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When I had my titration study, the lab provided the masks. However, after I got my prescription, I went to a supply place not the clinic for my machine and mask. The first mask I got did not work for me. I tried for 3 weeks and couldn't do it. I switched masks to one that just sits under my nose (DreamWear) and I am doing much better now. The mask is very important and you should be offered different choices. Good luck.
I have trouble just have a mask on my face. I started out with a mask that covered my nose, but I couldn't do it. After trying for 3 weeks, I switched to a nasal mask that sits under the nose. The hose also comes out of the top of the head instead of at the nose, which I prefer. I can stand how this one looks, but the previous one I couldn't even stand seeing myself in it and felt like and elephant with the hose out of the nose. I am still not extremely successful even with this much better mask. I do use it most nights, but just 4-6 hours. That is the best I can do after nearly 6 months. Some times, I am happy to wear it, but then my nose starts itching and I must take a break. Other nights I can't stand it at all. I get a feeling of not being able to breathe. Sometimes I have irritation on my face or my head from the mask. I keep trying, but it seems I will never do better than 4-6 hours per night and some nights I can't even make that much time.
Insurance companies must vary widely. Mine only requires 4 hours per night, 70% of the time.
My numbers are not as low as others report also. I saw someone say that the machine records any changes in breathing as an event. Many nights I have a cough. I wonder if it counts those coughs?
There will be some air still coming from the tube after you shut it off. This is to help it dry out. I forget how long it lasts, but it will shut off after a while.
I did read about a person recently who had higher results than yours and she had no clue she had any issues except for snoring. I would be very surprised if the machine was malfunctioning and them not know it. Sleep apnea is extremely common in those who are overweight. When you lose weight, you might find you no longer have it. After losing about 100lbs, they usually retest you then. Your doctor will advice you about that though.
If I am reading that right, you hardly slept. I had trouble with sleeping during my home test also. I did sleep enough though that they did see I had apnea events. So they sent me to the lab. The lab said I had to sleep 6 hours for the results to be accurate enough. Since I had so much trouble sleeping during the home study, my doctor gave me one Ambien to take for the test. The lab told me that was totally fine and many people have to do that in order to sleep at all during the test. If that is what your doctor says, request a new test and a sleep aid.
I was sent for a test because I had developed high blood pressure and I mentioned that I snored. I had no idea I had sleep apnea. My husband said I never stopped breathing. Testing showed I did. I did not really have daytime sleepiness or ever wake up gasping etc. I do not feel any better on the machine but I use it since I do know that my tests shows I stopped breathing and my oxygen dropped to 70%.
Perhaps check with other doctors. I did a search and found that the average price before insurance coverage is $1800 - $2000.
As long as you are giving the oral device a try, I see nothing wrong. I have agreed with you that it is likely anxiety, or habit now, that causes the waking at the same time daily. Since you have been diagnosed with apnea, I would pursue that, and you said you will. In my opinion it could help the waking at the same time, but it may not. Personally I never thought apnea woke me up and my husband never thought I stopped breathing, but I did snore. The test showed me I did stop breathing and also had too shallow of breathing resulting in low oxygen levels. Now that I am on the cpap, I don't sleep any better and still wake just as often. Recently I had some nights I was unable to use my cpap. I actually slept better than I had since I got it. I slept 5 hours straight without the cpap, and I never sleep more than 2-3 at a shot with it. I keep using with the cpap because I know my oxygen level dropped to 70% and that it caused me to develop high blood pressure. However, it doesn't help me sleep better as it does some people. I do feel better during the day most days though, so that is positive. I guess we are all different and just have to see how it goes. Best wishes.
