Ever Played "CPAP Hookey"??

frostman · Post by **frostman** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:36 pm

damac100 wrote:
" Feel like hammered hog crud"

Please explain this, don't really know what that would feel like,

frostman · Post by **frostman** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:39 pm

rested gal wrote:
Goofproof wrote:The only night I have missed it when the mask broke. No time off for bad behaver, If I needed a pacemaker, I wouldn't shut it off either, call me a fool.
Good point, Goofproof!! Nah, I call ya smart!

I don't think you can equate a pacemaker being shutoff to taking time off a CPAP

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:56 pm

I have only done short naps without my CPAP, and that is VERY seldom. I have terrible problems without the CPAP and wake up gasping and my heart acting up and everything. I mean every time too. It just scares me to death anymore to sleep without it. I love my CPAP SO much!!!

njy · Post by **njy** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:40 pm

Ok, I have to ask... just when should the "feeling better" part kick in? I have been attempting to use this thing since September. I had some time off in December because of an error message while on vacation. I am now leaving it on at nights -- at least until I have to do the "guy thing" --- didn't know that as a gal it was supposed to be an excluse thing. LOL Most nights it is on from 11-6. Still exhausted, heavy eyed, etc. nothing different. My pressures ramp from 4to 14.

Thanks

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:33 pm

NJY,
The feeling better part does take time for some people - but if you feel no change since September it's time to wonder what is going on in your breathing while you sleep.

Your machine, the Remstaro Pro 2 has the capability of reporting on your treatment results. To do that it needs a smartcard (availabe at 2factors) and software called Encore Pro. It will also be worth your while to download My Encore - an Encore Pro add on developed by Derek of this forum.

Quite a number of us have discovered that the titration pressure suggested after on night's PSG in the lab is not necessarily the best for many nights at home - that might be your case.

rested gal wrote:The software (version 1.5) can be downloaded free here:

Respironics software update center website

One of the cheapest places I've seen the necessary card reader for that software is at http://www.2factors.com.
The DT3500 USB desktop "sliding + postal." $30 includes shipping to the U.S. from that Hong Kong store.

Don't install the drivers that come with the CD for that card reader. Instead, get their "Encore Installation" drivers, or get the "setup.exe" driver that sleepyman kindly put up on his website:
"setup.exe" drivers file URL to drivers for the Mako card reader on "sleepyman's" website.

O.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:02 pm

[quote="njy"]Ok, I have to ask... just when should the "feeling better" part kick in? I have been attempting to use this thing since September. I had some time off in December because of an error message while on vacation. I am now leaving it on at nights -- at least until I have to do the "guy thing" --- didn't know that as a gal it was supposed to be an excluse thing. LOL Most nights it is on from 11-6. Still exhausted, heavy eyed, etc. nothing different. My pressures ramp from 4to 14.

Thanks

Jan in Colo. · Post by **Jan in Colo.** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:33 pm

If your pressure ramps from 4-14, isn't that too large of a range? I think the "prevailing wisdom" suggests that you have maybe a 4-5 point range only....take whatever you were titrated at, then go two below and two above that point for your Autopap setting. Then use your software and readouts to tweak it from there....That might make you feel better and begin seeing the benefits.

I have severe apnea (85 AHI, oxygen desats to the 50's)....so I can relate to the comparison of CPAP to a pacemaker. But that comparison may only be logical to some of us...pretty outrageous comparison if you only have mild apnea....

I don't take breaks from it...as a matter of fact if I lay down for any length of time for any reason...like to read or to rest my feet...I put the mask on. Harvey the Hose and I...together for life!

I'm already worrying....guess hubby and I are going to Europe this summer. A long overseas flight and no CPAP????? First of all, I'm going to snore and embarass myself on the flight and secondly, I'll be an exhausted cranky mess when I get there. Bummer.

Jan in Colo.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:02 am

Jan, if you call ahead, most airlines will let you use your CPAP on the flight. Some will even bump you up to first class at no charge, if that's the only place where the electrical sockets are.

Barb (Seattle) · Post by **Barb (Seattle)** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:12 am

So..getting up to pee is a guy thing, huh? Nope LOL

Playing hookie as we "speak".

