Just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea

holbritter said:

LOL! I'm hoping I can get used to it and it works. I gotta admit, I'm a little nervous. How can I have that come hither look, while wearing something like that?!

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First things first

Chomsky said:

After reading this thread, I'm blown away by how common this diagnoses seems to be within DP.

I'm sort of a medical skeptic, having a bit of distrust towards the ease the medical and psych communities toss around diagnosises. But if you're really hurtin', well good luck.

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You have to go through a very fun filled night of sleep testing. You are hooked up to quite a few lovely electrodes................

Chomsky said:

After reading this thread, I'm blown away by how common this diagnoses seems to be within DP.

I'm sort of a medical skeptic, having a bit of distrust towards the ease the medical and psych communities toss around diagnosises. But if you're really hurtin', well good luck.

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Well they did the sleep study before diagnosing it. But yes, I snore loudly, jerk awake often, wake up with headaches and always seem to be tired. If this cpap works, I'll be a happy camper

holbritter said:

I'm a little shocked right now. I knew I didn't sleep all that well and that I snored, but the study found I stopped breathing for 10 seconds or more, over 200 times! :shock: And my oxygen saturation was 83%.

Anyone familiar with sleep apnea? I have to get a cpap machine and was trying to get information online, but it's like reading a different language. I have no idea what they are talking about. Actually, I guess I should wait for my appointment with the equipment people who will fit me with the right thing.

I can't believe I have to wear a mask at night! I'm going to feel like hannibal lector......hahaha!

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Get that machine and wear it. I lost a friend to this.

jghiretire said:

You have to go through a very fun filled night of sleep testing. You are hooked up to quite a few lovely electrodes................

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That alone would probably give me a bad night's sleep! :doh

Congrats on getting diagnosed - bittersweet, I know, but the relief you will feel as a result is going to make the next few weeks pretty awesome. The first time I used the machine I felt completely better...it's amazing the difference a good night's sleep can make.

My recommendation, make sure you get a mask you're good with, there are a lot of options, and if you have decent insurance go as high end as you can. I have a resmed quattro mask, and I find it is the most comfortable, after trying a bunch - though you might not need full face mask, I don't know... But don't get discouraged right away if the one you have isn't comfortable, look for the one that works.

The other thing I recommend is be all over keeping it clean. Just trust me, you'll enjoy it better. You can't really go overboard.

PM me any time if you want to ask any questions.

holbritter said:

I'm a little shocked right now. I knew I didn't sleep all that well and that I snored, but the study found I stopped breathing for 10 seconds or more, over 200 times! :shock: And my oxygen saturation was 83%.

Anyone familiar with sleep apnea? I have to get a cpap machine and was trying to get information online, but it's like reading a different language. I have no idea what they are talking about. Actually, I guess I should wait for my appointment with the equipment people who will fit me with the right thing.

I can't believe I have to wear a mask at night! I'm going to feel like hannibal lector......hahaha!

Click to expand...

Hi, I see you have gotten some good tips about the sleep apnea. I was diagnosed years ago with what they term “complex sleep apnea” which is a mix of the normal obstructive and the more rare central which is a signaling defect from the brain. For me it was a parting gift from a chemotherapy treatment. With that I have gained quite a bit of knowledge about sleep apnea, cpap machines and gear.


Let me give you my take on the three different types of pap machines.Please excuse the length of this post, I just thought it would be important to share.

Basic machine, is what’s termed as (CPAP) the “C” represents that it is constant pressure. These are sort of old school but are still in use and very uncomfortable in my opinion.

(BIPAP) the “BI” represents that it has two levels of pressure, the machine senses when you exhale and reduces the incoming pressure for comfort. This is the type I use.

(APAP) the “A” represents automatic, meaning the machine adjusts pressure on both inhale and exhale pressure settings.

Humidification: It’s a must have, preferably heated, adjustable and has an off function for when using a backup battery system during power outages.

