Venting

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:06 pm

Hi scherebh and welcome to the board! You've already been doing your homework awfully well...lot of reading! Here's some more that might make the time pass more quickly while you wait for your machine.

Links that may help explain some of the terms you'll read on the message board:

Types of machines:
viewtopic.php?p=56836
"Whats the differences in BIPAP, XPAP, APAP, CFLEX"

Common abbreviations and definitions:
viewtopic.php?t=14902
"Learning lexicon of cpap terms"

Must reading (imho) for anyone who wants to take a pro-active role in his/her own OSA treatment:

http://www.smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com
Mile High Sleeper's great information resource for cpap users.

Links to additional helpful info that you may want to dig into as your journey progresses:

LINKS to MASKS - nasal mask, nasal pillows, nasal prongs
viewtopic.php?p=35286

Links to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

LINKS to discussions about the Aussie heated hose - to prevent rainout
viewtopic.php?t=5305

LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

LINKS to Battery operation, camping, power outage
viewtopic.php?t=9682

Oct 30, 2006 subject: Please Share Misc Helpful Hints
viewtopic.php?t=14746

Fixes for masks, etc.

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

The funny side of cpap use:

LINKS to mikemoran humor
viewtopic.php?t=5949

drbandage · Post by **drbandage** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:45 pm

rested gal wrote:Hi scherebh and welcome to the board! You've already been doing your homework awfully well...lot of reading! Here's some more that might make the time pass more quickly while you wait for your machine.

Links that may help explain some of the terms you'll read on the message board:

Types of machines:
viewtopic.php?p=56836
"Whats the differences in BIPAP, XPAP, APAP, CFLEX"

Common abbreviations and definitions:
viewtopic.php?t=14902
"Learning lexicon of cpap terms"

Must reading (imho) for anyone who wants to take a pro-active role in his/her own OSA treatment:

http://www.smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com
Mile High Sleeper's great information resource for cpap users.

Links to additional helpful info that you may want to dig into as your journey progresses:

LINKS to MASKS - nasal mask, nasal pillows, nasal prongs
viewtopic.php?p=35286

Links to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

LINKS to discussions about the Aussie heated hose - to prevent rainout
viewtopic.php?t=5305

LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

LINKS to Battery operation, camping, power outage
viewtopic.php?t=9682

Oct 30, 2006 subject: Please Share Misc Helpful Hints
viewtopic.php?t=14746

Fixes for masks, etc.

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

The funny side of cpap use:

LINKS to mikemoran humor
viewtopic.php?t=5949

RG -

These are really terrrific resouces for someone like myself who is interesting in learning more and more and more. I, for one, would nominate your post for a permanent sticky spot at the top of the message boards. Seriously.

You are to the message board as Google is to the internet!

Rg - does that stand for Resource Gal? ':roll:'

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:04 pm

drbandage wrote:I, for one, would nominate your post for a permanent sticky spot at the top of the message boards.

Doc,

If you took all of her "resources" and made stickys out of them (because they're all good), we wouldn't have room on Page 1 to post anything.

Laura, You packrat, you! LOL!!

Den

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:54 pm

drbandage wrote:Rg - does that stand for Resource Gal? ':roll:'

LOL! That's a good one! Another memorable definition was written by TerryB:

TerryB wrote:R.G actually stands for Resident Guru!!

viewtopic.php?p=120648#120648

then there's dsm's definition:

dsm wrote:RG stands for Right hand of God

viewtopic.php?p=28958#28958

She's a good 'un, alright!!!!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:20 am

Geeze, you all...thanks.

Wulfman wrote:Laura, You packrat, you! LOL!!

Den

LOL!!! Lab rat, packrat... yeah, that's me.

Den, you know me well.

scherebh · Post by **scherebh** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:37 pm

Thanks for all the great information. I have an appt with the DME place tomorrow at 3 so I should be all set for the weekend. Insurance out of pocket is ~ $17 + 7.50 a month for 10 months. Can't hardly beat that. They offered to come out to the house but based on someone's suggestion here, I am going to their office for a better selection of products. The DME did say that's the best thing to do - their techs on home visits only come with 2 masks to choose.

I have slight angst only because I've been reading posts about people having trouble with their systems or using them for months and it not working. My experience with the cpap (all 3 hours of it) was nothing but positive. It wasn't uncomfortable while it was on and when I was done I haven't felt that awake in years, which is why I've been trying to rush the process as much as possible.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:19 pm

Be positive. I would bet your experience will be good. Mine was and is. You tend to find more posts here from people who have issues, hey, that is why they post, to get help.

