Thank goodness for this Forum!
I was diagnosed w/ severe OAS this past month (AHI of around 80!). My oxygen level dipped to less than 60% during my sleep test... I am a 46 yr old single female and was in severe danger of stroke or heart attack.
 
I am finally getting my machine next week...I can hardly wait.  Going to use a nose cradle mask (I am a mouth breather that freaked out with the full face mask...)

Question for anyone: why is it that when you tell people you have severe sleep apnea, they totally don't get it? It seems like everyone has some advice about what I should do...like lose weight, go to bed earlier. I know that they are trying to help but how come they don't realize how serious this is?

And, I know that no one can guarantee it but will I really start feeling better? I went to the sleep lab the other night to spend a full night on the machine (before insurance would order one for me, I had to prove I could use it). I had a very restless night...and did not leave with a sense of feeling any relief. Will this come? I am so concerned that I migth be the only one that gets a machine and feels no relief....

I had an AHI of 27.  I told people, "Try to imagine what you would feel like if every hour someone shook you awake 27 times
while you were sleeping?"   Would you feel okay when you got up?  That made them "get it".

I have never heard of "nose cradle mask" but if you're a mouth breather I hope your mouth is covered.

Is the nose cradle possibly the hybrid?  I just saw that here and I'm going to look into it.

As for people not getting it. . .
Even my wife who is very bright and all the right things doesn't quite understand when I try to tell her.  She thinks I should have the surgery and dump the machine.  I tell her most people I've met who have had the surgery are still using a CPAP because the surgery didn't work for them.  Even the specialist my wife suggested I see because he is someone whose opinion she respected, even he said the surgery is only effective 50% of the time and he advised against it.  So, a sympathetic and bright person and I am not convinced she fully gets it.

People who get it - and results. . .
I was joking about our pug snoring and an acquaintance we hadn't seen for a while said, get him a CPAP.  We exchanged that look of recognition and started talking about apnea and CPAP and his comment was that after he got his machine he was amazed and said to someone he knew, "You mean you guys feel like this all the time?  How is it you don't rule the world?"  No guarantee you'll see that kind of turn around in the way you feel, but give it time, be patient, work with it.

I've been off my machine for a long time trying to figure out how to solve a mask problem that keeps my wife awak and I can tell you that sudden or gradual, the change when you remove the positive effects of CPAP is clear.  If I didn't notice the ramp up of improvement, I know what it looks like on the other side.  You may have to work with the therapists etc. to find the set up that works for you - just read these forums - but it's worth the effort.

PerryA, First of all, I LOVE the story of the guy saying, "You mean you guys feel like this all the time?"
After a while, you get used to the fatigue, but it really is nothing to get used to.

Second, now I am concerned that you are not using your cpap.  I don't mean to be rude, but does
your wife realize that by not using it you are taking chances with your health?  Your heart could be
affected by not using the cpap.

Maybe you should take a look at the oral appliances.

.

re: "...And, I know that no one can guarantee it but will I really start feeling better?..... I am so concerned that I migth be the only one that gets a machine and feels no relief.... "


--- Four months ago, I had the same thoughts....Let me reassure you with the following:-

Over the sleep study 'test' period ( October 07) my results were
Obstructive apneas  30
Central apneas 15
Mixed apneas 16
Hypopneas 143
AHI  24.6 / hr.


Looks pretty crook, eh !!---  Yet I'd felt good, apart from waking several times during the night and my wife complaining about my snoring and recurrent cessation of breathing ( for years). -----  _I_'d reckoned I was fine !!!


Now....I've just printed out my statistical and graphical summaries for my Respiratory Specialist who I see today for a review of my 'usage'.


For the last three months:( averages)-

Apneas..  nil  !!!
Hypopneas ...   1.0 /hr ( on most nights this is around 0.3.... but a bottle of wine can put it over 1  Hehhehheh )

I sleep literally 'like a log'.... no snoring and I rarely wake . And, no periods of 'sleepiness' during the day !! I feel _great_ !!

Hey...It _does_ 'work' !!!   Hehhehheh.



I'm still dealing with some minor mask issues ( leaks) and effects ( morning teary eyes, some puffiness that goes after a few hours )..


****.. But, can I reassure you,  Robyn64444,  you _will_ 'feel better'  !!!!!!...... and the insidious systemic effects of your sleep apnea will be halted !!!!****


I use a ResMed VPAP Adtec SV enhanced with a Quattro ff mask. The 'results' of  any 'trends' I view daily on the machine's screen and monthly through Rescan 3.7 and I also have a progressive graphical analysis using Excel....... I like to know 'where I am !!' .. :))

.
.>>>> and,.. so I respond to your thoughts ---- so very similar to my initial concerns.......  Don't worry, be happy !! You've 'arrived' ! Hehheh.


And this forum has a plethora of information to answer the questions which will arise.


~ best wishes.... go with it !!

.... Ray.

I can't believe the number of people that I have known for years, but just found out they have a CPAP too!  I don't know why no one talks about this condition... It is truly serious and affects your life in every way.  I can say that after only a couple of nights, I did notice an improvement. I am still nowhere near where I would like to be - but, I did have enough energy to get on the treadmill and walk 15 minutes!  I know it was only 1 time, but somehow it gives me hope of returning to my normal life, normal moods, normal exercise, normal energy, and normal weight.  Hope is a powerful thing. I am thankful for the little steps, as I understand I didn't get this way overnight, therefore one or two nights of good sleep will not return me to my former health.


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ResMed Auto Set II w/hi4 Pressure 9 - 20 EPR at 3 SleepWeaver, Mirage Micro, Liberty, FitLlife
Orig AHI 30.4 RDI 36 & RLS/PLMB

There's always a lot of talk about the physical benefits of using CPAP, but the thing you don't see quite as clearly is the increase in mental clarity and focus.  How do you "feel" attention span and some of the other improvements?  There's a fog you don't notice when you're in it because you become accustomed to the fuzzy view.  That's part of what my friend meant when he said "You feel like this all the time - why don't you guys rule the world?"  It's much more than having the energy to get through your day a little better.  You're also more effective.

You're absolutely right, Perry.  The fog causes you to be "zombie-like" whenever you're awake. The rest of the time, you're just trying to get a little rest and can't stay awake at all...  I lost the worst of the fog almost immediately, but still have early morning and late afternoon fog sessions.  I really believe these will get better as I put more deposits into my "sleep bank" and begin to get rid of the deficit.


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ResMed Auto Set II w/hi4 Pressure 9 - 20 EPR at 3 SleepWeaver, Mirage Micro, Liberty, FitLlife
Orig AHI 30.4 RDI 36 & RLS/PLMB

hi robyn.  not many people feel different after one night... i was disappointed when i didnt. it ended up taking me 2 months of effort and patience, but i got there (thanks to this forum!).  you will get there too, in your own way.  just stay patient and try to use your machne all night every night and every time you nap.  this is the key.


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"Attitude is a little word that makes a big difference" - Winston S Churchill
Machine: Respironics M Series Pro, 17cm
Mask 1: Respironics Comfortgel nasal
Mask 2: Resmed Quattro full face
37yo female, New Zealand, Mixed SA, AHI 45