New and scared

[kyk96]

Hi, my name is Kim and I am to pick up my machine today, plus pick out the mask, etc.

I don't know much about my diagnosis because I did a home study with a janky machine that had pinched tubing. I fixed the tubing, but don't have a lot of faith in the results. Anyway, the doctors office left a message saying I have sleep apnea and they put in a prescription for a cpap machine. I called back and asked for numbers. I didn't know exactly what numbers to ask for, but i remember when my husband had an actual study years ago that they told him how many times he stopped breathing during the night. Didn't know to ask about oxygen levels, but figured they would give me all pertinent info when I asked for numbers. All they said was in a 20 minute period I had 17 episodes. What does that mean in relation to numbers people here refer to?

Anyway, my machine is going to be a res med 10. I hope it's a good machine. We didn't have a choice. I guess it is supposed to wirelessly give my doctor access to my data. Nor sure how I feel about that either. I'm scared I won't sleep and I'm scared it won't help. I'll do anything to get rid of this crushing fatigue that's ruining my life.
Thanks.

[chunkyfrog]

There are several models of the ResMed Airsense 10.
Insist on at least the Elite, but preferably the Autoset or the Autoset FOR HER
Do NOT accept the "cpap". It is what we call a "brick".
Since you apparently did not have a titration, you should at least get the Autoset;
as that is the only way you will have a chance at the correct settings.

[Julie]

Hi Kim, relax because you're now on the way to being better.

Is your machine a plain Cpap or an Auto (it's important and you should definitely know that). Your 'score' of 17 is considered mild to moderate, so not a huge deal, but important to treat all the same, especially as it's apparently making you feel bad.

You must also ask what pressures you're being told to set the machine to (or that they'll do before you get it) because you need to know those (or 'that' if it's just a Cpap). The thing is, auto machines can also be used as Cpaps, but Cpaps don't do auto... and don't let them tell you autos cost more because the code (sent to the insce. co) is the same for both. When you write back, please stick with this thread so we can follow your story as we go and can help a lot easier if needed.

[kyk96]

Thank you both SO much for your replies! I'm hoping once I meet with the person where I'm getting my machine they will be able to give me a lot better information and explanations than the doctor has given me so far I will definitely make sure I get what you have suggested. I can't tell you how much it helps to get those recs!

How is a "score" determined?

[KeyholeKH11]

Hi Kim, relax because you're now on the way to being better.

Your 'score' of 17 is considered mild to moderate, so not a huge deal, but important to treat all the same, especially as it's apparently making you feel bad.

Respectfully, the OP stated 17 in 20 minutes. That's 17 events in 1/3 hour; that translates to an AHI of 3x17=51. That is severe apnea; at least during that 20 minute period.

[Julie]

Oops, math challenged here!

[kyk96]

Ok, so score is determined by episodes per hour?

I wondered why the dr. office stated a 20 minute period. Does that mean out of the whole miserable night they only picked 20 minutes of data to review?

[palerider]

Ok, so score is determined by episodes per hour?

I wondered why the dr. office stated a 20 minute period. Does that mean out of the whole miserable night they only picked 20 minutes of data to review?

maybe, you'd have to ask them.

normally you don't get a 'score', you get an AHI, which is an average of the total of how many apneas and hypopneas you had divided by how many hours you slept.

it's also *important*, as Chunkyfrog said, that you don't let them saddle you with a crap machine, some bad places do this to maximize their profits.

there are FOUR different resmed Airsense 10 machines, one of them is crap, make sure you get an Elite, or preferably, and AutoSet for Her.... insist on it.

[Cardsfan]

Hi Kim-- when the AHI is above 5 events per hour, that is considered a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Hang in there, it is a lot to learn the lingo. And there are many helpful people here who have been through it.
Ask your Dr for a copy of your sleep test results and a copy of your prescription.

[Moondance]

I just wanted to say that hi and to hang in there! I'm only on week 5 of therapy so I was in your shoes not too long ago. The unknown is scary. What if it doesn't work? What if I can't sleep with the machine? What if, what if, what if?