Head gear: I have lost count on all the different rigs I have tried. I absolutely hate full face type masks, I do keep one for emergencies if I get a bad sinus cold but never use it otherwise. For me there is only on type of rig ( Opus nasal pillow 360) or similar. Note: finding the right headgear is 90% of the battle to being compliant with the use of any pap machine.

Cleaning: this can be a pain, but very important. The last thing you want is a sinus infection from a dirty system while on a pap machine. If you can financially swing it purchase a (SoClean) machine $289 on amazon or start saving for one. It will disinfect the headgear, hoses, internal tubing of the machine and water that is in the humidifier down to microns that can’t be achieved with even the most proactive hand and solvent methods.

Sinus care: A stuffed up nose is your enemy with sleep apnea. You will need to be extra proactive with not getting colds and flu. I also recommend a daily rinsing with saline spray in the morning and before bedtime. Please, never get into the habit of using decongestant nose spray to make pap use more comfortable unless absolutely necessary. Once you go down that road, It’s really hard to return to just naturally flushing and opening the sinus.

Battery backup: If you have severe apnea, once you grow accustom to the machine being without it will not go well. That said, there are cost effective solutions outside the fancy backup medical batteries. A simple deep cycle marine battery from Walmart and a quality pure sine wave inverter will be fine and last three times longer ( four nights if careful)

Supplies: I don’t even bother putting the normal stuff thru insurance anymore, except the machine itself. By the time I cover the co-pay and increased costs I can just go to Amazon and purchase what I need, hoses, headgear and other and save money. With my last machine I just saved my pennies and purchased it myself

Please know, most folks that commit and follow there doctors recommendations have a dramatic increase in the quality of life. These machines don’t necessarily need to be a ball and chain for the rest of your life. Pressures can be reduced with a change in life style for most until you no longer need the pap machine.

calamity said:

I do get plenty of exercise. But--and here's the thing---I drink coffee until bed time. I know that's dumb. I certainly need to break that habit.

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Yep.....All that caffeine that close to bedtime puts you at great risk for acid reflux which can cause symptoms similar to sleep apnea.

ObamacareFail said:

Yep.....All that caffeine that close to bedtime puts you at great risk for acid reflux which can cause symptoms similar to sleep apnea.

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The worst thing I've noticed from late night coffee is a bathroom call at 3AM. Whereas If I just drink water after dinner, I sleep through the night. Same with when I drink coffee in the morning. If I stick to just one cup and then switch to water, my bathroom use is normal. If I drink 5-6 cups of coffee before lunch, I'm running to the john every hour.

calamity said:

The worst thing I've noticed from late night coffee is a bathroom call at 3AM. Whereas If I just drink water after dinner, I sleep through the night. Same with when I drink coffee in the morning. If I stick to just one cup and then switch to water, my bathroom use is normal. If I drink 5-6 cups of coffee before lunch, I'm running to the john every hour.

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I have a similar problem in the mornings which is usually the only time I drink coffee. If I don't switch to water after a couple of cups, it does cause low level dehydration.

ObamacareFail said:

I have a similar problem in the mornings which is usually the only time I drink coffee. If I don't switch to water after a couple of cups, it does cause low level dehydration.

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Yeah. I am trying to change all that. But, some days are better than others.

holbritter said:

I'm a little shocked right now. I knew I didn't sleep all that well and that I snored, but the study found I stopped breathing for 10 seconds or more, over 200 times! :shock: And my oxygen saturation was 83%.

Anyone familiar with sleep apnea? I have to get a cpap machine and was trying to get information online, but it's like reading a different language. I have no idea what they are talking about. Actually, I guess I should wait for my appointment with the equipment people who will fit me with the right thing.

I can't believe I have to wear a mask at night! I'm going to feel like hannibal lector......hahaha!

Click to expand...

Yup, I have sleep apnea. Every hour I had more than 66 breathing stops. Then I got a CPAP device and now I have less than 0.4 breathing stops.

It has lead to better health, less tired and less sleep issues. It has been very good.

