New to this forum and OSA

[Piggles]

Good afternoon everyone

I'm new to the Sleeping Disorders Forum but have been around the MS Forum for a while before the major "breakdown of the site". I've had to re-register as it has been too long since I last posted!

I was dxd with OSA about three weeks ago and tomorrow I'm going to a private clinic to try out a CPAP machine. I've been reading everyone's post about CPAPs and I hope this will be the answer to a lot of my problems.

Hope to chat soon - I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow.

[Beth]

Piggles - wasn't it dreadful when the board was down? I had serious withdrawals!

I hope your sleep study with the CPAP goes well. Hope they let you try on different masks so you can see which is most comfortable. Most people seem to prefer the nasal pillows, but not everyone.

let us know how it goes.

[Mudge]

I hope it went well for you! Did you get your machine yet? Have you tried it yet? I've been using a BiPap for a year and a half now and am in love with it. I first started with a full face mask (covering nose and mouthe), but it leaked so horribly I switched to nasal pillows - the Swift. I loved it too, but after some time I realized that I was leaking air out of my mouth. A chin strap didn't seem to stop it. I've read on other sites about people taping their lips (truly! :eek: ) or using poligrip strips on their lips. At least they're a bit more gentle.

I couldn't handle that so went and tried a batch of other full face masks and have one now that is super. I've been using it for 5 months now with now complaints.

If I can help in any way, just let me know!

Mudge

[GinaMarie]

Hi Piggles,
I hope your appt went well and you have your cpap and are enjoying it.
Let us know how it went.
Gina Marie

[Piggles]

Hi Everyone
Thank you for your replies!

I have acquired an automatic machine with humidifier. I couldn't use the nasal pillows as I tend to open my mouth when asleep so have had to settle for a full face job. First night I was very aprehensive as at the clinic I had a bit of a fright with the force of the air and felt as though I was drowning. I'm also claustrophobi so the full mask was freaking me a bit but after a while I did fall asleep! Next morning my husband said it was the best £724 spent, just to get rid of my snoring! Last night was a bit easier to fall to sleep but I couldn't get a proper seal for ages (tips anyone????) before I got settled.

Today it feels as though my chest has had quite a workout (sore to breathe) and my heart pounds a bit. I suppose my body has to get used to all the extra oxygen - it's been deprived of it at night for at least 17 years!

Hope you are all doing fine today.

Judith

[Mudge]

Hi Everyone
Thank you for your replies!

I have acquired an automatic machine with humidifier. I couldn't use the nasal pillows as I tend to open my mouth when asleep so have had to settle for a full face job. First night I was very aprehensive as at the clinic I had a bit of a fright with the force of the air and felt as though I was drowning. I'm also claustrophobi so the full mask was freaking me a bit but after a while I did fall asleep! Next morning my husband said it was the best £724 spent, just to get rid of my snoring! Last night was a bit easier to fall to sleep but I couldn't get a proper seal for ages (tips anyone????) before I got settled.

Today it feels as though my chest has had quite a workout (sore to breathe) and my heart pounds a bit. I suppose my body has to get used to all the extra oxygen - it's been deprived of it at night for at least 17 years!

Hope you are all doing fine today.

Judith

Hi again Judith. I've primarily used a full face mask too. I used one during my testing because I couldn't believe that I could keep my mouth shut all night! :p The first ffmask I had leaked so badly, but the one I have now is wonderful. I would suggest firstly to fiddle with the straps. Some of the adjustments depend on what type of mask you got. Some masks have a device at the top so that you can angle the mask in more to prevent leaks at the top and around your eyes. Another thing I've read of, and tried, is putting a bit of moleskin on the mask where it leaks. Get the sticky back kind and press it on to the mask. Some people will make little bundles of gauze padding for the leaks. I read once of someone making a template of the mask and sewing and stuffing a pad to put between the mask and their face. On one site I go to, they've done imaginative things with pantyhose to adjust the straps. My pressure is quite high and even though it goes against most suggestions, I tend to tighten my mask to stop leaks.

Good luck,

Mudge

[Piggles]

Hi Mudge
Thanks for the tips, though I managed a leakfree night last night. I've got the mask that has the screw type adjustment at the top and I think I've got it just about right. I'm beginning to feel a bit better already. I'm not waking up to crashing headaches which has been the norm for many years for me.
Hope you have a good evening - I'm just off to bed.

