New here...

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
newfoundsleep
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Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:52 am
Location: Oklahoma
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New here...

Post by newfoundsleep » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:06 pm

Hey folks. I am new here.

Although I was leary about letting someone watch me sleep, I went ahead to the the sleep center here and found out I have mild to moderate sleep apnea. I don't have my cpap yet. What should I expect as far as hurdles in the beginning?


trice54
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Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:47 pm
Location: Ontario

Post by trice54 » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:21 pm

Welcome, newfoundsleep! I have a 'whole month' under my belt so I am still working thru the hurdles. I think the main hurdle to start is getting used to the feel and comfort level of the mask and getting the right one that fits your needs and how you sleep. Being able to fall asleep with the mask on was my main battle to start. Some also might have a hard time with the sound of the machine and how to position the hose when you sleep.
As I said, I am still working thru things, but it is definitely getting better!
Good luck to you! You will get tons of good advice and support here.
Trice


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Mask: FlexiFit HC431 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Pressure - 11

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Wulfman
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Post by Wulfman » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:25 pm

Welcome to the forum!

FIRST......I'd suggest going up the page and clicking on the yellow lightbulb icon and reading "Our Collective Wisdom".

Beyond that, insist on getting a "data-capable" CPAP or Auto-CPAP machine. One that collects ALL of the nightly statistics so you'll be able to monitor your own therapy.
Go to https://www.cpap.com (the provider of this forum) and look at all of the machines and masks. Become very familiar with the types of masks and give a lot of thought to what you THINK you might be able to wear.

Den

(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

neverbetter
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Location: NY, Miami, London

Post by neverbetter » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:32 pm

Welcome to the club, newfoundsleep.
You'll have issues. Everyone does, and not just at first.
Make sure your comfortable with your gear, the mask most of all.
Make sure your machine offers humidification (I think its standard, now)
Make sure you know your rights when it comes to your insurance coverage.
Visit forums like this one and educate yourself.

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Slinky
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Post by Slinky » Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:48 pm

We're glad you found us NOW, BEFORE you get your CPAP equipment. Refuse to accept ANY xPAP EXCEPT one that is fully data capable. That means one of these two:

Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR
Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex

Or if you can convince them to give you an autoPAP, so much the better, but not mandatory or seriously necessary. In autoPAPs you would want one of these four:

Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage
Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex
Respironics M Series Auto w/C-Flex
Puritan Bennet GoodKnight 420E (the E is important, it is the auto)

Call your insurance company NOW and ask what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one so that you have some bargaining room, pitting one against the other if necessary.

Will you be seeing your sleep doctor for the results of your titration study so that you will be able to discuss w/him your various xPAP interests and the TWO of you come to an agreement on which xPAP he will be ordering for you? Maybe even print out the cpap.com page on each xPAP that interests you. Heck, at cpap.com you can mark the 3 CPAPS mentioned above and do a comparison of the two. Print that comparison out too and present it to him along w/the pages w/the info on the machines (and prices). Do the same w/the 3 autoPAPs mentioned above, print out the individual pages AND the comparison chart and present them to him.

Be sure to check w/the DME CPAP suppliers just what their mask exchange policy is if the first mask you select turns out to not work for you.

Ask your sleep lab or doctor for the doctor's dictated results report (1-2 pages each) AND the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs (5+ pages each) from BOTH your sleep evaluation study AND your titration study. If you are in the USA you have a LEGAL RIGHT to them under HIPAA. Also request that you be given your equipment order OR a copy of it so that you can shop the various local DME suppliers your insurance is contracted with. You have a LEGAL RIGHT to that as well under HIPAA.


_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex & Humidifier - EncorePro 2.2 Software - Contec CMS-50D+ Oximeter - Respironics EverFlo Q Concentrator
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.

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Wulfman
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Post by Wulfman » Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:05 pm

Hey, Slinky!

You forgot one.....

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/purit ... -cpap.html

The PB 420SP data-capable CPAP.

.

Is it just ME......or does anybody else notice that when Slinky makes a list like that, the ResMed machines get listed FIRST?

Den

(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05