Maybe a little better?

pberg3571 · Post by **pberg3571** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:21 am

Hello again! Still having the same old problems with the head, but it may be slightly better. Maybe I'm jst slow to get used to the cpap. I talked to my "sleep specialist", and she said it was time for a titration test. (hope I spelled that right) I'm not real sure what it all involves, and by the postings, I'm not the only one. It looks like they play with your pressure until it looks good, but isn't that what they did the first time? She also stated I may need a differant machine like a bipap. It sounds like a machine that lowers the pressure when you exhale, but I don't think I have a problem with exhaling, except for the first three min. or so when I don't use the ramp feature. (which I never do) Also mentioned a machine to "bump start" by breathing if I don't due to central apnea. The problem is, I actually like the machine I have. It's sooooo quiet, and seems to work okay, although I'm still having the head and eye problems. If I have to switch machines, can anyone suggest what I should ask for? Also I forgot to mention that when I talked to the sleep specialist yesterday, she scheduled me for tonight! Kind of short notice, but it was that ot Oct. 15. Am I rushing into this? I was told that I was snoring a little bit last night, (very quietly) but once she woke me up, it didn't happen again. Any input? I also forgot to mention the ace bandage around the head seems to have worked, (I think) for keeping my mouth shut. Thank you for the input!!!!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:32 am

Good luck at the titration tonight! It may well be that your titration needs to be 'fine-tuned' and hopefully tonight's titration will do the trick. We don't sleep the same every night, and a titration night when we are not used to sleeping w/that mask and the pressure and all the wires, etc. doesn't make for the ideal sleep situation. Hopefully now that you've had more experience w/CPAP and the mask your sleep tonight will be more representative of your usual sleep at home and they will get a better picture of your pressure needs.

If a different CPAP such as a bi-level is needed, since you are so happy w/the CPAP you have it would seem logical to want the new one to be made by the same manufacturer.

I'm not familiar w/the head and eye problems you mention you've been having so I'm inclined to wonder if they aren't due more to an ill-fitting mask than your CPAP or pressure. How long have you been using the ace bandage to keep your mouth shut? Long enough to know it hasn't helped w/the head and eyes problem?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:39 am

Could be that's bi-level (bi-pap) titration.

O.

pberg3571 · Post by **pberg3571** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:56 am

Sorry slinky, I didn't mention my two past postings, "New and in need of help" I have only been using the ace bandage for three nights now I think, but it seems to be working. Again, being new to this whole thing, I don't even know if F.P. makes a bilevel machine let alone one that will bump you into breathing. Thanks!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:23 am

Ooops! I know nuttin' from nuttin' about the Fisher & Paykels. I failed to notice your sig w/your equipment when I responded earlier. Still ... I guess its still a reasonable idea to stick w/a brand you've been happy with if they make the type of xPAP you will need. I don't even know that! Good luck!

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:22 pm

best thing to get would be something that is fully data capable. Yours isn't.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:36 am