Judith

[Mudge]

My big problem was falling asleep at the office (and almost getting caught a few times.:o ) Thank goodness my husband does the driving in to work, because as soon as we got going I would drop off. I'm doing so much better, but if I don't get a full night's sleep, or if I fall asleep reading and don't use the machine all night, it seems like I'm right back to where I was before.

I'm glad that yours is going so well so quickly.

[Piggles]

When did you start to feel the benefits? I'm feeling better already (headache-wise) but I'm still deathly tired. I have a lot of autoimmune stuff going on at the moment and I'm trying to wean off steroids as well, so no wonder, I suppose!

Went back to work today for the first time after 6 weeks off. Very tired tonight. I'm only doing a half day tomorrow and Wednesday just to break me in gently.

Hope you are doing well today. Have a great evening.

[Mudge]

Hi again Piggles!

I started to get benefits right away too, but I have severe sleep apnea and if I all asleep without my machine and don't get enough hours on it, I'm in rough shape the next day. But I'm no where near as bad as I was before - and I can actually think most of the time! :D

I work full-time, but have cut back to four days a week for a while. I find that that has helped a lot. I'm a "chronic painer" and that tires me out a lot too.

How are you doing now?

[Piggles]

Hi Mudge

Things are a bit hectic at the moment. We're moving house (around 200 miles!) as our jobs are moving, so arggghhhh! I went back to the clinic last week and I got a good report. My AHI has come down to 4.1, with only one apnoea incident on average a night (instead of 30-40 per hour!). My leaks are virtually non-existent and my chest has settled down. Generally I am much more alert and I was able to drive again for work which is good as I shall have to be commuting by car for an hour each way once we move. I'm having a checkup with the GP tomorrow as my heart seems to be skipping beats and pounding (could be anaemic again) and got crushing headache - something I've not had since I started using the CPAP machine (APAP really).

Hope you are keeping well and not too hot (we are very wet over here in the UK with the prospect of more severe flooding this week - good job I live high up in the Malvern Hills but I pray that those on lower ground are spared this time.)

Take care

[GinaMarie]

Im glad you are doing better with your sleeping Piggles. :) Sorry about the headache. I deal with migraines and headaches all the time. I hope the new GP figures it out. My heart does weird beats also.

To bad you couldn't send some of that rain our way to Calif. I hope you dont get to much flooding. Im STILL waiting to hear about my Cpap that I had done in June. Im going to call again tomorrow and see about it.

Blessings,
Gina Marie

[Mudge]

Your AHI is greatly improved. I'm glad that you can drive again. In Ontario, Canada, where I live, your doctor is supposed to report you to the Ministry of Transport if you have something wrong with you that can affect your driving. My pulmonolgist did, but I got the "ok" to drive as long as I'm compliant. Our commute is about 45 minutes, and I'm lucky my husband does the driving as I still nod off now and again.

That's still going to be a long commute for you isn't it? Or is it only until you move house?

All the best,
Mudge

GinaMarie - have they still not gotten you your machine?

[Piggles]

Hello from soggy England.

We did see some sun in between the thunderstorms. Flooding has happened a few miles from here upriver. (Severn) I suppose the flood will get nearby tomorrow if the rain keeps up. It's dry at the moment so the cat is in and out of the flap (paw marks everywhere).

We are moving on the 31st. The commute will be permanent, until I retire in 11 1/2 years, or I keel over before then! Not looking forward to it at all but have to.......:(

Hope you are feeling as best you can be. Hope you have news of your CPAP soon GinaMarie.

Love Judith xx

[GinaMarie]

Hi all.
I finally got ahold of my pulmonologist.. I told them AGAIN that I had my sleep study on June 26th and hadnt heard anything. She looked up my chart and said they had called Apria and ordered my settings changed from 6 to 10 :rolleyes: . But of course Apria is known for thier slack. I called Apria and of course all the sudden they have an appt for tomorrow.. but I cant go tomorrow because I have to be somewhere (which I do everyday but its court and it takes all day).. So I go Thursday.. OF course I see Apria delivery trucks all over but they never seem to be able to come here... I always have to go THERE... MORE GAS.. BUT at least its getting done.. I thought for sure it would be set lots higher.. and hoping it would get changed to a bipap also so I could change companies and get rid of Apria but that isnt going to happen..

So we will see if raising it up a few numbers will help. I see my pulmonologist again in a week.

I need a new hose also cause mine has a hole in it. My hose can leak and mask can leak and the alarm wont go off. weird..

Thanks all for checking in.. Judith I hope your rain slows down or you are able to send some our way.

HUGS and sweet dreams,
Gina Marie