OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Applecheeks
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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by Applecheeks » Thu Nov 24, 2022 11:44 pm

Pugsy wrote:
Wed Nov 23, 2022 11:22 am
No more personal attacks and snide ass remarks.
Thank you very much.
Maybe you can address vulgar language as well, but this is a good start. Thank you

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GeneMpls
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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by GeneMpls » Fri Nov 25, 2022 10:46 am

Thank you all- I was watching this thread get lower and lower in the list [a good thing?] and then it was regenerated again. I am still lurking but have had some really bad days and it is all I can do to keep up with the stuff that cannot be put off. Also this week is my appt with the cardio surgeon and while I am not really apprehensive about it, it of course adds to the overall tension. I have been using two months in Tx and the keys as a bone to chase after but I am concerned about being in the hospital while I should be down warmmm. I have had a fabulous life [undeservedly] and look at death as a long cold rest. I will check out again till after my appt and then update. Thanks Gene

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Applecheeks
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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by Applecheeks » Fri Nov 25, 2022 4:08 pm

GeneMpls wrote:
Fri Nov 25, 2022 10:46 am
I will check out again till after my appt and then update.
Hoping for the best for you.
-B

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GeneMpls
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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by GeneMpls » Fri Dec 02, 2022 9:19 am

I spoke to the Cardiac Surgeon for 2 hours yesterday, he favors TAVR [thru arteries in groin] [as do I] but spent 45 minutes going thru the crack open the chest and replace the [Aortic] valve with either a mechanical valve or one of the membrane valves harvested from porcine or bovine critters [I guess some people have preferences?] and making the best pitch for that procedure [which is kinda hard I think] before presenting the TAVR procedure. I made the correct choice. The valves do wear out and if I live to be 95 like my mom I could need it done again. Christmas will mess up scheduling of course and we have a 3 week Nurses strike about to 'strike' in a couple weeks as well.
So he played right into my hands and said realistically it could wait till March [after I return from a month in So Tejas and a month in the Florida Keys. I have been experimenting with pressures and had a couple really bad nights/days trying 17#- could not get a mask to seal at that pressure either, not sure how you would do it. The medic had not interest in my sleep apnia other than my not being able to tell him what my normal functional lever during the day is, as I have not seen a normal day for so
long I would not recognize it.

Next I see the PA-C at the sleep center and need to prepare for her. If I just pay for the CPAP machine, I can cut them off altogether, correct? I do not have high hopes for a sleep apnia cure anytime soon. Gene

I respect doctors and especially nurses but Thank Dog I do not have to do their jobs.

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colomom
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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by colomom » Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:05 pm

GeneMpls wrote:
Fri Dec 02, 2022 9:19 am
I spoke to the Cardiac Surgeon for 2 hours yesterday, he favors TAVR [thru arteries in groin] [as do I] but spent 45 minutes going thru the crack open the chest and replace the [Aortic] valve with either a mechanical valve or one of the membrane valves harvested from porcine or bovine critters [I guess some people have preferences?] and making the best pitch for that procedure [which is kinda hard I think] before presenting the TAVR procedure. I made the correct choice. The valves do wear out and if I live to be 95 like my mom I could need it done again. Christmas will mess up scheduling of course and we have a 3 week Nurses strike about to 'strike' in a couple weeks as well.
So he played right into my hands and said realistically it could wait till March [after I return from a month in So Tejas and a month in the Florida Keys. I have been experimenting with pressures and had a couple really bad nights/days trying 17#- could not get a mask to seal at that pressure either, not sure how you would do it. The medic had not interest in my sleep apnia other than my not being able to tell him what my normal functional lever during the day is, as I have not seen a normal day for so
long I would not recognize it.

Next I see the PA-C at the sleep center and need to prepare for her. If I just pay for the CPAP machine, I can cut them off altogether, correct? I do not have high hopes for a sleep apnia cure anytime soon. Gene

I respect doctors and especially nurses but Thank Dog I do not have to do their jobs.
Wow, that’s great sounds like you are making significant forward progress on the path to better health!

