How do I find the report? I'll do what I can.

Thanks Mike. That's one of the kittens we rescued last year. There were 2 left in a cat post in Petco when they were only 2 days old. We raised them and found them a good home.

About the apnea. I was diagnosed in late 2007. I was tired and grumpy, snapping at my kids etc. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I would fall asleep while reading to my little one. I remember reading the words in the book in a state of sleep slurring the words like a drunk. I finally went in for help and was diagnose with severe OSA. I have a bi-pap with a titration of 18/14. I could blow dry my hair with the thing. I nicknamed it Beelzebub, you know, the devil.

I have been wearing that thing dutifully through all the miserable side effects, problems, because I don't want to die. It's been a hard road and there are still some problems that I am working on. I'll tell my whole story on the forum sometime. I sleep fairly well with it now but I still don't feel rested in the morning. I'm not as tired as I was before so I know it has helped some. This forum has helped me realize that I need to be more aggressive with my therapy and learn how to get the detailed information from my machine.

My husband also suffers from OSA and central apnea. He has an A-pap. He is not very good about using it. I quite often hear him snoring. We love each other but have shared separate rooms for some years now because of the snoring. It's sad, I don't want to loose him.

Janet

Mike. Am flatted and humbled and glad/hope it was helpful. You are more than welcome to download as many cartoons as you like from my Londons Times Cartoons website. I cannot remember how many I have regarding sleep, (or if I have many as there are about 8000 or so toons there), but if you go to archives and look in "cats" thread, I believe you will find a few. Here is one. when i get more time I will look for others and post. Meantime, feel free to look around and post whatever you like. Sincerely, Rick

Thanks Mike. I apparently have the most rudimentary treatment as well as machine. It is a ResMed S7 Lightweight. Ser.# 20030275494.

I don't think doctors fully understand sleep apnea. Within the category of obstructive sleep apnea there are probably different causes. For example, it used to be considered a disease of heavy people, the theory being that the excessive tissue (fat?) in the neck caused obstruction. The disease also occurs in thin people so the theory of obstruction from excessive tissue is not a satisfying explanation in this group. I have heard various theories, but the one that makes the most sense to me is that during development of the fetus the innervation of throat muscles by neurons does not develop normally. Depending on the degree of imperfection, the fetus will either have sleep apnea as a child or, if the innervation is only partially disrupted, in later life when the tissues in the throat become less taut due to aging.

Hello Mike.
I see you are starting a CPAP store. Would you be interested in carrying any of the PAD A CHEEK products?
I would love to let more people know about them.
Thanks,

Karen

Things are good. A little overwhelmed with email these days... Last night I actually slept for 6 hours with the CPAP mask on. Tonight after work I had to run errands and found myself walking around at 8pm at night actually contemplating going out on a week night and socializing with people. The fact that I wasn't at home on the couch by 8 and was excited by the idea of being out tells me that good things are happening - even if gradually.

Thanks Mike. I was inspired last night to try more masks, and am going to Sleep Quest this afternoon for the Comfort Lite 2. It is so helpful to hear other people's ideas and experiences.

Thanks for the welcome, Mike, and the invitation to post my CPAP story. Trust me, its long, not as hair-raising as many others, but difficult enough and it hasn't left a particularly high regard for the sleep profession other than the RPSGTs and the manufacturers.

Yes, it is Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, but I wanted to use it as my little Icon, Guess I did something wrong. It was not my plan to post it. I have some figuring out to do. I did talk to a friend of mine who works for a DME company and she also wants to give her patients this website to possibly help for CPAP support

You look like probably most people when they first start to use the CPAP. It is pretty shocking when U first start. I finally learned to let it first fill up my lungs, then start to breath "over" it, sort of like "riding the air" all night long. Took some building up of muscles at first, but then I got over it. Your picture certainly brings back memories!

Hi Mike. U look so scared in your mask! The default picture on my page was of some woman looking all crazed 'cause she couldn't sleep, and that reminded me too much of what I used to be like. I like the relaxed beach scene better myself, just as I like much better waking up relaxed from sleeping all night with my cpap. Nice to meet you.....hope U really don't look like that when you sleep!

Hi Mike, I believe my husband and son have this because they snore extremely loud and stop breathing for seconds when asleep. My husband"s sister was diagnosed with this and I have heard that it can run in families. I have not been able to get my husband or son to go for treatment. My husband is age 54 and my son is 25. My son has health insurance but my husband does not. I wanted to see if I could find some way to help them.

Thanks... do you know how I can specify the state that I live in on this board?

Hi Mike...sorry. I live in Baldwin, WI

Mike, Thank you.... I am hoping to learn something about sleep apnea here. I had a terrible time using the mask. So they put me on oxygen, does anyone else use that as a form of treatment.

Ha! it took me all of 15 seconds to fall asleep the first time I used my CPAP. I thought it would keep me awake. Slept like a STONE!

Thanks, Mike. A few years back I wrote a column about my CPAP, and how scary it looked and how much better I slept and felt after getting it. I had any number of women write back and thank me. They said they cut it out of the paper and showed it to their husbands, saying "If he can do it, YOU can do it.!"

Yes Mike.
I make Nose Bridge protectors for all the masks. The Quattro uses the PAC Nose Bridge Protector A on my website.
I will fix him right up if he wants to try that. When people buy from me, they do not just buy the product, they buy the solution. If the first thing I send does not help, I will send out something else to deal with their issue.
I hope this helps.
Karen