Another Newbie to the ranks of hoseheads

[Pugsy]

Hi everyone,
Looks like I will be officially joining you soon. Wednesday night I go in for the titration sleep study to finally get the ball rolling on getting a suitable machine for me. I have been lurking for several days and reading till I am cross eyed so just had to stop for a bit and see if I could figure out how to post and reply which is easy enough but I can't seem to figure out how to do the quote thing for either a snippet of a quote or the whole box thing. I can copy/paste a snippet if need be but I don't see how to do the box quote feature.

Not much to tell about myself. I don't fit the general public's physical perception of what they would see in a sleep apnea patient either. I didn't fit my perception either. I don't know how long I may have had problems but if the extra 5 pounds a year in my middle (that refuse to leave), heartburn and slightly elevated BP are any indication of the time frame, then most likely 4 to 5 years. The fatigue, headaches and general bitchiness I had always attributed to normal pain associated with the arthritis I have been battling for many years. So it is really impossible to know with any certainty.

I am very much looking forward to getting treatment started. I don't have any reports (yet) other than the verbal one from the nurse telling me that I had severe apnea with 53 events per hour in REM sleep and O2 dipping to 73% and the average being in the low 80's. I didn't meet the criteria for the split night study either. I chatted with the tech about this after the first study. He said that he had very strict criteria and I didn't have enough apneas in light sleep within the time frame to start titraton study. I was very close though. It was only in REM sleep that things really picked up fast but my REM sleep was so sporadic I ran out of time. He told me that I was having some 40 second apneas and those along with the O2 levels were enough to get me a return visit to see him.

I am tech oriented so nothing but a data capable machine for me. If CPAP/APAP is what I end up being prescribed I will get the APAP because it has the dual functionality of being able to go backwards to CPAP. There hasn't been a mention of central apneas, so as far as I know we are only dealing with obstructives.

You all seem to be a wonderful group of like minded people. I have enjoyed reading what you have noted and some of it actually stuck. I have been reading the "Our Wisdom" sections also. The basic medical part of all this is fairly easy for me to comprehend because of my medical background. The various machines and their functions still have me sorting out which features does what but I am getting there.

Thanks,
Brenda

[Ozzy Mosis]

Hi Brenda
Greetings from Sunny? England & welcome to the forum - as a newbie myself Ive found great support & advice on here!
Your symptoms were similar to mine...been thru the heartburn gig but stopped smoking and that cured that! but the snoring was worse and according to my beloved the apneas were getting more & more frequent. That combined with feeling drowsy when driving long distances pushed me to seeing the doc.
I scored 62 per hour which wasnt her record but she said it was damn near! hehe
Anyhoo., was issued with a S8 Auto spirit and had teh best 2 weeks sleep for ages ( this was during the trial) then Ive been issued with an S8 escape II - set at 14
which to my mind isnt as good... keep getting mask leaks and the constant fiddling/adjusting is a real pain!
Waiting for her to call back as i write this to see what can be done. ( I think an auto machine if they will issue me with one but will have to wait n see )
So really, this is just to tell you its worth hanging in there despite all the small setbacks as this is a huge learning curve! Well worth the effort tho when you get
your first good nights sleep in years!
Good luck and stick with it...and dont hesitate to post / ask questions or advice.

Best Wishes
Bob

[Marietjie]

I can't seem to figure out how to do the quote thing for either a snippet of a quote or the whole box thing. I can copy/paste a snippet if need be but I don't see how to do the box quote feature.

Hi Brenda, has anyone explained to you re your quote above
Anyway, I'll try to tell you briefly.
1. When finished reading an other member's post and you want to reply:... Click on POST REPLY (top left hand side) 2. To quote the whole block,...click on 'QUOTE" (brown): This post will appear and after the word [/quote] you can start your reply. If you don't want the quote anymore just drag with mouse over sentences and delete
3. To quote a certain sentence in a post.....page down to the sentence and drag mouse over required sentence - click on QUOTE. This certain sentence will appear in new typing block. Again, after the word [/Quote] you can start your reply. Say for instance you want to quote a sentence in member A's reply and a sentence in member B's reply - do the same - drag mouse over those words, click quote then go to the other words/sentence, drag and click on 'quote'. I always click on preview first before I submit - just to make sure words are spelled correctly, etc. (layout)
You can also change font colour - go to font colour, choose a colour, click and start your post
If you want to change the colour - start new sentence after [color] OR you can drag over the words and then click on colour - you can also use B - bold letters / i for italic letters / u for underlining.
LASTLY - if you want to know how to get a photo with your post - let me know and I will try to explain.
NB - No, I don't know everything - still learning everyday and as I do it more and more, it gets easier - just like everything else in life ! ? ! Good Luck and Good Day - Marietjie

[Pugsy]

Thank you Marietjie. I was doing the steps you suggested but not in the proper order. I think I have the hang of it now. I have a forum somewhere else and the steps there are different to utilize the quote feature. I like to do snippet quotes if my reply is to a long post to save scrolling time for anyone that reads my response.

Thank you Marietjie and Bob for the warm welcome.

