Well first off Hello. My name is Josh and about 7 months ago i was diagnosed with sleep apnea. And let me just tell you it has been a roller coaster ride ever since. I have had nothing but bad experiences through the whole ordeal and almost wish i had never been diagnosed. Its almost like the medical professionals i am seeing are not taking it seriously or just plain don't care. Reason i am saying it is after a year of me saying im exhausted and just cant function anymore my doctor finally decides to send me to a study in which i was diagnosed but it wasn't till 5 months later that i had a second study with the machine then a month later i finally receive it.
Whats going on now is i still don't sleep. And this is why i am here to ask others opinions and maybe get some more help. I find myself removing the mask(full face) a couple hours after its put on, sometimes without me even knowing it. I don't know why i just do and its frustrating. After about a months use i tried going back to the doctor and tell them its just not working and if there was anything else i can do. They just told me they will boost the pressure. Ya its still not working and now i can barely even fall asleep at night. Last night just the air blowing out of the front of the mask was annoying me so bad that i feel that was part of why i couldn't fall asleep.
I also find myself constantly congested and always have the feeling that there is stuff in my throat. I had also said this to my doctor and i almost feel like they just shrug it off and give me some antibiotics, which never work. I asked about a throat surgery and the doctor said no. Now i am suppose to wait two more months to see if this new "pressure boost" works and see them again.
I just want a good nights rest. If anyone has any questions to help you understand more please ask. And i thank anyone thats gives some kind of input. Im willing to do anything right now to get sleep.

Josh

Josh, what brand and model CPAP do you have? Was a heated humidifier provided w/your CPAP? How long have you actually had your CPAP? Which mask are you using?

You might want to provide a WRITTEN REQUEST for a copy of the doctor's dictated results (1-2 pages each) AND a copy of the full scored data summary w/condensed graphs (5+ pages each) from both your sleep evaluation AND your titration studies PLUS a copy of your equipment order (script). If you REALLY want to get your message acress send it Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested and be sure to keep your copies of proof of mailing and receipt. This information is part of your medical records and in the USA you have a legal right to copies of your medical records under HIPAA. This information gives you the freedon to switch sleep specialists w/o having to repeat the studies and implies to the sleep specialist that you just MAY be ready to go elsewhere but doesn't commit you to doing so.

Its also information you should have any way. Should your CPAP be stolen, lost or broken whilst traveling you would need them to get a loaner, a replacement or repair whilst out of town.

AND w/that information ANY doctor, including your family doctor, could write you an order/script for a loaner autoPAP for 2 weeks or a month and script a pressure range for the auto based on your in-lab titrated pressure to better determine your pressure needs instead of by guess and by gosh every 3 months until "they" get it right. Usually this would be 1 -2 cms under your titrated pressure and 2-3 cms above your titrated pressure for a pressure range of 4-5 cms.

As for your mask: There is a sticky in the CPAP Mask/CPAP Machine forum with tips for properly fitting your mask to avoid leaks and discomfort. Excessive leaks interfere w/your receiving full benefit of your CPAP therapy. Discomfort, pain or sores from the mask interfere w/your sleep and your CPAP therapy.

Since you get so little interest or assistance from your sleep specialist you can also enlist the assistance of the RT at your local DME supplier's. A good one can help you w/finding the proper mask and make suggestions to help you adjust to CPAP therapy as well as often light a fire under the specialist's fanny.

You might also try donning your mask and turning your CPAP on during the day or early evening whilst you are watching TV, reading a book or magazine, working a crossword or jigsaw puzzle, whatever, as long as it is something that distracts you from "I've got to get to sleep". This helps you to adjust to wearing the mask and to the pressure. NEVER tolerate mask leaks into your eyes!

If you have a heated humidifier w/your CPAP you can try adjusting it up and down. Comfortable humidity is important to good CPAP therapy and can eliminate nasal and sinus congestion.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Quote:

Reason i am saying it is after a year of me saying im exhausted and just cant function anymore my doctor finally decides to send me to a study in

Took me about 20 years to get someone to realize I needed a sleep study!

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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Josh,

  Don't know if this will help since I'm pretty new to this myself.  However, I had to go through some desensitization sessions at the sleep clinic before I was even slightly comfortable with a mask and specific pressure.  Perhaps you could request something like this if it's not too late.

 - dozer

JPetith wrote:

Well first off Hello. My name is Josh and about 7 months ago i was diagnosed with sleep apnea. And let me just tell you it has been a roller coaster ride ever since. I have had nothing but bad experiences through the whole ordeal and almost wish i had never been diagnosed. Its almost like the medical professionals i am seeing are not taking it seriously or just plain don't care. Reason i am saying it is after a year of me saying im exhausted and just cant function anymore my doctor finally decides to send me to a study in which i was diagnosed but it wasn't till 5 months later that i had a second study with the machine then a month later i finally receive it.
Whats going on now is i still don't sleep. And this is why i am here to ask others opinions and maybe get some more help. I find myself removing the mask(full face) a couple hours after its put on, sometimes without me even knowing it. I don't know why i just do and its frustrating. After about a months use i tried going back to the doctor and tell them its just not working and if there was anything else i can do. They just told me they will boost the pressure. Ya its still not working and now i can barely even fall asleep at night. Last night just the air blowing out of the front of the mask was annoying me so bad that i feel that was part of why i couldn't fall asleep.
I also find myself constantly congested and always have the feeling that there is stuff in my throat. I had also said this to my doctor and i almost feel like they just shrug it off and give me some antibiotics, which never work. I asked about a throat surgery and the doctor said no. Now i am suppose to wait two more months to see if this new "pressure boost" works and see them again.
I just want a good nights rest. If anyone has any questions to help you understand more please ask. And i thank anyone thats gives some kind of input. Im willing to do anything right now to get sleep.

Josh

Thanks for the info so far everyone!

Chronie, i have the Resmed S8 image with a Humidaire 3i and Mirage quattro mask. Because i was unaware if when i slept at night i opened my mouth or not the just gave me a full face mask.

Im going to look into getting copies of my records although im not to sure how to go about it. I did find out when i went to see the doctor prescribing me this stuff that she was a internal medicine specialist and not per say an actual sleep specialist. But i will send them a letter like you said and call my primary care to talk it over with him as well.

I started at 8 cms and when i went back she bumped me up to 11.

And thanks i will check out the sticky on the masks. I dont really get discomfort or pain its just when i wake up in the morning and find the mask on my night stand and have no idea when i took it off.

Im just real discouraged with the whole thing at the moment being young and having to use this thing and putting my life and job at jeopardy when im falling asleep at work or in the car on the way home. Which scares me the most! obviously.

Thanks again for the comments.

Josh