Newbie needs help!!!

[bap40]

As a brand new CPAP user, I am unfamilier about a lot of things concerning treatment and things to expect. I have been browsing this board and a few others and this site is by far the better one. I just started with treatment and think I have many misconceptions. I was under the impression that breathing with these machines is difficult because of the pressure excerted from the machine. Then I was told that one does not feel pressure.. this leaves me confused. Is there pressure with breathing in and out or not? I returned my first mask because I felt no pressure when breathing. My DHM or is it DMH, gave me another mask, a gel type, and some opus nasal things to try next. I used the mask last night and again felt no pressure.. So tonight I am going to try the nasal things. I just don't know what I am supposed to feel I have been using the ramp setting also. My setting is 10 and I am using a Fisher&Paykel 600 series machine. No software, but has the heated hose. I wanted and asked for a APAP and that was a no go. Instead of fighting, I just took what they gave me and when I asked about features like the c flex and a flex, and reporting software, I was told that none of those things are really needed and the script was from the "specialist" with 25yrs experience and who was I going to believe, lay people or the doc who knows best. Through it all the tech is smiling and shooting down everything I said with a response that did make some sense. I figured I would do it their way this time until I was more familier with all the equipment and when the time comes for a new machine I will insist on what I want. For now I Just need some basic information on what to expect. As far as actual sleeping with this gear, I have no problems at all. I really would appreciate some information from anyone with experience who can set me straight on pretty much everything. Thank you ahead of time for helping me in getting started with this life change and hoping I don't sound too ignorant with all my lack of knowledge. Brooke

[sleepycarol]

Welcome to the forum!!!

You will find a wealth of information on this forum.

One thing I do suggest is to make a call to the doctor that prescribed your machine and ask if he prescribed your specific machine. I bet that he just ordered a cpap without mentioning which brand or make. The DME is palming off the cheapest unit in order to further the profit margin. Ask the doctor to rewrite your script for a specific machine -- others will chime in here and will recommend the best.

Most insurance companies only replace the machine every 5 years so if you accept what you have now you are stuck with it. If you want to purchase out of pocket then any cpap script will work at cpap.com for a machine of your choice -- cpap or apap.

Good luck

[GeneS]

It would be good to get a data capable machine if possible. It would allow you to verify that your treatment is working or if adjustments are necessary. If you cannot get one now and have the resources it would be good to buy the best machine outright from cpap.com or another online source after you learn what you want. In the meantime if your machine is data capable but you dont have the software mabey someone will read the card for you. Most users find that it is more difficult to exhale with cpap because the machine increases the pressure you exhale against. Users react different to the pressure. Some barely notice it and others have difficulty. 10 to me is not a high pressure but it is to others. CFlex may not be that important to you but most people seem to like it. Without data and software you will need a pressure gage or manometer to verify that your machine is maintaining the set pressure. CPap. com sells a pressure gage (manometer that measures to 30 cm of water pressure. If you have an oxygen port on your mask you can hook the pressure gage to it and verify the pressure as you use it. You will probably find that the pressure is ok even if you hardly notice it.
GeneS

[bap40]

This sleep lab does everything by computer. The doctor is never in person. He reviews the information from the sleep study and sends the prescription via internet. That script for me stated CPAP with humidity. The tech told me that if I wanted another type of machine, they would have to get in touch with him and ask for and explain why I wanted a certain machine. I don't know if this is exactly a scam or not, but it sure is close to it.

[kteague]

Brooke,
Yes, it's a lot to learn. One question for you about the pressure - when you say you can't feel it when you put on your mask - can you breathe comfortably? Do you feel it blowing against your hand when the mask is off your face? If you can breathe comfortably with the mask on and feel it blow on your hand when it is off, it's at least working. Just want to be sure it's not malfunctioning.
Kathy

[kluzo]

Breathing/blowing against your hand????

sorry but can you explain that one to me please?



Cheers

[Slinky]

Number 1 of paramont importance is, doggone you are a newbie and sleeping good and feeling rested using CPAP already???

