Getting Diagnosed

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I was falling asleep on my breaks at work, I was getting into trouble and I was falling asleep on buses and missing my stops.

I went to see my GP and he kept saying I must be a diabetic, this is because I was feeling tired all the time, I was drinking lots of energy drinks to help keep me awake so I was peeing (urinating) more than normal.

I was tested 17 times for diabetes over 18 months but every time the results came back negative.

Then one GP sent me for tests at the sleep clinic, I was sent home with a finger pulse ox probe that was to be worn during sleep for the next two days. When I returned it I was told I have obstructive sleep apnea but that I have it really bad.

I returned a week later to be set up with my machine, at first it made a massive difference but as my OSA has got worse, I've had the starting pressure of the machine increased from 4.0 to 7.0 (current setting Oct 2015).

Over the years I have had a lot of leakage from my masks, it's been hard to get the right mask for my face shape, this is something that will make all the difference. I know it can be frustrating but my advice is stick with it and you will find a mask that's right for you.

last year I started to get nose bleeds, a dry nose and infections within my nose, I was told that I now need to start using a humidifier to help increase the moisture in the air that my machine feeds me.

my sleep has improved after getting the humidifier and the nose bleeds and infections have stopped.

I also sleep walk and am on an anti depressant drug called paroxetine to control my sleep walking. I currently take 10mg and this helps to stop me sleep walking at night. This means that I keep my mask on for longer and get better sleep at night.

I'm not saying the cpap machine will work for everyone but it does have some positive outcome on the condition and most people with the condition use some form of cpap.

Thats my story so if I can be of any assistance to you then please feel free to get in touch.

Jimmy