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How are the nasal pillows for sensitive noses?
Very helpful! Thank you for your thoughts. I'll look up the things you mentioned. I'm just learning about this and you have helped me narrow the initial investigation. :)
Hi - Discovery: Just Dx with moderate obstructed sleep apnea. Never would have thought about it except that I started seeing a new pulmonologist for asthma and he had a bunch of intake questions I hadn't been asked before that lead me to ask him what he thought. He thought it highly likely because of my small airway and snoring in my family (don't know if I snore as I live alone. ) He ordered a home sleep study (anyone else hate those nose prongs? I kept trying to blow my nose while wearing it). It came back positive (score of 13 I think - stop breathing for 3-5 sec every 13 minutes).
Symptoms: Over the past year I have been irritable and tired. I work from home so no one has noticed that I keep falling asleep during the work day (even in meetings once or twice). Then I'd take a nap again later. I would be in bed for 10 hours to get enough sleep. I just thought I was one of those people who needed more sleep. Plus it usually takes me an hour to fall asleep the first time.
What makes this exciting: Now, usually I don't want to have a disorder, but before I had the study, when the Dr went over the possible effects of sleep apnea, I was really hoping I had it. You see, I also have a mental health Dx and this could be a contributing factor as it causes some of the same symptoms. Getting a positive on the study was wonderful because the fix is simpler than figuring out the right medication for things like depression.
Questions for long term CPAP users: I am now waiting for the CPAP Rx to go through. I'm interested in knowing how using one of these machines has effected your sleep habits. Do you need to plan more time to get ready for bed? Do you find it harder to wear an eye mask? Any tips on how to determine the best CPAP system for me? Do you have a favorite manufacturer or brand? Any thoughts on what you would have liked someone to tell you before you started using the machine?
Thanks!
