07-02-2017, 07:07 PM
Introduction to group and need general advice.
Hi All,
First post here so I'll introduce myself. Newly diagnosed Apnea sufferer with COPD of the bronchial variety as well. 58 years young - smoker since I was 12. Living in tropical Queensland Australia.
Started having a lot of trouble sleeping - waking every hour to go to the toilet didn't help where as previously never woke - to go to the toilet at least - at all. Not one to go to the doctors that much but decided I needed to.
Was getting really frustrated and angry with the doctors - medical clinic where I had to start from scratch to explain what was wrong each time. I told them how I was exhausted and falling asleep all the time at work - had several instances where I was leaning on my car with my hands to have 1 arm buckle under me and then recover - until I had a total collapse to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Was also getting breathless just getting dressed and had developed a wheeze that was nearly constant. After the collapse I went to the clinic and there was a new doctor again - but this time for the better - as she sent me by ambulance to the hospital after measuring my oxygen level which was 91 - first time it had been done. This was when the COPD was confirmed by tests at the hospital.
I started to do my own research on the COPD but also on the apnea. I realised that the apnea was exasperating the COPD and more than likely the cause of my low oxygen level but now on my next visit another doctor was going to finish the consultation without addressing it. I was P*ssed off & demanded he give me a referral for a sleep study. This was done at home after being wired up from a woman who operates a clinic from her home. Unfortunately the sensor to measure my REM sleep came off - as well as the one on my right calf and the tubing in my nose. I found this when I woke in the middle of the night and reattached them but the two probes dislodged again. Test results below but REM and leg movement figures not accurate.
The next step was waiting to see the specialist in respiratory and sleep medicine and having a comprehensive breathing test done. By this time I'd convinced myself that I was in the final stages of the COPD and was starting to wonder about how long I had left - a few years maybe? During the consultation with the specialist he remarked "if we don't get on top of this you'll be dead in 5 years." Strange as it seems that was music to my ears because I now had a clearer understanding of where I stood and knew that even though both problems weren't curable they were treatable & the COPD in particular was reversible. The specialist gave me a prescription straight away - a further sleep study to determine a triration level test would take to long - thank heaven for auto CPAP's.
Have rented a Phillips Dreamstation - been using it for 16 nights so far. At the bottom of the this is a snapshot of my Stats.
The Most Recent hours is deceiving as I had a 3 hour nap in the afternoon - but the average is right.
Felt much better after just one night and have been improving every day - only felt drowsy without nodding off the first few days. Did have major leakage problems for a while but on my third mask now and they seem to be solved.
Thing is I feel it was more the second hand equipment rather than the mask types. I require a full-face mask as I sometimes cannot breathe through my nose. I felt most comfortable with the Amara View - not sure what my first mask was - and now have a ResMed Airfit.
I'm about to buy my own equipment and wanted some advice on what to get.
I'm very happy with my Dreamstation and can buy one at a very cheap rate through Amazon. Only query I have is that I've seen it referred to as a "good travel" machine but would be using it as my one and only.
Also with the mask there are great prices on Amazon but what to buy and what size do I need. Have come to understand that you can have the best machine available - but if your mask is leaking it will be severely compromised.
Very happy that I found this site - only read a few threads so far but have learnt heaps already - thank you to all the people that take the time to share their wealth of experience.
Looking forward to taking full advantage of the wisdom here and eventually maybe being able to supply some myself.
Thanks Gazza.
First post here so I'll introduce myself. Newly diagnosed Apnea sufferer with COPD of the bronchial variety as well. 58 years young - smoker since I was 12. Living in tropical Queensland Australia.
Started having a lot of trouble sleeping - waking every hour to go to the toilet didn't help where as previously never woke - to go to the toilet at least - at all. Not one to go to the doctors that much but decided I needed to.
Was getting really frustrated and angry with the doctors - medical clinic where I had to start from scratch to explain what was wrong each time. I told them how I was exhausted and falling asleep all the time at work - had several instances where I was leaning on my car with my hands to have 1 arm buckle under me and then recover - until I had a total collapse to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Was also getting breathless just getting dressed and had developed a wheeze that was nearly constant. After the collapse I went to the clinic and there was a new doctor again - but this time for the better - as she sent me by ambulance to the hospital after measuring my oxygen level which was 91 - first time it had been done. This was when the COPD was confirmed by tests at the hospital.
I started to do my own research on the COPD but also on the apnea. I realised that the apnea was exasperating the COPD and more than likely the cause of my low oxygen level but now on my next visit another doctor was going to finish the consultation without addressing it. I was P*ssed off & demanded he give me a referral for a sleep study. This was done at home after being wired up from a woman who operates a clinic from her home. Unfortunately the sensor to measure my REM sleep came off - as well as the one on my right calf and the tubing in my nose. I found this when I woke in the middle of the night and reattached them but the two probes dislodged again. Test results below but REM and leg movement figures not accurate.
The next step was waiting to see the specialist in respiratory and sleep medicine and having a comprehensive breathing test done. By this time I'd convinced myself that I was in the final stages of the COPD and was starting to wonder about how long I had left - a few years maybe? During the consultation with the specialist he remarked "if we don't get on top of this you'll be dead in 5 years." Strange as it seems that was music to my ears because I now had a clearer understanding of where I stood and knew that even though both problems weren't curable they were treatable & the COPD in particular was reversible. The specialist gave me a prescription straight away - a further sleep study to determine a triration level test would take to long - thank heaven for auto CPAP's.
Have rented a Phillips Dreamstation - been using it for 16 nights so far. At the bottom of the this is a snapshot of my Stats.
The Most Recent hours is deceiving as I had a 3 hour nap in the afternoon - but the average is right.
Felt much better after just one night and have been improving every day - only felt drowsy without nodding off the first few days. Did have major leakage problems for a while but on my third mask now and they seem to be solved.
Thing is I feel it was more the second hand equipment rather than the mask types. I require a full-face mask as I sometimes cannot breathe through my nose. I felt most comfortable with the Amara View - not sure what my first mask was - and now have a ResMed Airfit.
I'm about to buy my own equipment and wanted some advice on what to get.
I'm very happy with my Dreamstation and can buy one at a very cheap rate through Amazon. Only query I have is that I've seen it referred to as a "good travel" machine but would be using it as my one and only.
Also with the mask there are great prices on Amazon but what to buy and what size do I need. Have come to understand that you can have the best machine available - but if your mask is leaking it will be severely compromised.
Very happy that I found this site - only read a few threads so far but have learnt heaps already - thank you to all the people that take the time to share their wealth of experience.
Looking forward to taking full advantage of the wisdom here and eventually maybe being able to supply some myself.
Thanks Gazza.