Okay people...Here is the long winded version on what transpired last night. First, I ended up getting there 2-1/2 hours early, as it was the only ride i could find. (Still not driving) They weren't real happy that I was there that early, but oh well, deal with it. That was at 5:15 pm. I let them know that I usually go to bed at 8:00-8:30, and get up at about 4:30, but since I was closer to work, I wouldn't need to be up until 5:00. They could wire me up as soon as they wanted. Was told they would be in to do that in 20 min. At 8:23, they came in to wire me. (Oh well, now I deal with it) Okay, now I'm all wired. They ask where my gear was...told them it was at home, and that I asked If I needed to bring any of my stuff, and was told no. They didn't believe me until I gave them the name of who I talked to, and I got "Oh, okay, I'll see what I can find...what do you normally use?" Shouldn't they know this? I let him know that I use the Swift II. He said he has a swift, but there is no such thing as a Swift II. ???? He leaves, and comes back in a couple min. with a Swift II, and says it's brand new, he just found it, it has never been used, so don't break it. ???? Needless to say, I'm thinking to myself this is going to be a long night. I asked him if he happen to have a Quattro I could see, as I was thinking about getting one for cold season. He actually went and found a mask with no straps, hooked it up and I was able to hold it to my face for a few min. to see how it was. Seemed to be okay, but seemed VERY big. At least I got to try it though. Okay, 9:15 and lights out time...GREAT! I'm very tired now, reminded him for the 4th time that I had to be up at 5:00 and unwired by 5:15 so I could shower and be ready for work. "Not a problem at all, we'll make sure you're up". Also informed hin they'll probably get a good 4-5 hours out of me, then I'll be restless the remainder of the night. "Okay, no problem". Go through all the calabrations, find out three sensors aren't working right. Has to come back in to re do them three times. The fourth time, decides one wire is bad, and has to replace it. Okay, all fixed now, everything is working the way it should. Now five to ten, dead dog tired, just want to sleep, but can't. Kind of hard to breath hot moist air. Try for 45 min. to get someone back in there by calling for them and waving my arms. And no, 45 min. in not an exageration! Finally, I hear "did you need something?" Told her the humidity was to high, and she said she'll be right in to fix it. Came right in and turned it down to 1 as it was in 5. I told her how long I was trying to get someone, and she said the room was empty, and she just happen to walk in. Everyone was wiring up other people. Shouldn't this room be monitered all the time? Now it's 10:43, and I'm going to sleep. THANK GOD! What the hell? Now my machine has turned into a bi-level instead of a cpap. Never had this before, and it takes a while to get used to it, after being on constant pressure for the first little while, and holy cow is it loud. Last I look at my phone, it's 11:02. Think to myself, I have to be up in 6 hours, I hope they get enough data. Finally get to sleep after moving around for a while. Wake up at 2:00, and start tossing and turning for a long time, listening to a very loud machine. (Guessing approx. 2 hrs.) Doze back off, and jump back awake to my phone ringing. It's my ride, sitting in the parking lot, wondering why the he!! I'm not out there yet. What? What time is it? 5:52. Need to be to work by 6:00 am. Hang up and start cussing like you wouldn't believe. I hear a little voice say "I'll be right in there to unhook you." Comes right in, and I'm not happy! She proceeds to inform me that the guy left at 1:30, and never told anyone I had to be up at 5:00. 1/2 hour late for work, with two very unhappy customers, and one big unhappy boss. 9:14 my phone rings...it's the sleep center. Inform me that I can't get in to get my results until Oct. 8th at 1:30. Don't understand why it's so long, especially if I'm on the wrong machine. Needless to say, I'm VERY tired, VERY crabby, VERY unhappy, have a cranky work place, and just want to go home and try to sleep. Feels like someone kicked me in the head and back. Sorry it's so long, but I HAD to share my titration experence, and vent to someone. Is this how things are supposed to be? Has anyone else had an experance like this? PLEASE let me know.

pberg3571 · Post by **pberg3571** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:39 am

Sorry, I forgot to log in before writing my little tale.
Phil

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:31 pm

cflame1 wrote:best thing to get would be something that is fully data capable. Yours isn't.

It's doubly important to get a fully data capable machine if you are getting a bipap. These are much more expensive, so buying one out of pocket is harder. Do another post asking for input from bipap users about good machines. Good luck.

pberg3571 · Post by **pberg3571** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:40 pm

Any sugestions?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:02 pm

Phil,
What an annoying experience!

However, if they're considering to put you on a bi-pap or even a machine that nudges you to breath, then they have to do a bi-pap titeration.

Probably the person who told you not to bring your equimpment was right (about the machine) and it's the clowns who did the study that were wrong...which is why when you mentioned the name the said "oh, OK".

O.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:38 am

Last night was yet another pretty restless night. Does anyone have any ideas on why I'll sleep okay for the first four to five hours, then be awake, tossing and turning the rest of the night? Yes I still leake my mask on through this. It's reallt taking a toll on me physically.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:46 am

Anonymous wrote:Last night was yet another pretty restless night. Does anyone have any ideas on why I'll sleep okay for the first four to five hours, then be awake, tossing and turning the rest of the night? Yes I still leake my mask on through this. It's reallt taking a toll on me physically.

Don't know what is causing it for you, doc said that it is age for me. I am trying Akia juice and am sleeping over 8 hrs now.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:41 pm

I can't say I've ever heard of it. What is it?