I'm In Love With a Device Named Charlie! - Akron, OH

This reviewer is affiliated with RealSelf. The views expressed here are their own and do not reflect the views of RealSelf, Inc.

I never could figure out why I would have to take a nap by 10am each day, as if I had slept the night before.

I couldn't understand why my weight kept getting higher and higher when my eating habits hadn't really changed.

Why was I waking up with a huge headache each morning and felt as if I was in a fog?

I didn't get why I would suddenly fall asleep anywhere.

What was that tingling in my feet? Could it be diabetes?

I came into this room to get something but what the heck was it? I couldn't remember.

I suffered from all of these symptoms and then some before I finally got an answer. Before I got the answer, though, there were countless trips to the doctor/ER with dizziness, heart palpitations, high blood pressure and swollen feet. Then one day, my primary doctor asked me if I snored.

I thought back to something my mom said about a month prior. I had visited my parents and my mom said in the middle of the night, she was alarmed by the intensity of my snoring - it was so loud, she heard it on the second floor of the house! She observed me for a bit and noticed that I stopped breathing as well.

I told my doctor what my mom said. My doctor said, "I bet it's sleep apnea. I'm referring you for a sleep study."

About one month later, my sleep study was scheduled. I arrived in the evening and was met by the sleep technician. She took me into a very nice room, complete with bed, recliner and wall-mounted television.

The technician explained the procedure. I was told prior not to wash my hair, wear lotion or perfume. That's because I was outfitted with probes that measured how many times I stopped breathing during the night. My progress was monitored without the use of the CPAP machine first. Less than one hour into the study, the technician fitted me with the CPAP mask. I guess you could say there was enough evidence to warrant the machine.

I slept all night with the mask and I felt the best I had in years! A few weeks later, I went in for another sleep study, this time to get fitted for a mask and to get instructions on how to use the machine. The results were sent to my primary physician, she ordered the equipment, I went to the company to pick it up, got fitted and took it home. I finally had a solution to what was going on with my body - yippee!

Because I do not have another adult in the home (it's me and three boys, the youngest one being autistic), I didn't have to worry about the issue of "turning off" a sleep partner. But I did worry about how it would affect the boys. You've got to admit, this thing looks a bit scary.

I sat down with my boys and explained sleep apnea. I told them this machine would help me breathe throughout the night and that I would have to use it nightly. I got them to help me by telling them if they noticed me dozing off, to wake me up and make sure I used my mask.

To make the mask less scary, we dubbed it "Charlie." We get a kick out of checking Charlie's stats to see if I've used it for at least four hours each night. Charlie also gives me a smiley face when I'm compliant.

Was the mask hard to get used to at first? Yep. But I know that if I don't use it, I run the risk of heart attack, stroke, and much worse. A cousin of my dad's passed away due to sleep apnea. That's all the convincing I need. I want to be around to see my children and grandchildren grow up.

Currently, I take medication to control my high blood pressure. I am pre-diabetic (I will have another blood test in a few weeks to determine if I will need to take diabetes medication). I have lost over 20 pounds in the last few months. My mid-morning naps are gone. I am much more alert and probably a lot easier to live with. This is the best I have felt in years.

The moral of the story: if you suspect you may be suffering from sleep apnea, get a sleep study. If you already have been diagnosed, use your CPAP. It may be difficult to get used to but it is definitely worth it.

Friday was a pretty stressful day and at the end of the day I just wanted to crawl on the couch and take a nap.  Fast forward nine hours later and I woke up realizing I had not worn the mask.  No harm, no foul, right?

Yesterday I felt like I was in a fog all day.  My feet were swollen and my head hurt.  One night of not using Charlie had made me feel like crap for an entire day.  

By 8pm Saturday night, I couldn't stay awake any longer so I put the mask on.  I don't even remember going to sleep.  I woke up around midnight but went right back to sleep.  I finally woke up at 5:30am and I felt wonderful.  My headache was gone.  The swelling in my feet was gone.  I was ready to tackle the day.

My doctor told me I would have to use the CPAP machine for the rest of my life.  After going through the type of day I had yesterday without using Charlie, I won't make that mistake again.

Well, it happened.  What I dreaded the most - the mask broke.  I was threading the headgear through the mask and one of the pieces broke.  I am on day 2 of not using the mask and let me tell you, it's not fun.  I've been a bit touchy, extremely drowsy during the day and can't seem to focus much. 

I called the medical supply company but I couldn't get an appointment until Monday morning so I have a few more days to go like this.  

I also had a very low Vitamin D count and was prescribed 50,000 units to take.  Unfortunately, I had an allergic reaction to it and my eyes are swollen, itchy and runny.  I went to the doctor yesterday and she prescribed an antibiotic to clear that up.

I feel like I've gone back to square one.  Can't wait to get the new mask.