Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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roster
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by roster » Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:52 pm

new blee wrote:This, myvery first words of a forum that will be very helpful.I"m very new in that I had 1st SleeepStudy in November, My titration study New'sYears Day, and by follow up in three week ot recommmend mask?nasal) and results,machines to buy etc. As another Nurse, I found a relevant info came from my patients.I"m your patient now and feel I'm going to learn alot! I'don' have machine, mask type,etc as they will fill me in,
! Never Knew I could have this, but from what you've been telling me,things will be cool and with patience will work out. Don.t mean to be longwinded intially...Just exicited about jumping in this with my eyes wide open 'and a little bit of help from my friends" Many Thanks so far for great info and moral support!!!
Have a look at this post before your followup appointment: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48056

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Rooster
I have a vision that we will figure out an easy way to ensure that children develop wide, deep, healthy and attractive jaws and then obstructive sleep apnea becomes an obscure bit of history.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ycw4uaX ... re=related

new blee
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by new blee » Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:06 pm

Thanks Rooster,
Will ask exactly those questions @ f/u appt.
Hope you're getting this reply

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roster
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by roster » Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:36 pm

new blee wrote:Thanks Rooster,
Will ask exactly those questions @ f/u appt.
Hope you're getting this reply
Got it. If you have any questions for the members after the appointment, start a new post and give them the background info. Good luck.

_________________
Mask: Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear
Additional Comments: M Series Integrated Humidifier
Rooster
I have a vision that we will figure out an easy way to ensure that children develop wide, deep, healthy and attractive jaws and then obstructive sleep apnea becomes an obscure bit of history.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ycw4uaX ... re=related

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Ryckman
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Ryckman » Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:49 pm

I just wanted to intro myself. My name is Eric & I live in Maryland. Over the last few months I've been through all of the sleep testing, the health insurance stuff, and finally today...I got my hands on my CPAP machine. I really didn't want to post until after my first night, but I feel like I'm coming around the home stretch...I feel very optimistic and I'm excited to be so close to getting started. I need some good sleep
From what I've read, patience is a must. I've got that, and thanks to the many of you in the community...I've learned so much more.

cpap-wolf
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by cpap-wolf » Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:33 am

Jules what a great post!

I must admit wish when I was starting out had links and resources like this! I know this is more American based but still very helpful to a UK based CPAP user like myself!

Good to know there are these sorts of resources around even to a long termer like me

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Goldrush73
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Goldrush73 » Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:32 pm

After many years of my mom, then wife urging me to go see a sleep specialist, I finally did it. I am diagnosed with severe sleep apnea (94 episodes/hr). I just had my first night at home with my new CPAP gear. I do feel a little better, but still need to catch up on my sleep debt (someone else posted this term and I liked it). My wife said that she did not hear me snore once last night! In any case, the posts on this site have been great. As a CPAP newbie, I know I need to be patient and get myself "dialed" in for treatment to be successful. The success stories here are an inspiration.

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Cholo
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Cholo » Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:20 am

Hi Guys,

I want to introduce myself. I am cholo and living in the philippines. A week ago..I recently undergo a sleep study and results are worst as I expected. my sleep efficiency is down at 48.1 %. My RDI was at 127.7 events/hr..My sleep doctor recommend me to use BIPAP machine and I'm still looking and canvassing for a cheaper price. Sleep study here at the philippines cost me about 400 in USD, thats the cheapest I could find here. Its really hard on our pockets when you dont have medical benefits or insurance...

I was hoping to find a machine ASAP, cause I really need a good quality sleep.

thanks guys

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sleepybones
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Location: Darwin , N.T Australia

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by sleepybones » Thu Feb 18, 2010 4:09 am

Hi, thanks for hosting such a great site. I had my sleep study last September and have been on a cpap since November. Sleep study indicated that apnea was extreme (92 an hour). Went through numerous settings during trial, auto couldn't catch them and only got my ai down under 5 with constant pressure at 18. Been searching through posts and grateful for the wealth of information provided hear.

Thank you

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Made_in_1960
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Made_in_1960 » Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:32 pm

Hello from yet another CPAP newbie. I'm a 49 year old man (hence the Moniker Made in 1960). I've been having problems sleeping for a long time. I can't remember the last time I slept through the night. I usually wake up 4-5 times a night. I wake up in the morning and still feel tired. About 16 months ago I started dating a wonderful woman. She is an RN who happens to have obstructive sleep apnea. One morning she told me that I stop breathing breathing in my sleep. She urged me to I talk to my doctor about getting a sleep study. I brought these concerns to my primary care physician during my annual physical in October. After some confusion caused by outdated contact information in my HMO's database, I couldn't get an appointment at the sleep lab until December.

