For the newer members here, this was my story a year ago:
Another One Bites The Dust (And is diagnosed with Moderate - Severe Sleep Apnea)...
My brief story: I'm 57 years old, a certified Life Guard, hiked 20 miles within the last year, and have tried to stay fit.
About a year and a half ago, I began experiencing unusual fatigue. Sometimes I found myself very sleepy driving home from work while in gridlock. I would often fall asleep as soon as I was home. I curtailed riding my motorcycle to work, because I didn't know if I would be able to ride it home at the end of the day. I didn't feel like myself and didn't participate at the same level in usual activities. My eyes hurt. My greatest fear was I was dying of something so I went to the primary care Dr. He did the standard lab screening and nothing. I insisted I was tired all the time, and my mother is battling sleep apnea. I then did one overnight study and was diagnosed with classic moderate-severe apnea. Next, another study night with a machine. They said I slept some....but I felt like I laid there all night using all my willpower to keep that mask on.
Months have gone by. Now I visit the equipment provider. They put me in a chair, strapped on some equipment and went through a list of directions. I went home and throw the equipment into the closet where it stayed a few weeks. I was in some kind of denial.....I can beat this.....I can't possibly need to sleep on a "machine".
I must have been feeling bad.....the severity seems to vary, but I tried the mask about 3 nights. It leaked like crazy when I tried to sleep on my side. Back in the closet.
I am laid off work. (I don't even want to think it's related.) Weeks go by. My memory fades, but I went back to the equipment provider. I got a smaller mask and was now able to roll over on my side without an automatic huge air gap.
I was able to keep the mask on a couple hours a night for a few days, and then would strip it off in my "sleep". Back in the closet.
Weeks go by. I'm suddenly feeling really bad, and losing all interest ( and ability) to do usual activities. My concentration is completely gone. I have difficulty formulating thoughts and speak in a very labored way.
OK. I enter the acceptance stage. I'm screwed and need to start fighting harder. Drag out the mask and clean up the equipment. Start a log of the hours that I'm actually asleep. Vow to keep the mask on all night.
Two weeks go by. Have worn mask for 11 nights. Got some sleep. Don't feel that great. They say there is a period that getting used to the mask and blowing air may keep you awake more, just when you need the sleep most. Like a double edge sword.
I ran into my neighbor yesterday. He just returned from a 7,000 mile motorcycle trip touring the western US! I told him I thought of doing that this summer while I was out of work, but, I was diagnosed with the sleep apnea, and wasn't up to it.
He told me, " I have it too". He has been on a machine for 6 years and took it with him on his trip. He said, "It saved by life"...but not before he suffered some health damage, and lost his wife and family before he figured out what was wrong. Obviously, he must be feeling a lot better, and gave me more hope.
I dread going to bed at night. I hate the machine. I have a hard time breathing with the mask and have a stuffy nose due to allergies. I take Fluticasone Propionate nasal spray & Sudafed PE sinus headache each night so I can breath through my nose.
I know you all have similar stories. Thanks for your interest, and any advice is valued. I particularly would benefit from any comments on the equipment I've been provided. I'm really new to this.
Thanks,
Georgio
My new M-Series CPAP was overnighted to my by CPAP.COM on September 9, 2008 (received in less than 24 hrs after order), and I returned the basic Resmed Escape machine originally given me. Now I belong to a swim club and swim a mile 5 days a week! I have lost almost 20 lbs! Life is so much better and I'm no longer too tired to do the things I want. No longer feeling like I would fall asleep driving. I have my life back! Next weekend I'm backpacking my cpap and camping gear 15 miles to a primitive camp with Boy Scouts. Cpap, CPAPTALK.COM, Johnny Goodman and the kind folks here saved me! My deepest thanks and appreciation to you all. It's not so easy a cave man can do it, but with persistence and learning about your condition here, you too will succeed. I hope my story will benefit those starting out. Good luck with your therapy.
Georgio
I don't have a card reader but went to the sleep doc last week and got some current numbers. The numbers really tell the story as to why I feel so much better. 
