Thursday, March 12, 2009

Airwaves

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to wear my C-PAP more often, but it became clear that I didn't need to just wear it but rather that I needed to try and start over with it.

What the heck is a C-PAP? Well, it's a breathing apparatus that helps sleep apnea sufferers breath at night. It's a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine. You wear a mask and the mask sends air continuously down your pipeline.

My problem, I believe, is that my machine needs to be re-calibrated, that because of my weight loss I need a new sleep study done and I need possibly a new machine and a new mask.

Well, I finally FINALLY made a doctor's appointment. I'm seeing a pulmonary specialist today for my annual checkup. I hope he sends me to get a new sleep study done because I've been feeling sluggish for a while. I was falling asleep one day last week while working with my daughter on her homework. At three in the afternoon.

Sleep studies are fun. Okay, fun isn't quite the right word... interesting maybe... but I had one done once, about four years ago and I was hooked up on machines and slept somewhere for a night. At about 4, they woke me up and sent me home. It wasn't comfortable and took me a while to fall asleep soon but I'm looking forward to getting one done.

I could finally get a decent night's rest.

3 comments:

Lissaloo said...

Hopefully that gets you feeling better :) Being tired is no fun

Unknown said...

As your respiratory therapy friend I must say: YES! You are doing all the right things! I do hope you are able to have a new sleep study done. It could be that your sluggishness may also be due to allergies. "Tis the season, you know. Regardless, the pulmonologist will steer you in the right direction. Good luck!

Gracey said...

I am glad that you made the appointment, and I am sure that you will feel better afterwards. Good luck!