British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Well guys First of all I'd let you guys know about me that I'm a new member of this forum and I've joined it just a while ago, Rest my opinion about this thread that's actually I've consult with an Expert once about this (I'm 22) So how much is the best for me And I've got the answer "MINIMUM 6 HOURS".

Okay guys, there has been a further development: The day after i receive the CPAP group appointment letter, I get one from a doctor from the Pulmonary Physiology and Sleep Department:

Reads as follows:

"Dear Miss TiredTracey (big mistake there, I have been referred to as Mrs,in previous letters!)

I have had a chance to view the results of your sleep test (which test, my oximetery or the Embletta?)which was done in April 2012 and this shows that you do not have sleep apnoea; however, as you are quite symptomatic we would like to offer you a trial of CPAP therapy, to see if this helps you with your symptoms.(Well, what have I got then?)

I understand that you are due to be seen in this clinic on: Tuesday 15th May at 12:30 and all of your questions will be addressed then.


Dr G.
Doctor at TiredTracey's local hospital..."

What other condition uses CPAP therapy??? Why am i being offered a trial if I am not "Apnoeic"? Sheesh, I snore when I sleep on my side, I find myself dozing off in the afternoon, even though I have had a "good night's sleep", been accused of being a miserable so and so; "Oh you are so negative!". I have noticed that I get headaches in the morning, from "fuzziness" to pass me the painkillers ,I have a real thumper"!!! Started losing interest in hobbies,and being forgetful. Or are my local doctors working to a guideline in which if there is NO cyanosis through lack of breaths, the patient isn't "Sleep Apnoeic"!

Jason ... I THINK I understand your post, but I'm not sure. Glad to have you on board, but what were you wanting to find out apart from the compliance time per night? And remember compliance time isn't just about hours spent asleep with the mask in place but the number of AHIs per hours ... under 5.

Tracey, thanks for all the info. As I'm not a doc, and don't live in the UK, I'm not sure what the docs are trying to say nor what guidelines they're trying to adhere to or not!! I reckon NM37 will have something useful to say about this later!

Could they be thinking that a MAD might help?

As regards multiple appointments at the same time GGGRRRRR ... just like the days of antenatal care in the 1980s!! Bring a good book and I'm glad that you are working through the situation of what to do about work. All the very best.

PS Just reading through your post again .... why not ask them in the same words as you posted, what you said in your last paragraph. For me they ring many bells .... OSA ones!

MAD being the operative word, Alascienne
Top manger at work seemed to be a bit moany when I told him about my appointment. His words were " I'd rather have more people coming than not." He couldn't say a lot when I mentioned that I had a letter.... Besides, it gets out of a "nice" 9 hour shift on my feet..But I will say it's going to be about 7-8 hours instead....

I'm back!!! Sorry about the wait, been at work!

Are you psychic Alsacienne? My group appointment was a "ladies only" affair!
Anyway, my little group had listened to very nice gentleman talk about Sleep Apnoea, and showed us video clips of sufferers and how SA affects them , the symptoms and emphasied the importance of informing the DVLA.He mentioned that we varied in the severity of SA and there was a case of a patient who wasn't. I aked him (without making it known to the others that it is me) as why this patient is there, he replied that there was something about their test results that give an inkling of something. (his words, not mine!) After receiving my letter, I felt like a fraud sitting there. But, after the presentation was finished, I was given a CPAP machine and the consultant who gave us the presentation spoke to me about my Embletta result. It was a bit much to take in but, he said my heart was working harder than it should when at rest, I was tossing and turning in bed, there was a line that showed two little spikes, this was the pauses in breathing.. ALL night! It turn out that I was given the CPAP due to my high Epworth score.

So, I am an honourary member of the "Hosehead club!!!"

Excellent news Tracey

You'll have to keep us updated with your CPAP progress. I'd not heard of these group sessions though, I think I'd be a bit put off by them so fair play for going!

Welcome to the Hosehead Club Tracey!!! You'd be surprised how many 'sleeping' members there are!

Now onwards and upwards. I hope this is the start of much better sleep for you with rewards during the day in terms of a clear head and energy to spare. WELL DONE FOR PERSEVERING.

(And don't forget we're still here to answer any questions you may have ... share experiences and support! And probably in your turn you'll find you can help other folk who are still trying to get their head round OSA and xPAP!)

Do you know, I have been using CPAP for 3 days now, but I feel a lot better!!!

The first day after the appointment, I was out with my hubby and I fell asleep in his work's van. I shouldn't have done that a I am sure that I am supposed to be masked up! Yesterday, I was out again with hubby, I felt snoozy but didn't fall asleep. I have noticed that laughed at something he said, something I cannot recall doing for ages!

1st night of CPAP: Couldn't settle to sleep until 00:41, what do you expect? I have been given a new toy! When I did fall asleep, I had my mouth open....Dry mouth in the morning. Woke up with a start due to the alarm going off and pulled my box out of it's hidey hole. I had the the newbie feeling of waking up during the night and wanting to tear the bloody mask off my face but I resisted.....

2nd night:Bed at midnight, slept until 7:45 until awoken by youngest son asking what I had on my face. Had a really strange dream, involving my son falling from a great height and I couldn't grab him. Better NOT tell hubby about that one! I have had really horrific ones recently. put it this way, I think you could make horror films out of them! All I can remember is blood , gore and severed limbs! Had headache all day....