My advice, first and foremost, is to read, read, read, and read some more from this website. There is a ton of great information that really helped me in the beginning. Ask questions. But most of all, don't give up. Yes, there is an adjustment period, but you'll get through it. One night at a time!

[JohnO]

I'm scared I won't sleep and I'm scared it won't help.

Hi Kim,

This forum is the best thing to help get past the fear by increasing your knowledge.

Getting a mask that works for you (emphasis on "for you") is key. There are many masks out there. Feel free to ask for advice here.

Also -- do expect to have trouble sleeping your first few nights with the machine. It is a strange new feeling, but it'll pass. Some suggest trying out the machine while you are still awake the first couple of nights - plan a little extra time before you are too sleepy to figure out how to put on the mask, turn on the machine, turn it off in the middle of the night if you need to get up, etc.

Good Luck! August 2016 will be 4 years "on the hose" for me. I'm very comfortable with the machine, and truly believe it improves my health.

John

[kyk96]

Ok, so I got a res med airsense 10 Autoset machine. I forgot to ask why it wasn't a For Her model, but the person who helped me said that my doctor is always very clear what he wants for his patients and they had everything programmed where the doctor wanted it before I even got there.

After talking with the guy, I feel REALLY good about my doctor, his reputation, and his level of care for his patients. Not having a normal study but only a home study I was really overwhelmed by the unknown. And the guy at the DME place who helps fit people, etc., was super understanding about that and made it clear that he will go to great lengths, without charge, to do whatever adjusting, cushioning, rigging, etc, it takes to help me be comfortable and successful.

When I left I couldn't wait to get home and go to bed! I still have to wait a few hours til bedtime, but I feel the most hope I've had in years.

Th mask I got is called DreamWear. Apparently it is the one my doctor uses! He really wanted me to try a full mask, but agreed to let me try this first. I have no idea if I am a mouth breather, but I feel like I would freak out in the night having something covering my face. Plus I'm getting an OBS from my dentist on Tuesday and the the DME guy thought that would actually help me to not mouth breathe, so we will give it a try. And he said if necessary we can try adding a chin strap before resorting to the full face thing if that's what I want to do. This mask barely felt like I had anything on my face and he promised he won't let me have to deal with strap marks on my face. The way this is made I doubt that will be a problem. Otherwise, it felt like I was wearing a headband.

The thing I did not like was it felt hard to exhale. He adjusted the setting to make it easier, but the doctor wants whatever setting to be at a specific number, so I will try to get used to it. He said if it becomes a problem that makes my condition worse, then my insurance will cover the full sleep study and I would probably move on to a bi pap machine. I actually liked the feel of the air going in, so I will do my best to get used to exhaling.

[LSAT]

Your machine has an EXHALE PRESSURE RELIEF (EPR) setting. Make sure it is on and set.

[Janknitz]

You got a great machine and a great mask!

Now, it is going to feel hard to exhale at first. You are not used to exhaling against pressure. If it helps to know this, it's really not very much pressure at all, but it feels like it because you are not used to it. Your muscles will get a little stronger and you will no longer notice it.

There is something called Exhalation Pressure Relief (EPR) which should have been set at the highest level (I think 3) for you. If it was not, it's in the patient's menu and you can adjust it yourself. Go to set up menu, push the big button, and then scroll down to it. Make sure it is set to the highest level(I don't have the machine handy to tell you in better detail). You WILL get used to it, but some people struggle at first and may even have a little chest soreness for a few days. It WILL get better.

Now, in the hours before bed, you can help yourself learn to breathe only through your nose. Find that ridge of hard palate just behind your front top teeth and put your tongue there. Close your mouth softly and seal your lips together gently. That's the position your mouth should be in during sleep. You can practice all the time when awake unless you are eating or talking. The more you do it, the more you will learn the position so that it will carry over in your sleep. Practice, practice, practice!

Good luck, I hope it's a great night for you. But don't beat yourself up if you find it challenging to get used to. Many of us did too. We can help if you have difficulties, but I hope you take to it like a duck takes to water.

[brucelegs]

Kim,

I am so glad you came over here and joined the group (see I told you everyone here is great)

Sweet dreams tonight to you

Mary-Ellen