Newly diagnosed-- what to expect?

I will get copies on Tuesday. I will call on Monday to see about what kind of machine I will be trialing, making sure it's an auto set. I'm sure my Dr will be a bit taken aback I have any idea of what I want in a machine! Thanks to the people like yourself on here helping me out. I'm concerned how much she even will know. May surprise me too! Lol

It is the truth, and I'm not afraid to speak it. It's my money being spent, it's my health and I want what I want! I've seen many stories of people being sold a brick and I don't want to be one.

Keep you posted on Tuesday!

Can you use sleepyhead on an iPad?

Kakkles wrote:Can you use sleepyhead on an iPad?

not at this time, there's plans for an ios version, in the future.

Ok thanks! I have an older iMac so would have to get an USB card reader. Not a biggie.

Kakkles wrote:Ok thanks! I have an older iMac so would have to get an USB card reader. Not a biggie.

yes, fortunately, usb sd readers are really cheap.

Kakkles wrote:Just got the call I have to meet the techs on July 14 th to have a 1 1/2 hr appointment to go over test results and equipment. So I am assuming that means my test showed I have sleep apnea!

Haven't seen my Dr yet but do before this other appointment. I have been reading some of the threads on here, some encouraging and some seem challenging. I'm trying to keep positive.

I wonder do people ever feel claustrophobic with nasal pillows? I don't think I could do a full face mask. Did you have any say in what kind of machine you'd like? I have been researching and like a specific brand/ model. I have some insurance coverage, but will have to pay 20% so I want a top end model with humidifier. ( since I get some coverage I feel might as well take advantage of that and get what I want/ need)

I just keep wondering how I am going to sleep! I am a side sleeper but like to toss around-- maybe I won't toss as much now?

It feels overwhelming. Anxious about this appointment and the idea of this being life long!

Thanks for listening! Any input is appreciated.

It is because of my concerns with masks that I avoided getting tested for sleep apnea for a long time. I tried diving at one time and just couldn't manage those masks. I'm a newbie and currently prefer to sleep on my side. The nose pillows seem to work best for that over other masks I've used so far. I'm still not in love with the Airfit P10 pillows - the headgear is just slightly too tight for my big head. I do love the Wisp, but it doesn't stay in position as well as the Airfit. Those are the two most popular, so if you are not a mouth breather, I'd try them first. I tried a Sleepweaver nose mask - comfy, but I'm still having trouble with large leaks as soon as my lay on my side. Seems to depend on how they fit your face. Keeping for those times that I can't breath through my nose, but as a day-to-day mask, nope.

Thats how I feel, thinking the FFM would cause me claustrophobia. I trailed a nasal mask for about 1 hr and it seemed ok...as soon as I put it over my face i felt queasy but that soon went away. Course it was just an hour too. I think I am a mouth breather..I wake up with a dry mouth all the time--could be side effect too from HS sedation as well. I am not 100% sure. I am hoping to be able to use nasal pillows..the less on my face the better for me. But I am a side sleeper too so I have NO idea what to expect from the masks.

I see my own GP tomorrow and She will be going over the test with me I am assuming and then on July 14th I see the respiratory tech for a full review of results and use of equipment. I will be trifling a machine for 1 month then go from there. I am already prepared to ask for the machine I want from research and people's comments on here. See how that goes too....lol

Anyways thanks for the post I appreciate all input. I will know more tomorrow after Appointment!

People are often mouthbreathers BECCAUSE of apnea. Once the apnea is treated they are able to keep the mouth shut. Until you get your machine you can practice during the day. Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth just behind the front teeth. Consciously keep it there ALL day, except when you are eating or talking. As you develop this habit, it will allow you to seal off the airway all night.

If you can't breathe well with the tongue in that position, try using a neti pot or saline spray to clear out your nose. If that doesn't work, then a nasal mask is going to be challenging.

As a dedicated side sleeper, Nasal pillow masks and SMALL nasal masks (like the Wisp or the Nano) work great. It's full face masks that are challenging for side sleepers (and caused me some dental problems from the pressure on the side of my face).