3rd night; Bed at 1am. Darn shift.. . Getting used to thing on face. (Hubby isn't. Been sleeping on the sofa. Blaming his long term, never recovering ear infection- yeah right! ) Woke at 7 am, due to door being slammed hut, also the smell of coffee drifting up the stairs...I did wake during the night for a "potty break". Very unusual for me!!!! Feel "fuzzy headed", but getting over it. Looking forward to my 9 hour shift at work,got to be the miracle of CPAP or is it because I am off this weekend???

Great progress Tracey! Well done! We're all journeying with you and are delighted to hear positive news and have a little chuckle at things that have happened to us to ... especially the falling asleep when a passenger in a car!! (I used to do my home to Calais on a regular basis asleep ... makes the 8 hours pass SO much more quicker ... AND I too have horrifying dreams with blood and gore too from time to time. I've come to the conclusion that the better you're sleeping in terms of AHIs per hour, the more harrowing and real your dreams are! )

Better update with my nights on CPAP. I could do this on paper for the sleep clinic, but paper has a habit of disappearing in my house!

4th night: Felt bit crappy (sorry dan). Had 6 hours sleep, woke up with headache, kept dozing off. Luckily it was my weekend off work.Well at least I haven't snoozed with a cuppa in my hand! Mind you, a colleague at work had noticed I was more cheery than usual....Until I went onto a different till which kept going wrong..then my mood changed rather drastically!

5th night: Hubby decided that he'll come to bed with me. However, I couldn't sleep. I don't know whether it was because of the mask, or I had heartburn or I wasn't used to hubby being in bed with me. He did go downstairs, moaning about an aching hip.He did some work on a friend's car that day... (I was sitting in hubby's car, I dozed off and was woken by my son and his friend tapping on the window. Oh, the shame! )I managed to sleep after having some warm milk at twenty to two!!!Got up about nine-ish. Developed the habit of taking the mask off if I hear anyone coming up the stairs.

6th night: Bed at 11, went upstairs to find something hubby wanted.I came back down to find him snuggled on the sofa with a duvet... Felt tired but did not snooze during the day. Woke up at 5 for "potty break" threw myself out of bed at half 6 as I thought hubby overslept.

Currently waiting for some bloke to come and install satellite TV. Supposed to arrive between 11 and 1.Had a phone call to say that he will be round between half 1 and 3...I'm severely annoyed because, a) I've been moving furniture and 2), I may have wanted an afternoon snooze!!

Got an 8 hour shift but off tomorrow.

Back again!

7th night: Only 5 hours sleep. Made sure that I drank plenty of water before going to bed. Ended up needing on the loo..Again! Woke up with headache, never seem to be any painkillers in the house when I need them. Felt tired, but didn't doze off.

8th night. WOW! 7 hours sleep! But did wake up feeling could do with more. Noticed that I blow the mask off my face if I exhale really deeply. Think I had some leakage because of it, or perhaps the leakage was caused by very loose straps. I had given my headgear it's very 1st bath that morning! I didn't take my time adjusting to fit!

9th night: Only 6 hours sleep. Been trying to blow mask off face again. Woke at 10 to 5 for "potty break", took mask off, forgot to put it back on. Would like a nap, but cannot do so as I had to take rubbish out, the school run and a bit of housework before my lovely ( ) 9hour shift. Finish at 8 and I've got tomorrow off!

Life as a hose head:

Day 10: Although I wake up tired, I think my mood is improving on CPAP. Although my shift was long and very hot, I wasn't grouchy. (Much!) Sleep wasn't good. Had 6 hours. I remember taking mask off because I got woken up by air leaks. Think I blew the mask off with some heavy breathing! Mind you, it was a warm night!

Just before I go and frighten hubby with the "face hugger", I'll let you know I was out with him today and I didn't have the urge to fall asleep! Even after last night!

I'm regressing-help!

Day 11: Crack open the champagne, hubby's in the same bed! Got about 6hours. Woke up withOUT "face hugger" on, hubby told me that I was throwing my arms and legs about, moaned and tore the mask off my face. I replied "Oh,you could have nudged me awake to put the thing back on." Don't recall taking it off.

Day 12:Again, I awake with no mask on, no hubby either. Think he does'nt like it. We went to bed together, I get "dressed" and he stomps off downstairs..
Noticed that I'm losing the early morning headaches. Another collegue noticed hat I'm more happier than usual. "It's because I've had a good night's sleep"I told her.

Day 13: Had a"poopy" night. Hubs on sofa again! Remember taking mask off twice. Think it's because my chin felt damp. Either through sweaty, hot night or I've been dribbling! Dog kept waking me up, moving under the bed . Can't wait to get school run done so I can have a snooze...

Got to be the most funniest cpap diary on the forum ,

Keep it up Tracey,

Don't worry NM, I will! Here goes!

Day 14: Cor! I've had the "face hugger"for 2 weeks now. Last night seemed to have been the best night so far...(Touch wood!) Had 8, yes 8! hours sleep, cracked the problem of the mask of my face,(mouth breathing due to bunged up nose-used nasal spray before dressing), woke up with mask still on my face! Mood changed when I discovered the dog had used the kitchen floor as a toilet! Darn hubby and his very (5 am) start!!!