Hopefully I have my equipment filled out correctly ...
So I thought I'd introduce myself, and work my way into participating more regularly. Here's a brief summary of my OSA-related situation:
- I'm 46, not overweight, father and brother both have OSA
- I've known for years (15-20) that I snore, stop breathing, and wake up gasping.
A number of factors finally drove me to a sleep clinic. Chief among them were depression, 2-3pm hard sleep crashes at work (never remembering falling asleep, only waking up repeatedly), inability to focus at work and get anything done ... the list goes on.
My sleep study results were (to me, at least) shocking:
Stage N1 - 5%
Stage N2 - 80%
Stage N3 - 0% (that's a zero)
Stage R - 14%
RDI - 60.8/hr (yeah, back to back apneas every minute)
Lowest oxygen saturation: 49% (gulp)
(test time: 446 minutes)
So now I'm up during my 3rd night on the equipment (hopefully) listed below. My prescription is for 15, and I'm set to ramp up from 5. (Sorry for not knowing all the right terms so far). No "miracle" success in my case ... first night was rough, hardly slept. Second night seemed way better. Third night ... well, here I am at 5am, been up for two hours. I haven't yet even looked at the data presented on the machine ... too overwhelmed at this point, but I know I have to do this. Biggest frustration right now: I guess you call them "mouth leaks" .. the air pressure builds up in the back of my throat and as my tongue relaxes, air comes shooting out my mouth. Have to look into that ...
Anyway, hello
First question (you knew there had to be one): My sleep equipment guy said that if I get software to read the data on the card in my machine, that he'll then no longer be able to read it too. Like, it's read-once, or something? That doesn't make sense. Was he high?
Hello from a another new user
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Re: Hello from a another new user
Welcome aboard,
It sure looks like you got your equipment listed correctly.
Not everyone who has OSA is overweight.
That oxygen sat was low during your initial test. How long did the initial study last? Did they do a split study that night, doing a sleep study the first half and titration the second half?
There are people who get the equipment, set it up, put it on and go to sleep. Then their are the rest of us who for one reason or another aren't that lucky. We get the equipment, set it up, put it on and go to bed and look at it or listen to it or think about it, but the list goes on.
You can read and download your data and not delete it. I truly believe their are some techs out there that don't even notice that they click on delete data after download. I wouldn't say he was high, he just may not have known. He may just want you to use the equipment and try to relax and get used to it and not worry about numbers. I myself didn't begin downloading right away.
I have said this before as have many other people. Don't worry about the numbers, try to relax, get used to the equipment and begin sleeping. Numbers are numbers the important thing is if you begin to feel better. Once your feeling better then your tech or doc will look at the numbers in more detail possibly making fine adjustments to your treatment. But hey their is no problem looking at your numbers.
Welcome aboard and good luck.
Gerry
It sure looks like you got your equipment listed correctly.
Not everyone who has OSA is overweight.
That oxygen sat was low during your initial test. How long did the initial study last? Did they do a split study that night, doing a sleep study the first half and titration the second half?
There are people who get the equipment, set it up, put it on and go to sleep. Then their are the rest of us who for one reason or another aren't that lucky. We get the equipment, set it up, put it on and go to bed and look at it or listen to it or think about it, but the list goes on.
You can read and download your data and not delete it. I truly believe their are some techs out there that don't even notice that they click on delete data after download. I wouldn't say he was high, he just may not have known. He may just want you to use the equipment and try to relax and get used to it and not worry about numbers. I myself didn't begin downloading right away.
I have said this before as have many other people. Don't worry about the numbers, try to relax, get used to the equipment and begin sleeping. Numbers are numbers the important thing is if you begin to feel better. Once your feeling better then your tech or doc will look at the numbers in more detail possibly making fine adjustments to your treatment. But hey their is no problem looking at your numbers.
Welcome aboard and good luck.
Gerry
_________________
| Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F30 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Re: Hello from a another new user
I would definitely look into a full face mask (Quattro, Ultramirage, etc.) if you end up sleeping with an open mouth because you're losing all the cpap air, and won't feel a lot better until it's going down instead of out.
Re: Hello from a another new user
Welcome to the forum.
If you haven't already read, The Wicki CPAP, at the yellow light bulb at the top of the page has some good info on masks and leaks:
wiki/index.php/Mask_Leaks
wiki/index.php/CPAP_Mask
wiki/index.php/Nasal_Mask_Selections
If you haven't already read, The Wicki CPAP, at the yellow light bulb at the top of the page has some good info on masks and leaks:
wiki/index.php/Mask_Leaks
wiki/index.php/CPAP_Mask
wiki/index.php/Nasal_Mask_Selections
_________________
| Mask: Pico Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Resmed AirCurve 10 ASV and Humidifier, Oscar for Mac |
KatieW
Re: Hello from a another new user
Welcome, Scoman............
You've got good equipment....a great foundation from which to build a system that'll save your life.
I think the smartest thing you can do right now is order the software and card reader from cpap.com........and show the reports to the guy who says he can't read your machine data after you've downloaded it.
Secondly.....you might want to consider purchasing a recording Oximeter with software that'll give you a report on what your O2 saturation percentages are while you sleep. I can highly recommend the SPO-7500 purchased from turnermedical.com.
The bottom line is this: Sleep apnea is actually "suffocation".......and "suffocation" simply means "O2 depravation".
If you produce (2) charts......one showing apneas, hypopneas, and flow limitations...............the other showing your O2 levels all night.........you will be providing yourself with a "poor man's sleep test" every night you do it. There's no better way to tweak your system toward the most effective....and the most comfortable therapy.
Just remember....."You can't manage what you can't measure"......
Gerald
You've got good equipment....a great foundation from which to build a system that'll save your life.
I think the smartest thing you can do right now is order the software and card reader from cpap.com........and show the reports to the guy who says he can't read your machine data after you've downloaded it.
Secondly.....you might want to consider purchasing a recording Oximeter with software that'll give you a report on what your O2 saturation percentages are while you sleep. I can highly recommend the SPO-7500 purchased from turnermedical.com.
The bottom line is this: Sleep apnea is actually "suffocation".......and "suffocation" simply means "O2 depravation".
If you produce (2) charts......one showing apneas, hypopneas, and flow limitations...............the other showing your O2 levels all night.........you will be providing yourself with a "poor man's sleep test" every night you do it. There's no better way to tweak your system toward the most effective....and the most comfortable therapy.
Just remember....."You can't manage what you can't measure"......
Gerald
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1