Newly (sort of) diagnosed

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:52 am

Hey everyone, welcome a newbie!

This past Monday, I went for a sleep study, and WOWZA, I sure can snore! The sleep tech didn't make a diagnosis of sleep apnea on the spot, but she said that's what it looked like.

So, now I have an appointment set for 4/19 with my ENT to go over the results.

I have a few questions...

1) Since I didn't have a split study, there's a good chance I'll have to go back for ANOTHER sleep study to calibrate the CPAP, right? Do you think a smart CPAP would make the second study unncessary?

2) I am a side sleeper. Does anyone have a recommendation on a good mask to use for someone who sleeps in that position?

3) How long did it take you to get acclimated to the CPAP/Mask combo?

I'm REALLY looking forward to getting real, refreshing sleep. I have a feeling I'll do WHATEVER it takes to make this baby work out for me!

Thanks, everyone....

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:05 am

Tampa Tom wrote:Hey everyone, welcome a newbie!

This past Monday, I went for a sleep study, and WOWZA, I sure can snore! The sleep tech didn't make a diagnosis of sleep apnea on the spot, but she said that's what it looked like.

So, now I have an appointment set for 4/19 with my ENT to go over the results.

I have a few questions...

1) Since I didn't have a split study, there's a good chance I'll have to go back for ANOTHER sleep study to calibrate the CPAP, right? Do you think a smart CPAP would make the second study unncessary?

Maybe, talk to your doctor about it. He might be willing to try an AUTO for a while to see how you do over a period of time.

Tampa Tom wrote:2) I am a side sleeper. Does anyone have a recommendation on a good mask to use for someone who sleeps in that position?

I use the Aura and I am a side sleeper. There are other masks that do as well. I would not suggest a full face.

Tampa Tom wrote:3) How long did it take you to get acclimated to the CPAP/Mask combo?

Depends on what you mean by acclimated. I was 100% compliant from day one. To get used to it requires a mask that will work for you.

Tampa Tom wrote:I'm REALLY looking forward to getting real, refreshing sleep. I have a feeling I'll do WHATEVER it takes to make this baby work out for me!

Thanks, everyone....

What makes it work is to wear it whenever you are sleeping. Shoot for 100% compliance always!

Welcome aboard!

littlebaddow · Post by **littlebaddow** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:31 am

Welcome Tampa Tom

I assume by smart CPAP you mean an auto and if so, there's a widely expressed view in this forum that this is the most flexible route to go. Certainly in my case, it has meant that I can keep an eye on my progrsss without expensive repeat visits to the doc, and I have never yet reached the prescribed prssure (11cm) with my APAP yet I'm getting effective treatment.

I'm a side sleeper and get on well with the Mirage Vista, but it's not a popular model amongst fellow forum members, so best ignore me on that one!

As to time taken, unless you are one of the lucky (very) few who feel great after the first couple of nights, expect it to take weeks or months, expect setbacks, but most importantly expect that it will help and stick with it.

Good luck

Hugh Jass · Post by **Hugh Jass** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:51 am

1) Since I didn't have a split study, there's a good chance I'll have to go back for ANOTHER sleep study to calibrate the CPAP, right? Do you think a smart CPAP would make the second study unncessary?

If your only interest is knowing what the lab thinks your ideal pressure is, then you probably wouldn't need to go back. It depends on how you feel.

I'm going back because I'm still exhausted and I'm curious if CPAP has improved my fragmented sleep.

Only a PSG can determine that.

Regards

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:48 pm

Hey, so far, there are some really good suggestions!

My ENT's office must be tired of hearing from me - I'm trying to see if I can get my appointment moved up a few days.

Can't wait until the 19th!

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:19 pm

Tom. it sounds like you and I have at least one thing in common.....impatience!! LOL I was at the point of being sick and tired of being sick and tired and couldn't WAIT to get in to have sleep lab appointment, get study read and get a prescription from my Doctor. And, yep, it took about a week to get in for sleep study, another week for the sleep doctor to read the study and another couple of days for him to send it to my regular Dr. But, I kept bugging everyone involved, to the point that one of the sleep techs went up and got the report and faxed it to my Dr. It took my Dr. 2 days to get me my prescription, then I started working with my insurance folks. THAT's when it got fun!

