Let's all play nice

[kaiasgram]

Old due...when we use the Foe list you don't see a person's response but you do see a message that "so and so" has posted but you have chosen not to view his/her comments...click here to see what they said. That's the part that suckers me in...what I mean when I say that I just HAVE to see what they said...so I click and then usually get reminded as to why I chose to not see what that person wants to say. So my Foe list is short because I normally have to go look anyway.

You're right - it's just kind of a neurotic indulgence. It's like when we were kids and pretended to plug both our ears with our fingers and screamed "I'm not going to listen to you!" but we'd kinda keep one ear a teeny bit open, in case we might miss something.

Regards, Nate

You're both right! Plus the Foe's posts inevitably show up in quote boxes when others respond in the thread anyway.

[idamtnboy]

When I went too this site to gain information. And to find
out what my future held . I was a bit surprised I saw
The overwhelming suport and kindness they gave Stormy when
she was in the Hospital. Then I have also seen people
attacking other members like bully's. Which is very uncalled for.
And I will Probley get attacked for justing posting this. I did put
A picture behind my screen name. I'm not going to hide behind
A cartoon Pic.....Let's play nice folks... I know we are all tired but
Come on now.....

Let me sleep, as you will eventually figure out, one of this forum's greatest assets is also one of it's greatest frustrations (for some members), and this is the fact it is not moderated. That means we can pretty well write anything we want whenever we want. That allows us to share information and suggestions that are not allowed on other boards. It also allows us to engage in sometimes rather fierce differences of opinions, particularly in relation to the impact of politics on health care. We have members that cover the entire political, religious, and social spectrum here. Some, on both sides, are hell bent on pushing the superiority of their views. Obviously, we can't all be right, or wrong! Your reaction is perfectly understandable, and I'm sure many here agree with you. So, all I ask is be patient and tolerable, and you WILL get a lot of help here. Just as with all of life, sometimes we have to take the bad with the good. It's no different here.

Rest assured, if a member viciously attacks another member in a clearly unjustified manner, they can be, and have been, banned from the forum. I myself pointed out to the forum manager a very personal attack on me one time. That poster was quickly expunged from here. So, what may seem to you to be bullying, or uncalled for attacks, are tolerable to the forum operators. That is the price of freedom here.

I see you have removed your avatar photo. I believe you owe us an explanation about why you have done so, given your strong statement in your post above. But I for one do not particularly advocate using photos for avatars. I admit, it does personalize one's posts to a great extent, but the Internet can be a hazardous jungle, and there are many nefarious characters out there sifting for anything that can be used to steal identities, or harass people, or even blackmail innocent users. That's why I have chosen to use a non-personal avatar photo.

Hang in there, ask questions, and as others have said, WELCOME. We're glad you're here!

[Let me sleep]

I took my picture off. After the reaction I got
I felt very uncomfortable having it up. But I did have it up. I do not
have a computer so I rarely go on the Internet.
I have been recently diagnosed with apnea. And
I really don't know a lot about it or know any one
who has it. That is how I ended up here. Maybe I spoke
to soon. I just found some of the post were a bit out
of line. Shame on me for saying so. Ok I'm sorry ....
But like I stated before
I have seen a lot of very NICE and kind people on this site.

But if anyone can answer a question I have:
After 3 weeks of use why do I feel WORSE!
My AHI is always below 3 and my auto settings
Blow between 5 and 8. You would think I should
be feeling more rested but don't ????

[idamtnboy]

Maybe I spoke
to soon. I just found some of the post were a bit out
of line. Shame on me for saying so. Ok I'm sorry ....
But like I stated before
I have seen a lot of very NICE and kind people on this site.

But if anyone can answer a question I have:
After 3 weeks of use why do I feel WORSE!
My AHI is always below 3 and my auto settings
Blow between 5 and 8. You would think I should
be feeling more rested but don't ????

No need to apologize, nor be ashamed. The same leniency that allows others to make comments that bothered you, also gives you the freedom to question it. But I accept your apology anyway.

I suggest you pose this question in a new topic with the question in the subject line. It'll more quickly attract on-point attention. This issue has been discussed in the past but I'm not sure what the best words would be to find them with the search box. You may, but hopefully not, run into the situation where we have a lot of answers, but not always every answer. If you don't have a computer what are you using to access this forum, a tablet? You are, unfortunately, going to be somewhat handicapped by not having a PC. One of the things you really need to do is download your data from the CPAP to understand what is really happening with your therapy. You may find we are strapped in our efforts to help without that data. Do you have access to a computer you can install CPAP software on and download data to?

