CPAP Titration - any advice?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
davep700
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CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by davep700 » Thu Oct 08, 2015 12:31 pm

Hello,

Being newly diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea, I am going to have my CPAP titration study very soon. Any advice or things I should know before going?

I know some people cannot tolerate these masks, and I have a feeling I will be among those. How can you describe the feeling of this mask so I will know what to brace myself, and know what I'm experiencing is typical?

Being diagnosed is actually a relief, because now I can treat this ruinous condition that I should have discovered years ago, that I called "chronic fatigue syndrome".

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kteague
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by kteague » Thu Oct 08, 2015 12:59 pm

Kinda hard to predict how one will respond to the mask and the treatment. It is at best awkward experiencing the new sensations. Kinda depends on your sensitivity to stimuli. I've read some on here saying they slept like a log - others not so much. Or not at all. Try to develop the mindset that you will finally be safe to fall soundly asleep - an eager anticipation. Dread does not help the experience. There's often a process of figuring out the best mask, etc. but some do get lucky and the mask they use in the lab is the golden ticket. Best wishes during your titration.

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Julie
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by Julie » Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:03 pm

Once you've been titrated, your MD will be able to prescribe a machine and settings... there's not much to know prior to that, though KT's advice re anticipating the worst is very good. But once it's done, you want to be sure you get an autopap machine (vs plain Cpap) because it can also run in Cpap mode - some people prefer it - but a plain Cpap only does cpap. And it's very important to get a machine that not only records 'compliance' data that tells your insce. co. you're using it, but one that gives lots of data about how you sleep every night, so you can see if anything needs tweaking - pressures, leaks, and a lot more. There are very many masks out there, and you should have a choice, though your sleep study should also suggest if you need a nasal one, or a 'full face', which is a nasal one extended just a bit to cover your mouth if it opens once you're asleep, as you could lose all the therapy air that way. Dealers may tell you that Apaps are not covered by your insce, but they use the same billing code to charge them, so don't let them give you a hard time... however it would be best to check with your company and see what they say they do cover - some are better than others. Your doctor could write a script for "mask of patient's choice", so you can get a choice, and remember to try them on while lying down, as your face changes a lot when you do that, making the mask fit differently from when you're sitting up.

Get the full summary of your tests (yours by law) and your prescriptions from your MD (not just the one pg one) if possible, and keep it, sending copies to dealers in future if you need new masks or machines that they'll keep on file. Come back to this thread with more info when you have it and we'll help you get set up.

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LSAT
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by LSAT » Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:22 pm

davep700 wrote:Hello,

Being newly diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea, I am going to have my CPAP titration study very soon. Any advice or things I should know before going?

I know some people cannot tolerate these masks, and I have a feeling I will be among those. How can you describe the feeling of this mask so I will know what to brace myself, and know what I'm experiencing is typical?

Being diagnosed is actually a relief, because now I can treat this ruinous condition that I should have discovered years ago, that I called "chronic fatigue syndrome".
Go in with a positive attitude....sounds like you already know you are going to have problems. There may be some initial discomfort but you will feel/sleep so much better.

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SewTired
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by SewTired » Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:50 am

Dave, if you have a mask preference, ask the tech for something like it. That way, the titration will show whether it is working for you or not. I knew going in that I was not a mouth breather and wanted to use nasal pillows. I didn't much like the nasal pillow mask supplied by the tech, but it did show that nasal pillows worked fine for me. I have since switched to other models.

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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by CPAP MASK » Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:11 am

Highly recommend you rent one first, quite costy if you just buy one and realize that if doesn't work for you. My bro got one from [CPAP outlet] and has been using it for 3 months. Hope my answer helps.

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LSAT
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by LSAT » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:22 am

Most (good)DMEs will allow mask exchanges at no cost. .They get credit from the manufacterers. Other DMEs may tell you that it is too costly for them to do it. Before you decide on a DME...ask questions. It's your choice where you spend your money..Just check with your insurance company to find out what DMEs are in network.

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KeepSmiling
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by KeepSmiling » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:11 am

Dave,

Relax, There is nothing to titration. How many nights will your titration last. I have only seen nasal masks given for titration.


Do you know if you sleep with your mouth open? If you do tell them so they do not give you a nasal mask. I do not know if the data will be accurate if air is leaking from your mouth.



Advice/make sure:

You get to try the mask laying down on your back and sides to check for leaks. Find out when you can go back, ie next day if you had issues during the night.

