Newbie...first two weeks of CPAP

Hi all my name is Krista

I was just recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. I had open heart surgery in May of 05, which I came out of with an On-X Mechanical Mitral Valve and being on coumadin the rest of my life. I had just turned 40 years old...had absolutely no symptoms at all.

I recenly went for my yearly Cardiologist exam and my blood pressure had gone up considerably, I was feeling depressed and thought I had chronic fatigue syndrom. I also had a couple incidents with my left arm losing coordination and was experiencing shortness of breath. I though for sure my valve was leaking or something new was wrong with my heart. Or possibly I was experiencing TIA's... YIKES

My cardiologists had a gammut of tests ran on me, cartiod artery scan, MRI of my head, massive types of blood tests, took a chest x-ray and did an echocardiogram...everything came back NORMAL.

I was at a loss...I felt so horrible I was sure something had to be wrong. The cardiologist tells me to excercise more and I will feel better...I barely had enough energy to peel myself out the bed each morning. The my husband mentions "did I realize that I stop breathing when Im snoring at night?" Hmmm clue number one....

I relay this information to the cardiologist who suggest a sleep study... Long story short I came out with moderat the severe sleep apnea... Finally a reason for my depression and chronic fatigue. At least now I can work on finding a solution.

Having been through the DME process already and getting my home INR (coumadin level) testing device and strips...through my insurance, (A long and exhausting battle I might add...but one I DID win!) in additioin to finding this web site...I got my RESMED S8 ELITE II and RESMED Quattro full face mask without incident. (Some battles are worth the effort.. )

Im still adjusting to wearing the mask at night: I started with the Mirage Liberty..and couldnt deal with it...once the nasal cushions became dislodge while sleeping trying to re-seat them and fix the mouth piece in the dark was too difficult so I asked for a Quattro Full Face Mask and that seems to be working pretty good. Im starting to feel better in small increments. I think I Have a lot of sleept to catch up on..

Now Im wondering about this software issue with Resmed...I want to get it, but the gentleman I called at the CPSHOP said it is backordered and he didnt know why I would want it as I am not going to be able to decipher the information anyway..?

It is pretty costly but I am diligent about educating myself when it comes to something this is affecting my life and body... Will I be able to decipher the inforamation with the help of this board?

Any information is appreciated.

Welcome to CPAPtalk.com! As you've already figured out, this place is a gold mine of information (not to mention how validating it is to read all the posts from a host of people who all GET IT). Did you know you can check your stats right on the machine without the software? It's not as good as having the software, since it just gives your totals for leak, AHI, HI, and AI, but it's a good way to monitor yourself until you have the software. Check out some of the links to the clinical menu if you haven't seen them already. Good luck becoming accustomed to your new bedtime routine -- it sure is worth it!

KristaDeAnn wrote:Now Im wondering about this software issue with Resmed...I want to get it, but the gentleman I called at the CPSHOP said it is backordered and he didnt know why I would want it as I am not going to be able to decipher the information anyway..?

It is pretty costly but I am diligent about educating myself when it comes to something this is affecting my life and body... Will I be able to decipher the inforamation with the help of this board?

If you can get the software from somewhere then someone here on this board can help you decipher it BUT... it is my understanding the ResMed has pulled the plug on this software at the user end. They don't want you to have it and at least in the United States or Canada, places like here at cpap.com are prohibited from selling it to you. This is a very recent change. Unless ResMed changes this policy or comes up with a user version like Respironics Encore Viewer, you may not be able to purchase the software at any price here in the United States. I saw where a few members have opted to purchase it from Australia where it is still available.

Catnap wrote:Welcome to CPAPtalk.com! As you've already figured out, this place is a gold mine of information (not to mention how validating it is to read all the posts from a host of people who all GET IT). Did you know you can check your stats right on the machine without the software? It's not as good as having the software, since it just gives your totals for leak, AHI, HI, and AI, but it's a good way to monitor yourself until you have the software. Check out some of the links to the clinical menu if you haven't seen them already. Good luck becoming accustomed to your new bedtime routine -- it sure is worth it!

I have noticed on the screen that it says "Usage hours" or something similiar..to that..what other things can i check right on the screen??

I may buy the software from the austrailia source depening on the what the shipping is going to cost..

Thanks for the help

KristaDeAnn wrote:what other things can i check right on the screen??

http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=130 If your data is not available you will need to access the clinician menu to turn that feature on. Be careful as this is also the area where the pressure is changed.
Get the data before noon.

You can see
Leak rate
AI
HI
AHI

I don't use ResMed myself so I can't remember if there is anything else.
Be sure you have the correct mask selection because the leak rate shown allows for the acceptable leak rate for the mask chosen.

Yep -- what she said, LOL!