Hi,

Definitely get the sleep study done and go on CPAP or BIPAP if necessary.

I am on BIPAP now (as of April last year), was on CPAP about 6 years ago and then stopped using it after losing alot of weight (of course my own decision without consulting doctor!). The difference is that CPAP will blow a continuous airflow at the same pressure. BIBAP will blow at a higher pressure when you are breathing in and then will drop a bit when you breathe out. This was good for me because I felt like I was fighting the machine when blowing out.

As far as the masks go...They have come a long way since I had been on it 6 years ago. There are many different to chose from and you have to tell the doctor and the durable medical equipment company that brings you the machine that you want to try different ones. They will let you and they don't charge you if you don't like one, they will just bring another one. These are the types of masks:

Nasal Pillows: Plastic flat piece is on top of your head held on my stretchy fabric. A plastic hose comes down your forehead and attached to it is this little piece that has two flexible rubber (not exactly sure what material but it's the best way I can describe it) pieces that fit right in your nostrils. Nothing is over your mouth our your face. I actually use this one.

Standard mask: Similar to the one above, but the rubber piece covers your entire nose.

Full face mask: These are for people who sleep with their mouth open. It covers the nose and the mouth.

I sleep with my mouth open, but I use a chin strap with the nasal pillows. It's just a neoprene piece of fabric that goes around your chin and velcros above your head and helps to keep your mouth shut (my whole life I've had trouble keeping my mouth shut!).

When you go in for the study, if you fall asleep for a couple of hours they will monitor you to see if you have apnea (you are hooked up to all these wires and such, not so bad and they let you sleep in a regular bed). If you do have apnea, they will then come in and put one of these masks on you so that they can adjust the pressures up and down and watch the monitors to see what pressure is right for you.

I've had 2 studies and didn't have problems with them. Some people have trouble being asleep long enough for the first half, so they may have to go in twice so that the second apt. will track how they do with the mask on.

Tranquility