overwhelmed newbie

Xmascarolmarie · Post by **Xmascarolmarie** » Sun Jul 22, 2018 12:50 pm

I am very new to cpap therapy and very overwhelmed by the process! My DME supplier is 60 miles away and not sure he is very helpful. I have the Dreamstation cpap machine. On July 8th I began therapy with the Dreamwear nasal mask. On July 13th I drove back and the supplier switched me to an Airfit N20 mask. I called the supplier after a few days because it was very uncomfortable but he said since the machine says I have 100% mask fit, to stick with it.
I am so grateful for finding this forum! It is amazing the amount of information "Sleepyhead" provides!
I am attaching a screenshot in case you have any suggestions or advice on how I proceed.
Thank you so much!

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sun Jul 22, 2018 5:56 pm

Welcome to the forum.

Your minimum pressure is not optimal. Needs to be at least 7 cm or maybe 8 cm.
Your AHI is too high and there is too much of the other stuff that points to sub optimal therapy but isn't included in the AHI.

Go here to request the provider manual that explains how to change the pressure...also it has some other really useful information.
https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap- ... tup-manual

If going from 5 to 7 is too big of a jump in terms of comfort...try smaller increments.

Xmascarolmarie · Post by **Xmascarolmarie** » Sun Jul 22, 2018 6:51 pm

The DME supplier is monitoring me. Do you suggest I tell him I am changing the pressure first? Also, do you think I should stick with the mask I have for awhile? I wish he could have sent me home with several to try since taking everything back each time is a hassle.
Thank you so much for your help!

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Sun Jul 22, 2018 7:01 pm

If your DME is monitoring you, it is probably only to verify you are using the machine. They must verify usage in order for the insurance companies to pay them. It is doubtful they will even notice the change in your pressure. If they say something, tell them your AHI was too high and you were trying to bring it down. I went for almost a full month with no data being reported by my machine before my DME noticed anything. I got a call after almost a full month wanting to know why I wasn't using my machine. I told them I was using it every night. Turned out my machine had a bad wireless phone module. They gave me a new machine and sent mine back to the manufacturer.

Sova · Post by **Sova** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:55 am

Okie bipap wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 22, 2018 7:01 pm
If your DME is monitoring you, it is probably only to verify you are using the machine. They must verify usage in order for the insurance companies to pay them. It is doubtful they will even notice the change in your pressure.

This was definitely the case for me! My DME was actually very good about following up to make sure my therapy was working and responding to my questions. I asked them if they could adjust my pressure (thinking they were the ones who were monitoring and adjusting to ensure optimal therapy) and they were like "oh yeah we can't do that at all, your doctor is in charge of that".

They were also like "Well I think your numbers look great!" when I'm having an AHI of 5-8 and waking up repeatedly due to mask leaks. My machine also says I have no leaks (I'm 1 month into treatment) but they definitely wake me up. I read somewhere on here that any mask leak that wakes you up is an unacceptable mask leak. The whole point of therapy is to make sure you are sleeping well, right? I finally decided to order a couple of other mask options off of Amazon out of my own pocket (they weren't super expensive) since I can afford it. Might be worth a try if your DME is being slow. This way I can go back to my old mask easily if my new one is even worse.

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 1:51 pm

An AHI of 5 - 8 means your sleep is being interrupted every 8 to 12 minutes. Small mask leaks that disturb your sleep can often be tamed by mask liners. The liners may not stop all of the leaks, but they are often much less noticeable.

Xmascarolmarie · Post by **Xmascarolmarie** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:05 am

Thanks for all the help! I really wish he could have sent me home with several options to try. Most of the choices felt fine in his office but it is a different story when you are trying to sleep in it.
Any suggestions of ones I should try if I decide to order something. I have daily chronic headaches so the most comfortable head gear is a must. I am a side sleeper. The nasal pillows felt strange in his office but maybe I should try them.
Thank you!

