Newbie to Sleep Apnea

sleepygirl65 · Post by **sleepygirl65** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:54 am

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie at this. Just found out I have a mild case of sleep apnea. I'm going for my second sleep study where they will have me try the different CPAP machines of equipment. Any tips on what to look for and what to avoid? Thanks for any help I can get.

Dan01 · Post by **Dan01** » Mon May 16, 2005 12:04 pm

I had trouble sleeping on my first study. The lady said try to get to bed very late the night before and then wake up really early so you are tired and will fall asleep.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Mon May 16, 2005 12:19 pm

I would suggest you check out the Auto (APAP) machines in addition to the CPAP ones. Read the following defintions posted by the Forum Administrator:

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 1:47 pm Post subject: AutoPAP

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AutoPAP - also known as "auto-titrating CPAP", "auto-adjusting CPAP", or "self-adjusting CPAP."

CPAP is set for one continuous pressure. An AutoPAP can be set to deliver a range of low/high pressures, customizable within 4 - 20 cm H2O.

An AutoPAP differs from a CPAP in that an AutoPAP uses algorithms to sense subtle changes in the user's breathing and deliver only the amount of pressure necessary to keep the airway open.

An AutoPAP automatically varies the pressure to prevent and/or correct sleep disordered breathing events - apneas, hypopneas, air flow restrictions, and snores.

Computer software is available for AutoPAP machines, which will allow a user or clinician to download the recorded data into a PC. This data can be put in report form to track treatment results.

See: https://www.cpap.com/find-cpap-products/AUTOCPAP

sleepygirl65 · Post by **sleepygirl65** » Mon May 16, 2005 12:34 pm

Thanks for that advice. I will check out the different types. I don't want to end up with something that will not work for me and then I end up just not using it. I'm going to do some homework so I will get the right machine.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Mon May 16, 2005 12:43 pm

sleepygirl65 wrote:Hi everyone. I'm a newbie at this. Just found out I have a mild case of sleep apnea. I'm going for my second sleep study where they will have me try the different CPAP machines of equipment. Any tips on what to look for and what to avoid? Thanks for any help I can get.

Hi, sleepygirl and welcome to some of the best info on OSA you'll find anywhere! As for what to look for and what to avoid, spend a bunch of time reading the posts here. You'll find answers to questions you never would have thought to ask. About the main advice I have is to ask lots of questions of your sleep center, your doctor and your DME (medical equipment supplier) and do NOT settle for anything less than the best! Now, what's the best? Well, it's what works for YOU. Most folks find that an APAP with heated humidifier, compatible software and a mask that fits comfortably is the absolute minimum to settle for, even if you have to fight your doctor, insurance company and DME for it. Remember, YOU HAVE RIGHTS!

Best of luck in your titration study and again, welcome to our world.

This therapy WORKS!

Dan01 · Post by **Dan01** » Mon May 16, 2005 1:15 pm

I have the APAP (Auto CPAP). The sleep center only offered the CPAP for a little over $1000, plus the mask was extra. They were very expensive. I asked for a prescription from the Doc in stead. I bought teh Auto from CPAP.com - the Remstar. Why stay at a high pressure all night if you don't need it?

My isurance did not cover anything, not even the study. So it would not have made sence to pay over 1K for something of less quality from the Doc.

You do not need a presciiption to buy a mask.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Mon May 16, 2005 1:25 pm

First, I would look on cpap.com and check out all the auto (self-adjusting) cpaps. The 2 that I have read the most about on this forum in terms of sheer numbers, are the PB420E and the REMstar Auto with C-Flex. Different people like different ones for different reasons. Many people think C-Flex is invaluable to them because it is easier to exhale. C-Flex is only available on the REMstar. Many people think size and portability is important, which leads them to buy the much more compact PB420E.
Different manufacturers setup their machines with different algorithms. So the treatment you get in the APAP mode varies. Some people find the PB420E responds best to their breathing patterns, and some people find the REMstar Auto works best for them. The only way to know for sure is to try them both, IF you have a sleep doc/equipment provider/insurance company/bank account that allows you to do so.

Some people just use the Auto mode to evaluate the optimum pressure as it relates to the number of apnea events (self-titration), and then set it to CPAP mode at a set pressure.

In any case, you'll want a heated humidifier.

Both the PB420E and the REMstar Auto w/C-Flex have software you can purchase so you can monitor your nightly stats.

