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For years I had lived in a tired state. Driving across Texas for work would find me drifting off or nodding off while on the highway. What was interesting was the fact that in those few seconds I would nod off I would begin to dream immediately. I was told later that this was due to my lack of deep sleep or a consistent sleep cycle. I went for testing 9 months ago after my wife talked with me about my gasping at night. I would often wake up covered in sweat even if the temperature in the house was very cool. My body spent every night struggling to stay alive.

I had hesitated about doing a sleep study as I had no desire to be hooked up to a machine with a mask strapped onto my head all night long. So since I was keeping my new bride from getting a good rest as well I scheduled a study once I received a nod from my general MD. I did a split study and all the wires hooked to my body and head were indeed annoying but so was my nodding off in meetings and at my desk, behind the wheel-anywhere! After the first half they allowed me to try the device of my choice and I went with the breeze since it came over my head and into my nose only, as I did not like the idea of the mask. After the second half of the night I left looking forward to learning my results.

As it turned out I had on average 62 apnea events per hour-that's over one per minute. I was not sleeping or nor was my body resting but rather every night when I went to bed my body was struggling to stay alive! No wonder I was so irritable and tired all the time. I met with a local provider who brought me a machine with a humidifier (I keep distilled water in it and do not turn it on to heat, except when really cold and dry-as it turns out we expel a great deal of moisture through our lungs) and now I spend less that 60 seconds a night in apnea and after usually 6-7 hours I awake feeling rested and in much better condition all the way around throughout the day.

Since I am a stomach sleeper the over the head device works perfectly for me and I am able to keep the pressure at 10 and now we both sleep peacefully through the night. I tell my wife I am in love with my breeze and machine and she does not mind one bit.
For the ones still suffering-just do it! Yes it is not as simple as just flopping into bed and going to sleep but after a couple of weeks your body and mind adjust to the gear and with the benefit of waking refreshed will have you experiencing life as you have not in many years.

Get over whatever thoughts keep you from it and know that there are many choices in head gear and most providers will allow you to exchange masks that you end up not liking (I tried a newer model of an over the head device but it did not perform like the breeze and they gladly took it back and gave me my first headgear of choice.)  I would also recommend that you get a second mask/headgear to travel with you as I was out of town over Christmas and a part broke and I was miserable without it working properly. Most insurance companies will allow you a second one after 90 days as well as replacement nose pillows or seals/straps. Insurance companies know that thousands if not millions die from the stress that sleep apnea places on the heart and mind.

I wish you much success on your new journey and the machine I got travels very easily and it has a smart card that allows me to view my progress anytime I want to on my own PC.
Breath, breath in the air-Don't be afraid to care......

after having a junky scuba mask,,,i wood take it off after 3 months i could not wear it at all the nasal pillow was it,,one nite and i was back at the gym....i have had sleep apnea 4  over 2 years ...get the nasal pillow u can role around with it,,,,seriosly contact me i will call u...im not a rep i will talk more in depth

My journey to a sleep apnea diagnosis was long and frustrating.

I knew that I had become increasingly more and more afraid to sleep at night.  Even though I was very tired, I would fight to stay up late and sleep as little at night as I could.  I knew that things were happening to me at night - I had numbness and heart symptoms that were frightening and resulted in trips to the ER.  Once I was admitted to the hospital with numbness of my right arm and another time I was admitted to the hospital with chest pain (occurring at night and waking me from sleep).  I even had cardiac catheterization which turned out to be normal.  

My insurance was an HMO from my employer and, needless to say, my primary physician was a great disappointment to me. No matter how often I complained to him about my scary nighttime symptoms, my daytime fatigue and spaciness, he would not order a sleep study for me.  So, I consulted another doctor whom I had heard from coworkers was excellent.  That doctor actually wrote a letter to my primary physician suggesting a sleep study be ordered for me.  But my primary physician would not budge on that issue.

