New to CPAP, have questions

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:49 pm

By the way, I showed him my Do It Yourself tongue guide/mouth guard which has vastly improved my therapy and pretty much done away with mouth leaks and he just chuckled at it and was pretty much uninterested.

All these people should be required to use straight cpap set at 14 cm H20 for one week, using the least expensive mask they prescribe, recommend, make, or approve.

They should be required to be 100% compliant during that period, or they have to repeat the week again and again until their "hours of use" are up to snuff:

1. Board certified sleep doctors and any other doctors with "sleep" as a sub-specialty.
2. Home health supplies store owners and all their employees.
3. Mask designers, CEO's of mask manufacturing companies, and all their spouses.
4. Insurance company executives and their immediate family members.

Oh, and just to be fair -- toss each one a chin strap.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:50 am

RG, I never knew it but you have a vicious streak in you!

And I like it .

Sleepyman · Post by **Sleepyman** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:36 am

All these people should be required to use straight cpap set at 14 cm H20 for one week, using the least expensive mask they prescribe, recommend, make, or approve.

RG, I know your right because I lucked out and got a Pulmonologist with OSA. He has been accurate in his tritation, caring about the comfort of my treatment, ie. mask fitting in the sleep lab lying down, and competitive in pricing on equipment. He showed me how to access the clinians menu to set the machine. I have gone from AHI of 116 in sleep study to <1 most nights. Reading all the post here I am forever grateful for my good fortune, I only wish there was a list of Drs who have experience with OSA for everyone to consult. I suspect treatment will someday be more patient orientated just because of all the bad experiences folks are having everyday with misinformed doctors and DME's. As discussed here before there are some great studies out there showing how well patients do when they are empowered to paticipate in their own tritation and treatment.
I just hope that's not just Cpap induced optimism

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 2:55 pm

Yup, Bill, I do.

I like to think of it as....ummm... jus' a helpful lil hint to 'em.

Sleepyman, that's great that your pulmonologist has OSA. Well, that sounded bad. heh. I don't wish that on anyone. But yes, it sure could make a doctor more sympathetic...and perhaps more "up" on state of the art equipment.

Interestingly, my uncle had been using straight cpap with no humidification and a cheap mask. He had been largely uncompliant. His doctor was also a cpap user (I didn't know that, at the time.)

I suggested to my uncle that he ask his doctor for a new prescription - for a REMstar Auto with C-Flex, heated humidifier, and an Activa mask. I gave him a bunch of information to take along with him in case the doctor vacillated.

Uncle showed the info to the doc. Doc readily wrote him the new scrip.

My uncle told me that as he was leaving, the doctor said, "Hmmmm, maybe I'd like that machine, too." Dunno if he ever got himself one. LOL!!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 3:36 pm

Just read a post by Sleepy Shelley that reminded of a worthy addition to Rested Gal's list:

5. Sleep technicians who think masks have to be strapped on tighter than tight to stop leaks. (Each technician will be strapped into the mask by another one, who hasn't started the trial period).

(This is begining to sound like Gilbert and Sullivan, doesn't it, with "I'll put 'em on a list"...).

Submitted respectfully by
O.

Sleepyman · Post by **Sleepyman** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:46 pm

My apoligies if this is off topic just read on Yahoo.
"The Headache"

The doctor said, "Joe, the good news is I can cure your headaches. The bad news is that it will require castration. You have a very rare condition, which causes your testicles to press on your spine and the pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles."
Joe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He had no choice but to go under the knife.? When he left the hospital, he was without a headache for the first time in 20 years, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself. As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a different person.? He could make a new beginning and live a new life. He saw a men's clothing store and thought, "That's what I need... a new suit." He entered the shop and told the salesman, "I'd like a new suit." The elderly tailor eyed him briefly and said, "Let's see... size 44 long." Joe laughed, "That's right!? How did you know?"? "Been in the business 60 years!" the tailor said. Joe tried on the suit...it fit perfectly. As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, "How about a new shirt?" Joe thought for a moment and then said, "Sure". The salesman eyed Joe and said, "Let's see, 34 sleeves and 16-1/2 neck." Joe was surprised, "That's right!? How did you know?" "Been in the business 60 years." Joe tried on the shirt and it fit perfectly. Joe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked, "How about some new underwear?" Joe thought for a moment and said, Sure." The salesman said, "Let's see... size 36."? Joe laughed, "Ah ha! I got you, I've worn a size 34 since I was 18 years old." The salesman shook his head, "You can't be a size 34. A size 34 would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache."

New suit - $400
New shirt - $36
New underwear - $6
Second Opinion - PRICELESS

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:36 pm

Good addition to "The List", ozij!

ROTFL... Sleepyman!!