thanks im glad to be here i need all the support, advice and anything else i can take from this group on my sleeping disorders.

Happy New Year, Carol!
We are members of Powell Gardens, which is fairly close to your neighborhood. Have you been there? We just love it!
I saw the ENT, and my main problem seems to be that my nose is still way too dry. So I am working and working on keeping it moisturized...apparently the hole makes it harder and this cold weather isn't helping either.
Stay warm! Irma

Thanks for thinking of me, I was really touched.

Yes, muscular dystrophy is devastating, my heart goes out to them. Thanks for sharing your insight.

Happy New Year,
Matt

Hey Sleepy Carol,

Thanks for your comment last week. It got me thinking and I took the Liberty Mirage mask and changed to a full face. No more problems with air leakage around the nose pillows. I'm a happy camper. I also just got in under the wire (30 days) for mask replacement at no charge. I got my CPAP machine on Dec. 7th and took the mask back on Jan 5th. Thanks to you getting me thinking about it, I didn't have to spend any moola.

Regards,

Steve Benedict

Thanks- I saw a link on Facebook and signed up.

I've used my CPAP for 1.5 years and love it.

Thanks sleepycarol for the warm welcome.

Thank you Sleepycarol. I am looking forward to being part of the community.

Thank you for the warm welcome, Carol. I shall take time this week to add to my story and read everyone else's. I'm insisting that they provide me with the mask that worked for me at the Sleep Lab. It did make a mark on the bridge of my nose but since I don't even know the name of the mask at this point, I don't know if that could be addressed.

The woman from whom I got my machine and mask was almost antagonistic toward my husband and me as opposed to my Sleep Tech who was wonderful. I'm thinking of calling her the next night she's on and asking her to call me at her convenience. I also got the name of another lab to which I can go.

This isn't the way this experience should be starting!

Thanks for listening. I'll keep you informed!

Thank you for welcoming me into the group. I am almost 2 months into my treatment. I intend to do my part to raise the awareness as to the dangers of untreated Sleep Apnea. This is a wonderful site.

Thanks,
Leo

Thank you for the welcome! I have had my cpap since April 2009. My partner has had a cpap for almost 15 yrs. He received his newest machine in July 2009. I have noticed that my body "needs" 8 hours of sleep a night for me to be at my best. I can function at less, but 8 is much better. Even after all this time, I am still figuring things out. My partner is awesome and very supportive. He does give me grief now and then about when it was just him, it was no big deal, then smiles to let me know he is teasing. Thank you again and I look forward to learning more! Take care!

Thanks for the welcome. I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea back in 2008 and have had no luck with CPAP. Too claustrophobic, annoys my spouse with the noise, extremely uncomfortable, etc. Looking to see if oral appliances may help.

Thanks very much for the warm welcome Carol! I've already read a lot of the resources here and they've been very helpful. I'm just starting to participate but I already love this community.

Talk later!

Hi,
Thanks for the welcome. I have used my CPAP machine since the middle of November and then in January I had sinus surgery, fixed a deviated septum(where they had to break my nose) and had 3 polyps removed from my sinuses. So I have not been able to use my machine since, doctor wants me to get a mouth-only mask butinsurance wont pay for a new mask until the 19th and I dont have the money out of pocket so I wait--hoefuly can get back on track because without the CPAP I am getting maybe 2 hours a sleep a might and totally exhasuted all the time so...
My mom and dad both use CPAP machines also and mom told me about this site--glad she did!

Thanks for welcoming me to the sleep community.I do have a question regarding Home CPAP studies.I have had 2 prior sleep center studies but since reading about sinus infection which can be related to the CPAP use,I am questioning just what else we DO NOT know about this particular type of therapy ? I have recently seen an ENT specializing in Sleep apnea and I am about to pick up the equipment for a first time home sleep study .I have had sinus infections for 7 to 8 months out of the 16 mos using the CPAP as well as allergies & nasal congestion. I must say I am fortunate that I am able ( & do ) replace my mask every 3mos as well as 1 new tube per month & new filters. I do change the humidifier pan every 6mos & I am meticulous with maintaining cleanliness of every aspect of my equipment. I guess I thought this entire prescribed remedy for my moderate OSA would not cause new problems , but to help the condition I was told I have. I feel that having access to others in similar circumstances can be the best we can hope for in unveiling the UNKNOWNS regarding about OUR diagnosis. Thanks A.Williams

Thank you for the warm welcome. Navigating a new site has a learning curve and I appreciate your help. The more I look around the site, the more I realize there is a huge amount of information to learn!