And I only have a nose mask





I think it works very well, I had a full mask at first but had real trouble sleeping with it (I have trigeminal neuralgia) and then I switched to this and it is real easy to get used to.

holbritter said:

I'm a little shocked right now. I knew I didn't sleep all that well and that I snored, but the study found I stopped breathing for 10 seconds or more, over 200 times! :shock: And my oxygen saturation was 83%.

Anyone familiar with sleep apnea? I have to get a cpap machine and was trying to get information online, but it's like reading a different language. I have no idea what they are talking about. Actually, I guess I should wait for my appointment with the equipment people who will fit me with the right thing.

I can't believe I have to wear a mask at night! I'm going to feel like hannibal lector......hahaha!

Click to expand...

I don't have it or know much about it. I used to work with somebody who had it, and used the cpap machine. I think the machine is uncomfortable, but you it is safe and it works. Since diagnosed, you shouldn't try sleeping without the machine. I think that that can be dangerous.

Personally, I do have asthma. I have woken up in the middle of the night unable to breathe very well, especially when a little kid. I found that sleeping with a humidifier running or a fan helped a lot. I would also sleep propped up. My grandfather started sleeping sitting up in a chair later in life because of his respiratory issues. I think what you have and I have might be completely different though. I thought I would share incase it helps you anyway.

Peter King said:

Yup, I have sleep apnea. Every hour I had more than 66 breathing stops. Then I got a CPAP device and now I have less than 0.4 breathing stops.

It has lead to better health, less tired and less sleep issues. It has been very good.

And I only have a nose mask

View attachment 67222909

View attachment 67222910

I think it works very well, I had a full mask at first but had real trouble sleeping with it (I have trigeminal neuralgia) and then I switched to this and it is real easy to get used to.

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I go Wednesday to the place that will fit me with a mask and give me the machine. I'm hoping for one like you have pictured. I heard they are better for side sleepers, which I am, plus I really really don't want a full face mask! I don't think I could deal with that very well as I'm a bit claustrophobic.

I've been hearing a lot of good experiences, so I admit I'm now looking forward to it and feeling better

holbritter said:

I go Wednesday to the place that will fit me with a mask and give me the machine. I'm hoping for one like you have pictured. I heard they are better for side sleepers, which I am, plus I really really don't want a full face mask! I don't think I could deal with that very well as I'm a bit claustrophobic.

I've been hearing a lot of good experiences, so I admit I'm now looking forward to it and feeling better

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I have this device, it is called the Philips Dreamstation



Easy to use, easy to clean, easy to check how well the machine works and it counts the number of breathing stops you have during a night/a week/a month so you can have the setup changed.

Before that I had the Resmed s9




The device I have now is easier to clean (the water container that is) than the water container of the resmed humidifier



the water container I have know looks like this



It is much easier to clean because it is one part and the resmed one is made up of many parts.

holbritter said:

I'm a little shocked right now. I knew I didn't sleep all that well and that I snored, but the study found I stopped breathing for 10 seconds or more, over 200 times! :shock: And my oxygen saturation was 83%.

Anyone familiar with sleep apnea? I have to get a cpap machine and was trying to get information online, but it's like reading a different language. I have no idea what they are talking about. Actually, I guess I should wait for my appointment with the equipment people who will fit me with the right thing.

I can't believe I have to wear a mask at night! I'm going to feel like hannibal lector......hahaha!

Click to expand...

It is rather high though, having 202 breathing stops, in an hour I assume? Mine was 66 and a bit stops every hour. I was sometimes so tired at work that I nodded in behind my desk if it was a lull in the humdrum of office work.

Now with my CPAP device I have anywhere from 0.1 to 0.4 every hour, which is a huge reduction and my oxygen saturation was around 96 or higher. Do you smoke because that can also influence pulse oxygen saturation when combined with apnea.

I have found a good way to clean the tube which usually is very hard to dry because hanging it up isn't really an option, water drops are almost impossible to "dry out" so I have been using the blowing function of the CPAP device to blow the tube dry in a matter of minutes.

