Apnea reading

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on December 18, 2011 at 12:25

My last comment wasn't meant as a ticking off Margaret - I was just explaining the kind of things I used to tell myself when getting used to the equipment.  We're still allowed to moan, and at least here we can moan to people who understand :D

Margaret Ward said:

Very true and should not moan!!

Kath Hope said:

It will Margaret.  I hated CPAP at first and now, years later it's just a natural part of my life.  I count myself being very lucky I was diagnosed, and at least we only have to use the equipment when sleeping.  Some poor people with other 'conditions' are hooked up to an oxygen mask during the day too.   Once you get your comfort aspect sorted it all becomes easier, and more importantly, you can live a healthier life with more energy :)

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Permalink Reply by Colette Walsh on December 18, 2011 at 18:23

I have been using my equipment for 3 years  - full  compliance and have never yet felt healthy and full of energy. Any advice would be welcome

Kath Hope said:

My last comment wasn't meant as a ticking off Margaret - I was just explaining the kind of things I used to tell myself when getting used to the equipment.  We're still allowed to moan, and at least here we can moan to people who understand :D

Margaret Ward said:

Very true and should not moan!!

Kath Hope said:

It will Margaret.  I hated CPAP at first and now, years later it's just a natural part of my life.  I count myself being very lucky I was diagnosed, and at least we only have to use the equipment when sleeping.  Some poor people with other 'conditions' are hooked up to an oxygen mask during the day too.   Once you get your comfort aspect sorted it all becomes easier, and more importantly, you can live a healthier life with more energy :)

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on December 18, 2011 at 18:37

That's great to hear Colette.  Just imagine how much better you'll feel when you get those apnoeas even lower :)  Let us know what kind of advice you need and feel free to start any new discussions.

Colette Walsh said:

I have been using my equipment for 3 years  - full  compliance and have never yet felt healthy and full of energy. Any advice would be welcome

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Permalink Reply by Rosemary Kemp on December 18, 2011 at 21:12

Not sure your comment was read correctly Colette. Are you not feeling well despite being so compliant for three years? Do you get leaks from your mask? Do you still wake up a lot despite wearing the gear? Do you go to bed early or late? Do you use a full face mask or a nasal mask? In what ways do you not feel healthy? Not feeling full of energy is lousy of course but do you have any other diagnosed health difficulties such as carrying lots of excess weight or anything else that may take away your energy?

I'll try to come up with some ideas (as will others on the forum I'm sure) but it would help to have a little bit of detail.

Wishing you a better night tonight.

Rosemary

 

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on December 18, 2011 at 21:18

Whoops, thanks for pointing that out Rosemary.  You're right, I'd read the comment as if Colette had 'never felt healthier.'  Well, hopefully she will when we've finished with her :)  Look forward to hearing how we can help you Colette.

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Permalink Reply by Margaret Ward on December 19, 2011 at 7:51

Don't worry I did not take it as a ticking off at all !!!

Kath Hope said:

My last comment wasn't meant as a ticking off Margaret - I was just explaining the kind of things I used to tell myself when getting used to the equipment.  We're still allowed to moan, and at least here we can moan to people who understand :D

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Margaret Ward said:

Very true and should not moan!!

Kath Hope said:

It will Margaret.  I hated CPAP at first and now, years later it's just a natural part of my life.  I count myself being very lucky I was diagnosed, and at least we only have to use the equipment when sleeping.  Some poor people with other 'conditions' are hooked up to an oxygen mask during the day too.   Once you get your comfort aspect sorted it all becomes easier, and more importantly, you can live a healthier life with more energy :)

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Permalink Reply by Robert Winchurch on December 19, 2011 at 12:10

Hi All

My count was initially 63 and that was classed as extreme have had lots of help  from my sleep clinic in Bangor north Wales run by a lovely lady called Julia  Roberts and am now using the latest full face mask as shown on here still however get slight 'leakage but really is best mask I have had.

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Permalink Reply by Rosemary Kemp on December 19, 2011 at 18:10

Absolutely right Robert. 63 is certainly extreme. My reading was initially close on 100 per hour but now I clock up typically seven episodes per night while I use the machine and the machine, of course, looks after those for me. I was told that they stop counting at 100 in a sleep study. I know I am much better now but not cured as such. Although I am not pleased that my clinician suggested I should try not using the cpap / apap to check whether I was getting better or not, on the whole they are lovely people and offer me support and advice when I call them.

During the period I was changing to apap, they gave me numerous appointments with really short notice and loads of attention. They do like to control the condition on our behalves. Perhaps it is better for some of the patients that they do control things? Not everyone is clued up and by taking charge, there are fewer variables to get wrong (in theory) from the hospitals' points of view. Many people really resist this though and want to have control over their treament. No doubt this statement will generate some views on this matter. 

Different masks work better for different people but we all make mistakes here and there. Last night was a case in point for me! I forgot to switch the machine on at the wall and merrily switched it on (not) and fell asleep. Scary! When I woke up it seemed very quiet but in my sleepy state I thought nothing of that and tried to adjust the mask because it felt damp and I felt like my nose was running.

My breath however had condensed in the tube and when I discovered that it hadn't been switched on, I did so quickly and was doused in water! Cold water! Yuk! At that point I had to get up (obviously), shake out the hose and dry the mask as best I could in my sleepy state - and this is three years into the treatment! So we all get it wrong on occasion and need to not allow ourselves to get onto a panic. Panic can also generate heart attacks! We know that there are dangers if we don't use the machine every time we sleep but we are human. Everyone just needs to do their very best and not reject the treatment.

Rosemary        

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