hi ross and welcome to sleepguide

hi Ross. good to have you on board.

Thanks guys. I'm a 34-year-old male who's been diagnosed with sleep apnea since 2006. I've probably had it all my adult life, though. Untreated, I wake up like 62 or 64 times an hour. I went to the ENT on Friday and got the news that a UPPP would likely only have a 30% success rate. That verdict has left me crushed all weekend. I know there are other options, but adjusting to the mask is what it all keeps coming back to. And honestly, I'm devastated. Crestfallen. I've been walking around miserable. I've slept for a few hours with the mask here and there, but I hate the device so much. I'm a bit desparate and looking for support and understanding whereever I can find it. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum!!

We are glad you joined. Here you will find information about sleep apnea, treatment options, and other sleep related disorders.

If you are fairly new to the world of sleep apnea, please check out the FAQ tab and under the Groups tab, the new users group and the collective wisdom section. You may find those of particular importance in learning the language often used on the forum, solutions to common issues patients may have, and other information you may find useful.

If you have been around the world of sleep apnea for a while, we hope you still find the site informative and of interest.

Please feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, comments, questions, etc.

Again, Welcome to the forum!!

Great meeting you too Ross. I recommend that you start asking those day-to-day questions you have by adding a new "Discussion" for each question you have

If i can't answer it myself, I'm sure someone else here with more knowledge than me will.

Hi Mike:

Just wanted to let you know that I called Restoration Medical Supplies and asked for Chip, but instead was helped by a very informed young lady named Melinda.

I haven't had any more success with mask acclimation, but she said that the Mirage Swift LT was indeed a very good mask, and that I should experiment with the humidifier and put a bit of Vaseline on my nostrils to alleviate the irritation that the nasal pillows cause. If this is unsuccessful, she said I should call them back tomorrow for additional tips.

Also, Apria set my REMStar Plus M Series in such a way that I can't adjust the ramp-up time from its locked setting of 15 minutes. I'd certainly like to get it to 45 minutes. I am currently on the phone and on hold with Apria about this matter; I have to go to rehearsal soon...but if when I return I am unable to get any help on making this adjustment, I may start a "discussion" about how to best remedy the matter. Sound good?

Melinda and I talked about several other things, such as the unlikelihood that my new machine had ever turned itself off without my guiding it to; and whether it's time for me to experiment with a BiPap or an AutoPap (having read your account of how useful the AutoPap was, I was very intrigued). She said if I still don't feel more well-rested after a week of successfully using the CPAP for a full night, every night, that would be the time to look into an AutoPap, perhaps.

Thoughts on any of the above? There's so much information out there, I'm glad to have met you to help me wade through it and ascertain what is sensible and what is not.

Warmly,
Ross

very gratified to hear I could be of some help to you Ross -- all that I ask in return is that you write a review on Chip at my SleepSearch.com website: http://sleepsearch.com/providers/14444

Also, do you think you can make the meeting on Weds? Would love to see you at our new, improved location on the West side.