Newbie-Third Night on CPAP

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
NorCal-Gal
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:40 am
Location: Santa Rosa,CA

Newbie-Third Night on CPAP

Post by NorCal-Gal » Mon Oct 20, 2014 10:23 am

I was diagnosed with mild apnea. AHI of 9.4 with lowest oxygen saturation of 87%. I am in the first week of treatment, using the equipment that Kaiser gave me for a weeks evaluation, no humidifier. They will download the data in a week and give me prescription etc. I do not have DME coverage so I will have to purchase myself.

Last night was the third night hooked up. It took awhile to fall asleep, with wake ups to turn over etc. but last night I woke up and thought that I didn't have the mask on when I did. I can see where this will get easier and from the first night, I do not wake up with my usual morning headache. The R.T. who gave a "class" on how to use the machines told us that if we kept using the machines, everyone would feel "normal" within three months. It will be nice to be normal, although I think that's the wrong word.

I don't have a question, but can see maybe a light at the end of the tunnel here when I had the mask on but thought I didn't.

Thank you for all the great information here, I have been reading the boards for a couple of weeks now.

wilsonintexas
Posts: 406
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 7:15 am

Re: Newbie-Third Night on CPAP

Post by wilsonintexas » Mon Oct 20, 2014 10:40 am

It does get better over time. After 2 years, I have trouble if I do NOT have it on...... It may take a while and some tuning, but in the long rung it can make a difference, if you can adjust to the machine.

Good luck and let us know how it is going.

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63941
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Newbie-Third Night on CPAP

Post by Pugsy » Mon Oct 20, 2014 10:54 am

NorCal-Gal wrote:The R.T. who gave a "class" on how to use the machines told us that if we kept using the machines, everyone would feel "normal" within three months.
They must have a better crystal ball than what I have.
This information is why some people end up putting the machine in the closet...they don't feel "normal" or they don't get the "miracle" they expected for some reason or other so they think "it's not working" and give up.
The other one I "like" is..."oh, you will feel like a different person"...and unfortunately that doesn't happen to a lot of people. Unrealistic expectations as to what effective cpap therapy can accomplish.
Works great with sleep apnea related symptoms but doesn't work at all on unwanted symptoms caused by something other than sleep apnea and there's a huge long list of other culprits out there totally unrelated to sleep apnea.

Since you don't have DME coverage with your insurance plan you might want to look at cpap.com or secondwindcpap.com for a machine and humidifier. They (Kaiser) may offer you a machine at a better price..or not...just check it out to see which way saves you the most money.
Be sure to get a full efficacy data machine.
Kaiser usually promotes one machine brand through Apria...not sure which brand it is in your area.
Most likely Respironics or ResMed...
I think if I were in your shoes (with your low AHI history) I would look closely at the newest ResMed machine designed for women...the AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her...it has a special mode that is supposed to maybe help women. I don't know just how much it really works but it's something that might come in useful and it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Since the cost for that model machine isn't all that much higher ...might be worth having that extra feature....just in case.

If money is tight and there's a big difference in price between it and the Respironics PR System One 60 Series Auto cpap (model 560) that machine would still be a good option...full data, easy to use software, easy to get software and a very good machine.

_________________
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