I hope you get the device soon because it will really help with tiredness due to breathing stops.

Peter King said:

It is rather high though, having 202 breathing stops, in an hour I assume? Mine was 66 and a bit stops every hour. I was sometimes so tired at work that I nodded in behind my desk if it was a lull in the humdrum of office work.

Now with my CPAP device I have anywhere from 0.1 to 0.4 every hour, which is a huge reduction and my oxygen saturation was around 96 or higher. Do you smoke because that can also influence pulse oxygen saturation when combined with apnea.

I have found a good way to clean the tube which usually is very hard to dry because hanging it up isn't really an option, water drops are almost impossible to "dry out" so I have been using the blowing function of the CPAP device to blow the tube dry in a matter of minutes.

I hope you get the device soon because it will really help with tiredness due to breathing stops.

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Oh no, it was a total of over 200 for the 7 hours. They said it averaged 29 times an hour. Sorry if I wasn't clear. My average oxygen saturation was 92% with a low of 83% for 9% of the study. Not too sure what that means. My heart was great though. Between 69 and 100 beats per minute average of 79. Yes, I have that nasty addiction. Working on that as well.

I know what you mean at work. When I'm doing repetitive tasks I feel my eyes roll almost nodding off! Startles me and I get up and walk around.

Good tip for cleaning, thanks!

Peter King said:

It is rather high though, having 202 breathing stops, in an hour I assume? Mine was 66 and a bit stops every hour. I was sometimes so tired at work that I nodded in behind my desk if it was a lull in the humdrum of office work.

Now with my CPAP device I have anywhere from 0.1 to 0.4 every hour, which is a huge reduction and my oxygen saturation was around 96 or higher. Do you smoke because that can also influence pulse oxygen saturation when combined with apnea.

I have found a good way to clean the tube which usually is very hard to dry because hanging it up isn't really an option, water drops are almost impossible to "dry out" so I have been using the blowing function of the CPAP device to blow the tube dry in a matter of minutes.

I hope you get the device soon because it will really help with tiredness due to breathing stops.

Click to expand...

Two nights with the CPAP. I have a nasal mask. While I don't feel tired in the morning, I do have headaches still, my sinus is stuffy and my eyes/face are puffy. My eyeballs themselves feel sore? The machine has an auto for the pressure. It's supposed to adjust to my needs.

So maybe I just need to get used to it?

holbritter said:

Two nights with the CPAP. I have a nasal mask. While I don't feel tired in the morning, I do have headaches still, my sinus is stuffy and my eyes/face are puffy. My eyeballs themselves feel sore? The machine has an auto for the pressure. It's supposed to adjust to my needs.

So maybe I just need to get used to it?

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You have to change it to your needs? What insanity is that? Or is that just for the mask?

Sorry, but when I got my device I had to stay in the academic sleep center in total for 4 nights and they put monitoring things all over my body and head and they tested twice and then had me sleep there twice with the CPAP device. Everything was fitted and tested for 2 nights and every night after the testing with the device and without the device I had talks with a doctor to review my results.

I would advice you to go to the best people on earth to give you good advice, the internet and not just any place on the internet but places like apneabord.com so you can put questions to people who may have had the same issues.

What device did you get and did you get the nasal pillows or the full face mask?

Manuals on a lot of devices you can find here Change CPAP Pressure Settings - Adjusting your machine with a Clinician Setup Manual

Peter King said:

You have to change it to your needs? What insanity is that? Or is that just for the mask?

Sorry, but when I got my device I had to stay in the academic sleep center in total for 4 nights and they put monitoring things all over my body and head and they tested twice and then had me sleep there twice with the CPAP device. Everything was fitted and tested for 2 nights and every night after the testing with the device and without the device I had talks with a doctor to review my results.

I would advice you to go to the best people on earth to give you good advice, the internet and not just any place on the internet but places like apneabord.com so you can put questions to people who may have had the same issues.

