Greetings, everyone. I'm happy to have found such an active community on this subject, and would like to introduce myself.
I'm 36 years old, and I can't remember a time when I was full of energy. I'm sure I used to be that way when I was younger, but not now. I am always tired. On weekends, I don't want to do much. It's a chore for me to make a trip to the grocery store. I frequently skip social events because I know I'll just end up yawning through conversations and looking for a comfortable place to sit down. I wake up and get out of bed 2 or 3 times a night to go to the bathroom. I rarely have dreams that I remember.
The last 6-12 months has gotten even worse. I've been nodding off in meetings, even when someone is speaking directly to me. I have to ask people to repeat things several times, because even though I hear them, it just doesn't sink in. Sometimes I even start to nod off in the car.
Finally I went to see the doctor, who sent me for an overnight sleep study. The results shocked me. He said my AHI was over 80?!?! With 30+ being severe, I wondered (and still do) if something was wrong with the result. Over 200 apneas in a night, averaging 26 seconds each, the longest being 52 seconds. Blood oxygen in the low 80's, and dropped down to the 60's during that 52 second near-death experience. I came out of sleep over 40 times during the night.
No wonder I'm tired.
Last week I went back for a CPAP titration study. All I can say is I cannot wait to get a machine at home because I slept like a BABY! It took me a while to get to sleep, since I was a little uncomfortable, but once I did, I slept through straight until the morning. I couldn't believe it. AHI was 5.5, still not super-low, but I actually slept. I felt like a new man the next day, even with only 6 hours of sleep. I felt energetic, cheerful, and ready for anything. I enjoyed my day so much more than usual. I can't imagine feeling like that every day, but I really want to.
So now I'm just waiting for my doctor and DHE to get off their butts and get me a machine already. I've been calling them to speed up the process, but I imagine I'll be waiting at least a few more days, thinking about how much better I'm going to feel.
I can't imagine what kind of future health problems I'll be avoiding by getting this treatment.
In the meantime, I'm going to try to learn as much as I can so that I can make the best choice of equipment. I'm really interested in the equipment with software, it seems really important to me to be able to monitor your own therapy and be able to make your own adjustments to optimize the function of the machine.
Looking forward to plenty of sweet dreams...
Newbie with CPAP on the way
9 posts
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Congratulations! And welcome to the forum as well! You're on the right track! Most definitely you are going to want a fully data capable CPAP. I wouldn't bring up the issue of software just yet. Some docs freak out that a patient might want that software and might actually "play around" w/their therapy settings. At most, you can CASUALLY MENTION that you understand that Respironics has even come out w/software specifically designed for patients now. But even that might put some sleep docs in "panic mode".
The brand w/the easiest access to the most data via the LCD screen is Resmed. But they make both bare bone compliance data only CPAPs as well as fully data capable CPAPS. What you would want in this brand would be the Resmed S8 II Elite w/EPR or the Resmed S8 II Autoset. ResScan 3.4 would be the software you would eventually want. If you have Vista on your 'puter you would need ResScan 3.5. You also need a specific cable reader for it.
Respironics also makes bare bone straight CPAPs as well as fully data capable CPAPs so what you would want would be the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex, the Respironics M Series Auto w/C-Flex or the newer Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex.The Respironics' patient software is EncoreViewer and you also need specifica cable reader for it.
And Purtian Bennett has the excellent GoodKnight 420E (autoPAP) w/their good SilverLining software. No cable reader needed for this but you do have to take your xPAP to your 'puter.
Puritan Bennett (Covidian) has just come out w/the Sandman which sounds like a great device!
And DeVilBiss has come out w/a newbie, the IntelliAUTO that looks great and sounds great - except there is only the PROMISE of software by this summer w/no indication of just what all data will be available.
Call your insurance company ASAP and ask them what local DME suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one so that you have some bargaining and negotiating room to get the equipment you want. A CPAP script is good for an autoPAP as well. Both straight CPAPs and autoPAPs are billed at ONE HCPCS code. The insurances do NOT pay by brand and model but by HCPCS code so the difference between these CPAPs is strictly to the local DME suppliers profit margin.
Good luck!
