Need Help

[bellasmiles]

This site was invaluable to me as I began my journey with sleep apnea treatment. Now, I'm back needing more help.

I've been extremely compliant for several months. I've logged right at 1300 hours on my machine..a respironics auto with c/flex. Before starting cpap therapy, I had horrible headaches every morning which lasted all day long, regardless of pain medications. It was determined during my sleep study that the headaches were due to lack of oxygen as a result of the sleep apnea. In fact, my oxygen, at times during the sleep study, dropped into the 70's. After beginning with the cpap machine, no more headaches! Life was good!

Well, the headaches are back. I've tried all kinds of pain medications, even prescription stuff, to no avail. I'm really wondering if I've got severe leaks during the night that are causing my problems.

Unfortunately, right now, I can't afford the smartcard reader and software to see what the data is telling me.

Does anyone have suggestions? I really have a feeling that the headaches are again related to the sleep apnea. I live in Orlando, Florida if anyone is close.

Since getting the sleep apnea treated, I've also been diagnosed with diabetes. It's just sometimes one thing after the other, isn't it? LOL

Thanks in advance for any help. It's truly appreciated!

Michelle

[roster]

[quote="bellasmiles"]....................................
Since getting the sleep apnea treated, I've also been diagnosed with diabetes. It's just sometimes one thing after the other, isn't it? LOL
................

[nana]

Michele
Now you just know that someone was going to write and suggest that you go right back to your sleep doctor or primary physican. They need to monitor more than compliance. They can also check your blood pressure. Please get them right in the midst of your care and aware of your complaints. Your compliance will suffer with your continued pain. Come back here and let us know what happens.
Let the sleep doctor read your machine and help 'fix' the problem.
You didn't mention what your machine pressure is set at.
Nana

[Wulfman]

The software and card reader would probably have been less expensive than going back to the doctor to find out what's wrong.

HOWEVER......lemme take a guess.....since you're showing a nasal mask in your profile, I suspect that you're leaking air out your mouth at night and negating much of the therapy you're trying to get.

You also didn't mention what your machine (pressure) settings are. You MAY need a pressure adjustment, but not before you make sure you don't have any leakage.

Start taping your mouth shut.....either with tape or Poligrip strips OR get a full face mask. That'll be cheaper than visits back to the doctor.

Also, save up for the software and card reader.

Den

[Linda3032]

Excellent suggestions above. I think you should call your DME and/or Doctor and ask if they have the software to read the "Full Details" of your smartcard.

If so, have them read your card and get a copy of the report. It will show lots of info that will help make decisions regarding your therapy.

As Den said, you have to be sure you are not dealing with mouth leaks.

I'm also sending you a PM.

[bellasmiles]

Thanks to everyone, I really do appreciate the help and suggestions.

My primary care doctor is very involved. I'm on blood pressure meds and my pressure is great according to my doc. He knows of my complaints, and said he really didn't know what to do in terms of my concerns with cpap therapy.

The sleep doctor doesn't read the cards. I've never even MET the sleep doctor...have only dealt with his staff...and ended up in a acreaming match (instigated by his staff) with one of them b/c she felt that patients should NOT have auto machines and that patients had no need to monitor their therapy...that if they felt something was wrong, they just needed to return for another sleep study.

I don't really think I'm leaking thru my mouth as I wake up a few times a night with my mouth shut and holding my mask in place. But, I will take your suggestion.

My pressure is currently at 8 cm. I don't even use the ramp feature anymore.

Maybe I should make an appt. with the actual sleep doctor and go from there. I wonder though if it's not just my mask getting old or something. I've been using the same mask since August and haven't been great about washing it everyday and all. Maybe a new mask then, hey?

I will, in fact, make it my mission to get the reader and software. I'm just not overly savvy with computers and hope I can make it work and understand the data.

michelle