Does anyone else feel worse?

[andysnorer]

First of all, I would like to say Hi to everyone, because this is my first post. I have suffered from OSA for ages (probably 15 years at least), but was only diagnosed in 2002.
I recently had a replacement CPAP machine, and the pressure was increased, and to be honest, I don't think it is working.
I am now more tired than I used to be, I have put on weight, and the worst thing of all, is that my blood pressure is up to 170/110. I have also had earache and dizzy spells.
I am going to phone the sleep centre today, because I think the pressure increase could be the reason.
I have to get this sorted out ASAP, because I have just started a new job (2 weeks), and I feel knackered all the time.

Andy

[pavarottiman]

cpap settings

Hi Andy, I have been on cpap you will have seen by my previous post. In my experience with the East Kent NHS there is no method that I have seen for determining the pressure each individual needs to prevent apneas, and indeed machines seem to be set as high as 20 which I found to be far to high which did make me feel worse. I from the start bought my cpap and when I changed to my new machine (spirit s6) about 18 months ago I contacted Remed to gain access to the clinical menu and adjusted the pressure myself to suit my needs.
The other thing I find with EK NHS is that if you have diabetes and OSA then the two departments fight between each other giving the cause of your symptoms to the other ailment which is very frustrating, and local GPs have little or no understading of sleep apnea, in my case it took 2 years to diagnose the condition and once they had that on my record along with daibetes and morbid obesity it is very hard to any feelings I had on lethargy was met with blood tests etc and with clear results nothing further.
So I would say take the advice of your clinicians and then look at what is happening to you when you use your cpap, and alter things to suit your needs, best of luck Alex.

[Tigers Fan]

A non-medical opinion

Hi pavorottiman

Welcome to the forum. Another opera fan or only Pavorotti?

An awful lot of your symptoms sound absolutely typical of the obesity / diabestes / OSA trilogy.

I think you need to get yourself a fasting blood test to check for diabetes.

TF

[Poppy56]

Excuse me butting in, Tigers Fan, but I'm an opera fan too!

[Tigers Fan]

Don't feel left out!

Hey Poppy56!

Well! let's all just get together and ask Intus for an Opera Lover's CPAP page!

Where do you go for yours? - I looked and notice you live in Sussex so maybe I can guess.

I use the amphitheatre in Covent Garden mainly and the occassional jaunt to EuropeI have yet to pluck up the financial courage to go to the States - offsetting CPAP gear savings against the overall cost of the opera.

TF

[Poppy56]

Glyndebourne in the summer. We like ETO too. Never been to Europe or the States for opera - but do see the Met live cinema performances.