Hi all,
I've had sleep apnea for years; finally diagnosed! Severe. Having sleep study w/CPAP Oct 20.  I'm at a loss at to what happens after that,  except an Rx will be written.  Can I request to the Dr. what features I want on the machine? (heated, assisted exhale, smart card compatability, mask-off alert?  I want to thank the writer who recommended researching MASKS prior to deciding on specific machine, as the correct mask will narrow the field of machines.  My results were: 74% efficiency w/total sleep time of 299 minutes. Arousal index 20; Respiratory distress index is 34. Supine 96, non is 30.  So many other numbers, let me know which are important for the groups' use.

I thought I'd just 'buy' a machine and that would be it!  Now, with some light reading here, it is a road of fine-tuning, I suspect.  I also snore heavily.  I would like/trust a machine with the smart card capability, for providing followup information.  Do I really need to have my home invaded, or can this adjustment process be performed another way?  OK, some honesty here - I also suffer from depression.  This doesn't help, eh?

I need as much info and support as I can get right now.  I also have nocturnal myoclonus (leg jerks), which does not help.  My chest aches in the morning, and am tired even with  15 hours of 'sleep'.  Other nights, I'm lucky to get 3 hours sleep.  Luckily, no bullets handy.

I welcome email, and forum information, direction to other sites, etc.  THANK YOU.

welcome
I cant answer all your questions but I think any mask can be used with any machine, it seems a full face mask that curves under the chin to keep your jaw shut would generally be best but you do need to be measured for a mask, hopefully by someone who knows what they are doing and is patient

the more elaborate CPAPs are quite expensive, if you have to pay for it

leg jerks are sometimes stopped by using a CPAP

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Last edited by another_guest on Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:55 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hi Kathleen,

I responded to your post under another thread at length about finding another sleep doctor, which I highly recommend you do.  Your legs jerks could be due to the apneas, but are probably more properly called Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD).  Same thing as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), only while you are sleeping.  Depending on the severity of the kicking, which in and of itself causes arousals, you might need a med. to control it.  I have the same thing and take a very low dose of an anti-Parkinson's drug which completely knocks out my PLMD.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) causes depression.  You're sleep deprived and feel like garbage.  It is very normal, common and completely expected that you would feel this way.  

Is there a reason someone mentioned a full faced mask?  A nasal mask or nasal pillows might be easier to start with.

When you are properly treated, your snoring will be eliminated.  Feel free to PM me!!

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.