Anxiously counting down the time to get my machine. While I know this takes time, it just seems to drag by right now. I see light at the end of the tunnel and sure would like to get there a bit quicker.

Brenda

[ozij]

[quote="Pugsy"]Thank you Marietjie. I was doing the steps you suggested but not in the proper order. I think I have the hang of it now. I have a forum somewhere else and the steps there are different to utilize the quote feature. I like to do snippet quotes if my reply is to a long post to save scrolling time for anyone that reads my response. [/quote]

To create the above snippet, I simply typed [/quote] where I wanted the snippet to end.

[quote]Thank you Marietjie and Bob for the warm welcome. [/quote]

I quoted the above sentence by blocking (highlighting)it, and clicking on the "Quote" button above the message frame.

And for the quote below, I typed [quote] to start the quote.

[quote]Anxiously counting down the time to get my machine. While I know this takes time, it just seems to drag by right now. I see light at the end of the tunnel and sure would like to get there a bit quicker.

Brenda[/quote]

I selected "Disable BBCodes" beneath the frame, so you could see the codes.

Welcome, and good luck
O.

[Pugsy]

I selected "Disable BBCodes" beneath the frame, so you could see the codes.

Welcome, and good luck
O.

Thank you Ozij,
I figured out what I was doing wrong and already have stuck my nose in on another thread to add my unwanted 2 cents worth.

I need an Avator. What I might have is too large. Where did everyone get all the cute chimps? I might like to try one of those.

Brenda

[DreamStalker]

I need an Avator. What I might have is too large. Where did everyone get all the cute chimps? I might like to try one of those.

Brenda

Family photo album. Don't you have one?

... and not all of us are chimps!

[JoyD.]

.
Brenda,

Welcome to the cpaptalk community! We're so glad to have you. I can see that the "bug" already bit you . . . and you are approaching your treatment with enthusiasm. That's the right attitude, gal There IS frustration ahead along with all the good stuff . . . so just be realistic as I suspect you will be. We are all here, ready to help, when those times come

Yep, we're also up to "monkey" business sometimes just to keep our sense of humor. I think I just did a google search on "monkey icons" or some such thing

Brenda, I'd encourage you to "pleasantly" PUSH your doctor (he/she is the one to call the shots, not the DME) for either of the excellent machines I listed below. They both have their strengths & weaknesses, it's just personal preference. The quietest one is the Resmed and it also shows daily AHI's on the LED; but the M Series isn't much louder, and on the software it shows both Flow Rate and Vibratory Snores which you don't get on the Resmed. So, it's a toss-up. Most of us have one or the other, and each following swears by theirs Truth be told: you can't go wrong with either one! As you already know, BOTH can be used in either "straight CPAP" or "Auto-CPAP" (make sure your doc knows that if he fusses that he doesn't like Autos), and BOTH have expiratory pressure relief.

1. Respironics M Series Auto-CPAP -or -
2. ResMed Autoset II

Choose one and WRITE THE NAME down specifically for the doctor so he gets it right the first time Remember, it COSTS NO MORE than a bare bones CPAP machine - the code number is the same. Insurance doesn't care which you get with the code number. (Don't let the DME tell you otherwise. With your specific script in hand, the DME must fill it. Don't let them tell you it cost more. Go to someone else if they do.)

Good luck. We'll be eager to hear about your progress as you get going!

Joy

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, Brenda! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[Pugsy]

The quietest one is the Resmed and it also shows daily AHI's on the LED; but the M Series isn't much louder, and on the software it shows both Flow Rate and Vibratory Snores which you don't get on the Resmed. So, it's a toss-up.

Thank you Joy. This is the type of information that I need clarification on. What is available on one machine that isn't available on another and how that information might come in handy.

I worked in, around and with doctors for 30 plus years. I know that some are extremely willing to accept input from patients and others just have the "god" attitude. I will try to be "pleasantly" assertive should the need arise. If pleasant doesn't work, I can also handle the other way. I have only seen the sleep specialist once on the initial consult so I couldn't get a feel on how he felt with having patients be proactive in their treatment. His PA is remarkable though and if he will let me work through her I know there won't be any problem.

I suspect that since my study was done in the hospital and the hospital also has a special separate physical DME office, I bet that is who they will want to use since that hospital contracts with my physician. All part of one big happy PPO. I plan to go by there tomorrow and just see what types of machines they offer. Maybe visit with them a bit about my options and what this particular doctor tends to do. I know I saw an awful lot of Respironics stuff in the sleep lab. Should I run into a snag I can always get the Rx and go somewhere else. For DME stuff I have a 20 % co/pay no matter where I go.

Off to look for suitable avator......
Brenda

[DyannaK]

Welcome Brenda from another somewhat still newbie

[timbalionguy]

Brenda, I too have noticed all the primates in people's avatars. I have always wondered why this is. (LOTS of animal avatars here, including mine-- Kenya the lion)

If you have a suitable image you want to make an avatar of, and don't have any image manipulation software (which I bet you have if you look around in your computer), send it to me at the email address on my info page and I will make it avatar-size for you.

I know what you feel like waiting for your prescription/machine. I had to go to a conference the week my machine shipped (bought it here), and really wished I had had it for the conference and the long drive to/from.

