introducing myself

Rachael · Post by **Rachael** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:25 pm

Hi all. I have been lurking around this week and I wanted to introduce myself. I was diagnosed with severe UARS one week ago, I had no apneas or hypopneas, though >35 arousals / hour. Also lots of Alpha Delta sleep (still not clear on this, though I have done several searches...)

CPAP is going okay, I totally freaked out my first couple of nights, and no one said it would get so much worse before it would get better, but I have had three nights in a row of moderate comfort, and other than the soaking wet nose, I think I can imagine doing this. Kind of irritating to wake up 5 times a night to scratch and dry off my poor wet schnoz. I did try to jerry-rig a hose cover with some old cut-up tights, but I will clearly need to actually purchase something warmer for my hose.

So, any way, that's me. Thanks for all the help and advice here. In a few weeks when my auto-titration study is done I will be asking a lot of advice about the actual equipment to buy.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:34 pm

Welcome to the forum! You will learn so much so fast here you will be well prepared by the time it comes for you to get your equipment. Be sure to make it clear to your sleep doctor that you want some say in your choice of equipment and when the two of you decide which machine you want BE SURE he writes the script for the SPECIFIC MAKE AND MODEL - assuming you have insurance and might likely be working w/a local DME supplier. It also wouldn't hurt to call your insurance company NOW to find out your choice (if any) of local DME suppliers they have contracted w/so you can check them out too.

You didn't mention what mask you are using that is causing the wet snozz. I'm taking a guess it is one of the nasal pillow interfaces. I ran into that w/the Swift. You might ask to try the ComfortLite 2 nasal pillows, the nasal pillows should come w/both nasal pillows AND nasal cushion OR with nasal pillows AND nasal seals.

Whilst you are waiting, also go to cpap.com and check out their online mask fitting guide. Have someone help you take the measurements and then talk to cpap.com and see what masks they suggest might work well for you based on those measurements. That can help narrow the field some. The Respironics site also has a mask fitting guide for THEIR maska and it wouldn't hurt to check that out either. What they hay, nothing like a little information overload and 101 choices of masks to make your decison process a little easier!

cpappychulo · Post by **cpappychulo** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:13 am

Welcome Rachel

Rachael · Post by **Rachael** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:16 pm

Thanks.

I did select my gear on the profile, but it doesn't seem to be showing up.

I think I have the rain-out beat. My walls are really cold and I am wedging my hose in a blanket and pillow so it doesn't touch the wall. That helps. Though it's wicked cold tonight, so I think all bets are off.

I am really learning a lot from you all. I really appreciate it.

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:21 am

Make sure to select "Allow other users to view your CPAP equipment:" as Yes.

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 2:17 am

Also lots of Alpha Delta sleep (still not clear on this, though I have done several searches...)

Welcome Rachael.

Alpha & Delta are brainwaves. Alpha Delta sleep describes a problem in your sleeping pattern that needs to be resolved.

When a person is awake and resting, "alpha" brain waves are emitted at a frequency of 8 to 13 per second. When a person is in deep sleep, "delta" brain waves are emitted at a rate of less than 3.5 per second. People with alpha delta sleep disorder experience a disruption in these patterns. When they reach deep sleep, the phase in which muscles are repaired, alpha waves intrude and jolt them back to lighter sleep.

People with OSA keep getting kicked out of deep sleep (delta) which interferes with the bodies ability to heal itself.

Peter

rustynail · Post by **rustynail** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 7:02 am

Hi Rachael!

Welcome! .... you came to the best site on the planet for information and support! Hang in there.... you'll surely get the glitches ironed out with time, patience and a little creativity. There always seems to be several solutions to every problem.... you will find the ones that work best for you in due time.

ldemmery · Post by **ldemmery** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 7:24 am

Try turning your humidifier down a little, could help the rain out. I have the same problem sometimes, and it works.

Lynne

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