Is my CPAP treatment even working? (updated p2)

[Jimmycrackhorn]

Have you guys ever heard of the concept that even if my readings are ok that Im not getting enough oxygen intake from my cpap mask?

In other words if I am getting 7-8 hours on my mask, using a mask that breathes through my nose, maybe I had a deviated septum since when I was really little I broke my nose and never got it fixed. I seem to breathe ok with my mask on, but still - could it be that I don't get the required oxygen intake - maybe on the days when I used to wake up with energy pre-mask days, which did happen on occasion (about half of the week actually) that I was breathing through my mouth which would allow me to get enough air...

So I guess what I'm asking is that possible OR is that just in my head?

In other words, How can I tell that I am getting enough oxygen for me to get enough rest, even IF my readings say I'm not having too many apneas? Is there a way to test this?

I'm just trying to figure out why I have and continue to feel more tired every day I wake up and am trying to rule out everything....

[Matt00926]

Have you used an overnight pulse oximeter recording device to record your oxygen saturation? If you have a sleep physician, ask them if you can do an overnight pulse oximetry test. The medical provider they hook you up with can bring or send one to your house to use and then they will pick it up or you send it back.

You can also buy your own if you want to conduct repeated tests, but the former option should be free. A good one costs around $100.

If you do record this data and it shows your oxygen saturation above 90% at all times, then it's quite possible that the feeling of not getting enough air is the fact that your IPAP setting is too low. I know a lot of people feel starved for air if the IPAP value is below 8cm/h2o.

[Jimmycrackhorn]

Got it. Oxygen test. To those of you wondering what this is about it is that I'm getting worse sleep every night.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=106467&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

So oximeter... Got it.

Adjusting sleep hygiene.. Got it. Working on that right now. Trying to go to sleep at 10-11pm religiously now but just started and it was HARD to do - still is but the first couple nights were a horror show.

Anything else? I mean if my sleepyhead says I'm not having any episodes, my setting is at 10 by the way, my question is now, is it providing me with enough oxygen to do the deed.

[ChicagoGranny]

If you have a sleep physician, ask them if you can do an overnight pulse oximetry test. The medical provider they hook you up with can bring or send one to your house to use and then they will pick it up or you send it back.

And most DMEs do this for no charge.

[Jimmycrackhorn]

If you have a sleep physician, ask them if you can do an overnight pulse oximetry test. The medical provider they hook you up with can bring or send one to your house to use and then they will pick it up or you send it back.

And most DMEs do this for no charge.

Durable Medical Equipment? Dubai Mercantile Exchange? Department of Medical Education?

Is my DME the provider of my mask and cpap equipment? IF so I just called mine and they said they don't allow patients to have them...

Thanks

[palerider]

buy your own, cms50i, aliexpress, <100$

[ChicagoGranny]

If you have a sleep physician, ask them if you can do an overnight pulse oximetry test. The medical provider they hook you up with can bring or send one to your house to use and then they will pick it up or you send it back.

And most DMEs do this for no charge.

Durable Medical Equipment? Dubai Mercantile Exchange? Department of Medical Education?

Is my DME the provider of my mask and cpap equipment? IF so I just called mine and they said they don't allow patients to have them...

Thanks

Read the post more carefully. Matt said you should contact your physician and ask them to order it from the DME. You can't call the DME up and get an oximetry study. Just like with a CPAP machine or mask, the DME requires a prescription or order from you doctor before they will act.

If you have a free study for two or three nights and it shows you are experiencing no oxygen desaturation, you have saved yourself the time and expense of buying a recording oximeter, loading the software and learning how to interpret and use the reports.

[DeepFriedDuck]

Durable Medical Equipment? Dubai Mercantile Exchange? Department of Medical Education?

Is my DME the provider of my mask and cpap equipment?

You have been here over a year, and you don't know what a DME is?

[Jimmycrackhorn]

buy your own, cms50i, aliexpress, <100$

Ok Thanks again for your help. You've been awesome! This is a really hard time for me, and I appreciate the effort.

You have been here over a year, and you don't know what a DME is?

I knew what one was but I like to do things like clarify and act confused for no reason... Plus I just wanted to see if I could get someone to waste their time trolling a post without adding anything of value to the discussion.

[palerider]

buy your own, cms50i, aliexpress, <100$

Ok Thanks again for your help. You've been awesome! This is a really hard time for me, and I appreciate the effort.

others may say "well, get your doctor to get your dme, blah blah free" (maybe, when is anything from a doctor free?) and that's fine... if you only want to check things one night.

now, admittedly, the shipment from china will take a bit, (you can also find 'em on ebay, maybe closer with faster delivery) but once you buy one, you've got it, and you can check to make sure your o2 levels are good anytime you want for your peace of mind.

[borgready]

Yeah, when you start for the night using the mask you might be able to breath fine and your sinus pathways are not swollen but after a few hours of use your nasal passages can swell up leaving you struggling to breath. At some point in your desparation to breath you start to mouth breath. Nose breathing is way way way better when using cpap than mouth breathing. Mouth breathing and using cpap is a damn struggle I think. So now you just have to figure out how to maintain a clear nose through the night.

Don't screw with the DME and doctors and begging them to get a pulse oximeter for a night or so. Just buy your own and you can use it when ever you want. You want one with an alarm that is annoying enough to wake you. You can set it for 90% and if the alarm goes off then and wakes you and you can see what the problem is. I think the throw away probes are the most comfortable as they are light weight and you can use it over and over again. The clamp on the finger type sensor allow for quick readings but are not great for longer use as they get knocked off easy.

[ChicagoGranny]

others may say "well, get your doctor to get your dme, blah blah free" (maybe, when is anything from a doctor free?) and that's fine... if you only want to check things one night.

Just buy your own and you can use it when ever you want.

You guys have been using CPAP for years and you still have desats???

Isn't it time to step up and try to master the CPAP process?

[chunkyfrog]

Generally, the oximeters sold by Walgreen's DO NOT RECORD.
Don't bother with them.

[palerider]

You guys have been using CPAP for years and you still have desats???

Isn't it time to step up and try to master the CPAP process?

ignorant comments and laughing aside, sometimes cpap isn't enough, believe it or not.

[Teresalf]

You have been here over a year, and you don't know what a DME is?

I knew what one was but I like to do things like clarify and act confused for no reason... Plus I just wanted to see if I could get someone to waste their time trolling a post without adding anything of value to the discussion.

A well deserved response....Two thumbs up!!