I love this forum.

[Namovicz]

You all have helped me get through my first month. I have had so many questions answered and so much encouragement... all this and I have only tried to post one time(unsuccessfully). Makes you wonder how we existed before the internet.

I would like to know more about my results. I have the card in my machine but I don't have a doctors appointment for 3 months. I can't afford the card reader at this point...maybe with the Christmas bonus. It is kind of frustrating.

I do generally feel better. I have "moderate to severe" OSA. I gave up on the treatment when I was diagnosed 10 years ago but I am able to make a "go" of it this time because of equipment improvements.

My DME guy told me that I need to go to bed at 9:00 instead of 10:00. I wish EVERY show I watch on TV did not come on at 9:00! I just have to record everything now.

One question....Does anyone have a problem with cold meds interfering with your ability to sleep? I sit here at 4 a.m. typing on the computer and I have no idea why I am up. This is very unusual for me. I took Sudafed yesterday around 2:00 pm...I am careful not to take it too late in the day. I haven't taken anything since then. I feel wide awake.

[shippy]

Don't quite understand why the dme would set a bedtime for you as what really matters is how much time each person gets a night asleep. I hosed up last night at 7 P.M. slept six hours got up at 1 A.M. and pecking away on this computer right now it 3 A.M. here in California i ussually average 6 to 7 hours a night and feel pretty good during the day. Everyones different though.

Dale

[sleepycarol]

No one suggested a bedtime for me as well.

For some strange reason Benadryl (and generic equivalent) makes me hyper. I know not to take it in the afternoon unless I want to be pacing the floor that night.

On the other hand, my husband cannot take sudafed as it makes him sleepy and will knock him out for a couple hours shortly after taking it.

Our bodies all work differently and what affects one will have the opposite affect on someone else.

[Namovicz]

The DME guy told me I needed to go to bed earlier after he reviewed the information on my machine. I just assumed he thought my sleep times were inadequate. I have to learn to ask more questions, I have never been good at that.

I am glad to know that some here still have oddball sleep schedules and that it does not have to be some rigid program. Anytime I am awake at odd times I worry that I will not get enough sleep and have a miserable day at work. It is silly to worry so much about being too tired at work...I lived that way for 10+ years.

[Guest]

Namovicz,

Better late than never, right?! Good to hear that this time around is a far better experience than 10 years ago.

Couple thoughts on your posts. If I'm not mistaken, your machine has a smart card for compliance data only, and reports how much you use the machine. If it was suggested you go to bed earlier, it may have just been in order to give you more machine time before waking up, if you have an early rise time or a problem with waking up too early.

About reading the smart card, you could ask your DME about reading it for you. Mine does. But it won't give you the kind of data I'm guessing you are hoping for. I wouldn't invest in a card reader unless you upgrade your machine to one that gives treatment data.

Back to sleep times. My doc also suggested the early bedtime in an effort to address my awful sleep/wake schedule. I guess if someone gets good restful sleep at non-traditional times that's fine. But for someone like me with erratic and repetitively broken sleep, aiming at what used to fit my normal circadian rhythm with a bedtime by around 10pm is a good goal. But old habits die hard.

You've come so far in this, Namovicz, if getting sufficient sleep is attainable for you, go for it. And reap the rewards. I'm trying to get there too.

Best wishes.

Kathy

[6PtStar]

Namovicz

Please save your money. A card reader won't tell you much of anything if your profile is correct. The Plus machine will only print out compliance data. I would seriouly question what your DME guy saw on your machine data since it collects almost nothing. If you can get him to swap it out for you for at least a Pro model it would sure help in the long run.

Good luck!

Jerry

[Namovicz]

It is good to know about the card reader! I would have been really mad had I bought it and only got compliance data.

My machine is through an HMO so I seriously doubt I would be able to get a machine with all the bells and wistles if it costs any more money. It is always worth it to inquire because you never know until you ask, so I will ask him.

[sharon1965]

the card reader itself is not expensive, it runs around $30...first you would need to get a better machine...(i spent 9 months with a machine that records compliance data only, and that was more frustrating to me than all of my mask issues put together)...but then you would need the software to read the data and i don't know how much that costs in the u.s....respironics just came out with a new version of their software for patient use though, so you could check with cpap.com about that; other forum members would better know where to direct you for that...resmed, i believe, has machines that give you your data on an LCD screen right on the machine, so you don't absolutely need software; puritan bennett sells the software along with the machine if you choose, that would be their 420E autopap...

but yeah, first thing i would do is try to switch out that machine...money may be an issue, but try to do what you can to get what you really need...i had to pay some out of pocket but if i had been given that option from the beginning, the last nine months wouldn't have been such a lesson in frustration!

best of luck! stick around...
sharon