My Dad had TAVR this summer on his aortic valve. His aortic valve had really heavily calcification (they classified his aortic stenosis as critical). Because his calcification was so severe he had higher risk than a typical TAVR patient. He was one of the unlucky ones who had a rare bad event happen following the surgery, but despite that he still was out of the hospital after 4 days. If all goes smoothly you’ll probably be walking out of the hospital door the day after TAVR:)
According to my Dad’s surgeons because TAVR is a new procedure they don’t necessarily know the lifespan of the TAVR valves, the valves have been improved since they first began doing the surgery so it’s possible the newer versions may have a few extra years in them.

Hope your appointment with the new sleep doctor goes well! My dad’s experience was that once it was determined that he needed a new heart valve his other doctors didn’t want to do anything until the valve was fixed, so don’t get frustrated if the new doctor wants to consult with the cardiologist before considering doing anything.
I don’t have the expertise as many on this forum, but if I were in your shoes I would wait until after you get that new heart valve to go down the self management route for your CPAP therapy.

Hope you have a great time in the Keys!

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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by GeneMpls » Thu Dec 08, 2022 10:40 am

The Saga continues... just back at work from the sleep/neurology center appt. I was hoping that this PA that I asked to see [after telling her boss that, nothing personal but... [not sure how you could not take that personally but not my problem] I wanted to try someone else. This lady sez she has been doing this for 25 years and after discussion had a plan, and wanted to talk in a week. I have always thought that any plan is always better than no plan, so I feel hopeful. I have been a technician all my life and hoped for someone I could talk to and who at least pretends to be interested. I also received 3 or 4 masks from a gent on the board so I have some more styles to try for comfort. Thanks to all who have sympathized with my screwed up conditions and suggested fixes. Gene

PS- I am very encouraged- we talked about a Bipap and ASV machines also. She sez you must take another Sleep Apnea test to get the ASV.

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Applecheeks
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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by Applecheeks » Thu Dec 08, 2022 10:29 pm

GeneMpls wrote:
Thu Dec 08, 2022 10:40 am
I am very encouraged....
Good to hear from you and best wishes on the development of "the PLAN"

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GeneMpls
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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by GeneMpls » Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:00 am

I met the PA-C and followed her suggestion for a week and then sent her a mind/body diary I have been keeping for the period everyday. It was not impressive in my mind
and she returned my message [all this on a MyChart message board] and asked if you could make another change, I, of course said I was in her hands and she did it. This is the second night and it is a new experience for me. I just noticed that I had tried a Evola nasal mask one night and forgot to change back to full face [Evola FF] but I hope this would not cause my good score last night. If it is the cause I will leave it that way. AHI is 3.5.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/au6e7ddu9cism ... 5.png?dl=0

Sorry- I cannot remember how I got the link that would actually open in the thread... my mind is not good today. I actually feel sleepy but functional. Much to do before
we leave after the 1st of the year. I have an angiogram Monday to determine if I will get a TAVR in March when we return. Had a CTscan and that must have been OK.
Again, thanks all. Gene

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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by GeneMpls » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:12 am

Second night- only slept for 3 hours- my sweetie fell in the bathroom [she has Parkinson's and has trouble getting started walking], never got back to sleep. Anyway my
AHI was 4.26. This PA must be magic. Still can't figure out how to get the correct link from Dropbox-
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i7bz2tyl6q2bx ... 6.png?dl=0

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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by lynninnj » Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:22 am

GeneMpls wrote:
Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:12 am
Second night- only slept for 3 hours- my sweetie fell in the bathroom [she has Parkinson's and has trouble getting started walking], never got back to sleep. Anyway my
AHI was 4.26. This PA must be magic. Still can't figure out how to get the correct link from Dropbox-
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i7bz2tyl6q2bx ... 6.png?dl=0
Gene, you might try sleephq.com because it is a wee bit more user friendly.

Sorry to hear about your sweetie and your own challenges.