So, I decided to take the plunge with my own limited funds (single, divorced mom of a teenager) and spent close to $2000 on a large metropolitan hospital's sleep lab study which evaluated a dozen or more people at a time during a study (quite lucrative for that hospital).  That turned out to be a BIG mistake.  My research had revealed that  the director of that sleep center appeared to be highly revered (because he probably had written his own PR) but he really turned out to be a dismal failure, uncaring, and unable to assist me in my diagnostic pursuit.  The day I met with him after the study, he wandered into the room, late, disorganized, shuffling papers, acting like he didn't even know why I or he was there and he certainly was not familiar with the results of my sleep study.  He didn't know me from Adam's house cat, nor did he appear to care about me or my health.  I got the impression that since I had already paid for my study, that was all that mattered to him.  He didn't feel the need to produce any results.  I later learned that in large medical sleep centers, the director may not be the one to read or interpret the studies - that it is  the sleep technicians who often end up grading the results of your study.  And when they graded my study there, they "forgot" to include in the results the hypopnea events (my major problem).  Nor did I ever get a copy of my study from them - it was money down the drain and a great disappointment to me.  The sleep director told me I was "fine" in a careless sort of way and then exited.

A year or so passed, and I moved to a different part of the country.  I no longer chose the cheaper selection, the HMO option, as my company insurance.  This time I had a PPO and could go to whomever I wanted.  Because of the numbness and fatigue, I thought my problem was neurologic, maybe MS.  Yet I was convinced I was not getting enough air at night during sleep, so I had rented a pulse oximeter through the Internet.  I showed the abnormal oximetry reports to my neurologist who then suggested a sleep study be done.  I was reluctant, remembering the waste of money previously spent on the sham-of-a-sleep-study I had had earlier, but the neurologist suggested I use a certain sleep specialist she knew who was also a neurologist and who only evaluated one to two people per study.

I was desperate for relief, so even though my PPO insurance would only pay 80% I went for the study.  

This time, the results were far different from the earlier sham-of-a-study at the major medical center.  This time I was told I had moderate sleep apnea.  The neurologist/sleep specialist, himself, had graded the study and took a great deal of time and effort explaining the results in detail to me.  He confirmed my suspicion that I was not getting enough air at night, that not only did I have apnea, but I had quite a bit of hypopnea (not enough air coming in).

Unlike many who are diagnosed with sleep apnea, I had often imagined how wonderful it would be to have a mask forcing air into my lungs during sleep since I always felt I was not getting enough air at night.  I had actually had looked forward to having such a setup for a long time - and now I was going to have it!!  

The night of my titration study, I took to the mask like a duck to water and slept immediately and deeply through the night.  I felt so much better in the morning. I had experienced no fear that night!!  I had had no heart symptoms, no numbness!!

Since then, I have been renting my CPAP machines, and am currently using an AUTOPAP machine, feeling like I really need BIPAP because I struggle so much with the CPAP to exhale, especially when the pressure automatically goes up to 17 to 20.  I have ordered a new CPAP/BIPAP/AUTOPAP machine to try it out and probably purchase it.   I am totally compliant in using my CPAP - and even use it during naps (which are more infrequent now).

Morale of the story:  Don't quit your pursuit of a diagnosis because you have encountered ineptitude (turkeys) along the way.  If you suspect you have sleep apnea, try again and again with different doctors, if necessary, to finally get your treatment.  It is worth it to be able to finally look forward to sleep rather than fear it!!

I also suggest using smaller sleep studies where you will receive individualized attention and care rather than large sleep-apnea-mill-type medical facilities.

Raconteur wrote:

I think it is too early for me to be doing a success story, I've only been on the therapy for two months now, but I do feel that my life has changed since then.

After reading of so many other folks with problems with their masks, machines, doctors, etc., I consider myself extremely lucky. I like the machine, I look forward to wearing the mask, I feel incredibly better in the mornings, no snoring, no apnea, well-rested... all in all, this is perfect for me (my wife rather likes it to... we can finally wake up in the same bed!!!).

I did have some communications breakdown with my MD, but we got that all worked out. Other than that, I have no complaints at all and I hope it continues that way.

