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Friday, July 20, 2007
1:08:00 PM EDT
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1:08:00 PM EDT
Knowledge Is Power
Sleep Disorders
Hi. I'm Krissy. Most of you already know me. I wanted to speak a little bit about Sleep Apnea in the hopes that I may help somebody who may go through the same thing in the future, or who may even be going through it now. A few months ago I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. And finally three days ago I got my CPAP machine. I used it for the first time three nights ago. I will explain a little more about this in a minute.
First I want to say that if you feel you could possibly have Sleep Apnea, go as soon as you can to your primary care physician. He will set up a test for you to have a sleep study done. It is vital that you do this, because living with Sleep Apnea could damage your health. You could die of a heart attack, or an accident due to daytime sleepiness. There are several possibilities in which you could die.
Below is an article explaining what Sleep Apnea is. It also explains how to treat it. If you have significant Sleep Apnea you will have to use something called a CPAP machine every night.
I received my CPAP machine three days ago. I also received a mask. There is a tube that hooks onto the CPAP machine and then onto the mask. The mask fits over my face. Actually mostly over my nose. The machine is then turned on. My Sleep Apnea is VERY bad, so I have to have themachine turned on to a very high pressure. 13 to be exact. This means a lot of air pressure opens my airways.
Actually, I don't really mind it. The pressure builds up slowly. And the mask isn't too bad. When the respiratory therapist had me try on masks when I got the machine, she first gave me a "full faced mask" which covered my whole face. This gave me a panic attack! I told her I couldn't do it. She switched me to a half mask, just covering my nose. I can deal with this! So it is fine. That is what I chose. So I can really deal with everything, the mask and the pressure! Even though it is a little frightening, LOL.
Well, I THOUGHT I could deal with everything. After about a day, I had a terrible problem. I had constant burping! It was horrible! Somehow I swallowed air without even opening my mouth! It is so uncomfortable. I don't know how it is possible. I am going to read up on the net to see if anybody else has the same problem as me. Surely somebody must!
Anyway, I found online a picture of my equipment. Everything except for the hose. Here is the mask, and the CPAP machine. Keep in mind that the machine is REALLY light and you can carry it around in it's carrying case, and can travel with it!!!
Remember, it is very important to use your CPAP machine, so don't get discouraged if it is a little hard at first. Stay with it and don't give up! You will get used to it afterawhile! It will save your life!
Hope this helped somebody! If you would like to, you can email me at
If you email, please put in the subject line: Friends Helping Friends
Take care, Krissy :)
Discussion Forum
Just a note.: I have been using the sleep apnea machine (CPAP machine) for three nights now. Well, I guess they say three's a charm! Last night went fantastic! I did not gulp in any air and feel very good today. I feel very awake and alert, and realize the machine is helping me. I should have had faith all along! I am glad I stuck with it! Krissy
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This entry has 3 comments: (Add your own)
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Thanks for the valuable information. I am going to look up all your links! How do you find all your good links, Tammy?
Krissy :)
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesI/Think -
Wow...was just talking about this last night...seems it's way more prevalent than I had realized. Thanks for posting about it,
Nancy
7/25/07 12:46 AM
Lori
http://journals.aol.com/helms