Read some of wader's early posts as well as some of the other posts. It'll help prepare you for the road ahead. Some folks have smooth sailing, but it's mostly because they've assumed the responsibility of doing follow-up after follow-up to keep things moving in a forward manner.

Good luck to you! Believe me, this therapy WORKS!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:19 pm

Kajun - Yeah, that's starting to fit me to a T

I'm a hobby woodworker, and I have had no energy for the past four months to go out in the shop. I'm gonna start considering a CPAP an essential Shop Tool!

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:29 pm

ooops - sorry, forgot to log in...

Let me try something here...

Here's one of the projects I built...

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:58 pm

Tampa Tom wrote:ooops - sorry, forgot to log in...

Let me try something here...

Here's one of the projects I built...

WOWZERS!! That would make a way-kewl cpap transport box!!! LOL

(Nice work!! Seriously, very nice!)

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:32 pm

Beautiful wooden boxes!

Good masks for side sleepers, imho:

Aeiomed's Aura (the DME probably won't even have heard of that new one, much less have it...you can buy it online.)
Nasal pillows interface.

Puritan Bennett's Breeze (most DMEs should have that one.)
Nasal pillows interface.

ResMed's Activa (most DMEs should have that one too.)
Nasal mask - covers the nose.

If it turns out that you have to breathe through your mouth or leak treatment air badly out your mouth, I'd get this one:

ResMed's Ultra Mirage FF (full face mask, covers nose and mouth.)

Actually, a FF mask is a good "extra" mask to have for nights when you might have a cold and simply can't breathe through your nose. But as Mike pointed out, other types of masks are usually more comfortable to sleep in, especially for sleeping on one's side.

Under "normal plain vanilla OSA" circumstances, I'd definitely try to get an autopap for at-home titration instead of going back to a sleep clinic for the titration.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:41 pm

Tom,

I agree, what terrific wooden boxes. Do you do other types of woodworking? Any Bas Relief?

Wish you good luck in getting your next appointment set up. You really do have to pester them to do the right thing. These doctors don't suffer from sleep apnea, or they would certainly understand the need to get this treatment started. Sure it may have taken forever to finally know what's been ailing you, and some doctors might think "what's another week or two." But if it were they in your boat, you can bet they'd be set up in no time.

Let us know how it goes. I bet you'll get rid of that daytime exhaustion very quickly and you'll be busy again with your fine craft. Keep us posted!

Linda

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:42 am

Shucks, guys

I mostly do cabinetwork - those boxes were gifts a few Christmases ago. And, yeah, that wouldn't be a bad idea for holding all of my CPAP equipment

Now, I'm seeing some recommendations to get two masks - a full-facer for colds, and a nasal one for every time else.

I guess my NEXT question is - OK - my medical insurance covers the DME (CPAP itself), but what about masks? Are they typically covered with the unit? I'd imagine I'd have to check with my carrier....

Lindi · Post by **Lindi** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 2:21 pm

I have been reading this forum since November 2004 when I was diagnosed with severe OSA. I have been using the CPAP machine since the end of January (took that long for the equipment to arrive and the insurance company to figure out that I needed a FF mask. I felt better right away. This forum has helped me immensely with my questions and concerns. Now I am reading about traveling over seas with my CPAP machine . It should be interesting.

Just for information, I have severe OSA . My primary care physician sent me for a sleep study because I was complaining that I had trouble falling asleep and staying asleep - feltlike I could sleep all day. I had no trouble staying awake during the day once I got up. During the initial sleep study I was averaging over 30 arousals an hour with a O2 level dropping to below 80%, the titration (spelling??) study with the CPAP dropped the arousals to 5 per hour and kept the O2 level at 95%. I am using a Remstar Plus set at 15 with a heated humidifier.

There is a boat load of information on this forum and I am slowly wading my way through it. Keep up the good information. Linda

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 2:32 pm

Well, Lindi, thanks for the info. Can't believe my appointment is only five days away....

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 6:30 pm

Tampa Tom, I think think most would agree that the remstar auto with c-flex and heated humidifier is the best all around machine. It can be set at a straight pressure, or on auto which means it will adjust pressure as you need it. The c-flex means that when you exhale the pressure slows down. This too can be adjusted. The machine also has software that allows you to download data on your computer to see whats happening as you sleep, ie. the pressure, snore index, apneas etc. Its something that I would fight to get. I had a cpap (constant pressure) for a year and the auto is incredible!!! Good luck and keep asking questions in here.

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