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 11:45 am

Xmascarolmarie wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 22, 2018 6:51 pm
The DME supplier is monitoring me. Do you suggest I tell him I am changing the pressure first? Also, do you think I should stick with the mask I have for awhile? I wish he could have sent me home with several to try since taking everything back each time is a hassle.
Thank you so much for your help!

I am not aware of anyone ever being chastised in any way for doing this. If you put in 4 hours per night, at least 70% of the time that will mean you're compliant from an insurance point of view.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 2:07 pm

Actually I have one idea for a nasal mask for you to look at and see if maybe you would want to try it.

The ResMed Swift FX Nano
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html
The headgear is pretty minimal and easily adjusted.
It comes with free return insurance from cpap.com.. If you hate it you can send it back as long as they get it back within 30 days of shipping it out to you (be sure to read the return insurance policy).

The headgear for it will also work with the Swift FX nasal pillows (so you could revisit the nasal pillows without incurring a lot of expense).
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... illow.html

And if you give me a heads up if you want to order the Nano...I have a brand new Swift FX nasal pillow you can just have and I will mail it to you so you can try it with the Nano headgear during the 30 day return thing. See if you like it or not.
I think I have all sizes except maybe the large nasal pillow. I can get you close enough to see if you like it and if you do then you can order a different size if I don't have the one you want.

Just send me a private message if you want to do that.

I don't think I have enough mask parts for the Swift FX to build a complete mask or I would just give you the complete mask to try for free. I just mainly have some bits and pieces left and a handful of nasal pillows.

Xmascarolmarie · Post by **Xmascarolmarie** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 11:24 am

I just want to give an update on where I am with this process.
I have upped my minimum pressure to 6 now. I have settled into the fact that I probably just need to stick with my mask since change is very hard for me. When I wake up in the night, I want to take the mask off and finish the night without. If I have fulfilled the 4 hour minimum for compliance, that is what I do.
I had my 2 month appointment with the physician's assistant and she was rather snarky. She even questioned why the Dr put me on CPAP since my numbers during the sleep study put me in a mild range. She said that my study showed my problems were clearly sleep position related so I could give up CPAP and sleep on my side. Now I am having even more trouble being compliant since she said that. It is hard for me to face my CPAP knowing that I could be just fine on my side.
What is your advice for me?
Thank you so much!
Carol

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 11:47 am

Xmascarolmarie wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 17, 2018 11:24 am
What is your advice for me?

Ignore that PA. She probably has sleep apnea and is in denial about the damage it is doing to her body and her snarky brain.

Do you have a copy of the summary of the sleep study where you were diagnosed? If so, please post a copy in this thread (cover up your name and other identifying info).

Xmascarolmarie wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 22, 2018 12:50 pm
My DME supplier is 60 miles away

In the long run, you might want to change DMEs. My DME will mail supplies and masks to me at no charge. Your insurance company might be able to recommend a DME.

bombayone · Post by **bombayone** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 11:56 am

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 17, 2018 11:47 am

Xmascarolmarie wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 17, 2018 11:24 am
What is your advice for me?
Ignore that asshole PA. She probably has sleep apnea and is in denial about the damage it is doing to her body and her snarky brain.

Chicago Granny - The ******* PA that you are referring to may be someone's Granny.

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 12:22 pm

bombayone wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 17, 2018 11:56 am

The ******* PA that you are referring to may be someone's Granny.

She may also be a useless troll like you. Review your posts since you joined here - all troll, no help.

Xmascarolmarie · Post by **Xmascarolmarie** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 12:33 pm

I will request the report. It will be a few days but I will get it.
Thank you so much for your help!

bombayone · Post by **bombayone** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 1:00 pm

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 17, 2018 12:22 pm

bombayone wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 17, 2018 11:56 am

The ******* PA that you are referring to may be someone's Granny.
She may also be a useless troll like you. Review your posts since you joined here - all troll, no help.

I thought that I would help you stop embarrassing yourself by using foul language. I guess chronological age does not always translate into maturity.

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Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max