I'am not new to sleep apnea, I've have it now 1/12 yrs. and when I had the first sleep test done the doctor did not tell me of any obstructions I might have. My medical Doc. didn't either, how is one to know what option they have? and thank you for the hello to the group.

Thanks Carol! It's nice to know that there is support and resources out there. I sure do need it. Do you happen to know whether or not there are support groups for singles with sleep apnea?

Carol - Thanks for your welcome message. I'm an almost four year veteran, but always looking for new information that might be helpful. Steve

Thank you for commenting! I have my sleep study this evening. It is suppose to be half the night sleep study and half ajusting cpap to my needs but I must meet criteria before they will do cpap. Is that normal? Also I found a Devilbiss Cpap online at cpap wholesale.com for 388.00 was wondering if that was a good price?

Hi carol, nice to be here.

Too funny. I finally just let my thread be whatever it needed to be for all those concerned. I got the just and phoned my doctor. I have a pre-scheduled appointment for 3-18, they couldn't get me in sooner so I had a message relayed to the doc. They called back & said the doctor phoned in a new prescription for a full face mask. I had relayed the message that my forum friends thought perhaps a bipap was appropriate for the high # on the forced air. I guess my doc doesn't agree. I'll be seeking a new sleep study Clinic & a second opinion from a different doctor.

Appreciate the warm fuzzy feeling I get here, but please don't stress this tired, worn down, confused, messed up old lady again! :-)

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you sleepycarol. its nice to be here

Thanks! Looks like a really informational site with a great forum.

Hi and thanks for the welcome. Would you let me know how to remove myself as a member and delete my previous post? I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Thanks
News: Just found out the piece of my mask that keeps failing is replaceable I think. How come my doc kept selling me a whole new mask? My insurance used to cover it,, so I never looked into it, d'oh.

Thanks!!

I am not new to sleep apnea having found I had the problem around 10 years ago. I am new to sleepguide however. Maybe I wil find other ways to handle it. Like that thing about the tongue. I have known for a long time it could be part of the problem. If you suffer ftom dry mouth in the morning, having the tongue moved could be a great help. It will not stop the dry mouth because with the tongue in the wrong place, or to large like mine, the air will still exit the mouth because your lips will open and allow it. I used to snore when wide awake, but that has stopped. I stopped going to church because I couldn't stay awake and would snore. All due, I think, to not getting a good nights sleep.

Dear carol thank you for the message. I am new to cpap(3weeks) and I am tring to find the right mask. I tried the total face mask from respronics but find the mask is feeling clausterphobic. My pressure is 17. I am going to exchange the mask tomorrow. Can you give me some tips for sleeping on my side. I am going to try a nasal mask or a different full face one. thanks and have a good day. ps I would like to add you as a friend . Also enclosed a pic of me ( I dive) Thanks Jeff

Thanks Carol for the message. This site is for my husband who refuses to try to control his diet which is the main reason he has this. He won't go to the doctor to have it completely diagnosed. He is in total denial. I'm at my wits end trying to figure out how to get him to see the right people. any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Kathi shepherd

sleepycarol, I want to thank you for welcoming each and every new member with your informative message and invitation to jump inot the forum. There is not way we as individuals could keep up with the influx of new members with a personal welcome.

Mary Z.

Recognize the mouse and name... ;-) Thanks for the welcome. Been on CPAP for two + years. It has helped but not totally.

Thank you, you are very kind. I've read threads that are very old and I recall your name and icon. May I impose myself upon you to gain further understanding?

Further, on a unrelated note, your icon is reminiscent of system 7 Macintosh. Maybe that is what I see.

Thanks for your message way back then, sleepycarol, I just saw it. I have a good friend who has muscular dystrophy, scares me to think she would ever end up paralyzed like this... 20 years since I broke my neck , and it's just getting more complicated. I hope you are doing okay. Hard for me to keep up here, so much else going on.

thanks sleepycarol for the welcome. i have not been diagonsed with this disease and as of yet have not had a sleep test done but after reading the symptoms i do have some of them. i have had 9 hours sleep in the last 3 nights so it is clear something is causing me not to be able to sleep. there are nights i do not even get sleepy and cannot get any sleep at all during the day after one of those nights i am not sleepy and the next night i do still have trouble getting to sleep, people that does not have problems with sleeping does not realize how fortunate they are. i would love to have a good nights sleep and on some nights i go into a deep sleep, even can still hear everything that goees on the house all night long.
i do see i am not alone in this but would love to see something done.
thanks

