Hello all..
This is my very first post here on this forum... I have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea, after having been in denial for many years.
I never realized until recently the real dangers of sleep apnea, I was always just resigned to being a snorer and mouth breather... after taking the overnight at home sleep test my results came back and my numbers were pretty bad...79.5 and 79.9, I forget which number is which at the moment, but the pulmonary specialist said my numbers put me in the severe category, and she said that my wave pattern for cessation of breathing was "Scary".
after a month of waiting I finally got my appointment to be fitted for the CPAP. Initially I had the equipment at home for a week... I guess they give you a week coz they know its gonna take a few tries before you wear it long enough to get data, because the first couple nights I ripped that mask right off my face.... felt too claustophobic and just plain weird!! by the end of the week I wore the nose mask long enough to garnish some data they could use.
Turns out I responded very well to the treatment.. I went from nearly 80 episodes an hour of not breathing to 1....and this is with a sinus cold!!
anyhow, I look forward to being a part of this community... I was bummed out about wearing the mask and using the equipment initially, but this site gives me a a boost knowing that others out there share the same experiences with me.
you will see more posts from me...
Regards,
Sharktone
brand new to this forum
13 posts
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oldgearhead
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SelfSeeker
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Welcome to the boards sharktone,
I am glad to hear you responded well.
What kind of home sleep test did you do.
That one week at home, was it your titration study, to figure out the pressure needed.
Do you know have your set up?
Scary is not nice to hear.
Once you get the right equipment and used to it, you will wonder what took so long to get started. LOL
I am glad to hear you responded well.
What kind of home sleep test did you do.
That one week at home, was it your titration study, to figure out the pressure needed.
Do you know have your set up?
Scary is not nice to hear.
Once you get the right equipment and used to it, you will wonder what took so long to get started. LOL
I can do this, I will do this.
My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field Just my personal opinions.
My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field Just my personal opinions.
Welcome to the forum Sharktone!
Yes, it can be difficult to get used to this new way of sleeping. It's good to hear that you plan to stick with it. Everyone here will help all we can! Now that you see the difference it can make, it will actually start getting easier.
DO keep posting. If you don't have any questions at least let us know how you're doing every once in a while.
Please fill in your profile...it helps everyone give you better answers if they can see what equipment you have.
Keep up the good work,
Brenda
Yes, it can be difficult to get used to this new way of sleeping. It's good to hear that you plan to stick with it. Everyone here will help all we can! Now that you see the difference it can make, it will actually start getting easier.
DO keep posting. If you don't have any questions at least let us know how you're doing every once in a while.
Please fill in your profile...it helps everyone give you better answers if they can see what equipment you have.
Keep up the good work,
Brenda
_________________
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Re: Brand new to this forum
Welcome to the board, sharktone!
I'm a newbie here too, although it sounds like you're further along than I am. I'm still awaiting a response to my second sleep study, and then hopefully an order can be placed for my own CPAP.
It's great to hear that you're doing well so far though, and i hope it continues for you.
I'm a newbie here too, although it sounds like you're further along than I am. I'm still awaiting a response to my second sleep study, and then hopefully an order can be placed for my own CPAP.
It's great to hear that you're doing well so far though, and i hope it continues for you.
hello again everyone...thank you for your kind welcomes.
to answer some of your questions... I took the home test where they give you the glove to wear and they connect a sensor to your index finger... I am still pretty new to this so I don't know the exact medical terminology yet.
Luckily I got to take the equipment home and use it overnight.. I don't think I could have fallen asleep in the sleep clinic. After a week I received my results in the mail, confirming that I did have sleep apnea. it took a whole Month afterward to follow up in the sleep clinic. at my follow up appoinment I was given the CPAP Remstar machine to take home and use for a week so they could get more data on me and determine my pressure needed ... Titration I believe??
Even though I am in the severe category, I only needed a pressure of 9... which the pulmonologist said was kind of surprising because people with my numbers usually need a higher pressure.
since my follow up appointment, I now have a Remstar M Series with a classic comfort mask of my own... My insurance paid for the whole set up
one question I would like to put out there.... Are humidifiers worth taking a look at? My doctor said they are possible breeding grounds for mold spores and advised that I probably don't need it. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Cheers!!
Sharktone
to answer some of your questions... I took the home test where they give you the glove to wear and they connect a sensor to your index finger... I am still pretty new to this so I don't know the exact medical terminology yet.
Luckily I got to take the equipment home and use it overnight.. I don't think I could have fallen asleep in the sleep clinic. After a week I received my results in the mail, confirming that I did have sleep apnea. it took a whole Month afterward to follow up in the sleep clinic. at my follow up appoinment I was given the CPAP Remstar machine to take home and use for a week so they could get more data on me and determine my pressure needed ... Titration I believe??
Even though I am in the severe category, I only needed a pressure of 9... which the pulmonologist said was kind of surprising because people with my numbers usually need a higher pressure.
since my follow up appointment, I now have a Remstar M Series with a classic comfort mask of my own... My insurance paid for the whole set up
one question I would like to put out there.... Are humidifiers worth taking a look at? My doctor said they are possible breeding grounds for mold spores and advised that I probably don't need it. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Cheers!!
Sharktone
Welcome to the forum Sharktone!
They gave you an M Series WITHOUT a humidifier???? Holy cow!
Next thing I have to say is that your doctor is "questionable".
