Hey Southern_Girl and welcome.
I know all too well about the money thing, being that I worked in health-care. It's more because you care about other people than anything, and I find this to be try more of the people who work hands-on or directly with pts. There are alot easier ways to make the money.
That said, I am one of the few who had a good experience with the techs, the nurse practitioner, and even the MD. I think my DME is awsome, (Health Management Services, INC owned by the owner of CPAP.com). I have no ill will. As goofproof said, alot of people here are sharing from individual experiences and generally here, you will hear more of the bad because this is a last straw and people wanna try anything. Don't let it get to you if you hear that.
I look forward to learning as much as I can but the best thing I have learned is that if I keep this simple, it works well.
Y'all come back now, ya hear.
Don't throw stones, I'm just a tech :)
Actually, computer plumbing is just something I picked up traveling down lifes road, as was CB transmitter and T.V. repair. I have found that if you know the basic rules, all machines follow them.Snoredog wrote:then how did you get that plumber's butt?Goofproof wrote:I was a self taught mechanic, all of my working life, Jim
The Basic Rule, "Shi_ runs Downhill", stay uphill, and all will be OK!
Turn Off the Fan!
I think Pizza and other Pasta products. have to do with that picture. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
Hello Southern Girl and welcome.
I am pretty new to these forums and only 10 days on treatment. Actually, I am on temperary treatment until my titration study which isn't until the last day of this month.
I have gotten a lot from this group. I know your worried about mouth taping and stuff like that. I worry too. It seems unnatural to me. But, I also am adjusting to my mask well and don't seem to need to worry about it right now.
That said, I won't criticize someone who chooses to do so. They are trying to get the best treatment they can and most of them have tried many masks as well as other alternatives before turning to something like taping. They all do the research they need. You don't tend to find people here who aren't interested in learning to be an educated participant in their care. Those who aren't interested exist. They just don't come here simply because they aren't interested.
As for changing our own pressures, I think it really is odd when DME's argue that only they are supposed to do that and patients have to travel and wait and go through all sorts of hoops for a simple 30 second procedure. I say DME's, not sleep techs or doctors. They have reasons to want the information, though, it is still easier for the patient to confer over a phone or in an appointment and then make their own adjustments. Most of the people here who do so, do it with the blessing of their doctors. Again, this is something that takes an educated patient. I upped my lower level pressure to 9 after the lower pressures felt like I was choking and couldn't breathe. I did so because my range was set wide open at 4-20 just to give me whatever treatment I could get while waiting for titration. I didn't make these decisions lightly. I learned all I could including getting the software to see where my average and my 90% pressures were, learned about central apneas and the dangers of too much pressure, and made my decisions based on that, and other research I did.
Anyway, my point is that each of us are individuals. And none of us are stupid. And most of us have a strong desire to take an active role in our therapy. These things clearly make us a subset of the typical patient in a sleep therapy center. I look forward to learning from you and vice versa. I think a support group at the center is a great idea. I am thinking of suggesting one at my docs office. I can run it. I am a psychotherapist, or was pre OSA. Good luck and again, welcome.
I am pretty new to these forums and only 10 days on treatment. Actually, I am on temperary treatment until my titration study which isn't until the last day of this month.
I have gotten a lot from this group. I know your worried about mouth taping and stuff like that. I worry too. It seems unnatural to me. But, I also am adjusting to my mask well and don't seem to need to worry about it right now.
That said, I won't criticize someone who chooses to do so. They are trying to get the best treatment they can and most of them have tried many masks as well as other alternatives before turning to something like taping. They all do the research they need. You don't tend to find people here who aren't interested in learning to be an educated participant in their care. Those who aren't interested exist. They just don't come here simply because they aren't interested.