What device did you get and did you get the nasal pillows or the full face mask?

Manuals on a lot of devices you can find here Change CPAP Pressure Settings - Adjusting your machine with a Clinician Setup Manual

Click to expand...

Wow. That's really good they did that with you. I sat with a tech who explained the machine and tested it on me briefly for fit of the mask. They gave me a ResMed AirSense 10 autoset for her. She said the air pressure is automatic to change to my needs while I'm sleeping.

The mask is a ResMed Airfit N20 for her. It's a nasal mask. I was reading it might be the humidity is too low? I'll read that link, thanks! I really do feel more awake than ever, just the sinus congestion and head/eye ache.

Peter King said:

You have to change it to your needs? What insanity is that? Or is that just for the mask?

Sorry, but when I got my device I had to stay in the academic sleep center in total for 4 nights and they put monitoring things all over my body and head and they tested twice and then had me sleep there twice with the CPAP device. Everything was fitted and tested for 2 nights and every night after the testing with the device and without the device I had talks with a doctor to review my results.

I would advice you to go to the best people on earth to give you good advice, the internet and not just any place on the internet but places like apneabord.com so you can put questions to people who may have had the same issues.

What device did you get and did you get the nasal pillows or the full face mask?

Manuals on a lot of devices you can find here Change CPAP Pressure Settings - Adjusting your machine with a Clinician Setup Manual

Click to expand...

Ahhh...read a little at that link, and what I apparently have is an APAP, not a CPAP.

holbritter said:

Wow. That's really good they did that with you. I sat with a tech who explained the machine and tested it on me briefly for fit of the mask. They gave me a ResMed AirSense 10 autoset for her. She said the air pressure is automatic to change to my needs while I'm sleeping.

The mask is a ResMed Airfit N20 for her. It's a nasal mask. I was reading it might be the humidity is too low? I'll read that link, thanks! I really do feel more awake than ever, just the sinus congestion and head/eye ache.

Click to expand...

I also had bad sinus congestion, but to combat that they gave me some medication and that really works for me. Don't have anywhere near the nasal congestion I had in the past.

holbritter said:

Wow. That's really good they did that with you. I sat with a tech who explained the machine and tested it on me briefly for fit of the mask. They gave me a ResMed AirSense 10 autoset for her. She said the air pressure is automatic to change to my needs while I'm sleeping.

The mask is a ResMed Airfit N20 for her. It's a nasal mask. I was reading it might be the humidity is too low? I'll read that link, thanks! I really do feel more awake than ever, just the sinus congestion and head/eye ache.

Click to expand...

I suspect that you are right, and the humidity is too low. You are describing the symptoms I get in the winter if I don't have a humidifier running. With a humidifier running, those symptoms go away.

holbritter said:

I'm a little shocked right now. I knew I didn't sleep all that well and that I snored, but the study found I stopped breathing for 10 seconds or more, over 200 times! :shock: And my oxygen saturation was 83%.

Anyone familiar with sleep apnea? I have to get a cpap machine and was trying to get information online, but it's like reading a different language. I have no idea what they are talking about. Actually, I guess I should wait for my appointment with the equipment people who will fit me with the right thing.

I can't believe I have to wear a mask at night! I'm going to feel like hannibal lector......hahaha!

Click to expand...

I've been using a CPAP for about 8 years now. Apnea is real and serious.

I know some who never get used to the equipment, but many do. I got used to it quickly. Now, I feel naked without it.

Chomsky said:

After reading this thread, I'm blown away by how common this diagnoses seems to be within DP.

I'm sort of a medical skeptic, having a bit of distrust towards the ease the medical and psych communities toss around diagnosises. But if you're really hurtin', well good luck.

Click to expand...

I get your skepticism. Take the ADHD brouhaha in the 90s when it was everywhere. ADHD is real, but it was also over-diagnosed then.

Keep in mind that America is an overweight society, and being overweight is a great contributor to apnea.