Just saying hello, and thanks!

Hi everyone!

WOW! I've been lurking for about a week and just registered the other night. This forum has given me hope and helped me to the realization that I can take control of MY situation, and not just rely on secretive sleep docs and DME folks...

I didn't know that laypeople could even get the software to monitor their machines before finding this site. What a wonderful realization! Yesterday, I bought the encore software and a reader from cpap.com along with one of the "double edge" pillows that have the angular voids to accommodate the mask and your shoulder, and had then overnight it, so I got my stuff today and am excited to be able to find out what the heck is going on at night.

I tested the pillow for comfort with my mask with the machine on, and all I can say is wow! The mask is like 100% more comfortable now. I also have a couple of bulging discs in my neck and regular pillows were making me turn my neck all funny to not have BIG leaks that would make my cheeks flap and wake up my poor wife or blast me in the eyes. I have high hopes for this pillow based on my 15 min test run

I also bought a recording oximeter from somewhere else due to pricing (It was about $140 or so) and that will arrive on Monday.

My GP who ordered up the sleep tests in the first place is awesome, and I'm sure he'll help me go over the reports and give me sound advice. He's a hosehead himself, so he is very sympathetic, not to mention just a really good Doc and person. He never got the results of the sleep tests (I had 3 before I got a machine) despite repeated requests.

I never even actually met the "sleep doc"! And the techs at the sleep lab were not very helpful with the exception of the last one who actually LISTENED to me, when I complained about specific issues, and seemed sincere in trying to help me get things right, especially since it was my third visit.

I wound up getting a Respironics BiPAP AutoSV with heated humidifier, and one of the gel masks (full face) at first. I had alot of bad leakage issues with that one, so my DME switched me out to a mirage full face which was MUCH better leak-wise.

I've had my machine since November last year, and while I have seen some improvement, it isn't much and need to get this under control. The endless fatigue as you all know is just insufferable...

Well enough blathering... HI!

Mce- welcome,since I have not had a chance to say it before.I am pretty new here,too-and am still learning a LOT.I am so glad you found your way here and are having some good outcomes with your search for better therapy. I am just starting to read my data, and am amazed that I can do this- it is really great! Everyone here has been so helpful- they have really been the reason I have been as successful as I have been thus far. I am still up and down a bit at night-but when I do find myself awake at night- I come right here and read- I might as well learn- and I alway come away feelng happy and ready to take on the next challenge.
Good luck with your pillow.I will be waiting for your updates- I have been thinking of trying one of the CPAP pillows for a while now.
All the best,
~joan

The new pillow was great last night! very comfortable and significantly lower incidence of big leaks from a normal pillow pushing the mask around.

Oh, also does anyone have the clinician manual for the Respironics BiPAP AutoSV?