It will be interesting to revisit this post a year or so from now... here's hoping!

I posted that in this thread in March of '07. Since then, I've had nothing but good experiences with my CPAP, if you don't count that little mis-communication with my doctor.
I've upgraded the mask to a Mirage Swift II (much quieter, not much different otherwise) and I'm still using the same machine.
I sleep well, my health in general is better (though CPAP is only one contributor to that -- I've quit smoking, lost weight, and eat healthier).
I don't mean to downplay the effect that the therapy has had on my life and health!
If I weren't on it now, I'm sure my health and quality of life would be significantly worse, if indeed I survived at all.

The year has been interesting, CPAP-wise. I had a nasty bout of the flu and the accompanying congestion had me (and my MD) worried, but the machine performed well.
At about the same time, storms in the area knocked out power for a few days so I invested in a generator and a backup bottle for the O2 concentrator.

I've come to depend on the machine, it has been a good friend.

Ok, well, maybe there is one thing... I had to shave off and subsequently re-grow my moustache because the mask caused bare spots on my lip.
It has grown in well, and I may have to do it again once every year or two (though I'm not sure, I changed lubricants and I'm not seeing that symptom any more).
I consider it a small price to pay for lifting the weight of apnea from my psyche -- that was truly terrifying.

Hi all,

I need to start by saying I currently have no insurance and was somewhat concerned about the costs involved. I made an appointment with a local Doctor in Georgia specializing in Sleep disorders and I was surprised at their approach - the front desk told me I needed to pay $246 up front before I could even see the Doctor. Feeling rundown everyday and falling asleep while watching TV regularly wasn't how I wanted to live my life, so I paid the money and had the consultation with the Doctor. After she heard my symptoms, she felt strongly that I was experiencing apneas during the night. She went on to say that the $2,000 per night sleep studies are a requirement of the insurance companies and since I didn't have any insurance, would I like to move directly to the treatment phase? I thought sure - why not? I would at least give it a try.

She left for a few minutes to call the owner of the local DME that she refers her clients to, and came back saying they would sell me an APAP machine for $585. (The APAP eliminated the need for a titration study). With heat and humidity, mask, hose and filters, I paid a little over $1,000. I was grateful that she would think "outside the box" to help me out.

I started using it right away and have had great success with sleeping better, feeling more energized and can now enjoy watching TV when I choose. I now feel myself getting groggy and I get up and go to bed instead of a family member waking me up in the chair telling me to go to bed. They would always say the didn't mind my sleeping, but my snoring was louder than the TV.    

I have a ResMed S8 Autoset Vantage with the Quattro mask. I am experiencing leaks some nights but not others. I clean the mask daily and wash my face every night before going to bed, so I haven't figured out the reason why and continue to look for ideas.

My thanks go out to everyone who contributes to this site. It has helped me learn more about sleep apnea and continues to be an excellent resource.

I have been tired for many years.  About 25 years ago, I went to the doctor at age 28 and asked to be checked.  He did all the usual stuff; check iron content in blood, check for the presence of toxins, etc etc.  Finally he told me he could not find a thing wrong with me and suggested I needed to exercise more.  As the years went by, I found myself taking more and more naps, convinced that if I could just get some rest, I would be refreshed.  I never was.  Also, an alarming thing began to happen; about twice a month I would abruptly wake up in the middle of the night convinced I was either suffocating or suffering a heart attack.  My children complained about my snoring, which had gotten worse.

At work, I found myself volunteering for out of the way locations for my desk where I could sneak naps undetected.  I would finish lunch quickly in order to have more nap time.

About three weeks ago, I saw an article about a famous rap star who had died and the cause of death was an overdose of cough syrup compounded by sleep apnea.  This got me thinking.  As luck would have it, I had a doctor's appointment a few days later for something else but I discussed the three problems with him: always tired, snoring, jolting awake at night.  I asked about a test for sleep apnea and he concurred.