The brand w/the easiest access to the most data via the LCD screen is Resmed. But they make both bare bone compliance data only CPAPs as well as fully data capable CPAPS. What you would want in this brand would be the Resmed S8 II Elite w/EPR or the Resmed S8 II Autoset. ResScan 3.4 would be the software you would eventually want. If you have Vista on your 'puter you would need ResScan 3.5. You also need a specific cable reader for it.
Respironics also makes bare bone straight CPAPs as well as fully data capable CPAPs so what you would want would be the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex, the Respironics M Series Auto w/C-Flex or the newer Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex.The Respironics' patient software is EncoreViewer and you also need specifica cable reader for it.
And Purtian Bennett has the excellent GoodKnight 420E (autoPAP) w/their good SilverLining software. No cable reader needed for this but you do have to take your xPAP to your 'puter.
Puritan Bennett (Covidian) has just come out w/the Sandman which sounds like a great device!
And DeVilBiss has come out w/a newbie, the IntelliAUTO that looks great and sounds great - except there is only the PROMISE of software by this summer w/no indication of just what all data will be available.
Call your insurance company ASAP and ask them what local DME suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one so that you have some bargaining and negotiating room to get the equipment you want. A CPAP script is good for an autoPAP as well. Both straight CPAPs and autoPAPs are billed at ONE HCPCS code. The insurances do NOT pay by brand and model but by HCPCS code so the difference between these CPAPs is strictly to the local DME suppliers profit margin.
Good luck!
_________________
| Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex & Humidifier - EncorePro 2.2 Software - Contec CMS-50D+ Oximeter - Respironics EverFlo Q Concentrator |
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
Welcome,
The family here really helps you settle into your treatment
Future health benifits for me was it.......
1)Lowered my blood preassure.
2)I was more energetic so I was able to loose 45lbs.
3)indirectly lowered my cholosteral
and no diabeties.
Just a few things.
how is that looking foward too?
The family here really helps you settle into your treatment
Future health benifits for me was it.......
1)Lowered my blood preassure.
2)I was more energetic so I was able to loose 45lbs.
3)indirectly lowered my cholosteral
and no diabeties.
Just a few things.
how is that looking foward too?
Welcome, Eric!
You've found some of the nicest people on the planet with this forum. Like you, I stopped breathing for almost a minute twice during my study, and my oxygen dropped into the low 70's. I also felt great after my titration study. The hardest period of time was waiting for my CPAP.
Slinky has GREAT advice, as always. But, if you don't get a say in your machine, take whatever they give you and get your therapy started. While you're picking up your machine, ask questions about what data it stores. Mention that your titration got you down to 5.5 AHI, which is still on the borderline of having OSA. Obviously, you'd like it lower, and would like a machine that could monitor your AHI in an on-going manner to achieve it. You could also mention that you've heard of APAP's that can change pressure according to nightly or positional needs to keep your airways open. I would advise that you tread lightly during this phase to get a feel for their attitude towards their patients.
Also, remember that the mask is the hardest thing to get "just right". See if you can try on several during your fitting. Just because you slept OK during your titration study, the mask you used that night may not be the best one for you - it's a little different when you have to "hose up" every night. Best to try a few if they'll let you.
GOOD LUCK, ERIC!
Let us know how you're doing, and fill out your profile when you get your equipment.
Fondly,
Cathy
You've found some of the nicest people on the planet with this forum. Like you, I stopped breathing for almost a minute twice during my study, and my oxygen dropped into the low 70's. I also felt great after my titration study. The hardest period of time was waiting for my CPAP.
Slinky has GREAT advice, as always. But, if you don't get a say in your machine, take whatever they give you and get your therapy started. While you're picking up your machine, ask questions about what data it stores. Mention that your titration got you down to 5.5 AHI, which is still on the borderline of having OSA. Obviously, you'd like it lower, and would like a machine that could monitor your AHI in an on-going manner to achieve it. You could also mention that you've heard of APAP's that can change pressure according to nightly or positional needs to keep your airways open. I would advise that you tread lightly during this phase to get a feel for their attitude towards their patients.
Also, remember that the mask is the hardest thing to get "just right". See if you can try on several during your fitting. Just because you slept OK during your titration study, the mask you used that night may not be the best one for you - it's a little different when you have to "hose up" every night. Best to try a few if they'll let you.
GOOD LUCK, ERIC!
Let us know how you're doing, and fill out your profile when you get your equipment.
Fondly,
Cathy
_________________
| Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
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