If so you are one lucky sum of a gum!!! Be grateful! Very few of us do that welll that soon!!! My first 30 nights on CPAP were THE WORST sleep of my life - except for the TWO titrations I had to endure 'cause I didn't sleep enugh the first titration w/CPAP.

The Resmeds and the Respironics CPAPs are the only ones that make fully data capable CPAPs. And I could never be happy w/a less than fully data capable one having started out being able to access that data. Ooops! I lied. I forgot that Puritan Bennet does make a fully data capable CPAP and autoPAP too).

BUT ... I think if I had been as lucky as you, I probably would NOT rock the boat and try for a data capable CPAP. Most likely I would have eventually bought a fully data capable CPAP out of pocket, just as I eventually bought an autoPAP outta pocket, but doggone! to be doing so good so soon .....
be ever so grateful and happy!

As for what your DME supplier told you about online apnea support forums .... snort ... they don't like them because it could end up costing their profit margin having to supply a fully data capable CPAP. Some support group advice might be misguided but percentage wise its most likely more honest, forthright and forthcoming than from a DME supplier w/a vested interest in their profit margin more than in your therapy.

Your CPAP is a well-built device capable of providing therapy as good as the fully data capable ones IF your titration was right on and the best pressure found for you which it sure sounds like it was. Rest easy. Enjoy good restorative sleep and don't worry about data until you aren't getting restful sleep and feeling refreshed in the morning or start having trouble sleeping again.

Meanwhile live and learn and when you have the extra cash and have learned even more about CPAPping buy a fully data capable CPAP out of pocket online.

[sleepycarol]

May I chime in and recommend that you get a copy of your Rx for your file if you haven't already done so. Also it is important to get a copy of your sleep study report. Keep the Rx and report together in a safe place. If and when you are ready for a new machine you are ready to go.

You do not need a script for masks and accessories and it is often cheaper buying them on line as well. I have purchased masks and supplies from both eBay and cpapauction in order to save money. If you prefer new masks instead of gently used, then try cpap.com for reasonable cost masks.

Now that the new year is here many will have to meet their deductible before their insurance kicks in. Factor this into your cost of buying out of pocket on line and going through a DME. I am going to call insurance and see if I can purchase on line and submit a claim and have it go towards my deductible.

Since you aren't having any difficulties you may wish to keep the machine given to you and use it to your more secure in your treatment. If and when you decide to upgrade, your machine you have now will make a great spare for travel or emergency use.

Keep some spare filters on hand and make sure to replace them at the suggested intervals or when they appear dirty.

Use only distilled water in the humdifier chamber to prolong its life and to prevent unwanted bacteria growth.

Please fill out your profile so that we may know what machine, masks, etc. that you are using. This will prevent us from asking you all the time if you have questions that need answering.

Go to the top of the page and read "our collective wisdom" the yellow light bulb and the red questions FAQ for a wealth of information. There you will find answers to many common problems, questions, different masks, etc.

For many of us we have had an adjustment period to get used to cpap. If you have a few bad nights recognize them as a learning curve and keep working at it and asking questions. Don't give up. You are off to an excellent start and should pat yourself on the back!!

[Julie]

What KTeague was trying to say is that when the machine is on, but not on your face, you should be more than aware of the air blowing out from the mask through the hose. But that doesn't mean you'll be particularly aware of 'pressure' when it is on your face and properly done up. You shouldn't be fighting pressure when breathing through the apparatus - pressure is exerted mostly on your airway to help keep it from entirely closing up, but that pressure doesn't have to be very high to do the job, depending on your particular scenario. If you can feel and hear the air blowing through the hose/mask when the machine is on but the mask is not on you (just take the mask off, but don't turn the machine off, to test) then it's working.

[trice54]

Hi Brooke..I am another newbie. About not feeling the air...I know I was under the impression that I would be feeling air pushed down the back of my throat via the nasal passages and I was so relieved that that was not the case. I can;t feel too much coming in my nose but when I take it off the air flow is definitely there. I think there is more trouble exhaling against the airflow. Is this sort of what you are talking about?
Good luck to you and me and all of us!
Trice