Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Guest » Sat Aug 06, 2011 10:33 am

Fitness Seeker2 wrote:Can someone tell me what type of info would be listed on the 'smart" chip besides :
-AHI number
-mask leakage or not.
-hours of cpap used
Despite the title, this thread is really not the place where a CPAP newbie should start. Start a new thread and ask your questions there.

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peterg
Posts: 191
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by peterg » Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:04 pm

Bigd wrote:Hello
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few months ago. My index number was 97. Apparently this put me in the sever category. I also suffer from depression. About 6 weeks ago I got my CPAP machine. I really strugeled getting my time up due to a number of factors. First I had air blowing out through my closed lips. I swiched to a full face mask but just couldn't get a good fit. As of late I returned to a nasel mask and a gag. An imperfect solution but it works. I have just recently got my time to 8 hours. My depression had disappeared! I went through every med known for depression, had 18 sessions of Electro Shock Therapy and been hospitalized 3 times for suicidal depression. I cant tell you just how much this machine has improved my life. No improved but enabled me to live again.
Bigd
that's terrific to hear. Why they dont get people to do OSA tests as a matter of course for depression 'diagnosis' is beyond me.
Ive been on CPAP for 2 nights from 28 to 2.1 and starting to feel happier, lungs and sinuses clearer. I hope the permanent headache goes away in due course. it will then help me sort out the other, more physcial, issues. cheers.

jewelboxmom
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Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 5:13 pm

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by jewelboxmom » Mon Aug 15, 2011 5:38 pm

I have Never been on a forum before for anything..... Have been reading all of these post for three nights. I got my cpap machine today and will be using it for the first time tonight.. I am a very active person and have had fibromyalgia for years... and so many other things added through the years... now I am to the point of exhaustion!!!! I hate going to bed due to the fact i wake up more tired than when I went to bed. After the last three months and seeing my doctor numerous times and treating me for so many things.. I was about to give up...they did a sleep study and even though my numbers were not alarming... they told me that i still had an issue with my oxygen levels at night and I stop breathing several times.
This is all new to me and so much of a repeat of what so many have already posted... but I am very optimistic using this!! IF THIS HELPS ME.. I WILL SHOUT FOR JOY!!!!!! It has been so hard for me to get my weight off due to NO energy whatsoever. I need to lose about 40lbs. Feel so awful.. i run my own business and so many are making me aware of changes about myself and daily habits that I have not been aware of. Thank you all for taking the time to post.... not sure how to talk the talk yet, as far as numbers on the cpap... but had my hour education on it today... wearing the full face mask and air pressure is only at a 7 with humidifier added. Got butterflies just talking about.. I guess I am expecting a change SOON!!

mowdoc
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by mowdoc » Thu Sep 01, 2011 2:49 pm

This is my first post on this forum, all though, I am not new to forums. I have been reading this forum for about a month since I learned I was joining the "hose head" group.

I was tested for sleep apnea because I have Afib and can't hold sinus tythem for more than a week following the cardioversion/tee procedures. I have had three of those done but just can't "hang in there". When I explained to my cardiologist during a visit that my wife monitors the Afib morning and night and I always seem to be fine at bed time and then wake up in Afib the next morning. This has been the case every time the Afib has started. His eyes went wide open and told me I would be tested for sleep apnea. Sure enough, here I am with "mild" OSA HAI of 14 but since I have the Afib, I got me a CPAP!!! Time will tell if the CPAP helps the Afib but I have my fingers crossed.

Tonight will be my third night on the CPAP. I have found it much easier to get a grip on than expected. I believe this is COMPLETELY due to the sound and solid advice I read here first. Thank you everyone.

My equipment should be listed below but I have not seen it yet as this is my first post. I selected this equipment based heavily on your posts. I am very happy with the equipment so far.

My first night was exciting so I did not sleep much of the 6.4 hours I had in bed. My HAI did fall to 3.4 and I had the happy face symbol showing I met compliance so I call the first night a total success!!!

My second night got me a lot more sleep time. I had no issues with leaks and had another happy face. My HAI was up to 6.5 though so I'm not sure what to think about that. I'll wait a few weeks before contacting my Dr.

The Climate Control Hose works very nice!! Living in the desert we are used to having very dry mouth in the mornings. NOT ME!!! I have been moist and clear both mornings and I have not snored. My wife wishes she could get the humidity!!

