Hello, i was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, and im waiting for all my results from the sleep study. I just have some general quesions since i have not heard anything from the study yet. It did take me a few tries with the cpap mask...i had to go all the way to the last option of the nasal prongs. Is there a certain set amount of time i will need to wear this, or better yet, what are the average timeframes that people use this machine? Should i be concerned with any heart problems? i have difficulty breathing for about 8 years, but my physician would just try and give me ALLEGRA to help with the congestion. I am new to all of this and if you have any information i would truly appreciate it. THank you! johnny

jsauce11 wrote:

Hello, i was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, and im waiting for all my results from the sleep study. I just have some general quesions since i have not heard anything from the study yet. It did take me a few tries with the cpap mask...i had to go all the way to the last option of the nasal prongs. Is there a certain set amount of time i will need to wear this, or better yet, what are the average timeframes that people use this machine? Should i be concerned with any heart problems? i have difficulty breathing for about 8 years, but my physician would just try and give me ALLEGRA to help with the congestion. I am new to all of this and if you have any information i would truly appreciate it. THank you! johnny

Hi Johnny,

I assume you were diagnosed after an overnight sleep study ? If so and cardiac problems should be highlighted and you will be advised of them or referred to a cardiologist. On the plus side CPAP helps repair damage already done and is helpful in controlling cardiac problems in general.

A certain amount of time, yes probably for the rest of your life. Some physicians say that 4/5 hours per night is sufficient, but the majority will tell you that if you normally sleep for 4, 5, 6 or 7 hours per night you should use CPAP for 4, 5, 6 or 7 hours per night. The upside is that the results are well worth the small inconvenience.

If you have had difficulty breathing before now, have you seen a respiratory or pulmonary specialist ? If not it would be important to discuss this with your sleep doc.

Daniel


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

I am in the Same situation as Johnny, I recently got the results of my first sleep study, and have setup the appointment for the next study where we will start playing with the mask.  This is all well and good, but bothersome at the same time.  By the looks of everything that I have read I will be using this mask the rest of my life, which leads to my question,  Am I destined to be on this machine the rest of my life.... I would like to think that I have plenty left as I am only 25 and really dont want my girlfriend going to bed with the elephant man everynight..... Im sorry this is more of a vent that a question, But now that the venting is over thanks for reading.... and as always any advice would be nice.

dwolf25 wrote:

I am in the Same situation as Johnny, I recently got the results of my first sleep study, and have setup the appointment for the next study where we will start playing with the mask.  This is all well and good, but bothersome at the same time.  By the looks of everything that I have read I will be using this mask the rest of my life, which leads to my question,  Am I destined to be on this machine the rest of my life.... I would like to think that I have plenty left as I am only 25 and really dont want my girlfriend going to bed with the elephant man everynight..... Im sorry this is more of a vent that a question, But now that the venting is over thanks for reading.... and as always any advice would be nice.

Hi dwolf25

I think you need to start looking at the upside.........really there is no downside !!!!!!!!
As you MAY be using the mask for the rest of your life, its importance can't be understated. So when they start saying that a particular mask looks nice on you :)......forget it. You need a mask that will work for you and remain comfortable. Don't get side tracked with machines that have bells and whistles. A good mask is like a good golf swing......it really doesn't matter what make of club you hit the ball with.

You MIGHT be on cpap for the rest of your life........accept it. Everything after that is a bonus. 'Plenty left', you will certainly have a lot more than 'plenty' once cpap kicks in. Think of all the extra energy, not falling asleep during a candleight dinner, staying up to see the late film etc etc.

Your girlfriend is going to just love the elephant man, well you can forget the name for a start, try hosehead or hooverhead. You wont need to put your mask on until she is fast asleep (you will have so much energy), in fact she will have to keep you on a leesh.

Another great thing with cpap is that if you get bored you can put on your mask and play fighter pilots (bogies at 2 o'clock etc). Keep it lighthearted. :)

Once you get OSA under control with cpap, you can start to look at the possibility of other treatments. Take each step one at a time.

Best of luck

Daniel


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Daniel, Thanks...... I have started trying to look at it that way,  One odd thing though is that I have always been up late, granted the GF is normally up longer than me, but where talking 7am-1am days here normally... and im not known for falling asleep or even taking naps durring the day ( im starting to think that I might not be that bad, except for the call from my doc's office to setup the next sleep study w/ the cpap... the only thing I was told was that I have several problems in my sleep....  and this is all I have to go on, but alas I see my reg. doctor on the first of the month so I should learn more than.  All in all though thanks for putting it in a better light for me,   I needed it...

John