Waiting for CPAP-what ? should I ask?

[hghspl1]

I had a sleep study about 10 years ago and it was a very negative experience. I didn't sleep much and when they put the full face mask on, I felt very claustrophobic and like I couldn't breathe. I was very happy when the almost retired pulmonologist said as long as I didn't sleep on my back and stopped taking nightly Flexeril for my fibromyalgia, he didn't see the need for CPAP.
Forward to last summer and my previously controlled blood pressure was suddenly getting higher and we had to add bp med #2. My thyroid has been wacky and hard to pin down since menopause and I'm tired and achy a lot. I also was very anxious and more depressed and changed those meds as well. In January, my trusted doc of 25 years said he thought we should relook at sleep apnea. I said ok, but drug my feet and didn't call for a few weeks. Then things were delayed by our travels, the sleep doc's family emergency, my insurance, etc. Finally had an in home in March and saw the sleep Dr Kate April. Home study showed severe apnea(30 an hour). We took off on a wonderful 3 week road trip 3 days later, with my in lab titration set up for when we were home. I loved our trip, but was increasingly exhausted and was in a period of barely sleeping. After we got home, had my thyroid rechecked and I was on too low a dose. I was expecting the opposite because of not being able to sleep and anxiety.
I had the in lab sleep study about 10 days ago. The tech was great and had me use the least invasive mask-just over the nose. I am definitely a mouth breather, but he said sometimes that is fixed by the pressure. Dr had recommended I take an Ambien and I did. I was at first very apprehensive, but remember lying there breathing in and out through my nose and the next thing I knew, the tech was waking me in the morning! Now I'm pumped to start this process, but wanted to find out what my questions should be when I go to the sleep Dr this week.

- I've started worrying that since my nose is often stuffy(especially spring allergies) that the nasal mask won't work, yet it worked well that night.
- Is it ok to ask for a prescription for a month of Ambien to get over the hump
-who gets the machine and determines what it will be? The tech at the sleep lab asked if I would be going through them or my sleep Dr or if I wanted to talk to insuranc e and do it on my own. I didn't know how to answer or what is often best for people.
-Do you get much follow up on this? Seems like you should, but reading posts has made me wonde.

Sorry for the length. I'll be more concise next time !

[rohdej]

The follow up to the sleep test with the doctor will address which type you get, Apap, BIpap, ect. NOT ASK, DEMAND a fully data capable machine that records every breath you take each night!

[D.H.]

Make sure to get the same mask you used in the lab (since it seems to have worked). The best mask (and best machine) is the one that works best for you!

Give the nasal mask a try, especially given that it worked in the lab! Even though you report that your nose is always stuffy, you might find that this is not the case when using xPAP. Blow your nose immediately before use, so at least you start with a clear nose.

[ChicagoGranny]

- I've started worrying that since my nose is often stuffy(especially spring allergies) that the nasal mask won't work, yet it worked well that night.

I would go with the nasal mask since it worked the only night you used CPAP. Many people who use nasal masks keep a FFM to use when they have colds or allergies.

- Is it ok to ask for a prescription for a month of Ambien to get over the hump

I would wait and see how you do without it. It might be a crutch starting out with it. Be positive going into this - "CPAP is going to work for me!"

-who gets the machine and determines what it will be? The tech at the sleep lab asked if I would be going through them or my sleep Dr or if I wanted to talk to insuranc e and do it on my own. I didn't know how to answer or what is often best for people.

Get the prescription in your hand and shop around. What do you mean by "going through them or my sleep Dr"?
You want to do what makes the most sense for yourself. By all means, talk to your insurance company so you know what and how much is covered and what your part of the costs will be.

-Do you get much follow up on this?

Unless there are some unusual complicating factors, this forum is the best followup. The smarter members here will tell you if there is something you need to talk to the doctor about. Plan to take control of your own therapy. No one has more interest in your health than you. No one is in a better position to manage your CPAP therapy than you.

Finally, make 100% sure you are getting a data-capable machine with auto function. Model names are very confusing - get help from the forum before taking delivery of a machine.