My sleep study was a couple days before Christmas. I hadn't slept more than an hour when I woke up, as usual. As soon as eyes opened and I remembered where I was, the technician came into room with a mask and hose. He hooked me up to the CPAP and at that moment, I knew. I have sleep apnea too. I woke up a couple more times that night. When I first woke up, I didn't notice much of a difference in the way I felt. However, later a bit later, I did notice that I felt more alert and rested.

It took 4 weeks for the results of the sleep study to find its way back to my primary care physician who told what I already knew. Yes, I have obstructive sleep apnea. My primary referred me to a neurologist. It took me another 4 weeks to get that appointment. I saw the neurologist a couple days ago. She reviewed the results of my sleep study with me. During that first hour, I had 34 arousals and my blood O2 dropped to 81%. Once the CPAP was started, the arousals stopped and my blood O2 stabilized in the mid 90's. She gave me a copy of the sleep study and told me expect a call from the DME in 3 to 5 days. The tritation portion of the study determined 7 cm of CPAP.

So, here I am 4 months after first discussing this problem with my doctor, anticipating a call any day now to finally get set up with a CPAP. I am frustrated that it has taken so long to get treated. I'm tired of being tired all the time. At this point, I just want to be able to get a decent nights sleep. I am fortunate that my girlfriend is a CPAP veteran. If it wasn't for her, I might never have gotten diagnosed. This forum has proved useful already in helping me understand all the acronyms in my sleep study. I also realize that this is going to be a process of trial and error to get a comfortable set up and to get everything dialed in.

Wish me luck!

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sweetdreams58
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by sweetdreams58 » Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:49 am

Good Luck, 1960! Good for you for hanging in there! I was diagnosed a few weeks ago and treatment progressed quickly. I've had my cpap for about a week and I can't get over how great I feel. I have so much more energy, and I haven't even worked up to a full night with it yet -- last night I was on it for 5 1/2 hours. I know this will change my life for the better. I'll be excited to hear about your success when you get all "hooked up";)

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BleepingBeauty
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by BleepingBeauty » Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:13 pm

Just a heads-up to any newbies (who are just getting started and don't even have your equipment yet) about finding a good DME to work with: wiki/index.php/Durable_Medical_Equipment

Welcome aboard!
Veni, vidi, Velcro. I came, I saw, I stuck around.

Dx 11/07: AHI 107, central apnea, Cheyne Stokes respiration, moderate-severe O2 desats. (Simple OSA would be too easy. ;))

PR S1 ASV 950, DreamWear mask, F&P 150 humidifier, O2 @ 2L.

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Nord
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Nord » Sun Mar 07, 2010 5:11 pm

Thanks for the welcome...

I have been actively reading CPAP forum for the past month and have learned a great deal but just joined today. I'm looking forward to actively participating.

I was diagnosed in Spring of 2008 with " Extreme Apnea " but I was somewhat suspicious as well as reluctant to indulge myself. I think my one number given to me was AI = 41. In Oct 2009 I went for another study (50/50) and eventually given diagnosis of Mild to Moderate OSA and prescribed CPAP to 6 cm. For about 2 weeks I tried a machine and was 100% compliant but mixed results.

This Wed Mar 10th I pick up a S9 Elite CPAP only with Nasal. I am looking forward to getting my sleeping disorder under control...

I am also looking forward to sharing my information with others who have experience levels beyond what I have been able to find locally.

Nord

szahariadis

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by szahariadis » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:45 pm

last night was my first night at home with the cpap - it wasnt as good as my titration night. Any suggestions?

fca

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start HELP

Post by fca » Wed Apr 21, 2010 5:50 pm

I have just got my sleep test results back and need to get a CPAP machine. Any input on what machine to use and what facemask or I saw some deals that go in your nose and has a mouthpiece. Any help would be great. thanks

RidgeTop
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by RidgeTop » Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:11 am

I am learning a lot since I found this site and it has helped a lot. I do have a lot of trouble understanding what a lot of the acronyms mean. For example, what does DME stand for?
Ridgetop