As for changing our own pressures, I think it really is odd when DME's argue that only they are supposed to do that and patients have to travel and wait and go through all sorts of hoops for a simple 30 second procedure. I say DME's, not sleep techs or doctors. They have reasons to want the information, though, it is still easier for the patient to confer over a phone or in an appointment and then make their own adjustments. Most of the people here who do so, do it with the blessing of their doctors. Again, this is something that takes an educated patient. I upped my lower level pressure to 9 after the lower pressures felt like I was choking and couldn't breathe. I did so because my range was set wide open at 4-20 just to give me whatever treatment I could get while waiting for titration. I didn't make these decisions lightly. I learned all I could including getting the software to see where my average and my 90% pressures were, learned about central apneas and the dangers of too much pressure, and made my decisions based on that, and other research I did.
Anyway, my point is that each of us are individuals. And none of us are stupid. And most of us have a strong desire to take an active role in our therapy. These things clearly make us a subset of the typical patient in a sleep therapy center. I look forward to learning from you and vice versa. I think a support group at the center is a great idea. I am thinking of suggesting one at my docs office. I can run it. I am a psychotherapist, or was pre OSA. Good luck and again, welcome.
Welcome!
And and glad to see you register, doing so separates you from the others,
Understand from the tone of your post members here are NOT against Sleep Techs, Doctors and DME's as long as you don't come here and try to preach to us about OUR decision in taking control over our own therapy. Because that has been tried many times before and most recently by this moron:
viewtopic.php?t=33457&start=0
We are here because we want to be. While your credentials are impressive, we have several PhD's, Professors, Doctors, Sleep Lab owners, RPSGT Techs and DME's that are regular members here and participate regularly in meaningful discussions without the need to preach to us about how we manage our therapy.
This site is where we share ideas and offer suggestions based upon our own experiences. if there is valid research on a topic, we share it with everyone.
It is quiet the opposite of what most professionals "think", we are NOT a bunch of "helpless patients" that don't have any common sense, have difficulty tying our shoes, we are adults who use common sense approach in managing our therapy. One of our ForumAdmins is a RPSGT and participates.
Fact is you will find the patients participating regularly on this site are more likely getting optimal treatment, 100% in compliance and overall getting the best peer support available.
All usual disclaimers are noted at the bottom of every page.
So welcome aboard,
And and glad to see you register, doing so separates you from the others,
Understand from the tone of your post members here are NOT against Sleep Techs, Doctors and DME's as long as you don't come here and try to preach to us about OUR decision in taking control over our own therapy. Because that has been tried many times before and most recently by this moron:
viewtopic.php?t=33457&start=0
We are here because we want to be. While your credentials are impressive, we have several PhD's, Professors, Doctors, Sleep Lab owners, RPSGT Techs and DME's that are regular members here and participate regularly in meaningful discussions without the need to preach to us about how we manage our therapy.
This site is where we share ideas and offer suggestions based upon our own experiences. if there is valid research on a topic, we share it with everyone.
It is quiet the opposite of what most professionals "think", we are NOT a bunch of "helpless patients" that don't have any common sense, have difficulty tying our shoes, we are adults who use common sense approach in managing our therapy. One of our ForumAdmins is a RPSGT and participates.
Fact is you will find the patients participating regularly on this site are more likely getting optimal treatment, 100% in compliance and overall getting the best peer support available.
All usual disclaimers are noted at the bottom of every page.
So welcome aboard,
someday science will catch up to what I'm saying...
Let me add my "Welcome!" to the others that have already been extended to you. First, let me say that the sleep techs who did my PSG were outstanding! They talked to me, told me what was going on, explained what all the 25 leads were for and what would be happening throughout the night, what to do and what not to do, and then talked to me about the results at the end of the night. They were very professional, and made something I had been worried about for a long time into an experiance that, if not pleasant, was at least tolerable. I could tell that they were dealing with a "difficult" patient across the hall from me, but it in no way bled over into how they treated me. Thanks to them I got the first decent sleep I had had in years. I cannot say enough good things about them.
I would greatly encourage you (and you probably already do) to treat your patients with the same caring and compassionate manner. Patients with OSA often reach the sleep lab on the ragged edge, vulnerable and barely able to function, and being treated professionally and kindly by the techs goes a long way. It sounds like you do want to help people, and this is a great place to do just that. Thanks for your input!