I will prolly visit uncle bob's sig line for the software soon. I think I would like to see what I am doing even though I will never make adjustments without my Dr's approval. I am very good at what I do, some call me a Dr., but I know nothing about medicine so I will listen to the professionals for that advice.

Just wanted to say hello and get my first post up
mowdoc

sleepeehead
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 3:56 pm

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by sleepeehead » Sat Sep 03, 2011 4:12 pm

I did my sleep study a few weeks ago and I have severe sleep apnea .
Tonight I go in for the second study to be fitted for the mask and pressures.
I live in a small town with only 1 DME and they have a very bad reputation,,, the more I read it seems like DME's in general have a bad reputation.
My doctor is sure to just call the local DME if I don't stop her.
does anyone have any good advice for how I should deal with this?
PS,, I do have insurance and a small deductable,,85% after
THANKS

Nathan1097
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:04 pm

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Nathan1097 » Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:20 pm

I am new here. I got my machine 3 weeks ago. My study was in June. I asked for a study after being told I snore, but more than that, I was in the ER on large amounts of morphine and once I was more conscious, the nurse said "you were really sawing logs".

My first week was a disaster. I never made 4 hours. And the first weekend, I skipped completely. I'm bipolar and lack of sleep- i.e. staying up trying to be able to be used to it till 4 a.m.- was quickly making me go manic. So my psych dr said to skip it for the weekend. Second week was better, but not great. Now this past week, my numbers have gone way up. I'm getting 8 hours on the machine which is pushing my month up by 15 or 20 minutes a night! Right now, it reads 3:54 average for the month and a heck of a lot more for the week! My compliance check is a week from tomorrow. So as long as I don't mess up too badly, I'm good to go. I do find that I've forgotten to put the mask back on after I use the bathroom every so often and this morning I woke up to the mask being on but the hose detached at the mask! I dunno how that happened.... My insurance says I have to use it 21 out of 30 days with 4 hours minimum for those days.

ETA:

I am set at 13 & 3. My machine does back off a bit when I breath out and last night I even was partially awake enough to feel it catch an apnea. Boy it works! At first, though, I thought I'd suffocate. And in the study, I asked for a nose-mouth mask since I have allergies and my nose can't be counted on be open all the time. I kept opening my mouth and that undid the nasal mask's usefulness. I had to call one of them in to tell them this, too. I thought they would've noticed. The face mask worked and I'm so happy I got one. Its just the nose and mouth- not the one that goes over the forehead, too.

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Vader
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Vader » Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:02 pm

sleepeehead wrote:I did my sleep study a few weeks ago and I have severe sleep apnea .
Tonight I go in for the second study to be fitted for the mask and pressures.
I live in a small town with only 1 DME and they have a very bad reputation,,, the more I read it seems like DME's in general have a bad reputation.
My doctor is sure to just call the local DME if I don't stop her.
does anyone have any good advice for how I should deal with this?
PS,, I do have insurance and a small deductable,,85% after
THANKS
I would call your insurance company and ask for a list of 'in network' providers. There may be another supplier on that list who can offer better service if the one local DME is unsatisfactory. Even if that supplier is out of town, they can easily mail your stuff to you.

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Mom2Twinz
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Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:24 am
Location: Gulfport, MS

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Mom2Twinz » Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:37 am


Hello everyone! I'm a newbie to Sleep Apnea and my cpap. I did my sleep study about a month ago and boy was it a WAKE UP Call. My results were very concerning to my ENT...w/o cpap I stop breathing 598 times, w/ cpap only 4. So guess what I got!!!!

I have had my Philips Respironics REMstar Plus C-Flex, System 1 Heated Humidifer, and ComfortFusion for 2 days. I have been using it with a lot of ease. I do have to admit that my chest hurts, and I'm thinking it is from the pressure setting and my body getting used to it. I'm set up for 17 and boy does that put out a lot of air!!! I live on the MS Gulf Coast, and it feels like "Hurricane" force winds coming out of the mask. LOL

I'm looking forward to getting to know y'all and living long and well with my cpap.

