CPAP Basics 5

Hello All,

About a month ago, I started this topic to help new users of CPAP with the fundamentals of using their equipment.

This week’s question: What do you believe to be the fifth step on the road to success with a CPAP?

To recap what's been covered so far:

1. In my opinion, initial mask fit and cleanliness of the interface was most important. Others however, felt that efficacy data, knowledge of your condition, finding the proper machine, expectations, attitude, education, and getting an accurate titration were of primary concern.

2. Next on my list was tube control to accommodate changes in sleeping positions. Others posted positive attitude, comfort, getting used to the pressure, data from the device, and education.

3. For the third, I posted humidification in your circuit. Others felt that having a support system i.e. this forum, preparing for the unexpected and again attitude should be included here.

4. Patience came in at number four for me, however some thought lifestyle, communication, maintaining titration pressure, and stress reduction would be appropriate. Another felt there was no specific order to these steps, as it all depends on what happens when you initially start your xPAP journey.

For this week, my answer is learning the specifics of your interface or mask. If you have made it though number 4, it is now time to really focus on the mask and your routine for using it. Everyone is different when it comes to cleaning frequency, how often the straps are adjusted and cushions replaced etc. In my opinion, this is what you should master next.

For those experienced users and expert commentators, this information will seem very rudimentary. New users however, I’m hoping will find some benefit. The theory behind putting this information in one place is simply to make it handy.

Thanks in advance to all who would like to make comments and suggestions.

Jim

I am finding out the hard way that knowing your product - specifically proper care and cleaning products - is very important. And I'm not talking generic cleanser suggestions, but rather SPECIFIC product recommendations to ensure success.

SleepWellCPAP wrote:For this week, my answer is learning the specifics of your interface or mask. If you have made it though number 4, it is now time to really focus on the mask and your routine for using it. Everyone is different when it comes to cleaning frequency, how often the straps are adjusted and cushions replaced etc. In my opinion, this is what you should master next.

To quote an old commercial, "Where's the beef?" I mean really, there is no meat here. Is it really helpful to say "this is what you should master next." and then not give any tips? Especially in light of saying you are addressing newbies. This really is not very helpful.

NotLazyJustTired wrote:

SleepWellCPAP wrote:For this week, my answer is learning the specifics of your interface or mask. If you have made it though number 4, it is now time to really focus on the mask and your routine for using it. Everyone is different when it comes to cleaning frequency, how often the straps are adjusted and cushions replaced etc. In my opinion, this is what you should master next.

To quote an old commercial, "Where's the beef?" I mean really, there is no meat here. Is it really helpful to say "this is what you should master next." and then not give any tips? Especially in light of saying you are addressing newbies. This really is not very helpful.

Totally agree.

I also find it interesting that Jim decided to insert the title of his book in the subject.

49er

49er wrote:I also find it interesting that Jim decided to insert the title of his book in the subject.
49er

Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive.
- Sir Walter Scott (Marmion, 1808)


I think this may be because Mollete has started additional
CPAP Basics threads.


...does make for convenient marketing, though.
I love it.

SleepWell, well played.

From The Economist

Feb 26th, 2011

"Positive Effects of Negative Publicity: When Negative Reviews Increase Sales", by Jonah Berger, Alan T. Sorensen and Scott J. Rasmussen

Yet if your starting point is obscurity, even bad publicity may be helpful, argues Alan Sorensen, an economics professor at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. He looked at the effect of book reviews in the New York Times. In a study published in Marketing Science*, he found that well-known authors who earned glowing reviews for a new book could expect to sell 42% more copies, whereas a negative review caused sales to drop by 15%. For unknown authors, however, it did not matter whether a book was panned or lauded. Simply being reviewed in the Times bumped up sales by a third.

kaiasgram wrote:From The Economist

Feb 26th, 2011

"Positive Effects of Negative Publicity: When Negative Reviews Increase Sales", by Jonah Berger, Alan T. Sorensen and Scott J. Rasmussen

Yet if your starting point is obscurity, even bad publicity may be helpful, argues Alan Sorensen, an economics professor at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. He looked at the effect of book reviews in the New York Times. In a study published in Marketing Science*, he found that well-known authors who earned glowing reviews for a new book could expect to sell 42% more copies, whereas a negative review caused sales to drop by 15%. For unknown authors, however, it did not matter whether a book was panned or lauded. Simply being reviewed in the Times bumped up sales by a third.

When Jim's book gets reviewed in the Times, whether good or bad, I will buy a copy.

+1 what Carbonman said...in my opinion I think he is just trying to promote his book and get further info from this forum for his next one

I think this whole CPAP business is a big yawn - by author of A Few CPAP Threads.

SleepWellCPAP wrote:
For those experienced users and expert commentators, this information will seem very rudimentary. New users however, I’m hoping will find some benefit. The theory behind putting this information in one place is simply to make it handy.