Hi Carol.thanks for the welcome althought I'm a bit late doing so lol. I'm wondering if anyone else has the problem of feeling WORSE in the morning after wearing the mask all night
I've had an awful time getting used to it but have finally managed to wear it most nights all night..BUT...the nights i wear it all night I' wake up in the morning feeling so groggy and cant keep my eyes open. I have fallen asleep sitting up drinking coffee and spilled a hot cup on myself. I also am very sleepy all day and tend to fall asleep just sitting down for a while. I NEVER had the problem before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.
If anyone else has the same problem, please let me know if there is anything I can do..
Thanks so much,
Sally

i hope with this association, i can resolve my obstructive sleep apnea problem

Hello Carol,
I am not quite certain what you are asking. Are you asking for a mask (aka: interface) recommendation. If so, that is the ONE thing that NO ONE but YOU can answer. It really is a function of comfort, for the most part. Also, if you are a mouth breather or not. If you breathe through your nose as is desired, you have a nearly infinite number of choices from nasal mask, to nasal pillows etc. You will have to get with your DME (Durable Medical Equipment) company/person who provided the machine to choose the right mask. If this was not your question (which I suspect is the case) let me know.

hi Carol,
thanks for the welcome.I'm an RN, Clinical Coordinator for a sleep lab. Interesting to check out everyone's comments.Will continue to check it out!!!

thanks for the welcome and suggestions.i was diagnosed in sept of 09. i am doing well but want to learn all i can about sleep apnea.

Thank you for your warm welcome.
I do have a different quest up ahead though. I would like to expand my medical qualifications onto a sleep tech. Need your advice how to land my first entry level job.

Thanks for the welcome carol - have been involved in sleep since '83 - started the first sleep lab here in Lawrence - developed the clinical protocols for CPAP & RAD therapies for both the hospital and local DME companies. Build a stand-alone sleep facility in 2000 (2 beds) - the hospital here now has a 4 bed lab, accredited by AASM & JCAHO. I work for a local DME as general manager and continue to be active in sleep therapy & diagnostics. I'll update my profile and company info sometime soon. Until then, thanks again for the welcome. Scott

Thank you Carol :) Yes, I am new this this world of sleep apnea...well I have been having symptoms for years, but am working out that other people have the same conditions as myself. It is comforting to know. Thank you for the information, I am trying to find out as much as possible- so I am l am looking forward to reading up! I saw my GP last week and was referred to a sleep specalist in the next couple of weeks, so I am interested to find out more from them too!

Thank you for your message. I have been suffering from Sleep Apnea for years without knowing what it was or that it was so destructive. I was only diagnosed last month and just finished my first week on my new CPAP machine. I have had more sleep in one week than I have had in several months combined. I have already spent alot of time in this forum reading and learning. I appreciate the work and contributions of so many others. I look forward to getting better and contributing back. Thanks again for the warm welcome!

Thanks for welcoming me to the group. I have had sleep apnea for over 7 years that I know for sure, maybe longer, I forgot when I got my first C-Pap. I got my second one after Hurrricane Katrina destroyed my first one. Now I am on my 3rd one and am really trying to be compliant this time. I told my Dr that I had to be honest with him and told him I had not used my C-Pap in over a year. The last time I had used it was May 1-4 of last year when I was in the hosp after having gastric bypass surgery. He told me it was up to me if I wanted to live or die from not using the machine. So, I have a new machine that they can check compliance on and have been using it faithfully since getting it a few months ago. I still don't like the mask because sometimes I like to read or watch TV before I go to sleep and I can't with the mask. I guess living is more important tnan that, though.

Thank You for welcoming me to the group. Sleep apnea is all new to me. four weeks ago I went to the hospital for congestive heart failure and a heart attack. Then I went for a sleep test and they tell me its all due to sleep apnea and now next week they want to operate and do the cppp procedure. This is all from a severe car wreck seven years ago that left me with eight vertabrae fused, pinned, screwed together with rods and plates and I coudn't sleep from all the spinal pain. I keep saying great what next...:O)

Hi sleepy carol,

I've been using my CPAP for 2 years now.
Regards,
bob

Hi sleepy carol,
It's been over a year since I visited this site. I'm so exhausted, my blood pressure is high, and my stress/anxiety level is through the roof. I thought maybe I was depressed; so I went to a shrink. She put me on Prozak. I've been on 30 mg now for about 2 months now. Nothing seems to work; so I talked to my primary care. She said, let's send you for a sleep study. I am scheduled for a sleep study July 7th; so I look forward to the results.