My girlfriend told me i started snoring extremely loud about 6 months after we started dating, ive gained about 35lbs being on an injury. One night she smacks me awake and tells me that i had stopped breathing for "30 seconds" so i emailed my doctor and they set me up with an at home sleep study. I used the WatchPAT with sp02 monitor. Sleep like total garbage that night because the device was awkward with my finger being stuck straight out, then i got the phone call telling me that i had "severe obstructive sleep apnea" with a score of 42.3 AHI. i was told that i needed to come in and pick up a machine because it was harmful to my health to continue sleeping this way..
I was completely shocked, i will admit that a few years ago i had severe health anxiety and i had lots of tests done because i was always paranoid about family history.
- GI tests
- a bunch of heart tests
- CT scan of left Lymph node and upper respiratory
- blood work
The Doctors dont seem to be that helpful, my initial appointment to pick up the CPAP i didnt get to talk to the doctor - only his medical assistant who didnt know how to respond to any of the questions i had, she told me that a follow up phone call would be done in a month to check up. That follow up phone call with yet another assistant told me when i asked her about the doctors notes that "he would like to see a 15% reduction in body weight, at least. and that this could reduce or reverse the need for a cpap." and i asked if there was anything else and they said no.
second follow up i was told that because my sp02 dropped below 90 11% of the time i was sleeping that i would need to come in for another sleep study to measure my sp02 while on the CPAP because if it remains low ill need to be sent to my primary to be tested for COPD, lung disease heart disease etc.
Thats where i stand currently in treatment.
i will say that sometimes i feel like im breathing through a straw with my nasal mask on, my mouth does come open at times, i tried the tape thing but i just cant do it... so i have a chinstrap on order.
i wish i could get the mask to fit better, i feel like its either too lose. and it leaks, or its too tight and i feel like i cant breathe. i have done the fit and test plenty of times with the cpap and it passes the test when im trying it while awake and switching positions. but when im sleeping it usually finds its way to leak. ive also been having an issue with condensation build up in the tube and being woken up to a freight train sound and a wet nose with water in the pipe. lol
im a side sleeper usually. try to stay left side.
i am hoping that i can get some great advice to get me on the right path.