Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
I'll be seeing a sleep specialist today instead of an ENT. Any suggestions on what to ask him? I've been on CPAP for about 77 days. I was using the F&P Icon+ which put my 90% pressure at 5.5. The ResMed S9 puts it capping out at 10 which is the maximum pressure my ENT prescribed. Essentially I'm still waking up like I'm not using a machine. I haven't seen an actual sleep doc so I'm not sure what issues to press and what direction to go in. Appointments are scheduled out months so I want to take advantage of today's visit.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
_________________
Mask: Wisp Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear - Fit Pack |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: SleepyHead |
Currently trying mask #5.
With humor it can all be done.
With humor it can all be done.
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
EDIT: Oops, I failed to notice that you are seeing him today. It's too late to do any of the preliminary stuff but, if you get this in time, perhaps the questions might be helpful.
END EDIT:
First get a copy of SleepyHead or ResScan and get some data about your sleep.
If you are waking up at night, make a sleep journal recording the times of awakening.
If you have a week or two 'til the appointment, make a regular sleep journal showing bed times, wake times, how you feel in the morning, how you feel in the late afternoon. Include anything that you think might contribute to disturbed sleep - watching TV in bed, consuming caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, late night snacks,spicy foods, etc.
Can you convince the DME to run off a set of reports for you? That would be easier than the learning curve for doing it yourself. You do need to do it yourself, but this sounds like a short time until you see the doctor.
Do you still have the F&P Icon+. If so, I think Sleepyhead can run off reports of how well you did using it.
When you get to the doctor,
"How is my treatment progressing?"
"Compared to my sleep study, how do my current numbers compare to where I started?"
"Do you see any benefit to changing the treatment, the pressures?"
"In the data, do you see whether or not there are excessive leaks and, if so, does that suggest a different mask type?"
"Are there foods to avoid?"
"How frequently should I provide you with CPAP reports?"
"May I have a copy of my sleep study reports?"
Good luck and keep positive and non-confrontational. Remember the adage about sugar and vinegar.
END EDIT:
First get a copy of SleepyHead or ResScan and get some data about your sleep.
If you are waking up at night, make a sleep journal recording the times of awakening.
If you have a week or two 'til the appointment, make a regular sleep journal showing bed times, wake times, how you feel in the morning, how you feel in the late afternoon. Include anything that you think might contribute to disturbed sleep - watching TV in bed, consuming caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, late night snacks,spicy foods, etc.
Can you convince the DME to run off a set of reports for you? That would be easier than the learning curve for doing it yourself. You do need to do it yourself, but this sounds like a short time until you see the doctor.
Do you still have the F&P Icon+. If so, I think Sleepyhead can run off reports of how well you did using it.
When you get to the doctor,
"How is my treatment progressing?"
"Compared to my sleep study, how do my current numbers compare to where I started?"
"Do you see any benefit to changing the treatment, the pressures?"
"In the data, do you see whether or not there are excessive leaks and, if so, does that suggest a different mask type?"
"Are there foods to avoid?"
"How frequently should I provide you with CPAP reports?"
"May I have a copy of my sleep study reports?"
Good luck and keep positive and non-confrontational. Remember the adage about sugar and vinegar.
_________________
Mask: Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask |
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
Additional Comments: EverFlo Q 3.0 Liters O2 PR DSX900 ASV |
Oracle 452 Lessons Learned Updated
DSX900 AutoSV with HC150 extra humidifier and Hibernite heated hose
Settings: EPAP Min-10.0, EPAP Max-17, PS Min-3, PS Max-10, Max Pressure-20, Rate-Auto, Biflex-1.
Sleepyhead and Encore Pro 2.21.
DSX900 AutoSV with HC150 extra humidifier and Hibernite heated hose
Settings: EPAP Min-10.0, EPAP Max-17, PS Min-3, PS Max-10, Max Pressure-20, Rate-Auto, Biflex-1.
Sleepyhead and Encore Pro 2.21.
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
JDS74 wrote:EDIT: Oops, I failed to notice that you are seeing him today. It's too late to do any of the preliminary stuff but, if you get this in time, perhaps the questions might be helpful..
keep positive and non-confrontational. Remember the adage about sugar and vinegar.
Yes keep positive
You are not grilling you are inquiring
- chunkyfrog
- Posts: 34378
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
- Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
Yes, if you were actually "grilling", I might suggest a dry rub.
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her |
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
sleep docs, are they better grilled, roasted, or fried...chunkyfrog wrote:Yes, if you were actually "grilling", I might suggest a dry rub.
let's ask the frog!
Get OSCAR
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
Thanks everyone, I went with a honey based sauce. She was great, though reminded me a little of Carrie on the show Homeland.
The suggestions were helpful, I did bring the printouts I had from the F&P software, though I wish I had known to bring my SD card from the ResMed as well. I was told by my ENT that the card was useless in the office...
She changed my prescription settings (still auto range 6-20, whereas my ENT wanted to fix the pressure at 5.5 ), scheduled an appointment with an "expert" mask fitter, who will get to spend an hour going over masks with me, and we scheduled a titration study. She, nor the other doctors at this sleep clinic, will not prescribe the F&P Icon+, fwiw. They are quite skeptical of it and have received several patient reports of bad performance. She has also consulted with several other patients who initially saw my ENT and was not surprised by his lack of knowledge. He is a really good ENT, but not so much when it comes to sleep apnea.
She also changed my diagnosis from mild to severe apnea and weighed the idea of switching to BiPAP if I don't stop swallowing air
_________________
Mask: Wisp Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear - Fit Pack |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: SleepyHead |
Currently trying mask #5.
With humor it can all be done.
With humor it can all be done.
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
Are you currently using the maximum EPR setting of 3? That might help with the air swallowing (aerophagia.)Zeecat wrote:She also changed my diagnosis from mild to severe apnea and weighed the idea of switching to BiPAP if I don't stop swallowing air
There's a youtube video in the links in my signature line that has a suggestion to reduce aerophagia.
_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus |
Please enter your equipment in your profile so we can help you.
Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.
Useful Links.
Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.
Useful Links.
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
I will definitely check out the link, thank you. I've only had the S9 a few days, the EPR is set at 3 and it seems to be helping the issue. I'm hoping it continues.archangle wrote:Are you currently using the maximum EPR setting of 3? That might help with the air swallowing (aerophagia.)Zeecat wrote:She also changed my diagnosis from mild to severe apnea and weighed the idea of switching to BiPAP if I don't stop swallowing air
There's a youtube video in the links in my signature line that has a suggestion to reduce aerophagia.
_________________
Mask: Wisp Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear - Fit Pack |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: SleepyHead |
Currently trying mask #5.
With humor it can all be done.
With humor it can all be done.
- chunkyfrog
- Posts: 34378
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
- Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
Is that a request?
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her |
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
I hear Grilled SleepDoc tastes awful, no matter how you do it.
Re: Suggestions for Grilling my Sleep Doc?
Didn't that use to be a sandwich at the stage deli in NYC?jnk wrote:I hear Grilled SleepDoc tastes awful, no matter how you do it.
49er
_________________
Mask: SleepWeaver Elan™ Soft Cloth Nasal CPAP Mask - Starter Kit |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Use SleepyHead |