I got on Cpap and took to it like a duck takes to water. I haven't felt this good in years. No more naps no more tired......

Stay positive and go for it.

scherebh · Post by **scherebh** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:08 pm

Thank, I will. Can someone expand AHI for me? Is that something that I should monitor after I get my equipment? And only reply if you can answer within 3 hours! That's when I leave to pick up my stuff.

scherebh · Post by **scherebh** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:18 pm

Nevermind!!!!! Found an excellent explanation on this forum.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:43 pm

One last thought before you venture forth, scherebh...

Take an old blanket and pillow with you, in case they don't have a bed or cot you can lie down on. Best to try out masks while lying down -- toss and turn in your usual sleep positions.

Mask fittings done while sitting up (even back in a recliner) often get you a mask that feels ok and seals well like that, but becomes an uncomfortable leaky disaster when you are actually in bed trying to sleep. Also, straps that are adjusted ok sitting up will tighten considerably, especially around the back of the neck, when you change from sitting up to laying down. The pull of good old gravity.

Leave your dignity at the door -- lie down on the floor there (hence, the old blanket) if there's no bed!

Take every advantage of the "fitting" that you can -- at the pressure and sleep positions you'll actually be using.

Have them hook up your cpap to the mask, at the pressure you'll be using...not just at a low pressure or ramp pressure of 4 cm.

Good luck, and have fun!

scherebh · Post by **scherebh** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:28 pm

Thank you for that, RG but I left before I read your advice. HOWEVER!!!!! - I'm very happy to report I've had 3 of the most restful nights I can remember since picking up the machine. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!

I think my wife likes it more than I do (although she did report one snore last night - she said I awakened, adjusted the mask and went back to sleep but I don't remember). I went the entire weekend without a nap - the first time that has happened probably since college - AND I watched both playoff games which pretty much used to guarantee a nap. I stayed up until 10:30 Saturday and Sunday. Big deal you say? I almost NEVER could make it up that late before I fell asleep. I also don't wake up and look at the clock every 10 minutes or so - I think I saw 2:15 and then 6:25 last night (the alarm was set for 6:30 anyway). If there is any negative at all so far it's that it's taking me 30 minutes or so to fall asleep and I'm hoping that will decrease as I get used to the mask.

Also - it was over a year since I had seen a doc before I went to the Pulmonologist. My bp was ~ 165/110 and he put me on 80mg cartia to get it down. After 3 weeks it hadn't changed much at all (I take it daily myself) so he upped the dosage to 120mg. I took that for 2 days before I got my machine and it was even worse - 168/113. After one night on the machine it went to 132/97 and after two nights 126/80 which is almost perfect! I'm not sure if this is due to the meds or the cpap but it has to be more than a coincidence that it dropped so much since the machine. Is that typical?

Some have told me the cpap will help me lose weight. If that's true I'll really be a happy camper. This cpap machine is the best thing I've ever done for myself healthwise. I'm thinking of quitting my job to be a cpap evagelist. Now....how to pay the bills? Thanks to you all!!!! This board is a terrific resource.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:00 pm

scherebh, what excellent news! I sure understand your enthusiasm about "cpap."

Misterdux · Post by **Misterdux** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:30 pm

May I elaborate on your venting issue. After two hospital stays this past fall, and a load of drugs from cardiologists, my brother-inlaw, who is a small town family doctor, told me to get a sleep study. I booked the study with my local sleep lab and my doctor requested a split study so I could get titrated the same night.

But N-o-o-o. Insurance would only pay for titration the same night if I had a certain number of events by 1:30 AM (40 I think). That did not happen - yet I had a lot of long events later in the night and was diagnosed with poor sleep efficiency and signinicant hypoxemia.

So I went home to await the results of my test and had to wait three weeks to get back into the sleep lab for titration. During the three week wait I went back into the hospital for four days to get put on oxygen and try to modify the heart drugs I was on. Also had an anxiety disorder setting in. And guess who utimately paid for the hospital stay? My insurance company. Misterdux

Elle · Post by **Elle** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:34 pm

scherebh, being nosy here. What equipment did you get?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:01 pm

Elle wrote:scherebh, being nosy here. What equipment did you get?

Sorry for the delayed reply. A Remstar M Series with the dehumidifier. The mask is one of those that come down the center of your face and has the nasal pillows. This therapy wouldn't be all that bad except for looking ridiculous with the mask. Each night my wife gives me a "Good night, Darth."