Newbie - What questions should I ask?

[desert rider]

Hi - My name is Dave and I'm a newbie ("hiiii Dave").

I had my sleep test two nights ago. Although the technician made it clear that he couldn't discuss the test results in any detail, he said that he would test for apnea as quickly as possible so that he could put me on the CPAP right away (if necessary) and spend the rest of the night dialing it in. In the morning he told me that apnea is obviously an issue, otherwise he wouldn't have had me wear the mask.

He told me to start bugging my doctor on Wednesday, because the doctor should have the full report by then.

Now I have questions about the next steps. I don't want to just "show up" without any prior info, because my experience has been that my HMO doc will sail me through the appointment pretty quickly if I don't arrive informed.

So I'm looking for advice from experienced folks like y'all.

What do I need to find out from my doctor? How much specific info should I request from the sleep test report? What kind of treatment options should we discuss?

After that, what do I need to research for the equipment? Two requirements that I can think of are:

1. Need 12v option. We spend at least one weekend per month in our RV, so I need equipment that works on a 12v system.

2. I had a lot of trouble during the sleep test with exhaling. I imagine I could get used to it, but it was very hard to fully exhale over the positive pressure of the CPAP. What options are there for intermittent pressure so exhaling won't be such a chore?

Lastly, I'm a tech nerd at heart, so are there different options I should consider for data recording?

Thanks in advance.

- Dave

[cflame1]

Read this:

our-collective-cpap-wisdom/23/Selecting ... pment.html

[harry33]

if you usually breathe thru mouth, get a full face mask

get a CPAP that accepts 12 volts DC in as well as AC

sadly many CPAP docs are badly organised with no sense of urgency

[desert rider]

Read this:

our-collective-cpap-wisdom/23/Selecting ... pment.html

Great thread - Thanks!!

[GumbyCT]

get a CPAP that accepts 12 volts DC in as well as AC

I think they ALL do.

Make a list of all your questions leave space under them to write answers. Bring list to doc.

Start with problems exhaling - you prob don't know your pressure but ask the doc (write it down). They do have machines that have exhale relief.

Get a copy of your sleep study and the script from the doc, in your hand, don't let them tell you they will fax it and you don't need it. Let them fax it if they must but you want a copy of it - in your hand. You will understand when the DME says the fax didn't come yet.

Read, search, and read some more. There are no wisdom pills for knowledge and no one cares about you more than you. The rest are in it just for the money - not cuz they worry about you- the doc, the DME, the sleep lab.

Good Luck