Newbie and questions

Hello to all - I have been lurking for a few weeks now while I have been processing my dianosis. I had an in lab study with an AHI of 73 (i think that's the correct way to say it, still learning the terms you all use). I am happy to have found a place of support as I realize this won't be an easy road and will be an adjustment, but I am committed to succeeding on the mask, as I am desperate for a quality of life change.

That being said, I have done some searching on the site when I have some free time, but it is very overwhelming. I am sure this has been discussed in length, but I am looking for advice or questions I should have prepared when meeting with the techs when I go to pick up my mask.

Any help/advice would be GREATLY appreciated!! Also, I have heard a lot of you speak about sleepyhead software. Will they techs know what this is, and be able to speak to me about it?

flyergirl wrote:Hello to all - I have been lurking for a few weeks now while I have been processing my dianosis. I had an in lab study with an AHI of 73 (i think that's the correct way to say it, still learning the terms you all use). I am happy to have found a place of support as I realize this won't be an easy road and will be an adjustment, but I am committed to succeeding on the mask, as I am desperate for a quality of life change.

That being said, I have done some searching on the site when I have some free time, but it is very overwhelming. I am sure this has been discussed in length, but I am looking for advice or questions I should have prepared when meeting with the techs when I go to pick up my mask.

Any help/advice would be GREATLY appreciated!! Also, I have heard a lot of you speak about sleepyhead software. Will they techs know what this is, and be able to speak to me about it?

Welcome to the forum.

One of our forum members has a blog with some advice which you may find helpful. Read the "tinyurls" in the following links.

memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=48201

http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx

http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

Regarding Sleepyhead....... The "techs" probably won't have a clue, since it was written by some of the forum members who are programmers. They may only be familiar with whichever software goes with the equipment they sell......ResScan for ResMed machines and Encore Pro for the Philips/Respironics machines.


Den

.

This is perfect! Thank you!!

welcome. This last week was my first week with my equipment so I understand how you feel.

Here is the link to the sleepyhead software. http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/

Follow the instructions found with the software and you will have no troubles getting it up and running. You need to make sure your equipment you chose is compatible with the software.

The way the software works is simple. You have a data card on your machine you can take out. You launch the software on your computer, put the data card in the computer slot, and upload the data on the card. The software will allow you to look at each day's worth of data and you can see what is going on with your sleep events.

Very fascinating to actually see what is going on, and the experts here can help you work through the data.

Case in point, my mask pressure is set from the low of 6 up to a high of 12. From my data, it appears that is too low to alleviate my apnea events at night. So I can take this data and give it to my doctor and they will change the pressure to something higher.

Good luck and make sure you fill out your profile with your equipment once you have it selected.

The links provided will give you great detailed advice, so I will just touch on the high points.
First get an auto CPAP from either Rested or Resperonics, all the auto machines provide full data and will allow you to self adjust in the future as your circumstances change and you learn more about your treatment.
Mask choice is at least as personal as shopping for women's shoes. Make sure you have the ability to swap your first choice if you are not happy with it.
Do not give your DME your credit card unless you have an unlimited credit line and the ability to pay what ever charges they may choose to randomly issue. This is especially true of Apria.
Read as much as you can here and feel free to ask questions.

R1200ST wrote:welcome. This last week was my first week with my equipment so I understand how you feel.

Here is the link to the sleepyhead software. http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/

Follow the instructions found with the software and you will have no troubles getting it up and running. You need to make sure your equipment you chose is compatible with the software.

The way the software works is simple. You have a data card on your machine you can take out. You launch the software on your computer, put the data card in the computer slot, and upload the data on the card. The software will allow you to look at each day's worth of data and you can see what is going on with your sleep events.

Very fascinating to actually see what is going on, and the experts here can help you work through the data.

Case in point, my mask pressure is set from the low of 6 up to a high of 12. From my data, it appears that is too low to alleviate my apnea events at night. So I can take this data and give it to my doctor and they will change the pressure to something higher.

Good luck and make sure you fill out your profile with your equipment once you have it selected.

Perfect explanation! I assume, these data cards are also reviewed by the doctor on occassion? Sounds like the software is a good check inbetween so you can bring anything out of sorts to your doctor's attention.

bwexler wrote:The links provided will give you great detailed advice, so I will just touch on the high points.
First get an auto CPAP from either Rested or Resperonics, all the auto machines provide full data and will allow you to self adjust in the future as your circumstances change and you learn more about your treatment.
Mask choice is at least as personal as shopping for women's shoes. Make sure you have the ability to swap your first choice if you are not happy with it.
Do not give your DME your credit card unless you have an unlimited credit line and the ability to pay what ever charges they may choose to randomly issue. This is especially true of Apria.
Read as much as you can here and feel free to ask questions.

When you say auto CPAP, do you mean an APAP? I don't think my insurance approved that. I was just notified that I will have the dreamstation CPAP model by resperonics. Also, I am not going through a typical DME, but rather my sleep medicine group handles it. Going in to meet with the techs on Thursday, but it is the same place I had the study done. They explained that insurance covers the first three month rental, but then purchases the machine on the fourth month after I show compliance. Unfortunately, that's when my benefits change so I will likely have to pay for the machine out of pocket because my deductible hasn't been met.

Thanks for the info!

flyergirl wrote:

bwexler wrote:The links provided will give you great detailed advice, so I will just touch on the high points.
First get an auto CPAP from either Rested or Resperonics, all the auto machines provide full data and will allow you to self adjust in the future as your circumstances change and you learn more about your treatment.
Mask choice is at least as personal as shopping for women's shoes. Make sure you have the ability to swap your first choice if you are not happy with it.
Do not give your DME your credit card unless you have an unlimited credit line and the ability to pay what ever charges they may choose to randomly issue. This is especially true of Apria.
Read as much as you can here and feel free to ask questions.

When you say auto CPAP, do you mean an APAP? I don't think my insurance approved that. I was just notified that I will have the dreamstation CPAP model by resperonics. Also, I am not going through a typical DME, but rather my sleep medicine group handles it. Going in to meet with the techs on Thursday, but it is the same place I had the study done. They explained that insurance covers the first three month rental, but then purchases the machine on the fourth month after I show compliance. Unfortunately, that's when my benefits change so I will likely have to pay for the machine out of pocket because my deductible hasn't been met.

Thanks for the info!

Yes. APAP and Auto CPAP are the same.

NEVER.......I repeat NEVER.......take the word of your DME/equipment provider when they say "your insurance won't approve that" (or something similar). YOU need to verify what your insurance does and doesn't pay for. The highest end (priced) APAPs and the lowest end (priced) CPAPs have exactly the same insurance code......E0601. Insurance providers pay by insurance codes. It's been all too common for DMEs to lie to the users in this regard in order for them to maximize THEIR profits by providing the cheapest CPAPs to the users. As in those links I gave you, don't let them do a "switcheroo" on you. You can get an APAP for the same price as the cheapest CPAP.......and DON'T let them try to "upcharge" you.
Do lots of homework and get familiar with the makes, models and model numbers.
Since we're close to the end of the year, if your deductible resets on January 1, you could get hit with a higher cost if it doesn't get paid off before then.


Den

.

I will speak with them about it. Thank you!

the people on the forum are awesome. Really just reading the information and guidance provided saves other people significant time, and money.

I don't know if any other industry users like this group exists, but for me, you all are totally unique and worth your weight in gold.

R