great forum to join. also new patiant

[yaconsult]

Ah, you had the home sleep study. They are nowhere near as accurate or complete as a lab study, but are a fraction of the cost too! I was surprised to find that my severe apnea was the same on my back and my side during my lab sleep study. So, for me, it doesn't matter which way I sleep. Which is good because I like switching it up and sleeping on both sides and back.

I am curious if the increase in pressure you were going to try made a noticeable difference or not - I'm hoping it did!

[archangle]

Ah, you had the home sleep study. They are nowhere near as accurate or complete as a lab study, but are a fraction of the cost too! I was surprised to find that my severe apnea was the same on my back and my side during my lab sleep study. So, for me, it doesn't matter which way I sleep. Which is good because I like switching it up and sleeping on both sides and back.

Even if the home study is inaccurate, a good data capable CPAP will probably see every apnea you have. If anything, it will show a higher AHI than an in-lab sleep test will show. i.e. you have pretty good monitoring of your apnea during actual treatment.

[simarik]

hi everyone sorry for the long delay.

after a month using the cpap set to flexible. the cpap guy set it to a fixed setting. i will post the result soon. however i felt better when i waked up in morning with the flex setting. since a week with the fixed setting. i fell not as clear in the head as i was with the flex settings. and pain just onder the shoulder blades. as it is only a week now should i give it a bit more time?

[Julie]

Did 'the guy' say why he changed from straight Cpap to Autopap? Sometimes there is a good reason to do it - sometimes the changes in pressure levels waken sensitive patients many times overnight, so using plain Cpap is better for those patients, but the majority of us seem to do very well using the auto features, and you said you felt better as well when you were on it, so I'd definitely try to get a good answer as to why you were changed.

[simarik]

[simarik]

hi julie,

i have been using the machine for a month and it was set to flexible to see how it would preform. after 1 month i had to go back for him to analyse the result and he thought it would be better for me to fix it at this current value.

[Julie]

Ok... btw, we are all used to using the term 'auto' for the cpap mode that is not fixed, but goes through a range of pressures, and it might confuse some people when you use the word 'flexible', so if you can, please use 'auto' pap... thanks.

But you need to get more information - ask for specific reasons why you were changed to plain Cpap because it's hard to help without an explanation. It's your OSA, body, life, and you have a right (and personal responsibility) to understand why things happen, to participate in your therapy.

It looks a bit like your low pressure setting was possibly set too low, as it routinely moves higher, and just resetting it a little might help, but I'd wait and see what the ? technician says about why he changed the 'mode' from Apap to Cpap. Plus, he's not a doctor, and the more informed you are, the sooner you can make your own decisions about whether to make changes or not, and we can help with those.

I also would advise you to really try to not sleep on your back.. I don't think back sleeping is going to help anything.

[simarik]

thx julie,

the technician did the settings but after my appointment with him i had the appointment with my Lung specialist. wich he must and did approve to use this setting. so i assumed they know what they are doing. but will give it a try for some more days. if i still have not reached what i expect then will inform them.

by the way since it is set to cpap i have this pain just below my 2 sholderblades exactly in the middle any idea what that might be ? is it because now i breath again difrentley?

[Julie]

That pain could be anything from tension caused by being afraid to move when the machine is on (you shouldn't have to stay stiff!) to your chest muscles being out of shape and now working harder on the machine (that should go away in time), to anything else - I would see a doctor as cardiac problems can cause all kinds of unexpected symptoms, so get checked out to be sure. I'm sorry if I sound like I'm lecturing you about being pro-active with your therapy, and you are using SleepyHead but the more you learn the more you'll relax because you'll feel that you're in control, not the technician. But I guess learning takes time and you are trying... just get on the phone (or road) and ask why the change was made - until you understand it.

[simarik]

hi julie,

abselutley not lecturing. information is more then welcome. cardiac was checked last week but i do agree that my condition is bad aswell my muscles gained 7 kg compared to last year this time. so as my girlfriend keep reminding me need to start exercise again.

[Julie]

Thanks . If the explanation doesn't make sense, come back (to this thread) and we'll try to help.

[Pugsy]

I think I see where they came up with the fixed pressure of 9 cm. I am surprised that it seems to have gotten worse in terms results the longer you are using it. I am scratching my head over those most recent reports. Not surprising that you feel worse because the reports just scream "poor sleep" in general.

You are in Holland if I remember right...is that correct? Do they get all upset if you deviate from the advised settings?
Like if you changed the settings at all would they do much?

Oh BTW when you have time would you correct your equipment in your profile? It might save some confusion later.
The machine you are chosen is the slightly older model of your machine and the humidifier you have chosen won't work with your machine at all.

The correct machine choice would be PR System One 60 Series Auto CPAP machine
and the correct humidifier would be this one because it is the only choice that works with the machine you are using
PR System One 60 Series heated tube humidifier with heated tube.

[simarik]

hi pugsy thx for remembering appreciate you had a look at it.

well i can explain the getting worse part.

as you can see the change was made on the 27th friday last week. the ahi was better then before when i was on apap.
monday 30th i drove 9 hours arrived at destination i slept very bad to tired i presume and the hotel room was very very dry air. that is why also the humidifier was totaly used up in one night. also the second night i slept terrible very shot like 4 hours and could not sleep also. that day i drove back 9 hours and as you see i slept in my own bed on 1st of april it becomes better and i slept like 10 hours.

but what i do not understand is the first day already after apap to cpap even the ahi being lower when woke up i did not feel the clearness in my mind but the same old cloudiness and tiredness.

i am gambling on that i need to get use to the new setting as i feel some symthoms like i started the treatment. muscle ace aspecialy my back between the shoulder blades. a bit of light headed. so maybe i should give it a good week to see.

i am in holland yes and i think i could change the settings but i would like to give them first a fare chance. if this wont be as good as the apap settings then i will most defenetley try some of your suggestions.

profile will be changed right after this post

[simarik]

my equipment is corrected

[simarik]

update.

today i talked to the cpap guy and told him that after changing from apap to cpap is not working for me. after the change pain between my sholderblades and also chest. (muscular pain) feel terrible when i wake up like a zombie tired and sleepy. gained in 1 month time 10 kilos. ( he told me this might be because my body hormones are adjusting and it should be temporary)

we changed it back to apap looking at the previous results. he told me my body reacts better on apap.

i hope tomorrow i can feel the difference again.