Well, here it goes...

jsmith1984 · Post by **jsmith1984** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:37 am

I am going this afternoon to pick up my machine. After months of waiting, its finally here. I believe I'm getting a remstar autoset, but I'm not sure yet. After dealing with doctors who didn't seem to want to help, or wanted to jump right into surgery, I would like to commend Catherine Clary at Commonwealth Neuro Specialists of South Hill, Va. for her help. She was my sleep tech for both studies. She was very helpful and was able to answer all my questions. I left her a message yesterday, and she called me back right away, and remembered exactly who I was. In todays world, where you are just a number, that means a lot.
My prescription is written for an auto response cpap titrated at 5 - 15 cm h20, with a humidifier.
Few questions though, about the numbers on my results. These are from my titration study. The results say my total sleep time was 6.1 hours, sleep onset was 14 min, rem was 93 min, basal 02 sat was 96%, and heart rate was 54bpm. Is that pretty good? my diagnostic study showed 37 events per hour, and 02 sat was 82%. I'm new to this, but ive been reading a lot here since I found out I need a cpap. Thanks for all your help, and heres to a good nights sleep...

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:07 am

Your titration numbers look very good, jsmith. Glad to hear you'll be getting an autopap!

A mask that suits you will be the biggest piece of the puzzle to get right for comfortable treatment.

Let us know how it goes after you get started with your machine and mask. Good luck!

Be sure to check out ways to manage the main air hose. That can have a lot to do with keeping the hose from tugging on the mask or getting in your way when you turn over.

LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

jsmith1984 · Post by **jsmith1984** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:17 am

When I went for my titration, the sleep tech grabbed 4 masks... 2 full face, one nose, and a nasal pillow. I used the nasal pillow, and I thought it was really comfortable, considering. I think the biggest thing i'm going to have aproblem with is starting off at a low pressure. I felt like I couldn't get enough air. I would rather have a higher pressure. I guess because I was on a fire department for a few years, and the masks used to fight fire are constantly pushing air when you breathe, forcing it into your lungs. So I'm kinda used to it...

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:47 pm

jsmith1984 wrote:When I went for my titration, the sleep tech grabbed 4 masks... 2 full face, one nose, and a nasal pillow. I used the nasal pillow, and I thought it was really comfortable, considering. I think the biggest thing i'm going to have aproblem with is starting off at a low pressure. I felt like I couldn't get enough air. I would rather have a higher pressure. I guess because I was on a fire department for a few years, and the masks used to fight fire are constantly pushing air when you breathe, forcing it into your lungs. So I'm kinda used to it...

I think you're going to want to bump up your bottom pressure, too. If they came up with a pressure in your titration test that did a pretty good job, I would suggest setting your bottom pressure pretty close to that.
Having been on a volunteer fire department years ago (and using air packs), I think that's one thing that helped me to more easily adapt to the full face mask.....and no claustrophobia.

Good luck,

Den