Newbie says hello

photonic · Post by **photonic** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:03 pm

First post on what looks like a wonderfully helpful forum.

Was diagnosed with OSA via take home test AHI 8 and very sleepy and nauseated in the mornings. Tried CPAP prescribed by a general practitioner with no knowledge of how to set the machine. Disastrous night and abandoned machine and took it back. Tried dental mandibular protrusion device and got somewhat better but TMJ and bite quite messed up and take home test still showed OSA AHI 15 when on my back and getting sleepy again.

So I am now getting a full blown sleep lab study with a neurologist with a sleep medicine fellowship from Stanford who is also an OSA patient and very kind and thorough.

I fully expect to be trying CPAP again and this time I am committed to having success and this introducing myself on this board is part of that plan and commitment. I have already scoured the posts on equipment and think I know what I want to ask my MD for as far as equipment is concerned thanks to all the posts here.

Anyway hello to the forum and I hope you can help me with my journey which I know will be filled with some frustrations, but I will be successful. There! I said it publically.

Pasta · Post by **Pasta** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:10 pm

Welcome! This is a good place to come for help. So much info, I've learned a lot here and it comes quick. For me it's actually reassuring to learn and understand what's going on with my sleep.

JDS74 · Post by **JDS74** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:15 pm

Welcome aboard.
Sometimes the journey can be easier for some and harder for others.
The biggest deal is getting a mask that fits and works for you.

So hang in there. Make sure you get a data capable machine. If your doc is an apnea patient, he will be sympathetic to that need.

The Latinist · Post by **The Latinist** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:33 pm

Welcome! Take some time to learn about machines while you wait. Advocate for yourself. Get a machine that can give your the data you need to make sure your therapy works. I can testify that this forum is a great help and that data is essential in this process.

photonic · Post by **photonic** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:34 pm

Thanks!

Looks like the SleepyHead software is the one to get?

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:47 pm

photonic wrote:Thanks!

Looks like the SleepyHead software is the one to get?

it's popular and easy to use, read pugsy's pointers (top stickied post)

Pasta · Post by **Pasta** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:10 pm

photonic wrote:Thanks!

Looks like the SleepyHead software is the one to get?

I have a ResMed machine and used to have a Respironics machine. I've used 3 different versions of Encore, ResScan, and a few versions of Sleepyhead. By far I prefer Sleepyhead. I'm currently using version 0.9.3 and its almost perfect. I tried what was until recently the current version 0.9.5 and it really didn't want to play nice with my system. I just heard about 0.9.6 coming out and can't wait to try it. The thing with Sleepyhead is to just remember it's still in Beta and expect some glitches like messed up graphs or something. With that in mind I'd much rather put up with the occasional graph glitch, it's way better than the other programs. You just might need to try a couple versions.

Nick Danger · Post by **Nick Danger** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:21 pm

Welcome, Photonic!

Nick

photonic · Post by **photonic** » Sat Jun 28, 2014 5:23 pm

Going in tonight for a formal lab sleep study (instead of at home tests) and I suspect titration with BiPAP. My intuition tells me that the dental device ($2500 - GASP!) is not cutting it.

Sheriff Buford · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Sun Jun 29, 2014 9:49 am

Welcome! Work all your issues here!

Sheriff

Newbie says hello

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