Janknitz wrote: Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth just behind the front teeth. Consciously keep it there ALL day, except when you are eating or talking. As you develop this habit, it will allow you to seal off the airway all night.
As a dedicated side sleeper, Nasal pillow masks and SMALL nasal masks (like the Wisp or the Nano) work great. It's full face masks that are challenging for side sleepers.

Thanks for the tip! I can try doing that. I worry I will need a FFM due to mouth breathing but hearing its often associated with apnea maybe I will be able to get away with Nasal Pillows! I totally sleep on my side and often turn back and forth in the night. Very restless sleep. Im hoping as well that once I get on TX that will decrease too. Looking forward to my Dr appoint tomorrow and getting more information.

GOT MY RESULTS!

So I saw my GP today and got my results, was no problem getting them printed off in her office. I have Moderate OSA

Test ran over 9 hrs of sleep

AHI: 23.0 events/hr
ODI (0xygen desaturation index) 29.2 Number of Desaturations were: 264 Lowest Desaturation: 84% Average Saturation: 93%
Snoring events: 5149
SpO2 <88%: 1 % of the night
Pulse: average 71 bpm (lowest 58, highest 105)
Berlin Score indicates a high risk of having sleep disordered breathing

Looks like all my Apneas are: Hypopneas (206), No Obstructive Apneas and No Central Apneas

They want to trial me on a Nasal CPAP or AutoPap with humidification, Initial Titration pressure to be set at 5-12 cm water pressure



So now I just wait and see the Resp Tech on July 14th to go over the machines. I am not sure what they have planned for me to use, it didn't specify. But I did tell my Dr. that I wanted the Airsense 10 for Her and she said to express that to the Resp Tech and see if they will trial me on one and then she has no problem writing the script for it. Looks good! I feel prepared for my next appointment because of the help on here. Thanks!

Congratulations! Sounds like you had an informative dr. visit, your dr. is cooperative with getting an Autoset machine, and you know more about your condition. I'm happy for you!

Thanks MarylandCpaper!..I feel like my OSA isn't that severe from the numbers after hearing others results? But I am not sure...moderate OSA is bad enough I guess eh?

Im sure once I get the equipment on Tuesday I will have lots more questions and struggles.

Has anyone phoned ahead of their DME appoint and asked to trial the brand of machine they'd like, or did you just go and use whatever the tech offered? I was thinking of phoning ahead but don't know enough to convince them about the machine I prefer. Perhaps they know something about another machine that would work better for my case? I don't want to appear cocky and overconfident, when I'm not at all! I don't know all the machines well enough to do quick on the spot comparisons.

But I don't want to be given a brick either. They deal with Resmed and Philips respironics as well as fisher and paykel ..

My RX states an auto pap with humidifier.

So my three choices there would be

1. Resmed airsencse auto 10 for her

2. Fisher and Paykel auto

3. Philips respironics remstar auto a flex with heated humidifier

which one would you be inclined to go for?

1 or 3. Both have heated humidifiers and hoses if you need that and are much more common than number 2

If you plan on using your machine on a battery I would choose number 3 since it used 12v instead of number 1's using 24v

You can certainly phone ahead and tell them that the machine you are willing to accept is the Autosense 10 for her.

If they are not willing to provide it, you can find another DME who will (be sure to check and make sure which DME's are covered by your insurance). You don't have to waste time arguing with them. Be aware that some DME's deal primarily in Respironics. The Auto A-Flex is a fine machine too (make sure you're getting the latest model!), so if they are willing to provide that and you don't have your heart set on a ResMed Autosense 10 for her, that will save you time.

Be careful. Walking into a DME is worse than a car dealership. They will do everything possible to make sure you walk out of there with the machine THEY want you to have (that's best for their bottom line) and may not be what you want. If they promise you the Autosense 10 for her or the Auto A-Flex, study what it looks like, what model number to look for where, and how to check run hours to make sure they are not foisting a used one on you.

And YOU don't have to justify your choice to the DME. Your doctor has specified a range, which guarantees an auto, but if YOU want an Autosense 10 for her instead of an Autosense 10 or whatever their diabolical equivalent of the Escape Auto is these days (I'm not sure what it's called now), then that's what you want. Their job is to supply it or you will go elsewhere. Be sure to wear your big girl panties.