Vocabulary List??

[Poppy]

Hi. I'm new to this site. I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea over a year ago and am still struggling to find a machine and mask that work for me. I'm learning a lot here but there is much terminology with which I am unfamiliar. I've looked through "Our Wisdom" and read the "New Users" information but haven't found a vocabulary list. Is there one? Thank you. poppy

[jmaziarz]

Welcome! I hear ya, trying to figure out the terminology can be difficult. At the top of some threads there are links to terms that are used in the posts. The links take you to the CPAPedia (cpapedia.php?mode=view). It is not complete but it is a start.

[crossfit]

Hey, thats a good point. We used to have links at the bottom of each post to words in the cpap dictionary. I don't see it now. Is that gone? I hope not. It was an excellent feature.

[jmaziarz]

At the top of some threads there are links to terms that are used in the posts.

[rested gal]

I hope someday there will be a button up top that says "Definitions" or "Dictionary" or some such word...leading to a list like the one started at this topic:
Common abbreviations and definitions:
viewtopic.php?t=14902
"Learning lexicon of cpap terms"

If the "CPAPopedia" keyword links no longer appear in posts where a word like humidifer or cpap or Respironics is used, I'm thrilled!!! A Dictionary button would be great, but having keyword links popping uninvited into my posts was an annoyance.

My edit: I had to post this with those words in it to see if the keywords thingie really was gone. Hooray!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Johnny, Chris, and Trin for removing that!!

[echo]

Hi Poppy - here's a link to the machine terminology: viewtopic.php?p=56836

I always got confused with C-flex and A-flex and all that stuff...

[carbonman]

haven't found a vocabulary list. Is there one? poppy

Poppy, ...what everyone else said....
in addition, I went to the library.
I read the 4 books they had.
Really helped understanding/learning, not only the nomenclature of cpap,
but also the history and entire process of cpap therapy.
I think the most important thing I learned from reading the books was
the severe implications on not using cpap therapy, everyday.
That knowledge makes it much easier to put that mask on every night.

All the best on your journey.

[sleepydoll]

Welcome !

I'm adding a linkI find handy to explain the whole deal to concerned family & friends. hope this helps too!

http://www.resmed.com/en-en/clinicians/ ... 40x380.swf

click on MENU, ( bottom left) then choose the thread you want.
I find this to be the best site to share and make others understand what's happening to us!

D.

[Poppy]

Thank you, everyone. Now I have some homework to do.

Poppy

[Poppy]

Wow - there is a lot to learn! I've copied a couple of pages of acronyms and other terminology into Word from the various sites suggested so I can print it for future use. A couple of questions remain (for now): What is "titrate?" Also, how do I know if I have an auto cpap machine? If I have an APAP, is that an auto cpap machine? Also, I saw on someone's list that they have strap guards - where can I get those? And, what is most common to use for cleaning the hose, mask, and humidifier reservoir? Thank you. I'm like a starving person suddenly presented with a smorgasboard of information; so excited to finally have the opportunity to get answers to my questions, and even more excited to see that there are many things I never even thought of to ask that I can now learn about as well. I'm looking forward to learning how to read the card in my machine to know if it is working for me. As it is, I only see my doctor once a year - how do I know without reading the card myself if this new machine is effective? Thanks again! Poppy

[carbonman]

Wow - there is a lot to learn!
Thanks again! Poppy

Poppy, it is always reassuring to me to see others going down the same road.
I have been down the same road you are on now, and most everyone here has too.

When you find this site, and you want to know everything,
it's like trying to get a drink from a fire hose.

You will find all the answers to your questions.
Keep reading here and on your own.

You are on the right road, now.

All the best.

[bdp522]

Hi Poppy,
With out the card reader and software you don't know how you're doing. You'll have to go by how you feel. Some people feel improvement right away and some take months to feel even very small improvements. Most of us invest in the card reader and software. My doctor doesn't have the software to read my card, and I've never seen a sleep doctor. I have the software and read the card myself, then make adjustments as needed.

Titrate- when you sleep with the cpap to find the pressure setting that is the most beneficial for you.

You have the M series auto with c-flex listed in your profile. Apap is an Auto.

Strap guards, I like to use Padacheeks. Go to http://www.padacheek.com and check out the strap covers. They make the wearing the masks so much more comfortable. Padacheek is also a forum member, so you can just PM her. She will even make something custom if you need it.

Cleaning...everyone has their own 'best way'. I wash my mask daily, hose monthly, HH rarely. I use Dawn dishwashing liquid to wash, then rinse well, then soak for 15 mins in 1:3 vinegar and water solution, and rinse very well.

Yes, there is alot to learn. Just keep reading and asking questions.

Brenda

[echo]

Poppy - a titration is when during the sleep study (split-PSG), or during another study, they put the mask on you and the machine, and attempt to find your "ideal pressure". Sometimes they do it with an auto PAP , sometimes they do it manually with a CPAP. It's done while you sleep, and you are still connected to all the measuring devices.

An APAP is an AUTO PAP. A=auto, C=continuous, PAP=positive airway pressure. Some call the APAP an auto CPAP, I guess it works
An APAP can be run in CPAP mode (fixed pressure), but a CPAP cannot run in APAP mode.
Check out this thread again:
Whats the differences in BIPAP, XPAP, APAP, CFLEX
viewtopic.php?p=56836

Here's a good start on how/when to clean:
CPAP Equipment Cleaning and Replacement (Mile High Sleeper)
Many people often find a regiment that fits them -some dont clean every day, some use the wipes you can get from cpap.com, some use bleach, others use vinegar or Control III (I prefer vinegar only , bleach makes it smell horrible). Others use a combination Some clean out their HH every day, others never do...

As for your last question - if you don't get the card and the software, and you are still feeling bad after starting treatment, you will NOT know how well the therapy is working. If you are feeling ok, then no need.... but often people have leaks or other issues that will show up in the software, and you can then make a correlation with why you're feeling bad and how well the therapy is working. So a software + card reader is ALWAYS a good idea in the long-term!

(darn, Brenda beat me to the post by just a few minutes .. so here you have it twice )