thank you for being here

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
McShane78
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:24 am

thank you for being here

Post by McShane78 » Mon Dec 29, 2014 10:09 am

Hi all

I am a 36 years old Dane and was recently diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea. I am awaiting further tests before I get my C-pap. I want to thank you all for the large amount of knowledge on this forum and your willingness to share your personal experiences. Personally I have been happy with receiving the diagnosis, as I have been struggling for a long time to figure out what was wrong with me. I have had several depressions and other problems, such as lacking awareness and ability to concentrate. I simply don't see things that happen around me and people tend to get angry with me for it. I sometimes come across as an inconsiderate douche.
To the best of my knowledge the issue has been present all my life and I am happy to finally believe that things are going to improve. I have rediscovered a hope that I haven't felt for a long time.

Thank you forum people for being here for us newbies. With your help/advice/shared knowledge I am sure that my transition into a new energized life, will be a less troublesome one

All the best

McShane78

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BlackSpinner
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Re: thank you for being here

Post by BlackSpinner » Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:56 pm

Welcome to the forum.

I know how you feel about the hope and for me it worked like a miracle, a slow and subtle miracle that I could see looking back.

When you get your equipment come back and post it and we can help with any tricks you might need.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear
Additional Comments: Quatro mask for colds & flus S8 elite for back up
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

abeck99
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Re: thank you for being here

Post by abeck99 » Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:34 pm

Ditto here, this forum and the people on it are excellent.

I've been on here for a week and almost any time I have a question I don't have to post anything since it's already answered!

McShane78
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:24 am

Re: thank you for being here

Post by McShane78 » Mon Dec 29, 2014 6:09 pm

Thank you very much for your replies. I promise to get back to you for tips and hints when I get my equipment. I must admit that I really cannot wait to get the equipment.

All the best

McShane78

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chunkyfrog
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Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: thank you for being here

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Dec 29, 2014 6:51 pm

Much can be found without even asking. Few problems are totally new.
I lurked for about four months without posting/joining, just reading what is already here.
I am still learning new things.

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Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

McShane78
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:24 am

Re: thank you for being here

Post by McShane78 » Mon Dec 29, 2014 6:58 pm

chunkyfrog wrote:Much can be found without even asking. Few problems are totally new.
I lurked for about four months without posting/joining, just reading what is already here.
I am still learning new things.
This is my plan exactly. That is also why I have joined already: To try to plan ahead and prepare for possible upcoming issues, just by reading different posts on different topics. I did that for about 12 hours and then decided to post a thank you note to all the experienced users for sharing their knowledge. I almost feel home safe already . However I am sure the c-pap will throw me a curve ball or two once I get it, in which case I will look through the info on here or ask.

abeck99
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Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:09 pm

Re: thank you for being here

Post by abeck99 » Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:18 pm

I don't think I got any work done for the first three days after being diagnosed - googling and trawling through these here forums.

Now I feel like an expert!
Which means I'm just a beginner - the more you know the less you feel like an expert :p

McShane78
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:24 am

Re: thank you for being here

Post by McShane78 » Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:51 am

Hi all you lovely people.

I promised to follow up on what is happening. I am going to hospital on january 22nd and they told me that I will receive my machine then. I am really looking forward to getting started with the treatement.
I live in Denmark so public healthcare will be taking care of my expenses ( before you explode with envy, know that we pay a terrible amount of tax in my country: starting at 36% going up to 70% depending on your income)

I dont know which machine they will give me, from what I understand they have many different models and the doctors will propably decide which is best. However, in case I get the option to choose I was wondering if I should go for CPAP or APAP. Maybe you guys have some input/advice on that?
I have been reading up on some of the different models and I am leaning towards the Airsense 10 auto or the S9, but I wont know my options before the 22nd.

Once again thank you for being here for us newbies
Last edited by McShane78 on Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

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TangledHose
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Re: thank you for being here

Post by TangledHose » Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:10 am

You are doing the right thing by reading and researching all the information to be found here, I applaud your approach to your upcoming treatment.

You have probably all ready discovered this, but to answer your question if you get an APAP you have the option of running it in either CPAP (fixed pressure) mode or, of course, APAP mode with a range of pressure, so if I were you , and you have any say in the matter I would request an APAP model as you would be getting more flexibility than you would if you just had a straight CPAP machine.

Of course I am making the assumption that you just have OSA and not a more complex form of Apnea that might require a BiPAP machine or an ASV machine.

Good luck with your appointment and keep us posted on your progress.......and Welcome

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Simplus Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Also own F&P Icon Auto for backup and travel; and a Transcend when packing space is limited
Link to Sleepyhead:
http://sleepfiles.com/SH2/

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Sheriff Buford
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Re: thank you for being here

Post by Sheriff Buford » Fri Jan 16, 2015 5:30 am

McShane78 wrote:I dont know which machine they will give me, from what I understand they have many different models and the doctors will propably decide which is best.
Thank you for the very nice thank you! Work all your issues here. I was so grateful for the help I received AND how cpap therapy has changed my life for the better, I decided to stick around for a while and help folks starting out and was lost as I was. I would make sure (insist, demand, etc..) that you get a data-capable machine. The Resmed S9 or S10 is a good machine. Tell those folks you want to monitor your progress and therapy treatment. If they give you a machine that offers no treatment data, you'll have no way to track your progress (and neither will they).

