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Don't get tied to that CPAP for life. Make lifestyle changes. Don't get me started on sleep studies and the medical community wanting to classify people with severe sleep apnea to get a product sold. While they should be pushing lifestyle changes as the best alternative. But they aren't in the business of selling fruits or veggies.
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I agree on lifestyle changes. As to sleep studies, the first one was my wife. She told me I stopped breathing and scared her. Hell, I didn't know. I was asleep and dreaming well.
I took an "At Home" sleep study. The results showed that I stopped breathing 80 times an hour. Then I found out what happens with the apnea. Once you stop breathing, the Fight or Flight syndrome kicks in. Adrenaline and cortisol flood the system. Cortisol is the "bad" hormone.
rapid weight gain mainly in the face, chest and abdomen contrasted with slender arms and legs.
a flushed and round face.
high blood pressure.
osteoporosis.
skin changes (bruises and purple stretch marks)
muscle weakness.
mood swings, which show as anxiety, depression or irritability.
I would sleep 10 hours, go to work and 4 hours later needed to take a nap. I was tired ALL the time. I put it towards age and being 10-20 lbs over weight.
After the Cpap, I couldn't take a nap. More energy etc. Is it perfect? No. Better? YES.
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My issue is that with the nasal canula, too low a pressure and I felt like I was suffocating. When they turned the pressure up to fix that, it started rerouting air from my throat back OUT of my mouth, so not keeping my airway open plus startling me and waking me up.
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I too have a deviated septum, not major though.
It took me a good 2 weeks to get use the air pressure. I felt like I was inhaling a tornado. It wasn't comfortable. I still get a bit of air coming out my mouth, not much. I had the mask at first and didn't like it. I thought I was a mouth breather and was with the apnea. I got a "nasal prong" and love it. It wraps around your head up to the crown and the hose attaches at the top. I can roll all over the place and the hose just swivels. Sure cool.
I don't like the idea of being attached to a "machine", but it is better then the alternative. I hope as I lose weight and diet better with exercise, I will be able to do without. Until then, this is the best solution.
I hope this helps.