Oxygen anyone?

~AP · Post by **~AP** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:29 pm

I was reading the definitions in the CPAPopedia and they are really helpful, but there is one thing I cannot find and that is about oxygen levels.

My doc told me I have mild OSA, averaging 16 events an hour, but that my O2 dropped regularly to 68%. Anyone know where I can get a little more information on desaturation? Is this common?

Maybe I can blame my forgetfulness on this....

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:55 pm

~AP wrote:My doc told me I have mild OSA, averaging 16 events an hour, but that my O2 dropped regularly to 68%.

The criteria for apnea is very subjective. If your oxygen is dropping that low, you have more than a mild condition.

What's important though is how you feel and what improvements xPAP treatment can make for you.

Regards,
Bill

~AP · Post by **~AP** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:18 pm

Thanks Bill,
I think you're right - it doesn't matter what category of OSA I am put in what matters is that the treatment is working and I am slowly but surely feeling better. I just have to get a better mask. I will have to start experimenting until I find one that works well for me.

Thanka again,
~A

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:28 pm

Hi ~AP,

Here's a link to lots of discussions about several masks (more than anyone could possibly want to read! LOL!!)

LINKS to MASKS - nasal mask, nasal pillows, nasal prongs

Do you sleep mostly on your back, or on your side....or tummy? Toss and turn much? A person's usual sleep position (back, side, stomach) can sometimes play a big part in which masks might work best.

~AP · Post by **~AP** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:33 pm

Thanks Rested Gal!
I mainly sleep on my back and side. And since I started using the CPAP 2 weeks ago I hardly move at all. My hubby checks for beathing!! He says I sleep like the dead now....guess the body is trying to "catch-up".

I really want to try the pillows everyone talks about. Thanks for the link!

~A

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:43 pm

~AP wrote:I am slowly but surely feeling better.

That's great to hear ~AP. Sounds like you're past the hardest part.

Regards,
Bill

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:42 am

~AP, if you like to sleep on your back quite a bit, I'd skip the Breeze with nasal pillows. I really like the Breeze for side-sleeping, but when sleeping on my back, the back of the headgear tends to get shoved up or down, resulting in tugging the nostrils upward like being on a hook, or pushing the pillows assembly down and forward, causing leaks.

For sleeping on back, sides, or ANY sleep position, I like Aeiomed's "Headrest" (Aura) nasal pillows mask best of all. Very close second choice for me is the new ComfortLite 2 with nasal pillows. (Gotta have "2" in the name...it's a very good re-design.)

The Swift nasal pillows suits many, many people. It was just too whooshy-noisy to suit me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:52 pm

Thanks for the info!

I do not want to have anything tugging on my poor nostrils! Yikes! Sounds painful...I am going to order something today after I read all the specs on these interfaces. I know alot of this is learned by experience and I will probably try several before I get a "favorite". I do know that the one I have is less than satisfactory and from what I have read here it's a real "dog". Live and learn.

I know this is off subject a little but I found out my cpap is a rental - do you think I could ask my doc for an upgrade to an auto/cpap with c-flex? I am getting armed for an argument: I will say, we don't know how I really am doing because there is no smart card, etc. and I will also say it is the same code number for the DME. Right? And I will tell him I am willing to buy the software to monitor myself and send him copies. Any suggestions are welcome.

~AP · Post by **~AP** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:55 pm

Oops! So sorry I didn't notice I wasn't logged in. The previous entry was me.

Thank you,
~A

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 3:42 pm

~AP wrote: . . . do you think I could ask my doc for an upgrade to an auto/cpap with c-flex?

Absolutely. Many here have benefitted from monitoring their treatment, and many seem to have benefitted from APAP rather than CPAP.

Actually, don't ask, simply tell the physician to provide you with a prescription/order for the type of machine you want. Just remember that he works for you. If he balks at that (which seems unlikely), then get him to write you a new CPAP prescription so that you can get your machine on-line.

Regards,
Bill

~AP · Post by **~AP** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 4:38 pm

Thanks for the encouragement.

I already have my speech planned. I kind of think he will balk because I did mention to him that perhaps I could benefit from a bipap (this is before I even knew about this forum and was really dumb) and he just shrugged me off.

I have an HMO so I think I have to go through a contract DME. I'm not sure.

~A

Oxygen anyone?

Oxygen anyone?

Re: Oxygen anyone?

Thanks

Re: Thanks

OOOPS!