After they hooked up all the equipment, I thought that I would never be able to sleep and I did take a while to drop off, but was able to sleep several hours. When the results came back, I learned that my index was 62 events an hour, my blood oxygen level dropped to 80%, and the longest episode lasted 37 seconds.  They called me back to repeat the test, this time with the CPAP and this time I had no problem falling asleep.  It was determined that I needed a pressure setting of 12.

I am now entering my second week with the machine and I have definitely noticed a big change, particularly in my ability to focus and not feel like I am groggy all day long.  I still feel a little tired but it is a different kind of tired.  I think I am not quite used to the mask and that is why.

One thing I want to point out - when I was at the hospital the second time, the technician looked over my results and told me that over the course of the test, they gradually increased the pressure on the CPAP machine until no episodes of apnea were recorded.  They got to a pressure of 12 before I stopped having them.  However, when they delivered the machine, the home health care guy told me that I must have a mild case because his work sheet told him to set the machine on 4, the minimum setting.  I protested, saying that I was told it would be 12 but he showed me the paperwork and told me he could not go against it.  The next day, I called the sleep lab back and the nurse checked the doctor's orders on me and he had specified 12.  SOMEBODY MESSED UP!!! My point is that if I had not known it was supposed to be 12, I would have accepted it with a setting of 4, probably realized no benefit, and would have become discouraged.  So, it's not a bad idea to check the setting and then call your doctor to verify it is the correct one after your machine is set up, particularly if you don't seem to be getting positive results.

The machines have a lock feature on them to keep the patient from changing the pressure setting.  The guy who installed mine told me only he could change it.  He then left without checking the box it came in, but I found in it instructions "NOT TO BE GIVEN TO PATIENT" that showed how to locate the secret key and enter the mode for changing the settings.  I could have changed it myself but figured after they messed up I was going to make them come out and do it.

January 4th I did my sleep study, turns out I had AHI 29, and was prescribed a Respironics M Series something with a pressure of 9 January 29th. The first night was a nightmare. But every night since then, has been wonderful. I dont pull my nasal mask off (comfort classic- very minimally invasive) and have pretty much stopped falling asleep at work and behind the wheel. I put the mask on every night, hit the ramp for a 20 minute ride up to 9cm, and Im out like a light without waking up 34234 times a night, and 2342 times a night to pee ;c)
BTW I am 23 female. I did have problems with the mask irriating my pores but that was resolved with a new nigthtime mondo face cleaning regime. Just wanted to share my story because CPAP has made a huge difference in the quality of my life. Keep at it!

ps- I did order the CPAP pillow and its awesome lets me sleep comfortably on my side and stomach. And the snuggle buddy for the hose is a good thing to have as well.


posted it here too heh.

Interesting:  Since I've started treatment I don't have "night sweats" and the "suffocating feeling".  Very cool!  I've even become so used to the mask that I feel more comfortable with it on than off -- kinda like one does when your used to using a seat belt when driving and then you don't.  Wierd eh?

Started CPAP 3 weeks ago. I feel like a million bucks.

I am so incredibly grateful for getting diagnosed now, at age 29.  My story echoes many of yours:  a champion sleeper (falling asleep at parties, able to drop off at the drop of a hat, etc.), constantly exhausted, cranky, snoring like an asthmatic warthog, the works.  My friends and family even gave me the nickname Sleepy because of my constant dropping off.  Now my identical twin is getting tested for sleep apnea, thank goodness!

I've only had my CPAP machine for the past 2 nights, but I can feel a difference already.  I can't believe the lovely uninterrupted sleep--it's like a gift from the Universe!   I have a ResMed S8 Compact with the 3i HumidAire, and a ResMed Mirage II nasal mask.  It's great--very few air leaks, and the blissful sleep is SO amazing!   I'm looking forward to becoming more used to the machine and getting even better sleep.  Plus, two words:  weight loss!  I've been working out 4-5 times a week since October and my weight hasn't budged.  Hopefully this'll make things easier.  