Hope this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 16, 2005 2:58 pm

Wow! I'm impressed! The first day I sign on and get so much information. I don't go back until the 17th of June, so I've got my homework cut out for me-READ, READ, and READ! It's easier to learn by the experience of others. Thank you all for so much helpful info.

glassgal · Post by **glassgal** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:15 pm

Welcome Sleepygirl65,

The above advice is good -- I would encourage you to go for an auto with software -- it is very helpful to see how you are doing every day, and I find that I am now more aware of the number of hours (as recorded by the machine) that I sleep -- sometimes I don't allocate enough time to sleep! Read and learn as much as you can before your titration.

Be sure to talk to your insurance company -- if you have insurance and find out what they will cover if you buy on-line before you go back for the second night at the sleep center. Then comparison shop so that you have a feel for what the machine features are and what they cost -- the mask/interface is as important as the machine choice. Check masks out on the web also. Our hosts here at CPAP.COM have very good prices and extremely helpful and knowledgable folks on the phones. If your sleep center stocks many machines and masks, try as many as you can and don't be shy about letting them know what does and does not work for you. Don't be discouraged if they don't have a big selection -- some don't, and masks are a very subjective thing -- what works for one person can be torture for another! Most of us have multiple masks -- some of which are useless because of comfort, leaks, etc.

If you travel or are short on space the Puritan Bennet Goodknight 420E is good. Be sure to get the heated humidifier that goes with it -- a very lightweight, compact package with good software. This is what I have, and I am very happy with it. Many like the RemStar auto with C-flex -- I can't speak to that, but I am sure that others will!

I like an interface that most others don't like -- the NasalAire II -- it is minimal and I can wear my glasses. It is not perfect, but it works. I also have an Aura, which I cannot use -- leaked like crazy! I have deconstructed it per Rested Gal's instructions, but haven't got the straps worked out yet, so the NasalAire II remains my interface for now. The trick to the NAII, is to get it much bigger than you think that you will need. It needs to seal tight and not move around, and if it is too small, it will do neither. It will soften as it warms up, so it should be a little hard to get inserted in the nostrils at first. I speak from experience here! I only use the back of the neck strap now -- the forehead band with the loops is useless IMHO. If you need more stability, a headband from the drugstore will help. I also cover the small hoses with a knitted tubular bandage (for fingers) that comes in 50' lengths. I believe that the diameter is 5/8".

This is probably more information than you ever wanted! Sorry to ramble!

Good luck on the new journey to become a hosehead!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:45 pm

Jane! I'm impressed! You actually had the nerve to take a saw to your Aura, too? LOL!

I've added another tweak to what's left of mine. Purrrrfect now.

I found that to finally, once and for all, stop any leaks in the nasal pillows, I could squeeze the two tubes together a bit more where they first part ways with each other up at the top. The least bit of squeezing them closer together, so that they touched each other up there, would stop the leakage down at the pillows. The medium pillows must be a tad too wide for me.

Of course, I couldn't hold the tubes together with my fingers all night. The wire is too rigid up there to bend closer together, so I wrapped them with a very short piece of velcro to keep them snuggled against each other, instead of just near each other...side by side, up at the top.

It's a wonder any air can come through the tubes of my Aura, given how many places I have something around them, pushing and pulling. LOL!! But it works...for me. The remnant that's left, with all its ragtag homemade straps is still my favorite use-it-every-night interface.

Between that, and frequenseeker's DYI mouthpiece to stop mouth air leaks, the only thing I'm using that still looks like {hushed, reverent tones} a medical device is the autopap machine itself. heheh. The rest of it looks like something the cat dragged in, but gosh, soooo comfortable to sleep in.

Oh, and I quit using a piece of foam up at the forehead. I now use a cool piece of rubber strap I cut off the totally discarded headgear. I place it horizontally across my forehead, nubby side out. That pads the underside of the bulky connection better than foam did. The eyebrow straps hold the several inches long rubber piece in place.

I really ought to take a picture of the rig someday. On second thought... might really scare prospective cpap users away.

glassgal · Post by **glassgal** » Tue May 17, 2005 12:14 am

Hi RG,

Actually I used wire cutters in a pair of needlenose pliers. The plastic broke apart pretty easily, so between the cutter and flexing to break, it destructoed without too much problem.

My time has been pretty limited lately, but I will keep working on it. I think that I am going to have to break down and drag out the sewing machine and get some fleece, elastic and velcro to do this right. I also want to insulate the hoses of the Aura, and the NAII. I'm not sure that the Aura will work for me even when the straps are worked out, though -- the pillows seem pretty small on the large, compared to the medium plus on the NAII. I may have to wait for the extra large size if I can work out the straps!

If you could illustrate the new changes that would help. I have bent the wires every which way, and the small hoses seem collapsed -- do they collapse when you sleep?

Thanks for all the wonderful help and advice Rested Gal!

Newbie to Sleep Apnea

Newbie to Sleep Apnea

Re: Newbie to Sleep Apnea