If you are claustrophobic, make sure they do not give you anything that is in your face (covering your eyes), if you feel stressed with a mask while trying it on the feeling will probably get worse during the night.

Keep the mask on for at least five minutes at the DME, do you feel comfortable with the amount of air you are getting. I have know people to complain that they felt they could not breath with the ramp on. Not sure if it applies now, different masks have/had different minimum pressure needed, so it is important that the minimum on the machine is the minimum for the mask they give you.

At home, do not be afraid to sleep on your back, as long as there are no medical reasons not to sleep on your back.


Good Luck.

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Midnight Strangler
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by Midnight Strangler » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:23 am

KeepSmiling wrote:Do you know if you sleep with your mouth open? If you do tell them so they do not give you a nasal mask. I do not know if the data will be accurate if air is leaking from your mouth.
This is unnecessary worry. In a sleep lab titration, they will start with a nasal mask. If they see you are mouthbreathing, they might add a chin strap. Or they will switch to a FFM.

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curems
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by curems » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:27 am

My doctor's suggestion was to try as many masks as you want when you have your titration - if it doesn't feel right before you start, try something else. And know that just the slightest difference between one mask and another may make all of the difference in the world. I tried 3 different masks that were all very similar but just tiny difference in height made the difference between using it comfortably or getting open pressure sores. Don't give up - there is a mask out there for everyone.

Relax, be patient, and get as much out of it as you can.

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bwexler
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by bwexler » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:44 am

Watch "Top Gun" all the jet pilots wear full face masks, its cool.
Just think of yourself as a fighter pilot.

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Wulfman...
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by Wulfman... » Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:11 pm

Since the comments have drifted toward masks......in my split-night study 10 1/2 yrs. ago I specifically asked for a full face mask. I knew I was a life-long mouth-breather and had years of experience on a volunteer fire department wearing breathing apparatuses, so I had absolutely no problems with that.


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WindCpap
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by WindCpap » Fri Oct 09, 2015 7:09 pm

I did my Titration about a month ago, and just started on CPAP.

Get your doctor to prescribe a sleeping pill, and make sure he/she prescribes more than one so you can try it out before your titration to make sure it doesn't have any really nasty effects. You will be able to get at least a couple of full sleep cycles in with the pill, enough to give them the data they need. I felt terrible the next day, but it was just one day.

They will start you with a nasal mask, explaining that they will have to go to a chin strap and a full face mask if you breath through your mouth. Don't be alarmed if it is a little bit too tight. They want to get a good seal, and it it is just for one night. Also, don't expect that you will be putting your mask on that tight on a regular bases ( in short, don't worry about it). If you get a little claustrophobic, don't be afraid to take a few breaths through your mouth to convince your brain you are getting enough air. They aren't going to rush in with a chin strip the moment you do because they are fully aware that you are not yet asleep. They start with a really low pressure, so a lower air flow at first is normal. Actually, don't worry about the mouth breathing thing at all. There is nothing you can do to change what kind of breather you are when you are sleeping.

Go in with a very positive attitude. Talk to the technician about how you are looking forward to using cpap, and ask questions about what is going on.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by chunkyfrog » Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:12 pm

Firefighters wear similar masks, as do fighter pilots, astronauts, and divers.
Use your imagination, and you may have some awesome dreams to entertain you.

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Slartybartfast
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Re: CPAP Titration - any advice?

Post by Slartybartfast » Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:38 pm

They started me with a nasal pillows mask. Opus 360. I still use one. But I'm not a mouth-breather.

As in so many aspects of life, attitude is everything. If you psych yourself into dreading it, then it won't be easy. Once you've been through the initial sleep study, you've been through the worst. The titration should be a piece of cake. Just relax and remember they're doing this so you sleep well.

In my case, my initial study was horrible. I felt like I didn't sleep a wink, and went to work a zombie afterwards. I was so disoriented I didn't even have the presence of mind to wash the gel out of my hair. My boss told me (during a meeting!) that I looked like I spent the night on the street.

When I went in for the titration study, I was a little nervous, but I kept an open mind. I was soon asleep, and slept soundly the whole night. The sleep tech told me next morning that in two hours they had all the data they needed to prescribe my pressure, but he said with a laugh that I was sleeping so deeply, he didn't want to awaken me, so he left the pressure constant and collected more data while I slept the rest of the night.

So don't dread it. You might surprise yourself with how easy it was.