bought a cpap (no prescription)

[roster]

......

I have mentioned these alternatives on different post with patients that are on a budget or not having health care coverage.

Agape

See:

........... I have been working again at developing a home diagnostic model with the Embletta (Embla) and PDX (Respironics) to determine apnea. Once apnea is discovered then place patients on APAP for the duration. In my opinion patients should not even bother with CPAP. The lab tech is trained to adjust/titrate a CPAP pressure to relieve the most severe event. But patients are not having that event all night long if they did they would be dead! So why/how should they tolerate a fixed pressure when the technology is available to auto adjust when the event appears. And we wonder why CPAP compliance is less then 50%.

......$120.00 for the home test
Agape!

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44821&p=401320#p401320

I like the direction you are taking. You know more about how to make healthcare more efficient than both parties in Congress.

[DoriC]

Agape, I'd like your opinion about those patients who do better on fixed pressure because of sensitivity to changing pressures. And are there other reasons? From what I read here it seems to be 50-50. Thanks for helping Nate.

[roster]

I was diagnosed with Asthma about 1990.

josef I have some questions for ya. Did your sleep problems start when you developed the asthma or were you having problems before? What were your asthma symptoms? And what prompt them to go away, the cpap?

Intense vacuum forces created in the throat can literally suction up normal stomach juices into the throat. It’s not only acid that comes up, but also includes bile, digestive enzymes, and bacteria. This can lead to the classic throat reflux symptoms, which include throat clearing, throat pain, post-nasal drip, chronic cough, hoarseness, lump sensation, or even difficulty swallowing. These materials can then migrate into the lungs, causing or aggravating asthma, bronchitis, and chronic cough. If these juices go up into the ears or the nose, then you’ll get ear fullness or pain, nasal congestion and sinus headaches.


http://doctorstevenpark.com/index.php?s=asthma

Also, in Dr. Park's book, Sleep, Interrupted, is a reference to a study finding UARS patients have greater incidence of asthma than OSA patients.

[el_zorro]

I feel for you. It won't hurt to try it out to see if it makes a difference.

You have one of the good old Remstar classic machines.

Often, a straight pressure of 10 is a good place to start.

If you have the manual, you can get into the clinician menu and set the pressure to 10 cm.

check here if you don't have the clinician manual ... http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

You appear to have a nasal pillow type mask interface. You can give it a whirl and see how it goes. You may experience mouth leaks, those will need to be addressed if they do indeed occur.

There are lots of veterans here who can help you get through to see if the treatment makes any difference for you.

Keep in mind that as others have said, you may not have OSA and you may need further professional assistance. You do need to realize that you are taking a minor risk, however, air pressure of 10 cm is not likely to hurt you over a short experimental period.

Check your machine to see exactly what model you have. If you have a data capable machine, you are in luck, if it is an APAP you are in better luck.

Dreamstalker, this is a perfect example of self-help when it makes sense. Way to help out a new friend here, this tell me a lot about you as a person.

[YawnGirl]

Nate, I commend you for "taking action"! At least your taking steps to find a solution to your problem.

You may want to keep your eyes open for an apap, it would work as a "poor man's sleep study". I have let 2 friends borrow mine for a 2 nite study for each of them because they did not have insurance or could not afford to pay for a sleep study.

I agree with having someone watch you while your sleep. I went to Daytona with a couple of girl friends last year and one who is an RN told me, "You need to tell your dr you have "observed apnea"". So I did....

Good Luck!

[Nate154]

I gave it a whirl last night (somewhat) and it wasn't horrible but I didn't keep the mask on very long either. Pressure at 10. I sat up in bed just getting used to the feeling. It didn't feel too bad and I ended up lying down and falling asleep. It feels nice getting a good breath in but exhaling against the pressure is uncomfortable. Also yawning, clearing my throat, ears popping when swallowing was awkward. I woke up two hours later with the mask on the floor, so I don't know how long I actually had it on. I tried putting it back on and going to bed, but I started to get scared that if I didn't get any sleep how much of a wreck I would be at work (even more so), so I took it off. And I don't do a hard job either - delivering pizzas lol. Maybe I overfilled that humidifer because it was leaking all over. Here is a picture of it: http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n21/ ... cbef17.jpg

Also, there was a setting for ramp? It wanted a time and pressure setting; didn't know what that was about.

[DreamOn]

Also, there was a setting for ramp? It wanted a time and pressure setting; didn't know what that was about.

Hi Nate,

"Ramp" is a feature where you can have the machine start at a lower pressure for a set amount of time. The machine gradually builds up to your set pressure (10). If you decide to use the feature, I suggest that you don't start at a pressure that's too low, as it can sometimes be more difficult to breathe when there isn't enough pressure. You may want to try setting ramp to a starting pressure of 7 for 15-30 minutes and see what you think. Most people find they don't need it after a relatively short time, but it can help because by the time pressure ramps up to the set pressure (10 in your case), you'll (hopefully) be asleep.

I'm not familiar with your particular machine. On some machines, there is a setting called EPR (ResMed) or C-Flex (Respironics), which provides some relief on exhale. I don't believe your machine (REMstar Plus 1006064) has that feature, but I may be mistaken. If it does, you may want to try that out.

Hopefully, someone who knows your machine and humidifier can offer suggestions about the humidifier leaking. You did great for a first night! I look forward to hearing how you do. I really hope it helps you.

Best wishes,

DreamOn

[blakepro]

Might be a unit with the C-Flex. (looks like my old machine)

If you turn that on, it would help with breathing out.

[snowman0591]

HI I am 61 years old and need a machine, but I don"t know what would be best for me. can anyone help?????? Thanks Rick

Nate,


I am a sleep professional who currently has a sleep center. I am a big fan of this website and all the caring people. However there seems to be a riff between users (patients) and professionals (rt's and sleep technologists) on this site. I hope that could change.

I know the people on this site mean well but there is much more to OSA/CSA then AHI and leak. Most advice is good but some could be harmful. (eg. start at 10cmH20 and see how you feel).

I am willing to help. First please do not try to experiment with pressures as you can cause yourself more damage. There is alternative ways to find a correct pressure without a full blown psg (sleep study) however a full psg being the most optimum their is less expensive ways, I can help with that. Also it is important to have a proper fitted mask ( I am willing to donate one ).

If you are interested in my help just let me know.

If you need help leave your contact info (you can private message if you like).

Agape