brand new to OSA/CPAP

[kb1]

Hi:)
I am very new to this diagnosis of OSA .. I took a sleep study and the results brought me back for a CPAP triation .
At the first sleep study the technician told me that if she detected apnea she would come in with a mask ..
When i woke up i did not have a mask so i assumed i did not have apnea.
To my surprise .. my doctors office called me the next day and told me i have sleep apnea with rem prominant. Then the Sleep disorder clinic called me and sceduled an appt with the Sleep Doc..
He told me I had no choice but to wear a mask at night .. no surgery would help me.
He listened to my lungs and examined my throat ears etc.. sceduled me for a Pulmonary Lung Function test.
I came in the next night for the CPAP triation .. I choce the nasal pillow mask ..
It seemed as soon as she put it on me within a few minutes i was dreaming but not asleep yet ..] I dont understand that .. I fell asleep pretty fast because no naps during the day and no coffee!
I felt like i slept good .. when i woke up i had bruising on my chest that hurt real bad - i dont know why unless i slept on the belt - i was extremly tired all day the next day.. I was hoping to feel better.
Yesterday i went for the PFT . I dont know why i had to do that.,but did.
Today the Drs office called and told me the Doc sent in my prescription and they would call me for an appt to get my machine/mask. I am now sceduled for Monday.
I have read a lot about apnea since i was diagnosed.. but still having a hard time coming to terms with all of this.
I will probably have a million questions Monday night.
I have not slept well the past 2 weeks since the diagnosis .. almost afraid to sleep ..being my apnea happens mostly at REM sleep. I do not get oxygen.

[Breathe Jimbo]

Perhaps the most important thing right now is to insist on a machine that is FULLY DATA CAPABLE! Do not accept any machine that tracks only compliance, but not detailed events during your sleep. You will find a lot of information here about which machines are and are not fully data capable. If I were you, I would call and find out what kind of machine they want to give you, i.e. the specific make and model, and let them know that you want a machine that is "fully data capable." Post the machine make and model here and many people will help you with more detailed information.

[Julie]

Plus an "Auto" vs straight Cpap, because the auto can be used in Cpap mode, but not the other way around.

[Muse-Inc]

My new doc said he thought I has obstructive sleep apnea and recommended a sleep doc for a PSG. I read up on apnea on the 'net and was immediately terrified! Starting sleeping on my side, propped up, and bought a baby monitor so my mom could listen to my breathing and if it got weird or stopped come wake me up. Took 3 months back then to get into a sleep study, but that sleep in the mask was the best I'd had in maybe 9-10 yrs -- I wanted that again whatever it took! The 10-day wait between sleep study and getting my equipment seemed like it would never end. I was too muddle-headed at the time to know there were choices in machines -- you're off to a great start by finding this place and learning all you can!

Get a full-data machine (ditto the Auto if you can wrangle it, it blows changing pressures to prevent events and can be set to blow a single pressure) and get a copy of your sleep study (lotta info there we can help you understand).

[KenH]

If I may, let me jump in here and ask about the FULLY DATA CAPABLE machine. I hear how people are able to check each night about their results. What am I missing? I have a Respironics BiPAP AutoSV Advanced machine with a card slot on the side and I see nothing about results. I assume the Doctor will read the card on my follow-up visit and tell me the results YTD. Do I need some kind of adapter to connect to my computer to read this data?

[Breathe Jimbo]

ken, you have a very advanced machine with full data capabilities. A quick check of the online specs suggests that you need a SmartCard and the Encore software. Someone else can explain that; I have different equipment and software. Try doing a search on "smartcard" and "encore."

It appears that you may also need this card reader:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... r-USB.html

[kb1]

Thank you for all replies:) I will use these tips and hope I get a good set up:)

[OutaSync]

KenH,

You have the newer version of what I use. The Smart Card will hold your average information for about a year and a half's worth of data, but only 8 days of detailed nightly data. If you want to see what is is happening every night, not just the last 8 nights before you take it to the Dr. to read, you will need the software and card reader.

If your therapy is gong well, you might not need to see it every night, but you can still download it and keep it on your computer for future reference.

If your threapy is not going well, you do not want to wait until your next appt in 6 months to a year to find out what is wrong. Read the information on this fourm. Educate yourself about your condition and take charge of your own therapy.

Would you mind sharing with us what your diagnosis was that earned you a BiPap Auto SV? Feel free to start a new thread with any questions you may have.

Bev