Soon to be first time user

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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lilsheba
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Post by lilsheba » Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:29 pm

The ebay idea isn't a bad one, once you know the size and type you need. But I'm definitely going to try different ones, I want to make sure it fits well, is as comfortable as these things can be, and doesn't leak etc. I have all night to figure it out LOL.

drummergirl410
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Post by drummergirl410 » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:42 pm

Hello, all!

I am also newly diagnosed with moderate to almost severs sleep apnea. I don't have a copy of the study yet, but was told that in non-REM sleep I stopped breathing 28 times an hour! This number doubled when I went into REM sleep. I just scheduled the second sleep study with CPAP that my doctor ordered. It's to take place on the 22nd of this month. I was hoping to get in sooner, but am on call if they have a cancellation. I've already been reading up a lot about CPAP. This and other forums have been very helpful to me.

My medical history is pretty complicated already. I was born with a rare endocrine syndrome called Septo Optic Dysplasia. It caused me to be borm blind... not toally blind but way past just legal blindness. I'm on hormone replacement therapy because my pituitary gland is small and underdeveloped. I also have hypothyroid disease, heart palpitations, allergies requiring injections once per month, and asthma. I'm 33 years old and significantly overweight... I've gained about twenty pounds in the last few months. I'm not sure if the weight gain was a cause of the apnea or an effect of it.

I'm not really worried about CPAP. I think it could have some good benefits for me. I'm already used to administering and recieving injections. There's not much medically that I haven'r already been through, so nothing surprises me anymore. I've already done a lot of research into the different types of machines and masks. I've also started writing a big list of questions for the study administrator and the DME provider, doctor, etc. I'm anxious to get CPAP started at home. I teach school and will be returning to work next month. I would like to have CPAP be in my routine before that happens. Any advice, additional questions I should ask, etc. would be gratefully appreciated!

Be Blessed!


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lilsheba
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Post by lilsheba » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:39 pm

Ok I've updated my profile to include the machine/humidifier/mask I was given today. I have to admit I feel more awake and with it today since using it last night in the sleep lab. I only slept 5 hours but it was DEEP. And I feel much better than I have in a long time. I know some people don't have an instant reaction like that but I do feel a difference.

I'm excited that I will be able to get through the day better. I'm hoping that I will be energetic enough to actually attempt some exercise and lose some of the weight I've gained over the last 18 years.

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions I'm sure I will have more questions as time goes on.

drummergirl410
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Post by drummergirl410 » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:53 pm

lolsheba, sounds like we were diagnosed around the same period of time... good luch wit your new equip.! My study with CPAP isn't until the 22nd! I wish it were sooner!


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rested gal
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Post by rested gal » Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:11 pm

Hi drummergirl and sheba! Welcome to both of you to the board!

I know you're eager to get to the next step, drummergirl and get your titration done and the machine and mask picked out, as sheba has done.

The waiting's the hard part once you know what's been going on in your sleep. I'd call the sleep center around 3 or 4 in the afternoon to see if there's been a cancellation. Just being "on the list" is good, but a polite, friendly reminder every couple of days that you're really, really serious about wanting to get in as soon as possible wouldn't hurt.

Check your Private Messages, drummergirl ... button at top right of this webpage.
ResMed S9 VPAP Auto (ASV)
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
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Post by Guest » Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:35 pm

Right on, TreeSap. I've read of a few lucky souls whose sleep lab had gobs of masks to let them try AND let them KEEP the one they used during the titration study.

Due to not sleeping enough I had to do two titration studies. The first night I used the Breeze nasal pillows. The second night I started w/the Breeze but the inside of my left nostril got chapped and sore so they switched me to the FlexFit 407 nasal cushion. I was allowed to keep the 407. When I went to my DME's I saw the Swift nasal pillows and opted to buy them. They worked for awhile but the "barrel" laying on my upper lip below my nose was always moist and started getting chapped and irritated so I switched to the 407.

After a couple of weeks the 407 was giving me that bruised feeling at the bridge of the nose - or sore, bruised feeling under the nose on the upper lip and the gums. I didn't know at the time that there was a Flex-Fit 406 that was the equivalent of a Petite (the 407 being the equivalent of a Small). So back to the DME I went.

They let me keep the Swift but suggested the ComfortLite 2. (The only thing this DME did that was right). I really liked the CL2 nasal pillows but when I ran into some humidifier problems I got the old chapped nasal passages so switched to the CL2 simple nasal cushion. Ha! I liked the simple nasal cushion even better than the nasal pillows! That's one of the nice things about the ComfortLite 2: it comes w/two options, the nasal pillows and the simple nasal cushion (or the nasal pillows and the nasal seals). Its like getting two masks in one.

Eventually I tired of the CL2's headgear and was a bit intimidated about trying RG's "fix" for it until I had my six months in and could get a new one "just in case" I botched the "fix".

Meanwhile, I lost my temper w/my CPAP DME supplier and found out that altho I was stuck w/them for my CPAP machine for the full 13 months I "did" have the option of getting my masks and other CPAP supplies from my 02 DME supplier. My 02 DME supplier was GREAT about letting me try several masks. They didn't have the 406 in stock at the time and were going to order more in and meanwhile let me try the Simplicity. I fell in love w/the Simplicity and told them I didn't need the 406.


drummergirl410
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Post by drummergirl410 » Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:58 pm

Great news! My study got moved up to this coming Tuesday!


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lilsheba
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Post by lilsheba » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:44 pm

Cool! I'm glad mine are over with and I can just start using the machine now.

[quote="drummergirl410"]Great news! My study got moved up to this coming Tuesday!

Cool! I'm glad mine are over with and I can just start using the machine now.