I would greatly encourage you (and you probably already do) to treat your patients with the same caring and compassionate manner. Patients with OSA often reach the sleep lab on the ragged edge, vulnerable and barely able to function, and being treated professionally and kindly by the techs goes a long way. It sounds like you do want to help people, and this is a great place to do just that. Thanks for your input!
Welcome from me as well. The more people that know what they are talking about the better. It would be great to see you offer practical advice on solving people’s problems. Please don't be restrained by the thought police that believe we should not have any information or make any informed decisions. The best medical practitioners in the world believe that the most effective treatment for a patient is one that they believe in and participate in.
Again welcome.
Again welcome.
Welcome! The sleep tech was by far the best professional I encountered in my path to CPAP--if I'd had access to her repeatedly after my initial titration, perhaps I wouldn't have come here, and wouldn't have self-titrated (to a pressure that has led me to an average AHI of 0.4) My doctor was completely useless. The sleep tech was wonderful, though, if only for the two nights I was with her! To me, it seemed she had *much* more experience with the nitty gritty of actual CPAP usage than did the MD.
_________________
| Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Pressure set to min: 6, max: 12 |
--Sarah
SouthernGal, please accept a second welcome to you now that we "know" who you are rather than "just" a Guest!
I'll even ask you a question: for those of use who are doing pretty well on CPAP therapy, and a heck of a whole lot better than pre-CPAP therapy but still having the devil of a time w/high leaks (which our dim-witty sleep doctors aren't at all concerned about or even consider), what would you suggest?
To clarify: the mask leaks are minimal. There is no mouth breathing. The problem is strictly the "lip flutters". Air escaping gently thru the lips thru out the night. No chin strap is going to help w/that. A thin layer of PoliGrip Dental Gel on the lips "cures" the leaks. But I'm lazy and my bedtime routine is prolonged enough. No full face mask has been small enough for me, all we've tried having been too long.
I took it upon myself to lower my EPAP by 1 cm and improved my leak rate and my AHI which has been good anyway. But things could still be better. I'm thinking that since my Resmed allows pressure adjustments in .2 cm increments that might be, might have been, the better way to go. I make it a point to only make ONE change at a time and to stay w/that change one week before using the data to decide what to do next, if anything. So far, a change still needs to be make and I'm contemplating what that might be.
If you were encountering this during a titration study what would you do for your patient? Remember, none of the full face masks were small enough.
I'll even ask you a question: for those of use who are doing pretty well on CPAP therapy, and a heck of a whole lot better than pre-CPAP therapy but still having the devil of a time w/high leaks (which our dim-witty sleep doctors aren't at all concerned about or even consider), what would you suggest?
To clarify: the mask leaks are minimal. There is no mouth breathing. The problem is strictly the "lip flutters". Air escaping gently thru the lips thru out the night. No chin strap is going to help w/that. A thin layer of PoliGrip Dental Gel on the lips "cures" the leaks. But I'm lazy and my bedtime routine is prolonged enough. No full face mask has been small enough for me, all we've tried having been too long.
I took it upon myself to lower my EPAP by 1 cm and improved my leak rate and my AHI which has been good anyway. But things could still be better. I'm thinking that since my Resmed allows pressure adjustments in .2 cm increments that might be, might have been, the better way to go. I make it a point to only make ONE change at a time and to stay w/that change one week before using the data to decide what to do next, if anything. So far, a change still needs to be make and I'm contemplating what that might be.
If you were encountering this during a titration study what would you do for your patient? Remember, none of the full face masks were small enough.
_________________
| Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex & Humidifier - EncorePro 2.2 Software - Contec CMS-50D+ Oximeter - Respironics EverFlo Q Concentrator |
Last edited by Slinky on Sat Aug 02, 2008 3:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
Re: Don't throw stones, I'm just a tech :)
southern_girl, another welcome!Anonymous wrote: Let's try to be positive and optimistic about LIFE! .
Your above statement, is exactly correct.
This therapy IS my LIFE.
Once I realized that, you better believe that I am
going to be totally involved.
I am not one of the fortunate ones that has a
knowledgeable and helpful DME or sleep doc.
