seeking feedback and hope

[palerider]

2nd "Announcement' top of the main pg... plus others below it, plus (I think) somewhere in Pugsy's signature lines.

No.

[palerider]

"But you do need to do what the Oscar post say to do rather than wing it as above. Present the graphs, etc. according to the instructions so we can actually see what's what."
Where do I find the Oscar post?

Item 4 in the "NEWBIES, READ THIS BEFORE POSTING" post that's at the top of the announcements.

Or, there's also this: wiki/index.php/Sleepyhead:Organize Just think "oscar" everywhere that it says "sleepyhead".

[zonker]

"But you do need to do what the Oscar post say to do rather than wing it as above. Present the graphs, etc. according to the instructions so we can actually see what's what."
Where do I find the Oscar post?

the newbies thread that i link to in my signature will get you started.

good luck!

OH! and please stay in this thread for all questions regarding oscar. and stay here when you eventually post some charts. it's easier to keep track of you and what advice people have given you.

[KatieW]

First, welcome to the Forum. You will find much support and information here. Hang in there!

I have been using CPAP for 10 years, and can tell you from personal experience, that this is all worth it.

I have read this entire thread, and these are my thoughts (for what they're worth):

1. You really need to download a Daily Report from Oscar, so the senior members can help you with settings. It can be daunting, when you're sleep deprived, but follow the instructions step by step, and you
will get there. There is essential information on this Report.

2. You mentioned that you prefer to sleep on your back, and that you have acid reflux. You might consider elevating the head of your bed, or using a wedge, so that gravity will help with the acid reflux.
You also might review your diet, and see what triggers acid reflux for you. I find that eating low carb, an early dinner, and nothing for several hours before bedtime helps me. Acid reflex used to wake me
during the night.

3. You said you get up to go to the bathroom at 2 am and 5 am. Do you take diuretics, or drink caffeine? Try limiting fluids in the evening.

4. I love Zumba too. Exercise is essential, and will also help you sleep. Have you tried gentle yoga, or QiGong as a quieting, meditative exercise? Is muscle pain or cramps waking you during the night?

5. I will not address your machine settings now, since we don't have a Oscar Report. But I did notice that you have Aflex set at 2. And Ramp at 4 for 30 minutes. Just wanted to highlight that, in the event
others may comment on this.

[Sunterior]

To clarify: I have been reminded that my cpap is prescribed to gather 11 weeks of data before they know how to start treating my central apnea. Considering it has taken me 2 weeks to really get with the program of wearing this thing all night, and I'm not yet sleeping all night, I'm starting to understand the lengthy process. That doesn't mean I like it.

I have an appointment with the doc (not a physician assistant) on Monday, and I have my list of questions.
Top of my list: can you separate my sleeping apnea from awake apnea in data on the SDcard? At least I can speak with the doc, i have summarized my data, and I have talking points. Maybe i can relax until Monday.

Thanks for the support. Information is valuable.

[Sunterior]

In summary Cpap felt like the post-partum depression I experienced 38 years ago. Not doing this again. My doctor explained why cpap was worth it as a test leading to bpap. Apparently it's useful for many people at lower elevations. Not so much at our 7,000 ft. Cpap is turned back to the sleep clinic. I am scheduled for a February sleep study on bpap, which will run until 7am to maximize collection of my 4am-7am pattern of CSA events. 7am requires special staffing at the clinic.

Now I am healing the poor sleep patterns developed with cpap. We look forward to camping in the spring desert bloom before I am again leashed to a machine.

Thanks for the information and support on this site!