Hello and Happy Holidays!

[eraserturds]

I just wanted to say hi to everyone.

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. Strangely it started with my new dentist. At my recent checkup (first appointment with him) he said that I am a "clencher" and asked if I have sleap apnea. I told him I do have sleep problems so it wouldn't surprise me. He said the clenching was a sign of apnea. So I asked my family doctor about it and he referred me to Respiratory Homecare Solutions. They sent me home with a machine and then called me back a few days later. I guess I stop breathing 17.5 times an hour.

It's not really a surprise when I look back at the last few months. I have been getting progressively more irritable and fatigued with random little bursts of dizziness and a strange headache sensation.

So now I have this loaner ResMed S9. I tried the nasal pillows but I couldn't exhale properly so I'd wake up not long after I fell asleep and take it off. They've upgraded me to a full face mask and that seems to last me a bit longer, but I seem to be getting stuffed up sinuses. Not sure if it's the air, humidifier or allergies.

I've talked to a couple different people at Respiratory Homecare Solutions but they don't seem like they are actually doctors or anything. So I'm trying to get as much info from here as I can.

I am slowly perusing the forums figuring things out. I downloaded the 2 software packages and I'll pick up an SD card in the next couple days so I can track my sleeping more effectively. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated, in case I miss it in the forums, or maybe just need a reminder

Scott.

[cate1898]

Hi eraserturds and welcome to the forum! Sounds to me like you should visit your GP and ask for a referral for a sleep study. That's where you will get assessed better and be diagnosed through a medical doctor who specializes in sleep disordered breathing.

[Sleeprider]

Hi eraser, welcome to the forums. You didn't ask a question, but if exhaling is uncomfortable, look into your EPR (exhale pressure relief) settings. The settings 1-3 correspond to centimeters H2O pressure reduction during exhale.

[eraserturds]

Good morning and thank you both for your suggestions!

Scott.

[chill]

Welcome! Stuffed up sinuses could be from too much or too little humidity. Try adjusting your humidifier settings up and down to see if one of those directions makes things better.

[eraserturds]

Hey I forgot to reply to your humidifier message!

I have been having sinus issues for awhile, so I think it may be allergy related. I've got a prescription for some nasal spray now and I try to do a nasal flush a couple times a day. We'll see how that goes so for now I think. Thanks for the input, I'll keep it in mind for sure!

Scott.