I'm a teacher, currently on Spring Break, but I am really excited to get back to school.  I think that having more energy and being more rested will make a huge difference!  I found myself being very irritable and impatient, especially at the end of the school day.  While patience is still a virtue, I am excited to think that I can be calmer and even more effective at mentoring my precious charges (middle schoolers, and they are awesome!).  

I am also very grateful for this message board.  I can't even begin to tell you all how helpful all your advice has been.  Thank you!

Let me encourage everyone who has been definitively diagnosed with OSA to use a CPAP and not fight the necessity of it, but not because you can assume you will see fabulous results. There are some people who find they get their life back, and realize that all kinds of problems had emanated from their sleep deprivation. But don't count on it, many of us have other issues which don't go away with CPAP. The big thing, as I see it, is to eliminate the strain on the system imposed by OSA. Whatever happens as a result it is good to have the problem treated even if life does not improve as a result. I don't notice any quality of life change, actually probably more frequently depressed and unhappy than before, but my blood pressure is better and my CRP is better and generally I believe I will live longer and healthier as a result of CPAP treatment. It is more productive to focus on the good that CPAP does for the body than to expect magical changes in daily functioning, and then being disappointed if it does not happen!

I'm coming up on 2 weeks with my first cpap. I had UPPP and tonsil surgery almost a year ago. Which helped, but I still snored. It was a hassle to get my HCP to spring for the UPPP surgery, but my ENT was persistent as my apnea was severe and would result needing a cpap on almost full blast.

I'm a bit overweight (25 lbs), which I think I put on since I slept so badly. Pre UPPP surgery, I would wake up gasping and had my airway blocked off twice. A quick drink of water helped me. I've had 5 total sleep studies, one of the first showed I had something like a 68% oxygen level, they said that 89% is the threshold for oxygen therapy.

I really was out of options, I'd nod off at work, come home from work and snooze. Saturdays and Sundays I could take a long nap with ease. I was comfy driving 60 miles, anything else I'd have someone else drive. I kept my poor wife up at night, I had a hard time getting up in the morning. At work I could snooze at any time, especially after lunch. I think it has impacted my job performance in the past. I'd tend to rot in my cubicle instead of being up and around the plant.

I also work long hours during the week, up to a 15 hour day and often 10 or 11 hours. I'm still working on getting to bed earlier so the cpap does its magic for me. 7 hours of sleep is my goal this week. So far I do feel better and have not once felt sleepy at work, I'm more involved than I've been in a long time. I don't snore, I'm lest restless when I do sleep. On that note, I'm off to bed. Thanks for listening.

Rob

Quick Stats;
Now 40 years old
Weight 180
BMI 25
Pre Deviated Septum Surgery AHI 66
Post Deviated Septum Surgery AHI 11
Even with lower AHI and compliant A-Flex CPAP usage relief still not acceptable

Abt 10 years ago I began to have symptoms of sleep apenea (one bad night per week).  Over time it progressively got worse.  Finally I heard about a sleep study and had one done.  Unfortunately, I scored a 66 AHI (very severe).  They prescribed a C-Flex cpap machine but it didn't seem to work.  I tried a couple of masks and then gave up.  Unfortunately I moved during this time so no easy follow-up.  Two more years went buy and it got a lot worse!  

Eventually, I found out about ENT's and decided to go see one.  He noticed that I had a deviated septum which likely occurred when I was a toddler since I never remember breaking my nose.  Since I had always lived with it I didn't know I had a problem.  A short while after the surgery the ENT removed the stitches and the next morning I woke up and my lungs hurt from being able to breath so much better!  

I had another sleep study and my AHI dropped to an amazing 11 (mild).  The problems were much less severe but still unacceptable.  I got a new A-Flex machine and finally found a mask that was comfortable for side sleeping.  In comparison to the other machine I could hardly tell that the machine was even working (very quite and adapted to my breathing cycle so no constant fighting against airflow).  The machine had a card in it that stored the data which I could review on my computer.  I was a compliant cpap user but still did not get the relief I needed.  