Best wishes, and keep us updated,

Sheriff

McShane78
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:24 am

Re: thank you for being here

Post by McShane78 » Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:49 am

Thank you for the pointers, I really appriciate it. I am eager to get started.
Data capability is a must. I am a "data freak" and I cannot imagine doing such a profound change in my life without following my progress closely.
Also, from what I have read in these forums, there seems to be a consensus that we need to take charge/responsibility for our own treatment, so I want to read and understand my data and also have the ability to fine tune the machine.

I will talk to the doctors and push for an S9 or Airsense 10. Can't wait to get some hands-on experience
I will keep you posted on what happens.

Have a great weekend

/McShane78

McShane78
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:24 am

Re: thank you for being here

Post by McShane78 » Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:42 am

Hi guys

So I finally got my hands on the machine today. PR System One REMstar Auto A-flex. There was nothing else to choose from basically and I am guessing that it is all right.

The doctor thought that I should try it for the first two months without the humidifier. It was a bit a hassle to clean it they said. I am not sure I agree, but hey for now I will just go with what they tell me.

I specifically asked about data capability in order to track data and the nurse showed me the SD card and the SD slot. She made it very clear that the card was NOT to be touched as they would need the data for my file and future treatment and possible adjustment. Seems lot's of users on here have been told the same thing. Well, being "a good boy" I promised not to meddle with the SD card ( for now... ). I did however inform them that I wanted access to my data sometime in the future so I could track my progress. The main thing is that there is data capability.

I was happy to see that they gave me an auto and I was told that from the initial home-sleep study they had set it to ramp at 4 cm/H2O and max at 16cm/H2O. my intial study had shown an Ahi of 16,3, which is not a lot compared to many other patients ( but apparently enough for the first doctor to tell me I couldn't drive until I started treatment)

I got home, had lunch and decided to take "Dumbo" ( yes, I already named the machine) out for a spin. I ended up doing a 1,5 hour nap with absolutely no incident whatsoever.The Wisp did not leak and I didn't find it uncomfortable at all. I will keep my fingers crossed that it will remain as easy as that. The nurse had shown me how to check the results on the screen and I was happy to see an Ahi of 4,1.
Now, I am not sure if it was due to a placebo effect or the fact that I was so eager to get started, but I swear my eyelids were lighter when I woke up and when I looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes seemed more open.

I am looking forward to sleeping tonight I can't wait to see how I will feel after more hours of real sleep. Tomorrow I will let you guys know how it went.

All the best

McShane78

Sleeprider
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Re: thank you for being here

Post by Sleeprider » Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:54 am

Glad to hear you have a machine in hand to work with. I'm certain you will want the humidifier. I find cold dry air hitting my throat to be extremely disruptive, and have awakened when the humidifier is not set correctly. I also prefer the heated hose to avoid rain-out and for additional comfort, but I don't think you got the 60 series machine. If you ever want to get a heated hose on your own, just buy one from Sleepzone.com. I used one since 2008 and it makes a difference, especially those occasions you're sick.

Keep us posted on progress. The main hurtle is being comfortable, then finding the settings that work best. Do you know your machine settings? Ramp? Many auto machines are dispensed wide open with minimum pressure of 4.0 and max of 20.0 cm. The low pressure can be uncomfortable (not enough air), and can cause a time-lag for the machine to respond to events. Keep an eye on it.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
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OkyDoky
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Re: thank you for being here

Post by OkyDoky » Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:15 am

[quote="McShane78"]
I was happy to see that they gave me an auto and I was told that from the initial home-sleep study they had set it to ramp at 4 cm/H2O and max at 16cm/H2O. my intial study had shown an Ahi of 16,3, which is not a lot compared to many other patients ( but apparently enough for the first doctor to tell me I couldn't drive until I started treatment)

If this is a new machine you may have chosen the wrong one in your equipment. It's easy to do with the PR machines. I would tell you to empty the water out of the humidifer, but since you don't have one, you don't have to worry about that step. Just turn over and find the REF# if it's a 560 then you need to go to go to the equipment and scroll down to the PR System One REMstar 60 Series Auto Cpap.

It's hard to tell by your settings if it is straight CPAP set at 16 with a ramp starting at 4 of if you are on Auto with a range of 4 to 16.
ResMed Aircurve 10 VAUTO EPAP 11 IPAP 15 / P10 pillows mask / Sleepyhead Software / Back up & travel machine Respironics 760

McShane78
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:24 am

Re: thank you for being here

Post by McShane78 » Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:19 am

Thanks for the heads-up Sleeprider. I will keep your points in mind for when I speak with the doctor again. Their main reason for not giving me the humidifier ( Yes, I asked if I could have one) was that they wanted my sinuses to adjust to the airflow. Again, I am a newbie and decided "to play ball". They told me that it wouldn't be a problem if I wanted one later on.