You should definitely get a humidifier. Distilled water will NOT grow mold spores if it's emptied in a reasonable time. If used without heat, it does take a few more days to use up the water than heated, but either way, mold spores will NOT get transferred to YOU through the air going through the hose.
The other thing I have to say about your doctor is that his perception of what pressure it takes to keep your airway open is also flawed.....like MY doctor's was. (only mine just picked a HIGH number of 18 out of his A**....)
Bottom line is the pressure has no correlation to the severity of the apnea. It's whatever it takes to keep your airway open when you breathe.
Hang in there!
Best wishes,
Den
They gave you an M Series WITHOUT a humidifier???? Holy cow!
Next thing I have to say is that your doctor is "questionable".
You should definitely get a humidifier. Distilled water will NOT grow mold spores if it's emptied in a reasonable time. If used without heat, it does take a few more days to use up the water than heated, but either way, mold spores will NOT get transferred to YOU through the air going through the hose.
The other thing I have to say about your doctor is that his perception of what pressure it takes to keep your airway open is also flawed.....like MY doctor's was. (only mine just picked a HIGH number of 18 out of his A**....)
Bottom line is the pressure has no correlation to the severity of the apnea. It's whatever it takes to keep your airway open when you breathe.
Hang in there!
Best wishes,
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
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
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Born Tired
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Welcome Sharktone.
Humidifiers are very helpful. I would recommend getting a heated humidifier. Sometimes you won't need the heat so you just don't turn the heat on, and then it is in "passover" mode--the air just passes over cool water. Not as much humidity that way. Just be sure to use distilled water.
Esther
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Humidifiers are very helpful. I would recommend getting a heated humidifier. Sometimes you won't need the heat so you just don't turn the heat on, and then it is in "passover" mode--the air just passes over cool water. Not as much humidity that way. Just be sure to use distilled water.
Esther
--
My husband says, "Esther is not a morning person---and it goes downhill from there."
I Thes. 5:16 "Rejoice evermore."
I Thes. 5:16 "Rejoice evermore."
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oldgearhead
- Posts: 1243
- Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:53 am
- Location: Indy
...and...Even though I am in the severe category, I only needed a pressure of 9... which the pulmonologist said was kind of surprising because people with my numbers usually need a higher pressure
Run, don't walk, away from these idiots..Or, at least get them some help (maybe some training)...My doctor said they are possible breeding grounds for mold spores and advised that I probably don't need it.
+ Aussie heated hose.
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People have more fun than anybody..
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People have more fun than anybody..
Humidifiers
I wonder how many nights you doctor has spent on cpap without a humidifier.
Lets put it this way: if humidifiers are possible mold spore breeding grounds, non-humidified pressurized air is for a majority of people a probable sleep disruptor, harming both teeth and nasal cavity.
Surgery is a possible source of infection - so when surgery is necessary, good doctors do their best to avoid infection. The same should be true for your doc and humidifcation - he should instruct you how to avoid the spores he fears.
You'll find many people on this forum who have been sleeping for many nights with humidifiers, and maintaining them so that they don't grow mold spores - tens of thousands of nights of humidified sleep experince.
I assume part of the danger depends on where you live - and the formal instructions are to empty , rinse (or wash) and air dry the humidifier daily. Do that if you're worried.
You'll also find tips for a weekly water and vinegar (3 water to 1 vinegar) disinfection.
The discussions about humidifier maintenance are about as long and heated as those of Columbus' egg... but only a very small minority prefer therapy without it.
O.
Lets put it this way: if humidifiers are possible mold spore breeding grounds, non-humidified pressurized air is for a majority of people a probable sleep disruptor, harming both teeth and nasal cavity.
Surgery is a possible source of infection - so when surgery is necessary, good doctors do their best to avoid infection. The same should be true for your doc and humidifcation - he should instruct you how to avoid the spores he fears.
You'll find many people on this forum who have been sleeping for many nights with humidifiers, and maintaining them so that they don't grow mold spores - tens of thousands of nights of humidified sleep experince.
I assume part of the danger depends on where you live - and the formal instructions are to empty , rinse (or wash) and air dry the humidifier daily. Do that if you're worried.
You'll also find tips for a weekly water and vinegar (3 water to 1 vinegar) disinfection.
The discussions about humidifier maintenance are about as long and heated as those of Columbus' egg... but only a very small minority prefer therapy without it.
O.
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| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks. |
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LikwidFlux
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thanks for the tips.
The more I read the more it seems people are in favor of the Humidifier.
Im definitely gonna look into it further... so far its getting better sleeping with my remstar, every night I seem to be getting more and more used to it..I still sometimes wake up with the mask next to me or on my forehead!
I do notice I am much more alert in the morning and throughout the day.. and just tonight I went to the movies with my wife and kids...and I DIDNT fall asleep! I used to struggle trying to stay awake during movies.
get some sleep!
Sharktone
The more I read the more it seems people are in favor of the Humidifier.
Im definitely gonna look into it further... so far its getting better sleeping with my remstar, every night I seem to be getting more and more used to it..I still sometimes wake up with the mask next to me or on my forehead!
I do notice I am much more alert in the morning and throughout the day.. and just tonight I went to the movies with my wife and kids...and I DIDNT fall asleep! I used to struggle trying to stay awake during movies.
get some sleep!
Sharktone
13 posts
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