I am fortunate that I have a great GP, that trusts me
to help him make decisions about how this therapy is working.
And has supported me in getting the best equipment,
inspite of the DME.
Without the education and help I have received at this site,
I might not even be using the therapy.
I am light years ahead in my therapy and as a result,
I am taking my life back.
As my brain and body come back to life,
I will not let any single person or entity stand
in my path to recovery.
I, too, look forward to your participation and
sharing your knowledge.
Thoughts/comments/suggestions
"If your therapy is improving your health but you're not doing anything
to see or feel those changes, you'll never know what you're capable of."
I said that.
to see or feel those changes, you'll never know what you're capable of."
I said that.
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Insomniyak
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 5:33 am
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jskinner
- Posts: 1475
- Joined: Sat Aug 26, 2006 9:21 pm
- Location: Greenwich, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Contact:
The reason people mouth tape is to try to feel better. If there where a better option people would use it. When chin straps don't work (leaks though teeth) then the only other option is a full face mask. Many people can't tolerate FF masks or just get to many leaks with them. We all want a better option than mouth taping there just doesn't seem to be one...crossfit wrote: I know your worried about mouth taping and stuff like that. I worry too. It seems unnatural to me.
Encore Pro Analyzer Author
Facebook Apnea Group
Facebook Apnea Group
Oh, I know that. That is the point in the rest of the paragraph I wrote after the bit you quoted. So far, I am lucky that this isn't an issue for me.crossfit wrote:
I know your worried about mouth taping and stuff like that. I worry too. It seems unnatural to me.
The reason people mouth tape is to try to feel better. If there where a better option people would use it. When chin straps don't work (leaks though teeth) then the only other option is a full face mask. Many people can't tolerate FF masks or just get to many leaks with them. We all want a better option than mouth taping there just doesn't seem to be one...
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Insomniyak
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 5:33 am
SG:
> I've read multiple threads stating that techs are in it purely for the money.
> when I started in sleep, prior to my registry, I was paid $10/hr.
Any poster who said that techs are in it only for the money was wrong.
> Please don't lump us all into that group.
Amen. I think many people, including on this forum, fail to distinguish between 1) the types of sleep-related technicians that there are and 2) the duties that they perform.
Perhaps they/we/I don't know the specific job titles that these various employees are called. That lack of specific knowledge contributes to this "lumping" problem.
I have _always_ been impressed with the sleep techs that perform the overnight sleep studies. I am just astounded to see that the pressure I was prescribed in my last sleep study is usually the pressure that my Auto M (in auto mode) uses (plus or minus a small variance). He hit the nail on the head.
I am almost always disappointed in the RTs that the DMEs provide. Lack of knowledge, effort, professionalism -- just terrible! In all these years I have only had one, possibly two, good RTs. Out of many.
For us SA patients to say that RTs are in it for the money is just stupid, given the pittance that they are paid. Of course, that's part of the problem -- you get what you pay for. Well, most of the time.
> I've read multiple threads stating that techs are in it purely for the money.
> when I started in sleep, prior to my registry, I was paid $10/hr.
Any poster who said that techs are in it only for the money was wrong.
> Please don't lump us all into that group.
Amen. I think many people, including on this forum, fail to distinguish between 1) the types of sleep-related technicians that there are and 2) the duties that they perform.
Perhaps they/we/I don't know the specific job titles that these various employees are called. That lack of specific knowledge contributes to this "lumping" problem.
I have _always_ been impressed with the sleep techs that perform the overnight sleep studies. I am just astounded to see that the pressure I was prescribed in my last sleep study is usually the pressure that my Auto M (in auto mode) uses (plus or minus a small variance). He hit the nail on the head.
I am almost always disappointed in the RTs that the DMEs provide. Lack of knowledge, effort, professionalism -- just terrible! In all these years I have only had one, possibly two, good RTs. Out of many.
For us SA patients to say that RTs are in it for the money is just stupid, given the pittance that they are paid. Of course, that's part of the problem -- you get what you pay for. Well, most of the time.