Hello

[Starscream]

I am a newb. I was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago, and have had my S9 ELITE for a week yesterday. While I won't say that I am in love with it, nor am I happy about having sleep apnea, I am glad that I now have hope to taking my life back.

I have been adjusting well all said. In the first week, I only missed one day, and I had 2 days where I was able to sleep the whole night on cpap. I am still chronically tired, but I have had this for several years at least, and my anger levels are diminishing. I am no longer wake up p***ed at the the world, and my depression seems to be getting a bit better. I actually have some hope as to a better future, one that I control, and have the energy to participate in.

[Snufkin]

Congratulations! Also, I'm so jealous. I'm also a newbie, and having a terrible time adjusting. I hope things continue to improve for you!

[jwerley]

Welcome to the forum Starscream. Nice to hear that you are doing so well! Keep up the good work. If you have any questions or concerns this is a great place to get help! Lots of very knowledgeable people here who are more than willing to assist you if any problems arrise.

Take care,

Janice

[Ducky2]

[quote="Starscream"]I am a newb. I was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago, and have had my S9 ELITE for a week yesterday. While I won't say that I am in love with it, nor am I happy about having sleep apnea, I am glad that I now have hope to taking my life back.

I can ditto all of the above. just finishing my first week with my trial S9 resmed machine. this machine is auto and tomorrow I get a fixed one.

I am completely blind and the more I read the more I realize how much I don't know..

the first 5 nights were horrible, I move around alot and each movement caused an airleak. I averaged 2-4hrs sleep. last night was better I got 6...perhaps b/c I was just exhausted or have I adjusted??

I only was able to have an in home sleep study before the dx and getting sent to a supplier to get a trial cpap machine. here in Canada it takes 18months-2 years to get a level 1 in lab study. so I feel I am flying blind, the doctor that set me up for the in home study, knows zero abt cpap or apnea, and my vitalaire supplier only knows abt the equipment, so any help I'm going to get is going to be what I can learn on HERE...

Lord help us all.

[Julie]

What are you talking about - 'a level 1 in lab study'? Do you mean the level of educ. the doctor (or DME?) has, or how long you waited for your study (ridiculous if so... mine was a couple of mos... not terrific but not outrageous considering I was living in the country).

[Ducky2]

sorry not real familiar with all the proper terms yet...by level 1 sleep study (thats what they called it) I am talking about the sleep study done IN A SLEEPLAB and not the ones done on a portable in home machine...

[ReadyforRest]

I only was able to have an in home sleep study before the dx and getting sent to a supplier to get a trial cpap machine. here in Canada it takes 18months-2 years to get a level 1 in lab study. so I feel I am flying blind, the doctor that set me up for the in home study, knows zero abt cpap or apnea, and my vitalaire supplier only knows abt the equipment, so any help I'm going to get is going to be what I can learn on HERE...

What part of Canada do you live in? Here in Ontario, it's a very short wait time for a sleep study appointment. Just a few weeks. Many other areas in Canada have short wait times too. Let's not paint all of Canada with the same brush ...

[Ducky2]

well I live near the Alberta/Sask. border...so I can go either way for treatment...the wait times in Edmonton and Saskatoon both are min. 18 months...

[Janknitz]

Here in the USA, my insurer, Kaiser, only does home sleep studies unless there is an indication that something more serious than obstructuve sleep apnea is going on. They do use "state of the art" equipment and then you do a home titration with an autopap machine. Very few Kiaser patients are ever evaluated in a sleep lab. At first I thought this was a horrible thing, but then I've heard all the horror stories of people who have had in lab sleep studies and titration, and I don't think so anymore.

Yes, it's cheaper and more efficient for Kaiser, but IMHO, it's not so terrible for the person either. I'd much rather have a few sensors on my fingertips than have to get wires all over, sleep in a strange bed with people watching me. Personally, I think in home testing and titration can be very accurate, because it's testing actual sleeping conditions.

So you should see how you do on your machine with a decent adjustment period--you may find that an in-lab test isn't really going to be that much of a benefit to you.

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

Here in the USA, my insurer, Kaiser, only does home sleep studies unless there is an indication that something more serious than obstructive sleep apnea is going on. They do use "state of the art" equipment and then you do a home titration with an autopap machine. Very few Kiaser patients are ever evaluated in a sleep lab. At first I thought this was a horrible thing, but then I've heard all the horror stories of people who have had in lab sleep studies and titration, and I don't think so anymore.

Yes, it's cheaper and more efficient for Kaiser, but IMHO, it's not so terrible for the person either. I'd much rather have a few sensors on my fingertips than have to get wires all over, sleep in a strange bed with people watching me. Personally, I think in home testing and titration can be very accurate, because it's testing actual sleeping conditions.

So you should see how you do on your machine with a decent adjustment period--you may find that an in-lab test isn't really going to be that much of a benefit to you.

+1!! I have Kaiser in Southern California and did the home testing as well. Easy Peasy . If I for some reason needed to do testing again, that is the only way I would do it.

[Starscream]

Thank you all for the best wishes.