New to the forum today

[Jimi Owen]

This is my first post. I've been reading the forum for a month now and I must say this forum is a wealth of info especially for new people with sleep apnea.
I have been exhausted for a year and my family Doctor said I'm just getting old. I wasn't happy with that answer. My wife suggested a sleep study and my Doctor set me up with a clinic.
My AHI at the clinic was 58 per hour. The Doctor said that is severe.
Am I glad I went.
I recommend anyone who suspects abnormal tiredness to have a study done.
I found this website and read with interest and learned so much while I had my loaner machine, a Resmed S9 autoset.
Great instructions even telling how to set the machine settings. My provider was impressed I knew so much and understood so much about apnea. I did not have any problems with my provider and they were really good and let me use 3 different masks including nose pillows but I had the dry mouth thing and I guess I breath through my mouth so I stayed with the F10 full face.

I ordered the Resmed S9 autoset and it arrived 2 weeks ago.
My AHI is usually between 0 and 4.5 now.
I am getting a better sleep and amazingly I don't need to get up at 3 am for the washroom break as in the past 4 years. I still become tired by the afternoon but not like before.
Thanks everyone for great honest advice on this forum. I'm glad it is available.

[justMongo]

Hope you participate in apneaboard -- learn more -- and pass on what you have learned to others.

You're off to a good start,

Mongo

[JWR]

Welcome aboard

[OpalRose]

Hi Jimi Owen,
Welcome to Apnea Board.

[cate1898]

Welcome to ApneaBoard Jimi Owen!! You came to the right place for info. Good luck with your therapy!

[DariaVader]

excellent - so glad you found us and we could help!

[zonk]

I did not have any problems with my provider and they were really good and let me use 3 different masks including nose pillows but I had the dry mouth thing and I guess I breath through my mouth so I stayed with the F10 full face.

Dry mouth is common with full face masks
Have you tried chinstrap with the nasal pillows?

[Sleeprider]

Hey Jimi. Great start and you can expect it to get better as you get even more adapted to the therapy and learn learn more what works for you. Don't be afraid to try some alternative masks. Most will be sold to you with a 30 day trial and are returnable if you can't make them work.

[Tacoma Droner]

I did not have any problems with my provider and they were really good and let me use 3 different masks including nose pillows but I had the dry mouth thing and I guess I breath through my mouth so I stayed with the F10 full face.

Dry mouth is common with full face masks
Have you tried chinstrap with the nasal pillows?

Finding the right mask is the hardest part of this whole thing. I would never agree to a full face unless I tried every other option first. Listen to Zonk--good advice right there.

[trish6hundred]

Hi Jimi Owen,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
It’s good to hear that you have had a good experience with your DME, I sure hope that continues.
It sounds like you are off to a good start, keep up the good work.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you with your CPAP therapy.