newby far far away

[ronflon]

Howdy all,

this is really a great forum, I must say I'm absolutely impressed, both by the tone among the members as by the quality of the contributions. People like rested gal do a terrific job here, and a new arrival can literally spend hours of learning and discovery.

I'm a German national and am working for an international organisation, usually posted to rather remote areas (currently in West-Africa). After the discovery of my apnea, I felt a clear difference sleeping with a mask. I felt real awake in the mornings, and had no more urge to fall asleep after lunch or during a trip in car or airplane. I had this diagnosis done in a German sleep-lab and received a nasal mask. After a short time, however, I felt that I was sleeping with my mouth open, so I was changed to a full face mask, the Mirage Quattro which appears to be well known in this forum

With that new mask I left to Africa, and it took me some time to get used to it. Sleeping on the side mostly, I had issues with leaks and air blowing into my eyes, which only got better with experience and by using Remzzzs. But although I don't feel any leaks anymore, I have begun to feel tired again at daytime. I'm not sure why - could be the heat and humidity here, too, but of course I fear the return of my apnea.

I have tried to read out data from my machine (GoodKnight 420S), but it is not very talkative without connection to its its specific software, unless of course I have missed something. I didn't get a manual with it, and the manuals I found online didn't show me how to extract data like apnea, leakages etc.

I am now considering to purchase the software (Silver Lining) and the cable for my machine, to be able to check on the nightly performance and eventually adapt my settings. In the shop associated to this forum it is quite reasonably priced at 99 USD, however the shipment charges are enormous (over 70 USD). As I have read in the comments of the shop, this is presumably because of 4 fat manuals included in the package, which are even useless as they are present electronically on the CD, too. I still don't know how to overcome this and would welcome any suggestion.

Greetings from the wilderness
ronflon

[harry33]

welcome, Im in australia, someone soon should be able to answer your questions

[ozij]

Mailing overseas from cpap.com is very expensive because of the mail system they use, and insurance, not because of the package.

If you have someone in the States to mail it to, and then have them send it to you by mail things will be cheaper.

Do you know how to chage the pressure on the machine? A change of pressure up or down for a week may let you sense what't going on, without the software.

O.

[ronflon]

Hi ozij,

in Europe, we OSA patients are taught just to have our doctors fiddle with the equipment. By browsing through this forum, I have already begun to understand that this is much less the case in the US, possibly also because you often have to purchase your equipment yourselves in many cases, whereas we get it from insurance (but often-times have to take what we get). Anyways, the attitude to take things in my own hands definitely suits me

I just have the difficulty hat I would like some objective factors to monitor the process. Sleep feelings are pretty subjective and unreliable, I find, and right now I wouldn't know whether my tiredness stems from leakages or a return of apnoea, or maybe just from the prevailing heat. I had hoped the machine would tell me more, but it appears that I am not supposed to read this data from the machine, unless I have the software and cable. I am quite proud to know how to change the pressure, though, since this is also documented nowhere for the ordinary patient.

I agree it would be useful to have a person in the US to receive the packet, even more so as the shipping is free inside the US. I actually have another reason to wish to reduce the weight. My snailmail reaches me through a diplomatic pouch, where I have a limit of 1kg/pouch (without even considering the environmental nonsense of sending useless papers from the US to Europe and then on to Africa ...).

So if you want to volunteer for repacking or can recommend me a trustworthy person, I would be very grateful indeed.

I have tried out through the forum search to find out what you refer to with the "Cast off monkey spell" in your signature, with no success unfortunately. Is it a secret?

Greetings
ronflon