Ahhhhhhhh!

I went for my titration study last night. A Respironics Profile lite mask was applied firmly to my face. The tech turned on the PAP and found there were leaks so he tightened it more. It hurt, but he assured me it needed to be tight to get a good seal. Imagine my surprise when I came home this morning and found a big red welt on the bridge of my nose. It felt like a bruise and appeared slightly swollen. Now imagine my continued surprise to find that at 5pm, twelve hours after the study was over, the mark is still there. Of course I was lucky enough to be given the mask in question as a parting gift. Now that I have it home and read the brochure I see that it is supposed to be boiled and allowed to conform to the face. Why would the sleep tech just throw on this kind of mask? I can hardly wait to talk to the MD. I don't think I slept at all last night. I must ask the MD for the APAP with computer capability because I have already decided that I am never going back for a sleep study again. He can read my software for updates.

The sleep tech was ignorant! Hopefully that is all the technician is. I would call the sleep clinic and make sure the technician get educated before someone else has a similar experience while being evaluated. Hopefully your nose is feeling better. Here is hoping your doctor will just give you a prescription. You can then do some research and order the equipment that will offer you the best and most comfortable treatment. All the best!

24 hours later and the mark, though lighter in color, is still apparent.

When I went for my sleep study for titration I think it was one of the worst experiences of my life. I like everybody else was shown a video on cpap and then the tech came in to put the mask on my face. I was claustrophobic and when I ask if I could remove the mask for a few minutes and put it back on the tech said no you have to wear it. I set on the side of the bed trying to calm myself down so she came in to see if I was ready to lay back down and informed me that if I couldn't tolerate the mask that I might as well go home. I knew how important it was to do this test so I laid down it took 1hr and 40min to get to sleep and only slept about 2hr and 30min and at 3:30am I told her I couldn't take it anymore she said I had such a poor sleep study that the Dr probably would not be able to prescribe a machine. When I left there I cried for about 1hr after I got home it was like a trauma. I waited a few days and called the clinic and that lady was so nice and when I explained to her what a bad time I had she told me how sorry she was that I had such a bad time and they sent me a phone card for apology. I said all that to say this they used the same mask on me as they did you and when I went to get my equipment they gave me a comfort lite mask which made a big difference but when I talked to pharmacy they changed it to a swift mask and it has made me believe I really can do this I have been on the cpap about a month and I am starting to feel better. Don't give up. I also told my husband I don't ever want to go back to a sleep study.

BusyBee, if you go back be sure to take your own mask. If it is the Swift you are comfortable with (and I can understand why this would be a good one for you) then make sure you have it with you!

The Swift reminds me of a snorkel, and the exhaust sound is like waves. I dream of mermaids! (I won't say what they're doing, but it is wonderful! )

thanks busybee for the sympathy. I am sorry for your dreadful experience. It is good to hear that you found help other places than the "lab". I am more then willing to comply with the cpap, but I am not willing to be tortured by stupidity. Besides I like my face pale with freckles, not red and pinched looking.

[quote="barbyann"]Now that I have it home and read the brochure I see that it is supposed to be boiled and allowed to conform to the face. Why would the sleep tech just throw on this kind of mask? I can hardly wait to talk to the MD. I don't think I slept at all last night.

I like everybody else was shown a video on cpap and then the tech came in to put the mask on my face.

Not everybody!

I don't see myself EVER doing another sleep study. The whole thing was just horrible. I had no information, was scared and horribly uncomfortable. And I had to go TWICE! AND the 2nd time the tech was a man. (Didn't exactly make me feel all warm and fuzzy and able to fall asleep.)

I didn't see how I'd ever be able to sleep with a cpap. Then, at the DME, they told me that the hospital where I had my titration starts everyone out at 15. 15?!? No wonder I hated it - I'm a 6.