Jim

All of these topics have been discussed in WAY MORE DETAIL already! A lot of it is up in the top topic for newbies that is labeled for newbies and kept at the top to make it easy for them to find. You are not introducing anything new. In fact, you barely mentioning any actual advice. You basically mention that it is important and leave US to post the advice.

To me, this looks like senseless promotion. You really need to know your market, because this forum isn't it. Anybody who finds this forum and reads a couple topics or asks a single question, will know right away that all of the answers can be found here, quickly, without cost. They don't need to buy a book that gives basic and generalized information. They can get specific advice here that will help with their machine, their mask, their pressure and humidification settings, their health issues, etc. All customized information.

Your market is people that haven't found this forum and aren't likely to find this forum. Personally, my advice to them would be to join this forum. But clearly, people on this forum have no need for your book. You would have better luck hanging out at local sleep apnea meetings or advertising in doctor's offices.

If YOU really want to help people on this forum, then give us advice that the rest of us can't offer. You work at a DME. Tell us how to deal with difficult DMEs. Tell us the things that will help us get what we need we have trouble with a DME. Tell us what the DMEs won't tell us.

QUOTE:
"If YOU really want to help people on this forum, then give us advice that the rest of us can't offer. You work at a DME. Tell us how to deal with difficult DMEs. Tell us the things that will help us get what we need we have trouble with a DME. Tell us what the DMEs won't tell us."

+1

Therapy data, reading it and understanding it, (as too many doctors and techs will not or cannot do),
is critical. Is this on "the list" at all?
My therapy worked (uh, ok) without data (for a few short months) but with data, my therapy has improved at least 40%.
Others have had even more significant improvement using therapy data to understand and make adjustments.
Since the technology allows this, we are seriously amiss by ignoring it.
Doctors and therapists who are unwilling to work in the 21st century are a hazard to their patients.
My book, if I were to write one, would be titled,"What your Doctor won't tell you about CPAP"

zoocrewphoto wrote: If YOU really want to help people on this forum, then give us advice that the rest of us can't offer. You work at a DME. Tell us how to deal with difficult DMEs. Tell us the things that will help us get what we need we have trouble with a DME. Tell us what the DMEs won't tell us.

+1

chunkyfrog wrote:Therapy data, reading it and understanding it, (as too many doctors and techs will not or cannot do),
is critical. Is this on "the list" at all?
My therapy worked (uh, ok) without data (for a few short months) but with data, my therapy has improved at least 40%.
Others have had even more significant improvement using therapy data to understand and make adjustments.
Since the technology allows this, we are seriously amiss by ignoring it.

Excellent point. My mom used her cpap machine for years at a time with no real improvement. Originally, bricks were all that was available, so I don't know when that changed. But she was in one of her non-usage times (months without usage) when I started cpap. She saw my mask, tried it on, and got a new mask the next day. She then used her machine for half a night each night. Still not great, and of course, no real improvement. Her cpap is severe in terms of LONG apneas. I can't remember her untreated ahi. It was 3.4 with her prescription, but was still severe, only she didn't know it. After getting a couple nights with my machine and a new machine with full data and an apap range, she is filling MUCH better. That data, and the fact that my doctor prescribed a machine for me with data, is what got her back on track.

Doctors and therapists who are unwilling to work in the 21st century are a hazard to their patients.
My book, if I were to write one, would be titled,"What your Doctor won't tell you about CPAP"

That would be an awesome book!

zoocrewphoto wrote:

chunkyfrog wrote:Therapy data, reading it and understanding it, (as too many doctors and techs will not or cannot do),
is critical. Is this on "the list" at all?
My therapy worked (uh, ok) without data (for a few short months) but with data, my therapy has improved at least 40%.
Others have had even more significant improvement using therapy data to understand and make adjustments.
Since the technology allows this, we are seriously amiss by ignoring it.

Excellent point. My mom used her cpap machine for years at a time with no real improvement. Originally, bricks were all that was available, so I don't know when that changed. But she was in one of her non-usage times (months without usage) when I started cpap. She saw my mask, tried it on, and got a new mask the next day. She then used her machine for half a night each night. Still not great, and of course, no real improvement. Her cpap is severe in terms of LONG apneas. I can't remember her untreated ahi. It was 3.4 with her prescription, but was still severe, only she didn't know it. After getting a couple nights with my machine and a new machine with full data and an apap range, she is filling MUCH better. That data, and the fact that my doctor prescribed a machine for me with data, is what got her back on track.

Doctors and therapists who are unwilling to work in the 21st century are a hazard to their patients.
My book, if I were to write one, would be titled,"What your Doctor won't tell you about CPAP"

That would be an awesome book!

+1