IrishHeart, what type of mask did you use before? Nasal pillows, nasal mask or full face mask?
I think, and members correct me if I'm wrong here, that in most cases the full face mask (covers nose and mouth) is the easiest to use, and the patient is less likely to develop sinus infections.
As I ask other members, has your ENT told you what is causing your OSA? Does he/she intend to find out the cause?
The sleep study doesn't determine this, only that there is apnea moments.
Since your Irish, here's a good group for you
view link
welcome.
i do suffer with sinus problems and am a mouth breather so the full mask is the only one i can wear.since i have been on the machine(1 month), i hardly have problems with the sinus's.
that is great that your mission is for a healthier you.
chipten and others have been a great support and information.
i am now using (or will be) a full face mask. had a smaller one that fit over the nasal area only but mouth wide open and can't take the chin strap. and the nasal pillows hurt! couldn't get them to fit right correctly..
they seem to think the weight is the major cause of it; i never even thought to ask, but rest assured i will wen i go for my follow-up after the test..
hmmmm- a link because i'm irish? gotta check that out!
Welcome, Welcome. I credit this group for my success with the c-pap machine.
This is the place to come to for empathy and information.
I have been using my machine for the past seven months and I prefer the full face mask. I had the nasal pillows and sinus problems. The full face mask actually helped the old problems and completely erased any new problems.
It sounds like you are in the same shape I was when I got my first and only sleep study. Took me three times as I am such a wimp and was scared of the mask. (It took me five months to totally adjust to that mask)
With the mask, my quality of life has soared and I am a new woman. My blood pressure has dropped and weight is beginning to trickle down. (I said trickle)
We have really kind hearted, supportive people on this site
and you will just know that you are welcome.
thank you all for your supportive and kind words. i am really happy to have found this site. i'm fighting to stay away right now-my study is tonight.
(i fell off twice this morning already for about 15/20 minutes each time) if that happens again and again, i won't ever sleep through the night tonight.
i want to be good & tired so i can sleep through all the hub-bub and wires.
Irish: I journaled my day to day struggles and that was a help. I could see how far I had come and learned to count the little successes.
Yes, at some time (and it should have been down before the lab sleep study) your ENT should have required a sleep diary ofrom you.
It should note, time to bed, when you woke up, notes about sleep qualti, when you got up, how you felt, etc.
The thing about keeping track of "When" you wake during the night - means you have to look at a clock...which is one of the worse things for people like us to do.
If you have a bed partner, get his/her input, how often you stop breathing (apneas), and for how long, what occurrs during these episodes. The more information you can give the doctor (hopefully they give a damn), the better you are off.
If you're over-weight, a couple of things may make a difference...is your neck full of fatty tissue? When you lay down, it doesn't matter on your side or back, the fat tissue will push against your airway, the worse being on your back (twice as much fat tissue pushing back).
Also, as in my case, if the fat tissue is around your middle, it may be preventing your lungs from fully expanding when in a prone position.
I can't tell you what to do, just give some advice from my expeiences.
And if there's a surgical procedure out there for you, you might consider it BUT, make sure a oompetent/ knowledgeable surgeon does the work, and he gives you better than 50% improvement level as a result.
chiptin, et al, WOW!
so much information. i never dreamed (no pun intended) that there was SO much iinvolved in dealing with OSA.
i see a pulmonary specialist - not an ENT for my condition and NO other than LOSE WEIGHT! (give me that magic pill) and QUIT SMOKING (which i did four years ago) was i given any direction.
now i am better equipped to nadle my f/u visit. now, i KNOW better - thanks to the wonderful members here.
THANX
irish
I was never told to keep a sleep diary prior to the study. It would have been significant and full of information that the doctor needed.
I did begin a sleep diary after getting the machine. I cut and copied a lot of the things that I wrote here. By the time I went back for my checkup, I had that diary neatly encased and secured in a plastic cover and delivered it as a report. (twenty pages) The doctor was delighted and wanted to know if he could keep it. (It was his copy and I have the orginal at home) Such insight into myself and my progess or lack of progress! The group was so important. I told the doctor about the group too and the good information and support I received. Mike hung in there with me through whining, refusal to use the machine, starting again, and finally to success. I did have a goal and that was to be awake at least one time in my life, and to give this darned machine a chance. I finally made it and I have achieved that goal. It is all good.
