My experience with DME
I wanted Remstar auto and finally talked sleep doc into writing prescription for the one I wanted. The DME wasn't very happy about having to supply autopap machine as the profit margin was less. They should charge the same for both machines cpap and/or autopap.
Ontario government pays $780 towards the cost.
It ended up costing me out of pocket (I have no insurance) $400 for Remstar Autopap with cflex and Ultra Mirage FF mask ($200 of the $400 was for the mask which apparently is an upgrade)
I was well informed from reading this board so knew exactly what I wanted. I continue to learn and try different masks.
I am eternally grateful to members here for sharing their knowledge and experiences, for without that I would never have gotten the machine I need nor the software and knowledge to monitor my own treatment.
Thanks guys!! .
Got a machine at last
Canadian eh
Shirley
Snoregirl: Sorry to hear about the chlorine bomb...how upsetting!
Birdshell: thanks for the advice re size. Yes, when all put together it is a lot.
Hi Everyone, I had my second night on the machine. This is really a pain as you all know! I have grave doubts about me adapting to this as my sleep is already so fragile. But what choice do I have. I have gained a fair bit of weight over the past few years and would love to lose it but try as I do, it does not budge. I had really hoped that using a CPAP would make it easier as my naturopath says that lack sleep cuases you to gain or fail to lose. I could stand to lose 20 lbs.
What is the effect of lots of exercise on sleep apnea? I have just started an increased exercise program.
A few questions for you all:
1. I have the feeling that stress increases apneic events. Is this true? Also of course anything that relaxes the muscles. Anything else? I mostly sleep on my stomach (almost) and think that I am OK in that position. the sleep study however did not find any difference in supine and Non-supine positions.
I really wonder how accurate the sleep study is. I was very agitated that night and the conditions were terrible ie krinkly hot plastic on the nattress and terrible pillow (I should have brought my own. Also I was very hot. Since I did not sleep long I did not have any real amount of REM sleep. From reports from my husband that is when I do snore on occasion. As you can tell I am trying to talk myself out of the need for this whole CPAP idea. My husband meanwhile is not very supportive as he doesn't believe that I have a problem to any extent. I know he is not going to be happy with the sleep disturbance it causes in him. The last 2 nights I have asked him to sleep in another room.
2. In the night when I get up to the toilet...
If I turn off the machine then it starts its ramp again when I turn it back on. the technie set it for 20 minutes. I feel uncomfortable at the lowest levels. Is it good to have it start ramping again?
If I just leave it running then it makes a loud swooshing sound that will likely wake my hubby.
3. In order to fall asleep I like to read. With the mask on this it is impossible as I need glasses to read. The pillows are better as I can then use my glasses but they create more noise....breathing in and out sounds.
By the way the loaner unit is the ResMed S7 Elite and so it should yield some good information...I hope?
Thanks so much to all of you for all your advice. I am really floundering as I have now not slept well for 2 nights and am getting cranky! Although I occasionally have periods of feeling tired in the daytime I can't say that I have it very often.
I really would like to find another solution - I am sure I am not alone in this! Maybe I will take voice lessons or leran the Didgeridoo.
Ann
Birdshell: thanks for the advice re size. Yes, when all put together it is a lot.
Hi Everyone, I had my second night on the machine. This is really a pain as you all know! I have grave doubts about me adapting to this as my sleep is already so fragile. But what choice do I have. I have gained a fair bit of weight over the past few years and would love to lose it but try as I do, it does not budge. I had really hoped that using a CPAP would make it easier as my naturopath says that lack sleep cuases you to gain or fail to lose. I could stand to lose 20 lbs.
What is the effect of lots of exercise on sleep apnea? I have just started an increased exercise program.
A few questions for you all:
1. I have the feeling that stress increases apneic events. Is this true? Also of course anything that relaxes the muscles. Anything else? I mostly sleep on my stomach (almost) and think that I am OK in that position. the sleep study however did not find any difference in supine and Non-supine positions.
I really wonder how accurate the sleep study is. I was very agitated that night and the conditions were terrible ie krinkly hot plastic on the nattress and terrible pillow (I should have brought my own. Also I was very hot. Since I did not sleep long I did not have any real amount of REM sleep. From reports from my husband that is when I do snore on occasion. As you can tell I am trying to talk myself out of the need for this whole CPAP idea. My husband meanwhile is not very supportive as he doesn't believe that I have a problem to any extent. I know he is not going to be happy with the sleep disturbance it causes in him. The last 2 nights I have asked him to sleep in another room.