Here's a question for RIP VW-- where did you get the template for your avatar that includes both images and descriptions? I've seen that in a few places here.

[Kiralynx]

Hi everyone, Looks like I will be officially joining you soon. Wednesday night I go in for the titration sleep study to finally get the ball rolling on getting a suitable machine for me. I have been lurking for several days and reading till I am cross eyed (snip)

There's a tremendous amount to learn about this new health challenge! Something I recommend is that you call the sleep center BEFORE the titration, and set up an appointment with their mask specialist. Try on every mask in creation if you have to -- some popular nasal type masks (and I'm including both cother-the-snoot and pillows in this) include the Swift Light and Swift Light for Her, the Aeiomed Headrest, and the Respironics Comfortlite 2.

Find, before the titration, a mask you can at least cope with. It's tough enough trying to sleep in a strange place with STUFF strapped on your face and air blowing up your nose without the discomfort of a mask which doesn't work for you.

I spent several hours working with the mask specialist at the sleep center where I was titrated, and I have no idea how many masks I tried on. The one I ended up with for my titration -- and which I still use, along with the Aeiomed Headrest -- was the Comfortlite 2 (CL2). I liked it because I could switch fron nasal mask to pillows to direct seals without changing the mask as I needed to adapt to using the mask and let sore nares ease.

The fatigue, headaches and general bitchiness I had always attributed to normal pain associated with the arthritis I have been battling for many years. So it is really impossible to know with any certainty.

You may find when you get effective treatment that you have fewer pain issues. I was diagnosed because the pain from my cancer surgery wouldn't go away. While seeing a pain management specialist, I mentioned the on-going hip pain which kept waking me at night. She sent me for a sleep study. It was positive... but when I got my treatment working effectively, the hip pain became minimal.

I am tech oriented so nothing but a data capable machine for me. If CPAP/APAP is what I end up being prescribed I will get the APAP because it has the dual functionality of being able to go backwards to CPAP. There hasn't been a mention of central apneas, so as far as I know we are only dealing with obstructives.

Absolutely! Data-capable machine, card reader, software. Wonderful tools. Some people also like to get a recording pulse oximeter so they can monitor their SPO2 (oxygen levels) to be sure of effective treatment.

Welcome to a friendly, and occasionally nutty, bunch of people. My therapy wouldn't be doing as well as it is without this place!

[robertmarilyn]

I figured out what I was doing wrong and already have stuck my nose in on another thread to add my unwanted 2 cents worth.
I need an Avator. What I might have is too large. Where did everyone get all the cute chimps? I might like to try one of those.
Brenda

I did some kind of random primate search and found my cute avatar. I've fallen in love with the little face...she/he looks slightly uptight with her/his upper lip having those wrinkles in it...but maybe I would be uptight too if someone what holding me so that all my chest skin was bunched up under my right armpit

When I was looking for an avatar, I actually found Dreamstalker's avatar being used in a big picture on a web page...and then someone found his same avator with a different shirt on and also a painting of the same picture. BTW, as you can clearly see...Dreamstalker is a mouth breather when he is awake
mar

[Pugsy]

Well, I didn't go avator hunting. I went to the DME place instead. Decided I didn't want to wait till tomorrow. I wanted to know how badly they would lie to me and lie to me they did. Told me first that insurance wouldn't pay for APAP instead of CPAP and the difference in price was about 3 times. I just smiled real sweet and said yes they would pay if doctor ordered it and I didn't even bother to go down the road of their profit margin and billing codes.

When it became apparent that I was very sure of the general type of APAP I wanted and had done my homework the tone changed. He knew I was determined to get what I wanted and he had already told me how my doctor initiated the prescription. I had him caught and he knew it because the very first thing I asked was how quickly I could get the ball rolling after my titration study. There is a standard open prescription on hand that doesn't specify brand or model. The day after the study the pressure settings are added to it then sent to the DME office who then contacts the patient and then the choices are made as to which unit is preferred. I could have my unit Thursday afternoon if they had what I chose. They stocked ResMed at this local small town office but they have Respironic M Series at the big office. He offered to have it sent down ready for me Thursday if that was what I wanted. I decided to wait on the off chance that I may have some central apneas to deal with. The main big office is only 40 miles away. Short trip or wait one day. If I needed or wanted something they didn't have, 3 day wait. I can live with that.
So I guess I had better be deciding on which brand I want. They are checking to see what my out of pocket costs will be versus my buying a unit online and getting reimbursed.

We played around with the masks some and I want to give the Swift LT for Her a go. He told me the hospital would offer me a mask to take home so to be sure and choose the full face mask since I want it for backup and the ones they use at the hospital are much more expensive. It's a crap shoot with the masks. From what I could tell today I liked the Swift LT for Her but I know it may be entirely different under pressure but I gotta start somewhere. Might as well be with the least I can get by with and go from there.

Now to go look at some data sheets to see how important flow rates and snores are. Personally, I like as much information as I can get for my money so probably leaning toward the Respironics for that reason. Any other pros and cons that anyone can think of? I am open to any suggestions at this point.
Thanks
Brenda