Results Just In..

Actually the results were in yesterday. I typed my sleep study report, and it's official. I have "moderate" apnea during normal sleep stages, and "severe" apnea during REM sleep. To be technical, it's really hypopnea, not apnea, that I have, but the end result is the same... sleep disordered breathing. Though I figured I'd probably have to go back, after doing the report and knowing for sure, I was kinda bummed out about it. While I know that a better sleep regimen will help so MANY of my issues, I'm still dreading the next study. In addition to all the wires and monitors, I'll also be wearing the space alien mask, and while I'm sleeping, (a big fat HA!) they will titrate the pressure to try and find the optimal setting-- one that reflects the fewest events per hour. This weekend was particularly bad, as I awoke with a headache on Saturday morning, and after my usual routine of Taking-Advil-Sleeping-It-Off didn't work, I knew I was in for the long haul on Saturday. Unfortunately, it was still present on Sunday, and I swallowed more Advil over those two days than I should have. Then of course that makes my stomach ulcer hurt. Today the headache is gone, so for that I am very grateful. This photo shows one of the many different styles of CPAP machines. While I am looking forward to ridding myself of the sleep apnea issues, I'm not looking forward wearing this contraption. How in the world will I sleep on my stomach and bury my nose between the other pillow and mattress? That's going to take some getting used to for sure. There are less "obnoxious" face masks out there, but I'm sure I'll be at the mercy of my insurance plan, and I don't imagine they will approve the Cadillac version right off the bat. Oh well, those are challenges for another day... I'll face them when they come.

I'm toying with the idea of joining the STMH Fitness Center out at The Exchange. It's about a 15-20 minute drive one way, but the gym is open 24/7. I've dug out my old Walk Away The Pounds videos, which will really kick your butt at the three-mile level. That's as far as I got with them, though.. is diggin them out, and filing them neatly in the bookcase beside my desk. And I also found the resistance bands that came with the videos. My room is nice and big enough to do the workouts, so perhaps I'll wait and see how faithful I am at doing that workout before committing to paying for and driving to the STMH gym. As an employee, the membership fee is incredibly low, plus the convenience of payroll deduction. I think I'll wait until after I'm on the CPAP for a month or so, to see how getting the proper amount of sleep is going to change my life.

I am taking baby steps toward becoming a healthier me, and even started another blog for my own personal use, in which to journal food intake, goals, record of FBS readings and check boxes for taking meds. Since I enjoy blogging so much, I thought it might be a motivating thing for me. I'm not going to make it public, but if anyone wants to follow it to offer encouragement or to follow my progress, just let me know, and I'll get you there. I've given up on the "Magic" diet or program, the one that will make me look like a model in six weeks. Right now I'm not even on a regimented program... the first baby step is simply being aware of my issues, (getting my head out of the sand!) and a concentrated effort to start doing better, a tiny bit at a time. My new philosophy is that if I change my behavior with regard to eating and activity, then weight loss will follow. And if I can just make a few changes for a few weeks, then perhaps new habits will be formed and I'll feel better and live longer. Now that's gotta be a win-win... right?