2. In the night when I get up to the toilet...
If I turn off the machine then it starts its ramp again when I turn it back on. the technie set it for 20 minutes. I feel uncomfortable at the lowest levels. Is it good to have it start ramping again?
If I just leave it running then it makes a loud swooshing sound that will likely wake my hubby.
3. In order to fall asleep I like to read. With the mask on this it is impossible as I need glasses to read. The pillows are better as I can then use my glasses but they create more noise....breathing in and out sounds.
By the way the loaner unit is the ResMed S7 Elite and so it should yield some good information...I hope?
Thanks so much to all of you for all your advice. I am really floundering as I have now not slept well for 2 nights and am getting cranky! Although I occasionally have periods of feeling tired in the daytime I can't say that I have it very often.
I really would like to find another solution - I am sure I am not alone in this! Maybe I will take voice lessons or leran the Didgeridoo.
Ann
On the ramp issue, your number 2. I don't know why there is a ramp on your machine set at all. You say your titration was 6 and the RT was going to try you at 7. Either number is a bit less than I would be comfortable with at all. I find that I can't get air at less than 7.5. I do know that there are those out there who can deal with 7 or less but most I think will agree that 4 or 5 makes one feel like they are suffocating.
SO the point is if you setting is 6 what is the 20 minute ramp at 4??
Turn ramp off totally. This will eliminate your problem of getting up at night and whether or not to turn off the machine or let it blow.
Someone else with more data experience please tell us if letting it blow while in the bathroom would affect the data and be a problem? Just a thought.
As for exercise - number 1. I have gotten lazy and more sedintary over the years and really no longer care for "exercise" but I do know that since I have been on CPAP and feeling better I have started doing some of the things I have been putting off (painting the house, cleaning up and throwing out stuff, etc) so I conclude that since I have more energy CPAP has a positive affect on the ability to exercise or just do things that burn more calories than lying in bed.
Please don't talk yourself out of CPAP until you give it a decent try. Not everyone with Apnea snores (although I do). But your titration may well be wrong. Certainly your setting is very low and the easiest way to work on checking that is APAP. Can you get an APAP loaner for now instead of that CPAP loaner? Much quicker to get data than to keep moving the pressure up and going back to visit the DME and doctor.
I think the APAP at least for a loaner for now given your frustration and issues would be very appropriate. Since you have a loaner see if they can't do that for you or have your doc prescribe it based on your terrible night at the sleep lab.
On the noise from the nasal pillows. I use Swift and they do make a bit of noise. I have heard others on this site say that the Comfort lite 2 ones and maybe another one I can't remember are much quieter. Look into that with your DME. Somewhere I remember that the way you route the hose on the swift can cut down on noise. Maybe someone will repeat that one.
I don't know if the voice lessons will work since there is a person on this forum that is an opera singer and she still has Apnea
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, swift, Titration, CPAP, DME, Ramp, Nasal Pillows, APAP
SO the point is if you setting is 6 what is the 20 minute ramp at 4??
Turn ramp off totally. This will eliminate your problem of getting up at night and whether or not to turn off the machine or let it blow.
Someone else with more data experience please tell us if letting it blow while in the bathroom would affect the data and be a problem? Just a thought.
As for exercise - number 1. I have gotten lazy and more sedintary over the years and really no longer care for "exercise" but I do know that since I have been on CPAP and feeling better I have started doing some of the things I have been putting off (painting the house, cleaning up and throwing out stuff, etc) so I conclude that since I have more energy CPAP has a positive affect on the ability to exercise or just do things that burn more calories than lying in bed.
Please don't talk yourself out of CPAP until you give it a decent try. Not everyone with Apnea snores (although I do). But your titration may well be wrong. Certainly your setting is very low and the easiest way to work on checking that is APAP. Can you get an APAP loaner for now instead of that CPAP loaner? Much quicker to get data than to keep moving the pressure up and going back to visit the DME and doctor.
I think the APAP at least for a loaner for now given your frustration and issues would be very appropriate. Since you have a loaner see if they can't do that for you or have your doc prescribe it based on your terrible night at the sleep lab.
On the noise from the nasal pillows. I use Swift and they do make a bit of noise. I have heard others on this site say that the Comfort lite 2 ones and maybe another one I can't remember are much quieter. Look into that with your DME. Somewhere I remember that the way you route the hose on the swift can cut down on noise. Maybe someone will repeat that one.
I don't know if the voice lessons will work since there is a person on this forum that is an opera singer and she still has Apnea
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, swift, Titration, CPAP, DME, Ramp, Nasal Pillows, APAP