Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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RustyShackleford
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Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by RustyShackleford » Tue Mar 03, 2015 10:21 am

Hi, I've been reading posts here for a month or so. I've recently been diagnosed with OSA. My sleep study revealed that my AHI is 72 when in REM sleep. So I haven't been sleeping properly for years. I had a titration study after my initial study.

Hoping to get some relief from sleepiness, bad memory, fatigue, HBP, and maybe even anxiety.

My main question is besides making sure I get a data capable machine is there anything else I should ask for/about when I pickup my equipment tomorrow. I'm fortunate, my insurance policy is good for OSA related equipment and supplies. Any other suggestions?
Straight CPAP: 11 cmH2O - Diagnosed 2015 - 72 AHI in REM Sleep.

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Tatooed Lady
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by Tatooed Lady » Tue Mar 03, 2015 10:56 am

Heated hose.

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BlackSpinner
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by BlackSpinner » Tue Mar 03, 2015 11:04 am

Proper mask fitting. Think of it like getting a pair of shoes for running a marathon in the wilderness where you life depends your shoes fitting right.

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OldBaldDave
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by OldBaldDave » Tue Mar 03, 2015 12:44 pm

Good luck, i go for mine on thursday.

Keep us updated.
Regards Dave

Asthmatic since i was 2
acid reflux sufferer
Osophageal valve needs to be fixed
10%swallow reflex, possibly in the future a feeding tube.
Life long snorer
OSA

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Tatooed Lady
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by Tatooed Lady » Tue Mar 03, 2015 12:47 pm

BlackSpinner wrote: Think of it like getting a pair of shoes for running a marathon in the wilderness where you life depends your shoes fitting right.
Ummm...can we just suggest running from local wildlife in the wilderness? Or is there a marathon that doesn't run on city streets and stuff? Either way...poor fit = screwed.

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Janknitz
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by Janknitz » Tue Mar 03, 2015 2:54 pm

If you know which model you are getting, learn how to check run hours before you pick it up. When you pick it up, check the run hours before signing anything. There are two reasons to do this:
1. To make sure they are not fobbing off a used machine on you. (Yes, it happens all the time!)
2. To freak out the DME--we're not supposed to know how to do that. That will put them on notice that they are not dealing with the average mushroom that can be kept in the dark and fed BS.
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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archangle
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by archangle » Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:46 pm

Check the useful links in my signature line at the bottom of this post.

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BlackSpinner
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by BlackSpinner » Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:02 pm

Tatooed Lady wrote:
BlackSpinner wrote: Think of it like getting a pair of shoes for running a marathon in the wilderness where you life depends your shoes fitting right.
Ummm...can we just suggest running from local wildlife in the wilderness? Or is there a marathon that doesn't run on city streets and stuff? Either way...poor fit = screwed.
No no - the local wildlife here runs too fast and is too big (grizzly). I don't want to think about it or I will never visit Jasper again.

There is a wilderness race where my daughter lives in the Yukon - you just missed it. The Yukon Arctic Ultra Here you can lose extremities to frostbite.
The 100 mile racers will go from Whitehorse to Braeburn. The 300 mile racers will keep on going all the way to Pelly Farm. There they will leave the river to turn around and go back to Pelly Crossing on the farm road. The 430 mile athletes will not return to Pelly Crossing. Instead they will continue on the Quest trail to Dawson City.

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71. The lame can ride on horseback, the one-handed drive cattle. The deaf, fight and be useful. To be blind is better than to be burnt on the pyre. No one gets good from a corpse. The Havamal

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Pesser
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by Pesser » Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:34 pm

archangle wrote:Check the useful links in my signature line at the bottom of this post.
WOW!!!!!!!!!

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palerider
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by palerider » Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:23 pm

Pesser wrote:
archangle wrote:Check the useful links in my signature line at the bottom of this post.
WOW!!!!!!!!!
it's easier than typing.

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sleepydc
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Re: Getting first CPAP tomorrow, advice?

Post by sleepydc » Wed Mar 04, 2015 10:23 am

I would suggest reading throughout the forum, particularly the "where a CPAP newbie should start" area.

In addition to a data capable machine with a humidifier, you might want to consider:
1. distilled water for use in the humidifier (helps prevent mold buildup)
2. the "hose buddy" or some other system for hanging the hose above you as you sleep, so it's not getting rolled up with you while you're in bed;
3. read through the "success stories" area on this site to help as you go through what can be a challenging adjustment process;
4. figuring out how you're going to clean your mask/whether/how often (I use a combination of washing with ivory in a little plastic tub each morning, followed by a wipe down of the mask with citrus ii cpap wipes; I simply empty the humidifier and let it air dry; I shake out the plastic tubing and hang it to air dry; and once a week I clean the black filter and wash the humidifier unit [but otherwise don't bother with the hose]). Other people prefer different routines.
5. depending on the mask and whether you experience mouth opening or draw drop, consider the "partial taping" system that's described elsewhere;
6. consider learning the relaxing while tongue is placed against the roof of your mouth technique that is described elsewhere;
7. be gentle to yourself as you grow accustommed to stuff.

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