Got the diagnosis, got the script, nervous

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
eptreyg
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2014 8:27 pm
Location: Austin, Texas

Got the diagnosis, got the script, nervous

Post by eptreyg » Sat Sep 20, 2014 8:59 pm

After several months of horrible sleep, I finally did a sleep study which revealed severe sleep apnea. I skipped right past normal and moderate and went to severe. Apria has been somewhat surprisingly helpful and prompt. My doctor has scripted a Respironics System One. No idea if it is auto or not.

I have a few questions:

1) I have never been able to sleep on my back, save at the sleep study- where all the electrodes made me sleep on my back. I typically sleep on my stomach. Any advice on learning to sleep in a new position? I'm guessing it will be my side.

2) Starting out with a nose mask, though I'm drawn to the nasal pillow type. Any suggestions on helping to determine which mask may be the best for me?

3) Any tricks to first starting out? My appointment with the RT is on Wednesday, and I'm looking forward to starting so I can finally start to feel better.

I'm glad I found this community.


T

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LSAT
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Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: Got the diagnosis, got the script, nervous

Post by LSAT » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:32 pm

Whenever possible...DO NOT sleep on your back. That is not a good position if you have SA.

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Bill44133
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Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:34 pm
Location: North Royalton, OH

Re: Got the diagnosis, got the script, nervous

Post by Bill44133 » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:40 pm

Welcome to the forum.. You are in a good place here.

Sleeping on your back is not a good idea.

Take 15 minutes and review this youtube video it will help you understand what is going on with you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gie2dhqP2c

This video put the whole thing in perspective for me. I was able to show this video to my family to help them understand what is going on me.


Mask are tough and every one is different. I also was diagnosed severe. You can finally get some get sleep once you get your setup.


I wish you well

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Krelvin
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Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:23 pm
Location: Metro Phx Area - Dry Heat!

Re: Got the diagnosis, got the script, nervous

Post by Krelvin » Sun Sep 21, 2014 1:07 am

eptreyg wrote:1) I have never been able to sleep on my back, save at the sleep study- where all the electrodes made me sleep on my back. I typically sleep on my stomach. Any advice on learning to sleep in a new position? I'm guessing it will be my side.
I sleep on my stomach... wasn't able to when I first got my machine, I would start on my back and quickly roll to one side. Had a hard time sleeping since I have been a stomach sleeper forever. One reason is it helped me breath better before the using an Xpap even entered into the discussion.

Over a few months, I started to experiment and slowing got to where I would end up on my stomach with a firm scrunched up pillow that allowed my head to lie on the pillow with the mask hanging over one side or the other.

Eventually, I didn't even bother starting even on my side, just get into bed on my stomach. Works well for a couple reasons.

1) Been doing it all my life
2) Actually makes it easier to deal with leaks as I tend to sleep with my hand near the mask where the tube enters the mask and I can guide it one way or the other to adjust leaks out.

One issue is I do end up with a sore back from time to time, but it goes away fairly quickly when I get up.

Should have my wife take a picture some day, until then the image below.

The key for me is that when my head is turned left or right, the mask needs to be on the edge of the pillow hanging over around where my mouth edges are. I sleep the majority of the time with my head to the left, but switch to my right several times a night and most of the time back.

Image

The line is where the edge of the pillow is and the mask hangs over. I actually use a regular firm pillow that my wife says I abuse, scrunch up.

Been looking at one of those buckwheat hulls blended with shredded foam Pur-sleep pillows but have hesitated due to the cost and the fact that my current pillow works well. I think it might work out better though so I might eventually pop for one. I didn't see his sample message or I would have jumped all over that.
Current Settings PS 4.0 over 10.6-18.0 (cmH2O) - Resmed S9 VPAP Auto w/h5i Humidifier - Quattro Air FFM
TNET Sleep Resource Pages - CPAP Machine Database
Put your equip in your Signature - SleepyHead v1.0.0-beta-1
Kevin... alias Krelvin

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archangle
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Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:55 am

Re: Got the diagnosis, got the script, nervous

Post by archangle » Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:30 am

Welcome to the board.

Please read through the links in my signature line, or there's a really good chance you'll be screwed by you DME (CPAP seller) and others in the medical system.

Be EXTRA careful to not let them give you a bad CPAP machine that doesn't record full data.

In general, your apnea is better if you don't sleep on your back so don't worry about that. They tend to force you to sleep on your back during a sleep study because apnea is worse on your back. At home, sleep however works best for you.

For those who DO want to sleep on their backs, don't worry about that too much. You may need some more pressure if you sleep on your back, but the CPAP machine can probably be set to handle it.

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Please enter your equipment in your profile so we can help you.
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Janknitz
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Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: Got the diagnosis, got the script, nervous

Post by Janknitz » Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:35 am

Make sure you understand what a brick is and be prepared to walk out empty-handed if they try to give you one. Chances are they will. See "What you need to Know BEFORE you meet your DME" in my blog below. Don't go in with a big "S" for sucker on your head.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

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tortoisegirl
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Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2014 6:52 am
Location: WA

Re: Got the diagnosis, got the script, nervous

Post by tortoisegirl » Sun Sep 21, 2014 5:53 pm

I agree that I also don't think sleeping on your back when you have apnea is a bad thing...as long as your CPAP can successfully treat your apnea. I hope everything goes well at the DME for you. Definitely be firm if needed and don't leave with a machine which doesn't meet your needs, which includes having full data and zero run hours. Ask their mask exchange policy, as it is common to need to try several. Best wishes.

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Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
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Additional Comments: CPAP pressure of 5; diagnosed AHI=9; also have PLMD & insomnia