Yep...I'm exhausted just like I thought I might be...

Some things "you" just have to accept..and CPAP not working for me I guess is one of them.

leslie · Post by **leslie** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:12 am

njy wrote:Ok, I have to ask... just when should the "feeling better" part kick in? I have been attempting to use this thing since September. I had some time off in December because of an error message while on vacation. I am now leaving it on at nights -- at least until I have to do the "guy thing" --- didn't know that as a gal it was supposed to be an excluse thing. LOL Most nights it is on from 11-6. Still exhausted, heavy eyed, etc. nothing different. My pressures ramp from 4to 14.

Thanks

I noticed a big difference in how I felt when I got my new mask. It took me awhile to get used to the new mask, but once I did, I found it feels like I am getting more air pressure than I used to with the old mask. Maybe you can try some different types until one feels more "right" than the rest.

sleepylady · Post by **sleepylady** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:13 am

I have NEVER taken a break from my CPAP since starting it late last September. I have severe sleep apnea. I have taken off my mask on 3-4 occassions during the night since then, one being just last week. When I wake up and notice it off I put it right back on but the damage is done. I wake up pretty tired and that carries over a couple days to a whole freakin week. In other words, I can't ever cheat.

NJY after using CPAP for 6-8 weeks, I found I was still pretty tired. I no longer had the absolutely exhaustion and fatigue, but enough that the energy wasn't there. I called my doc and she bumped my pressure from 14 to 16. That and a mask change did the trick. A large part of my problem I believe was the massive air leaks I got. I now have an Aura and love it.

Jan in Colo. what airline are you going with? If you haven't booked anything yet, then it's a good time for you to research which airline will allow you to use your CPAP. British Airways and Quantas both allow the use of CPAP machines with certain conditions. If you go to the sites directly and search CPAP or sleep apnea, it will give you some information. The best thing to do is call the airline and speak to someone about it. Best of luck.

Melinda

leslie · Post by **leslie** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:33 am

Jan in Colo. wrote:I have severe apnea (85 AHI, oxygen desats to the 50's)....so I can relate to the comparison of CPAP to a pacemaker. But that comparison may only be logical to some of us...pretty outrageous comparison if you only have mild apnea....

My apnea isn't too severe compared to a lot of people I have talked to, but I can definitely see the comparison between the CPAP and a pacemaker for someone with severe apnea. My breathing only stops completely on occasion (they said I am a shallow breather when I sleep), but two people I know who had tests recently stopped breathing for long stretches, many times. The CPAP is absolutely a life saver for many people!

I don't know my numbers - I think I'll ask the guy who brings my masks if it is in my records. When I had the test, they said I had an episode on the average of once every 60 to 90 seconds, but I only stopped breathing once.

In fact, I had one of those last week while using the mask, which I thought was odd. I'll have to ask my mask guy about that.

I don't think my machine comes with software capability. I don't know the exact model, but I picked the one that looks most like it for my profile. It has a heated humidifier but no card slot on the side.

sleepylady · Post by **sleepylady** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:36 am

Leslie,

You may want to contact your doctor and ask for a copy of your sleep study. I finally did that and found very interesting information in it. I'm glad I now have it with my medical records.

Melinda

FairSpirit · Post by **FairSpirit** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 11:31 am

Anonymous wrote:I have only done short naps without my CPAP, and that is VERY seldom. I have terrible problems without the CPAP and wake up gasping and my heart acting up and everything. I mean every time too. It just scares me to death anymore to sleep without it. I love my CPAP SO much!!!

This post was me, I guess I wasn't signed in.

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stanta · Post by **stanta** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 11:37 am

Playing hooky never works for me. The several times I was forced into it (forgot cord, forgot MACHINE!!!!) I always felt bad.

Now after 3 years I've gotten so used to it that I can't sleep without the sound of the fan! I am only an 8 but sleep tested at up to 60 episodes per hour.

It maybe my low titration number but I never use the ramp feature. My brain has been trained to breathe normally right off the bat. There are nights when I have to check the exhaust to be sure it is working.

Take heart all, the brain is a wonderful object that will take over subconsciously if you let it.

Mask