choosing a c-pap

The doctor ordered the cpap he wanted me to have without ever discussing options with me. Is this standard? I have struggled with the nasal mask and find myself waking up at night with it off. Now he is switching me to a warm air humidifier to help with the allergies/stuffiness. I just feel like I am not getting the benefit that I should be getting. Also, I see that there is a battery operated system. I asked about this when I got my equipment and was told that they do not have battery operated ones.
I just want to get the benefits I was told I would get and to start feeling better.
Susan

Unfortunately you are getting the same service that many people get from their so-called professionals. That is why so many people at this forum have become very proactive in their treatment. The mask is really the most difficult and important part of therapy, so press them to allow you to try every mask they have in their stock. I would print a copy of Aura machine's specifications and picture of it. Then give it to them, so that they do not remain permanently ignorant.

great advice capt!

Susan, make sure you include the page with the cpap.com price in the info you pass along to the sleep Doc. I'm sure he will swallow hard when he sees that.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com

LOL Wader, he will have heartburn and palpatations for weeks! LOL

This is all so foreign. I didn't want to have to spend hours and hours doing my own research and trying to figure out what type of machine, mask, etc. I needed. I just got through doing all this for a child who has another medical condition and I'm tired of it. Isn't this a part of what the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and others are paid to do? If I'm going to have to do a lot of research, I might just say forget the whole thing. The doctor said I have severe sleep apnea and that my heart stopped several times and went into tachia cardia at one point. I just find it hard to believe that all that is contributed to a sleep disorder. How do they know that I'm not having heart problems when I'm awake too? As for my daytime fatigue, I kept telling the doctor that one of my medications was extremely sedating. He said it wasn't, but when I stopped taking it, I was no longer groggy all day. Sorry, I just don't believe all I've been told. If my medical problems are truly related to sleep apnea, then I will continue to try to use the machine, but I'd sure like to rule out other things too.
Susan

I know exactly what you mean, Susan! I'm all about being proactive in my therapy, but it does seem like we're almost doing the job of the doctors and RTs for them! I'm used to relying on and trusting doctors for their educated, honest, and concrete answers. Is this just not the case with sleep apnea?

Susan,

It was all "foreign" to us in the beginning, too.....and some of it still is. Don't underestimate the affects of sleep disorders. I assume you found your way to this forum for some reason or other....help?....the truth? The more you can find out about this therapy, the better off you'll be. You're the one that's going to have to use it....not the "doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and others".....YOU. Those others are mainly in it for the $$$. They're not necessarily the most knowledgable about USING this therapy as you might have been able to tell, if you've been reading this forum for very long.
In short.....DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Best wishes,

Den

Susan,
Den said improtant things, and made an improtant distinction: Most of the doctors, nurses, RT's etc. are not so experienced in USING this therapy - except for those of them who have sleep apnea. You have far more experienced users, with great tips on this forum than in the clinic or hospital, because together, we have hundreds of thousands of hours of experience in sleeping with these contraptions - comfortably.

However, we are not doctors, and you should not trust us for diagnosing your need for this therapy.

You write:
The doctor said I have severe sleep apnea and that my heart stopped several times and went into tachia cardia at one point.
I just find it hard to believe that all that is contributed to a sleep disorder.

Sever sleep apnea is not a sleep disorder. It is a breathing disorder that happens when you sleep. According to your doctor, you have severe breathing disruptions when you sleep. The result of these breathing disruption is frequently low oxygen (oxygen desaturation) and the body fighting to breath again.

This fight against choking puts terrible loads on you heart - and will evetually harm it. During the fight to breathe you blood pressure goes up, suddenly an fiercely. Your brain and other organs are oxyen deprived.

How do they know that I'm not having heart problems when I'm awake too?
During your sleep test, they can see your heart beating faster and faster while you are being choked by your obstructed airways. Does that choking experience happen to you while you're awake?

As for my daytime fatigue, I kept telling the doctor that one of my medications was extremely sedating. He said it wasn't, but when I stopped taking it, I was no longer groggy all day. Some medication effect your ability to breathe when you sleep. Were you taking this medication at the time of your sleep study?

If my medical problems are truly related to sleep apnea, then I will continue to try to use the machine, but I'd sure like to rule out other things too.

"Truly" is a tricky word, since you can always say "well, these problems arent truly caused by sleep apnea". In the end, it boils down to who and what you decide to trust.

Here's a video about what happens when you choke as you sleep. It is of course up to you to decide if you trust it or you don't. Introduction to sleep disordered breathing.

According to your doctor, you have a severe breathing disorder that happens only when you sleep.
I hope you will continue with the therapy, and come here for help in using it.

O.