Sleep Disorders Support Group

I was wondering if there is anyone out there deciding should they post here. So I thought I'd get the ball rolling with this question. Lwt us know what works for you. Do you have a cpap? if so do you have a mask, nasal pillows ect. how is it working for you? Are you still in the adjusting period where you find yourself pulling it off more than sleeping? Post your experience ask your questions. we can put our heads toghether and find some answers

Karen

How do all those things work? I dont know what Im going to be getting yet. I did find out this dr is slow at getting insurance to get things approved by insurance. Any info on this will be appreciated. I know somethings up since I distinctly remember getting up at least 7x last night. I counted each time I knew I was awake just to see. Thanks for any info.

A CPAP is a machine that uses Continous Positive Air Pressure. It keeps the airways open while you sleep by blowing the air through a mask or tubing. When the airways close is when you stop breathing hence making you wake up either conciously or not. The machines are usually small can fit on your nightstand and most are very quit. My husband is a very light sleeper but doesn't hear the machine. When you go for this next study they will probably use one of these machines to see if it helps. There are mant different kinds of masks or tubings to try so don't be afraid to tell them if one is uncomfortable. While your sleeping they will adjust the air pressure to find which level works best for you. It will take alot of adjusting to use one of these units. You will find at first you will take it off alot during the night but keep trying you will get there. I myself am a stomach sleeper and was worried I wouldn't be able to use it but I do and still sleep on my stomach with no problem

Post edited by: Snoopy30, at: 01/05/2008 22:16

I hope dr will give me right machine. I heard she doesnt get info faxed to insurance very well. One patient is still waiting after one year. Last night I woke up out of breath. Kind of scared me. I felt like I had run a marathon. lol I hope that happens tionight so dr will know what I need. Thanks for the info about what to expect, etc. You have been such a blessing. hugs

I will be thinking of you tonight. If your doctor is slow about things than make sure you stay on top of it. she most likely is not the one interpeting the test usually a sleep specialist is the one to interpet. You may even be sent to them for an actual evaluation after you complete your test. either way they are usually the ones who make the recommendation about how to treat your particular problem. let me know how things go

The mask leaked twice. Then I got a full face mask.Then I couldnt fall back to sleep. The tech came in and told me I wasnt asleep as if I didnt know. Ill find out what the dr says on thurs.

Glad you have it behind you. I hope they were able to get enough info in the time you were sleeping.

I hope so. The tech told me I only slept for 2 hrs. if that. he told me he had to put it on high pressure. Well I guess I see what dr says. I think one prob is the drs office never fax form so I could have something to help me fall asleep. lol. Maybe now the dr will insist I get something. Sorry to vent but Im exhausted and have too much stuff to do today. Thanks for being so compassionate.

never have to be sorry for venting you know that. silly girl. I know once you get some answers you will feel better to at least know what is going on

I'm with Snoopy, never be sorry for posting, I wear a mask for the cpap machine.. I have a friend who swears by the nasal pillows, I would be tempted to try them the next time I have to replace my mask, I sleep on my stomach as well, and have found the mask to be a little annoying at times.

For the first couple of weeks using it, I would wake up and find it either in the floor or at the end of the bed, where I would have taken it off and thrown it during the night...lol, but you get use to it, they can do surgery to help it, but all the information that I gathered on the sleep apnea, after I was diagnosed, said that you had like a 50/50 chance of having to use the machine even after the surgery, I don't believe in letting them cut on me if I don't have to let them, so my doctor and I agreed on the machine. It's small enough to be portable, so you can take it with you anywhere you go, it can even be used out camping, depending on what kind of camping your doing, if you have access to power you don't have to worry about anything, if you won't have power where you are going, you can actually get a marine battery and a adapter and use it that way, lol, lot of stuff to have to drag along, but a way to do what you want, if you are without your machine say for 3 days or more, you will start to notice that your rest will go down.. but after getting your machine and using it for a bit, you will notice a increase in energy and the way that you feel over all, since you are finally getting a restful nights sleep.

Carmen