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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by GeneMpls » Tue Dec 20, 2022 3:58 pm

Good and bad news- I felt great this am, eyes wide, etc. I had an angiogram yesterday and I have been selected for a coronary bypass [triple] along with the valve replacement and open heart surgery. I have not missed my shift in Islamorada for 15 years, but, it is not looking good. But- my apnia is trending better. :twisted:

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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by ozij » Tue Dec 20, 2022 9:14 pm

The good news is very good - and is most likely to make your bad news "less bad" - in the sense of helping your body in its healing process, both now and later.

Make sure to contact the hospital with all the info about your cpap - and find out what you need to do if you want to bring it along. Ask them when you can start using it after the surgery etc.
Hospital respirators have CPAP mode - but your machine and mask will be much more comfortable.
Try to get a letter from your doc, describing the need, supporting your request to use your own equipment as soon as it's medically feasible.
Get the type of hose - or hose connector - you may need should it be necessary to bleed in oxygen.
And make sure the person / people who accompanies you knows how to set up your equipment - including putting the mask on your face properly so that it doesn't leak, just in case you can't do it yet. And is capable of showing a nurse where to connect the oxygen to your own hose. Do a training run or two.

You may be independent quite soon after the surgery (I hope you will be) but having knowledgeable help near you, just in case, is worth the effort.
I hope your sweetie is feeling better. If she can't help you because of her Parkinson's, I hope both of can feel comfortable about asking someone else to the "designated helper" so to speak.

Good luck, and thanks for the updates.
Please continue updating us as things develop.

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GeneMpls
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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by GeneMpls » Fri Dec 23, 2022 7:04 am

Mary is having a number of issues with neck pain but as the oldest of eight kids and raised as a Catholic- she is used to 'service'- her bro from San Diego is coming to help also and my daughter from Austin Tx will come as well for a week. I should be well cared for.
I just did my first entire night with the Bleep, bad leaks all night [suspect my taped mouth], but I was surprised by the breathing noise being very loud. My AHI was better than average [8]- this number has been creeping back towards 15. I actually dreamed that one nostril was disconnected [it wasn't], have not dreamed since I started CPAP I believe. Thank you all, Gene

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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by GeneMpls » Fri Dec 30, 2022 10:50 am

Time flies when you are havin' fun. Finally cleared the Dental work necessary before surgery [who knew?] and have an appointment to set a surgery date in a week- so I have at least one more week to live large. My connection with the Phy Assistant seems to be bearing fruit- AHI of 7.8 last night which has been average for the last week and she made a small change yesterday at my request. I am feeling like a human again- it is a good thing as I have a lot of loose ends I need to tidy up before surgery. Stuff that needed doing but this will motivate me to actually do it instead of working and having fun. My time in apnea has been running from 0 to 15 minutes!
Thanks for the encouragement over the weeks as I learn to deal with my latest trial- I have tried the Bleep and like it but need to improve my mouth taping- just ordered some silicone tape today. Thanks Gene

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Re: OSCAR chart to grade please? Newguy

Post by colomom » Sat Dec 31, 2022 6:27 pm

GeneMpls wrote:
Fri Dec 30, 2022 10:50 am
Time flies when you are havin' fun. Finally cleared the Dental work necessary before surgery [who knew?] and have an appointment to set a surgery date in a week- so I have at least one more week to live large. My connection with the Phy Assistant seems to be bearing fruit- AHI of 7.8 last night which has been average for the last week and she made a small change yesterday at my request. I am feeling like a human again- it is a good thing as I have a lot of loose ends I need to tidy up before surgery. Stuff that needed doing but this will motivate me to actually do it instead of working and having fun. My time in apnea has been running from 0 to 15 minutes!
Thanks for the encouragement over the weeks as I learn to deal with my latest trial- I have tried the Bleep and like it but need to improve my mouth taping- just ordered some silicone tape today. Thanks Gene

Great news! Your sleep is improving and they’re going to fix your heart soon! Good luck with the surgery!

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