Tablets, if that is what you are using, are great but they are not the end all, be all some would have us believe. Hopefully some others can suggest what info you need to provide via your tablet or smartphone access to help get an answer.

[Let me sleep]

I'm using my little IPhone. Which makes it hard
to read and post...I will start a new subject with
that question...

[Pugsy]

But if anyone can answer a question I have:
After 3 weeks of use why do I feel WORSE!
My AHI is always below 3 and my auto settings
Blow between 5 and 8. You would think I should
be feeling more rested but don't ????

There can be any number of reasons why you feel worse. AHI by itself doesn't guarantee anything other than a nice number to brag about. If all it took for this to work was getting a nice low AHI we wouldn't have much of a need for a forum like this. Getting a nice low AHI is fairly easy....the other stuff isn't so easy as people want to think.
We usually suggest that people start with posting a couple of their typical reports so we can see what you are seeing.
Then we ask a bunch of nosy questions that might shed some light on things.
If you want help doing the detective work you might want to start a new thread devoted to that goal. You will get more traffic than going into it here.

[idamtnboy]

I'm using my little IPhone. Which makes it hard
to read and post...I will start a new subject with
that question...

I edited my response. Be sure to go back and check it again.

[DoriC]

There's a lot to learn besides the AHI number, are your pressure settings optimal,what's the breakdown of that number between apneas, hypopneas, or all Centrals? Are you having large leaks that may render the AHI inaccurate? I think it's essential to be able to monitor your data, if not you're flying blind. Do you have access to a computer?

[Stormynights]

Could it be that you are sleeping too deeply? I have had that feeling before. If that is what it is you are on the right track.

[mgaggie]

I have found cultural differences can be a huge part in appearing to not play nice.

Aussies tend to take the pee out of anyone and everything, and that has gotten me off side with a few posters without meaning too. I also think aussies are more 'upfront', if you annoy us we'll tell you in no uncertain manner

[GrandmaC]

But in general we should try to help one another, since the medical system often does not provide us with adequate support.[/quote]

I just want to comment on this statement. I thought it might just be my doctor. He seemed a lot more helpful when I first started going to him. Then he started giving speeches to build up his business. Now, he runs me through very quickly and no one in his office has much time to help me with any cpap issues I may have. Maybe the solution is for cpap users to help each other.

[Julie]

Have you gotten the help you wanted in the end? Do you have any questions now?

[GrandmaC]

Have you gotten the help you wanted in the end? Do you have any questions now?

Thanks Julie. You gave me some helpful information about what machine you use.

I have a lot of trouble with leaks. Also, I move around a lot in my sleep. I'm not sure if that's bad except that it makes the mask more uncomfortable. I seem to have trouble either getting it too tight or so lose there's leaks.

[DoriC]

My husband alternates with the UM and QuattroFF and they can both be finicky. Have you been fitted correctly for size? One-half inch either way makes a difference. Have you experimented with the forehead setting. We set it one up from the bottom and that seems to stop leaks into the eyes and is most comfortable. The trick is to turn on the machine with the mask very loose so the cushion can fill with air, then make strap adjustments just until the leaks stop. He also washes his face and shaves before bed. After trying lots of bed pillows we find that a fairly soft down pillow is best for side sleeping because there's little resistance and doesn't knock the mask off center. Everyone is different of course. Good luck.

[GrandmaC]

No, I really wasn't fitted. The lady at my doctor's office brought me a size medium and let me put it to my face. It felt fine, but there was not air coming through it. when I got it and connected it to my machine, there were leaks. I called several times and she didn't return my calls. I finally got her on the phone and she said she was putting in an order for a size smaller. A couple of weeks later Apria called me and said the insurance wouldn't pay for it until October 25th. We had to wait until then to send the order in. We did that just the other day.

Today, I said the heck with insurance and ordered a new machine that has a feature which tells if the mask is properly fitted. After 3 minutes it gives you a green smiley face if it's a good fit and a red face if it needs adjustments. Hopefully, the smaller mask will work. I'm not happy with my doctor but I don't think there's any better doctors in the area. Besides I go on medicare soon and will be lucky to have a sleep apnea doctor that will take me. I checked and he does take medicare.