I just finished my sleep study this morning and there was some concern.  At about 2:30 in the morning, the staff woke me up and put a mask on me and I slept the rest of the way through.  It was very uncomfortable and I am very fearful that the doctor will tell me next week that I have apnea.  Is this a very good possibility due to the mask being put on my face???  I am about 30 pounds overweight, if I lose that weight, will the apnea subside or am I filled with a life of airmasks?  Please respond, I appreciate your calming responses but please be honest with this rookie.


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Is the mask as bad as people say????

rookie non-sleeper wrote:

I just finished my sleep study this morning and there was some concern.  At about 2:30 in the morning, the staff woke me up and put a mask on me and I slept the rest of the way through.  It was very uncomfortable and I am very fearful that the doctor will tell me next week that I have apnea.  Is this a very good possibility due to the mask being put on my face???  I am about 30 pounds overweight, if I lose that weight, will the apnea subside or am I filled with a life of airmasks?  Please respond, I appreciate your calming responses but please be honest with this rookie.

Hi Rookie,

And welcome!
Do you know if you were originally scheduled for two separate nites of a sleep study?  There are two parts to the sleep study.  The first they test how you sleep and for different body functions. The second part they test you with the cpap equipment, testing to see which air pressures will eliminate your apneas.  The second part is dependent on the first, for if you don't have sleep apnea, then there's no need for the second part, which is called the titration study.  I had what they called a split-night study.  Both parts were done in one night.  I think that is done when they're pretty certain you have sleep apnea.  It might be that you exhibited clear signs of sleep apnea during the first part of your sleep study.  Because of that, they may  have elected to do the second part the same night.  

The sleep study place will be producing a sleep study report that typically goes to  your doctor, after a few days.  You should be sure to get a copy of that report, from your doctor or the sleep clinic.  That report tells the doctor everything he needs to know, especially if it's a clear case of sleep apnea.  From that he prescribes the machine for you.  Be sure to ask lots of questions.

Losing weight may help, but it does not mean your sleep apnea will disappear.  Only another study after awhile can determine that.  It may lessen the severity, and who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and it fixes everything.  But don't count on it.  It's good you were able to sleep fairly well with the mask during the sleep study.  It's soooo much easier dealing with it at home.  And there are different types of masks, some less obtrusive than others.  It all depends on what works best for you.  

Don't give up on all this.  Find out what you can about the results of your sleep study, and go from there.  You are not alone in this.  It's amazing how many people have this condition.  Some people do get better, but don't worry about all of this.  The important thing is you may be getting treatment.  If you've been experiencing any of the symptoms of sleep apnea that we  have, you will be so much happier when you're feeling better.  It's your health that matters.

Good luck, and keep us posted on how things go.


Linda

you should actually be happy if told yopu have sleep apnea as treatment will make you much happier and healthier
if you need a CPAP machine, many different types of masks are available and 1 will be found that you are comfortable with

HI, I just got my results from the first part of the test early this week and was told I have severe sleep apnea. They didn't put any mask on me during the first part of the test so it might not mean anything, I am not sure. I am going in for the second part of the test this sunday night. They will be doing a fitting for a mask and I am not too sure what else. All of this is kinda scarey for me too. As I am so young, facing so many confusing and scarey sittuations. Keep faith, you are not alone in any of this!

Chances are your going to be hosed -- and I say that with a sense of humor..

As others have stated, you should be relieved the study has revealed that a problem does exists and treatment is available. Also, if OSA is a problem, getting treatment may also address the weight issue (if the weight is OSA related).

If you can tolerate the mask, and get a mask that fits that doesn't leak, you should be on your way to a good nights sleep -- which can sometimes be a chanlenge...

Nothing in life is guaranteed, this is just my limited experience.


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My Kinda town Chicago is



Nothing in life is guaranteed, not even taxes -- you have to make money to get money back