About to begin the cpap life

[Mamasnores]

Hello everyone. I'm glad I found this site. I will be going to an appointment with a respiratory therapist on Saturday. I've been diagnosed with severe apnea. My fist night of the study showed I stopped breathing 37 times a minute and the second night was in the 50 per minute range. My pulse ox dropped to 77. So yah, I think I need treatment. I'm not looking forward to it, but a few years ago I was part of a university sleep study and had to use a cpap for a couple of nights. The s cone morning I literally bounced out of bed and had tons of energy. I hadn't felt that good in years. Unfortunately I got booted from the study because my phone got hinky and was sending all my calls directly to voicemail with no notification. By the time I realized they had called I was out of the study. I just said oh well and didn't think much more about it until recently when I had a colonoscopy done and the anesthesiologist told me I had some major sleep apnea. Sigh. So here I am, about to get my first stupid expensive machine and hoping I do ok with it. The test was miserable, but based on past experience I hope the treatment goes ok. The only thing I know so far is that I'm getting the nasal pillows. I'm glad this forum is here because I'm sure I'll be seeking advice.

[Okie bipap]

Welcome to the pap life. If you want to get the best out of this site, you need to register, and when you get your equipment, list it on your profile. When you get a machine, make sure you get one with full data capability, not just hours used. Most of us here use sleepyhead software to monitor how well our treatment is going. People here will encourage you to take charge of your own treatment. Most doctors consider anything under an AHI of 5 to to treated. You are still having your sleep interrupted 12 times an hour. By taking charge of my own treatment, I have finally gotten to where my AHI is consistently less than 1 most nights.

[LSAT]

Hello everyone. I'm glad I found this site. I will be going to an appointment with a respiratory therapist on Saturday. I've been diagnosed with severe apnea. My fist night of the study showed I stopped breathing 37 times a minute and the second night was in the 50 per minute range. My pulse ox dropped to 77. So yah, I think I need treatment. I'm not looking forward to it, but a few years ago I was part of a university sleep study and had to use a cpap for a couple of nights. The s cone morning I literally bounced out of bed and had tons of energy. I hadn't felt that good in years. Unfortunately I got booted from the study because my phone got hinky and was sending all my calls directly to voicemail with no notification. By the time I realized they had called I was out of the study. I just said oh well and didn't think much more about it until recently when I had a colonoscopy done and the anesthesiologist told me I had some major sleep apnea. Sigh. So here I am, about to get my first stupid expensive machine and hoping I do ok with it. The test was miserable, but based on past experience I hope the treatment goes ok. The only thing I know so far is that I'm getting the nasal pillows. I'm glad this forum is here because I'm sure I'll be seeking advice.

I think you mean hour, not minute.

[spmccord]

"It's a CPAP life for us..."

[Mamasnores]

Yep, per hour. Lol! Let's not make it worse than it is.

When I go on Saturday will they give me choices on machines or do they suggest what to use based on my personal needs?

This thing is going to cost about $1000 and I don't want to have to buy another one. They do have a 30 day trial for everything.

[klv329]

You Didn't Choose Cpap life, Cpap Life Chose you!

What type of sleep apnea does the sleep study indicate? What does the doctors prescription call for? They may point you towards a machine that handles your indicated type of sleep apnea, but it may be a low level model at a high price.

Lots to learn about cpap machines and your type of sleep apnea before the purchase on Saturday.

A higher end data capable "full auto" machine is imperative, and a search for "data capable" on this site will provide discussion links on what to research and learn so you don't wind up with expensive junk. Like this linked discussion:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=113801&st=0&sk=t&sd ... ta+capable

[Mamasnores]

Thank you so much!

[D.H.]

Think of it as "CPAP Life" vs. "Untreated Sleep Apnea Death!"

[palerider]

https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd

[Mamasnores]

Yikes! That's a lot of info. I have no idea what makes up a good machine. I get the heated hose and full data, but how do I know what I need? I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow so I can talk to him. I don't want to just take what the medical supply company offers without some idea if it's a good product. I'll call them tomorrow, too.

[Goofproof]

Beats no life at all, I am sure quite a few were without one before CPAP. From many posts here, CPAP may be the highlight of their lives. Jim

[klv329]

Someone will correct me if I am wrong....and keep in mind there can be different types in each category that your physician may have prescribed, but these are the main ones.

Get to know what the latest ones look like and where the lettering on them is located.

If you have obstructive apnea ("OA") and the study and prescription call for a CPAP or APAP (and not a bipap), then I think the latest auto models for Resmed and Respironics are:

Resmed Airsense 10 AutoSet (lettering in lower right hand corner):
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... idair.html

Prior Resmed model is the S9 Autoset (lettering on top of start/stop button):
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... chine.html



Phillips Respironics Dreamstation Auto:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... chine.html

Prior Respironics model is the System One 60's series (560 series):
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... tooth.html



If you have obstructive apnea ("OA") and the study and prescription call for a BIPAP (and not a CPAP), then I think the latest auto models for Resmed and Respironics are:

Resmed Aircurve 10 VAUTO (lettering in lower right corner of machine):
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... chine.html

Prior Resmed model is the Resmed S9 VPAP Auto (lettering over the start/stop button):
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/S9-VPA ... chine.html




Phillips Respironics Dreamstation BiPap Auto (advanced data)
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... chine.html

Phillips Respironics Dreamstation BiPap Pro:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... chine.html

Prior Respironics Model was the System One 60's BIPAP (760's series):
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... tooth.html
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... chine.html