are able to get yours soon. And I REALLY hope that yours is the success that mine was. Give it two weeks, and hopefully, you will see a major difference. Let me know how you are doing. And in the meantime, be careful driving!

kiffypooh

bump

catwood

Thanks you so much for the words of encouragement. I am still waiting for the analyzation of my second sleep study to be completed. I hear that I will be unable to recognize my prior self once I get accustomed to the CPAP. I certainly hope that is the case. I hope to have my CPAP in the next week or two. Thanks again!!

catwood

bump

msh0530

Be sure to let me know how it goes, and if you have any questions. Good luck!

catwood

so... 3 weeks into the machine as of this tuesday. I am sleeping better than I thought I would. My energy level is all over the board from high to low. oh the joy of wearing a mask that makes me . . . as my wife puts it. . . sound like a quite version of "Darth Vader". I feel like I am as tired as I ever was right this moment, but just a day ago I was awake and alert for well over 16 hours. What is up with the swings in sleep and moods. ARGHH!!
Just thought I would chime in for those of you who might be reading this.
Chris

25anniversary2011

newbee here . . . . what does it mean when you "bump"

msh0530

Glad to hear you are having at least a little success with the cpap. Hope it levels out soon.

Bump is generally used for one of two reasons - either to put a thread on your "my topics " list so you can find it easily, or to move it back up to the top of the list on the message boards so that more people will notice it (or both)! And by the way - welcome, newbie!

HonestOmnivore

I think the variations in your energy may be due to a lot of factors - diet, exercise, sleep length and quality and stress. I'm so glad you're wearing it every night - the longer you use it the better you'll get at finding ways to sleep without dislodging the mask.

Use it for naps too! It will get better!

Good luck!

catwood

I am feeling much better. Using the machine at night has not been a problem for me so far. I have not gone a night with out using it since I recevied it. I feel like my energy level and alertness is becoming more consistant. I think that I am definitly on the right track with this. Thanks so much for being out there.
Chris

msh0530

Just wondering how you were doing. Hopefully by now, you are seeing a big difference. I'm glad you got help for your sleep problem. It can definitely improve your quality of life!

kiffypooh

As his wife I am sleeping much better :laugh: I'm glad he got help too, I just wish he would have done it sooner because he is almost like a different person.

msh0530

As his wife I am sleeping much better :laugh: I'm glad he got help too, I just wish he would have done it sooner because he is almost like a different person.

I do totally understand and I am happy for you. I put off getting help for 6 months after the dr. recommended it, but looking back, I can't figure out why. I'm sure that I thought that my reasoning was sound. I think part of it was denial, and part was looking at the financial aspect.

kiffypooh

I can understand that. I've really needed to get my hearing checked for years but I keep putting it off because I don't want to find out I need hearing aids or something. I guess fear of the unknown.