Take care,
God Bless,
Julie D
aka Mom2Twinz

sleepeehead
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 3:56 pm

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by sleepeehead » Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:08 pm

Vader wrote:
sleepeehead wrote:I did my sleep study a few weeks ago and I have severe sleep apnea .
Tonight I go in for the second study to be fitted for the mask and pressures.
I live in a small town with only 1 DME and they have a very bad reputation,,, the more I read it seems like DME's in general have a bad reputation.
My doctor is sure to just call the local DME if I don't stop her.
does anyone have any good advice for how I should deal with this?
PS,, I do have insurance and a small deductable,,85% after
THANKS
I would call your insurance company and ask for a list of 'in network' providers. There may be another supplier on that list who can offer better service if the one local DME is unsatisfactory. Even if that supplier is out of town, they can easily mail your stuff to you.
I'm getting there slowly,, I got my doctor to write a script and it read like this:
nasal cpap [c-flex or eq at 15 cm h2o with large comfortgell full face mask and a hea
ted humidification.
Can anyone tell me if that is a normal prescription?
Is she giving me a certain brand mask or will I have a choice?
It is very tempting just to buy online and be done wrangling with a dme.
so far my insurance has been great, but the best I can tell ,they do insist on 13 rental payments.
That is going to use up $570 in deductible before they pay 85 %
Is there any rule of thumb on how much DME's markup in relation to online prices?

w4rpe
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:00 pm

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by w4rpe » Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:13 pm

Hi,
My name is Keith Wood, I was diagnosed on 9/9/2011 with severe repetitive apnea, with a score of 22.7 an hour. I have not gone back to the second study yet but as soon as I get the cash that my insurance does not cover I will get the study done and get my cpap. I am scared to death. My Cardiologist told me that I was a lucky man cause my mother could find me dead in my sleep with that score.

But I look forward to feeling a lot better with the cpap.


Keith

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RomeinDNVR
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by RomeinDNVR » Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:02 am

Just started CPAP on 10/14/11 with a pressure setting of 14. Been having a hard time dealing with the pressure when I exhale, even though I have my C-Flex settings as high as they will go. I have been compliant with keeping my mask on but it takes a long time for me to relax and fall asleep. A couple days in my nose got really plugged up and I couldn't use the nasal mask, would anyone recommend that I purchase a full mask to use when my sinuses act up?

Thanks!
Rome

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Pugsy
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Pugsy » Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:16 am

RomeinDNVR wrote:Just started CPAP on 10/14/11 with a pressure setting of 14. Been having a hard time dealing with the pressure when I exhale, even though I have my C-Flex settings as high as they will go. I have been compliant with keeping my mask on but it takes a long time for me to relax and fall asleep. A couple days in my nose got really plugged up and I couldn't use the nasal mask, would anyone recommend that I purchase a full mask to use when my sinuses act up?

Thanks!
Rome
Please check your private message box. You will get more help if you start a new thread of your own. This thread is really meant to be for informational purposes and problems with therapy are best addressed on the main forum page in your own topic/thread so your problems don't get lost or seen.

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painter19
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by painter19 » Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:27 pm

Hello everyone. I had a sleep study done back in August my index no. was a 4.2 which is considered under the number to have sleep apnea. I had 32 apneas through the night. I don't stop breathing during the day why would I want to even once while I'm sleeping. My Dr. put in for the cpap because of my constint fatigue,BP going up and family history with sleep apnea. I recieved my cpap this past Mon. It's going to take some getting used too. The mask doesn't bother me at all because I'm used to wearing a mask I paint cars for a living so I'm wearing a mask quite often. Whats bothering me is when the hose slides off the bed It pulls my nasel pillow down and causes it to leak, then I wake up. Also I have to get used to the air being pushed through my nose. I'll get it

Marley
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Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:03 pm

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Marley » Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:24 pm

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. I'm having trouble adjusting to sleeping with the cpap. I wake up during the night afraid I can't breath. I am using the DeVilbiss DV auto adjust, using the swift fx nasal pillow. Also my nostrils are very sore. Please give me some suggestions! I really want to make this work!

derek70
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by derek70 » Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:20 am

Your doctor prescribed CPAP therapy for a AHI of 4.2 ??
Most of the people here is happy with a AHI of 4 with use of a CPAP.
painter19 wrote:Hello everyone. I had a sleep study done back in August my index no. was a 4.2 which is considered under the number to have sleep apnea. I had 32 apneas through the night. I don't stop breathing during the day why would I want to even once while I'm sleeping. My Dr. put in for the cpap because of my constint fatigue,BP going up and family history with sleep apnea. I recieved my cpap this past Mon. It's going to take some getting used too. The mask doesn't bother me at all because I'm used to wearing a mask I paint cars for a living so I'm wearing a mask quite often. Whats bothering me is when the hose slides off the bed It pulls my nasel pillow down and causes it to leak, then I wake up. Also I have to get used to the air being pushed through my nose. I'll get it

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