I saw two other ENT's who examined me with an endoscope and each of them independently determined that my lower turbinates were enlarged and I had an elongated soft palate and oversized uvula which always touched the back of my tongue.  Lower turbinate reduction and UPPP were prescribed.  Now that I was more aware of which areas were the problem I began to notice clues that this was the case.  For example, sometimes when I blew my nose the uvula and soft pallet would abruptly cut off the airflow.  Also I would occasionally notice that when I woke up during the night I had a sensation that I was having trouble exhaling.    

I had a hard time deciding to go for this surgery based on the low success rate and high amount of pain.  I did find a couple of credible articles that indicated UPPP surgery can have up to a 90% success rate if candidates are carefully selected.  My research found that there are primarily three areas of obstruction when it comes to sleep apnea; 1) nose, 2) soft palette, 3) back of tongue.  Also there is usually more than one site of obstruction.  If only one area is surgically addressed then the patient will likely be disappointed if they expected to completely resolve the apnea.  This was the case with me.  My deviated septum surgery did not cure me but it sure did improve my situation.  Hopefully, addressing the other remaining likely site of obstruction, based on my anatomy, I will be cured.  Other factors that I used to decide to move forward; if UPPP was never successful or never offered significant improvement to anyone insurance companies would not cover the cost of the surgery.  My anatomy suggests that the soft palette is a problem and the UPPP addresses this area.  Even with complaint CPAP usage I was not satisfied with my quality of sleep/life.  So with a big gulp I took the plunge.

Surgery Day;
Just like with the last surgery it was not too bad.  They put me under and the next thing you know I woke up and it was over.  To my surprise they had me stay overnight in the hospital.  This was due to the fact that they did the turbinate reduction surgery (nose) and the UPPP (mouth).  Since both airways were worked on they wanted to make sure that I did not swell up and stop breathing.  I'm glad I stayed overnight because they put a special mask under my mouth that acted like a high powered humidifier.  Let me tell you that my mouth dried up FAST!  Without this gizmo it would have been much more unpleasant.  I also learned that the hospital will not give you pain meds unless you ask for them.  I was not going to to play hero on this one (see how long I can go without pain meds).  I kept track of the time and paged the nurse like clockwork.  The routine was "how much pain do you have" and I would respond "at least a 7",  Pain meds came and pain stayed away.  For food I had mostly custard, pudding, jello, ice-cream...  Believe it or not they gave me some graham crackers.  There was not way that I was going to eat ANYTHING that would scratch my thought in any way.  Not for at least the first two weeks.  I think this will help keep the pain factor down too.

Day after surgery;
soft eggs, bacon (skipped it), applesauce, and other soft goodies.  I felt better today.  Some things that helped me were Cepacol throat drops, saline mist in my nose.  This stuff they called Majic Mouthwash (which really numbed my entire mouth).  At home I am experimenting with anything that will keep my mouth moist (humidifier, throat drops, biotene oral balance dry mouth moisturizing gel)

So far I think the secret to survival for the UPPP operation is; Make sure you take the pain medication on time every time!!!  Don't eat anything that will scratch the throat!  Keep the mouth moist, moist, moist!!!  I know that the pain should get worse until the stitches fall out so I will keep you posted.  But so far I was surprised about how manageable the pain has been so far.  Of course, way to early to tell if it was a success or not.  It does seem like I can breathe a lot easier though even with swelling.

***Several weeks later;
I feel great and am very happy that I went through with the surgery instead of continuing to suffer even with the CPAP machine.  One morning I remember waking up and Sailing was playing on the radio "Sailing, Takes me away, To where I've always heard it could be, Just a dream and the wind to carry me, And soon I will be free..."  It seems I am finally free from Apnea and the CPAP machine unless my uvula grows back!  

I would like the message of my experience to be that surgery does have a place in helping to either reduce or resolve sleep apnea.  Take a conservative approach by becoming a compliant CPAP user first.  If CPAP does not successfully resolve the matter don't let the nay sayers prevent you from seriously considering surgery.  Find a couple of qualified ENT's and learn about the options specific to your individual circumstances.  I am here today finally getting back to my life thanks to surgery.