OSA Newbie Introduction!

Howdy All! I've been lurking around these parts for a little over a month and must say I'm impressed by not only the information available, but the feeling of community. As such, I figured I'd make the plunge steeped in my own foul newbieness and make a nuisance of myself.

In April I was on a business trip with a coworker/friend of mine who has sleep apnea. I had noticed over the last year or two that when I was falling asleep sometimes I woke up feeling like I had been holding my breath. My friend told me he didn't think I had apnea because on a return trip from Austria last year, I basically slept the whole flight back to the US (in a seated position) and he didn't notice me gasping for air or anything like that. I did mention to him that I could get 7-8 hours of sleep, hell, even 10, and still felt like I needed more. My buddy suggested that I get a sleep study as it changed his life.

My sleep study was held on May 13th and I felt like I was kind of going through the paces not expecting to really be diagnosed with apnea. The sleep tech told me if I exhibited apnea during the evening, they would come in and give me a mask and get me started on a CPAP machine. Much to my surprise, the sleep tech came in at around 2:30am to get me set up on a machine. My first response to being awoken was "oh no, I have apnea?" That morning, I was told that I had an AHI of 15.8, which is considered moderate apnea. The next day the DME contacted me and I set up an appt to be introduced to my new life with a CPAP machine!

I got my machine (noted in my sig), mask, and instructions on the intervals for covered replacement of masks, pillows, filters, etc. (which I've already put in my calendar, yeah, I'm anal). Of course I was told by the DME that I couldn't access any data and that any changes to pressure (pressure of 6.0 and humidity at 2) were to be made by them after a doctor's input. My first night was that evening of May 17th and I've been 100% compliant to date. My feeling is that sleep is so important and everything seemingly stems from it, I need to take this seriously and make it work. Personally, my blood pressure is pretty good sitting at around the 120's over 80's, 5'8" and 165lbs, and can run a fair distance within 30 minutes this side of being Kenyan. I have noted over the last couple of years that some mundane stuff will infuriate me. I mention this because after being on the CPAP machine over the last month or so, this hasn't happened. Must be making a difference, albeit not "conquering the world" type stuff the next day or anything, but baby steps!

So I am now at the point that I've downloaded Sleepyhead and just ran in to the realization that my machine is on the list that doesn't provide information so that I may make adjustments to tweak my own therapy. I do feel this is needed as a few hours in a strange environment of a sleep study more than likely hasn't pegged my needs exactly. This and there have been a few instances when I've woken up feeling like I'm not getting enough air. I'm going to call my DME and tell them I want a different machine.

Anyway, thanks for all of the information that y'all provide and I hope to be a contributing member in the years to come!

Welcome to the boards, this place has been a great resource of information for me.

I'm sorry I can't help with your machine, someone will be along soon that will have knowledge about it.

Once again welcome

Hello and welcome. Sounds like you're off to a good start. Just a thought on when you ask for a new machine - usually it's best to be discreet about your intentions regarding handling your own treatment. Do tell them you expect to be able to have data available to determine over the long haul if your treatment remains therapeutic. Do you have a copy of your sleep study? It would help if they captured very little time in REM sleep while supine. That is considered the worst case scenario (although not for everybody) and if they didn't capture much during your split night study it is reasonable to surmise your titrated pressure might not be reflective your real-life pressure needs. There may be other clues in your report to bolster your request. Your experience of waking up feeling like you're not getting enough air is good info to support your request. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

kteague wrote:Hello and welcome. Sounds like you're off to a good start. Just a thought on when you ask for a new machine - usually it's best to be discreet about your intentions regarding handling your own treatment. Do tell them you expect to be able to have data available to determine over the long haul if your treatment remains therapeutic. Do you have a copy of your sleep study? It would help if they captured very little time in REM sleep while supine. That is considered the worst case scenario (although not for everybody) and if they didn't capture much during your split night study it is reasonable to surmise your titrated pressure might not be reflective your real-life pressure needs. There may be other clues in your report to bolster your request. Your experience of waking up feeling like you're not getting enough air is good info to support your request. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thanks very much. If I recall, most of my sleep study results were while I was "side sleeping" as I don't sleep supine very often. I'll have to look closer at how the split study went as far as stages of sleep, etc. I'll be sure to show some discretion with the DME. Ultimately, if I don't get what I need for my own health, I'll simply purchase what I need considering it is so important, but also realize there is a "game" to play in order not to have to pull the checkbook out!

I did bump my pressure up to 8.0 from 6.0 and I'm not sure that has helped. I may have been a little aggressive as I wake up a little more, even though the first night I did it I felt more refreshed than as of late.

I Like Soup wrote: So I am now at the point that I've downloaded Sleepyhead and just ran in to the realization that my machine is on the list that doesn't provide information so that I may make adjustments to tweak my own therapy. I'm going to call my DME and tell them I want a different machine.

Welcome!

It is a shame you were not in a position to request a better machine with full efficacy data when you started treatment. You may find that the DME won't support swapping machines unless you pay full price. If that is the case, you might to better to get one online. You will need a copy of your presciption for that, unless you are able to find one being re-sold here on cpaptalk.com. As you are already familiar with the Philips Respironics line, I would recommend you get their Auto-CPAP machine, the DS-560.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... -tube.html

John

More users have trouble tolerating lower pressures. I couldn't deal with 6 (felt suffocating) after just a couple days on CPAP.

If you do end up needing to buy a machine, here is one from a trusted cpaptalk.com member:

viewtopic/t90285/For-Sale--System-One-R ... ml#p829917

John

JohnO wrote:If you do end up needing to buy a machine, here is one from a trusted cpaptalk.com member:

viewtopic/t90285/For-Sale--System-One-R ... ml#p829917

John

Thanks for that John.