Waiting for CPAP

hyperlexis wrote:There is a lower cost option -- lose some weight. At 41 and to have type 2 diabetes is an absolutely terrible situation. Losing limbs, going blind, having failed kidneys and all the other suffering resulting from diabetes is far worse than the OSA.

Hopefully you will get a cpap machine, but at the end of the day it's the underling cause that needs fixing, not the symptom. And a cpap will do nothing to help fix that.

Don't be silly. At least half the people are overweight BECAUSE of OSA.

hyperlexis wrote:There is a lower cost option -- lose some weight. At 41 and to have type 2 diabetes is an absolutely terrible situation. Losing limbs, going blind, having failed kidneys and all the other suffering resulting from diabetes is far worse than the OSA.

Hopefully you will get a cpap machine, but at the end of the day it's the underling cause that needs fixing, not the symptom. And a cpap will do nothing to help fix that.

The OP mentioned type 2 diabetes in her first post, but did not volunteer that she was overweight, so it may be premature, if not insulting, to tell someone to lose weight.

As far as cpap doing "nothing to fix that," many people experienced increased energy with cpap therapy and are able to exercise, something that they had not been able to do previously due to the debilitating effects of OSA.

I am 6'-2" tall and weigh about 210. By no means overweight. Have run 5 marathons in recent past and have been diagnosed with severe apnea. Took me awhile to convince my doctor that I needed a sleep test even with my RN bed partner (wife) observing me at night. In great heath except do have hypertension. So while loosing weight may help it is not the only reason someone has OSA. Hoping the CPAP will lower the BP.

kcellwood wrote:...Hoping the CPAP will lower the BP.

On the last visit to my cardiologist, he was happy I was a faithful CPAP user. He then related the story of a patient with BP problems he hadn't solved. He had her tested for sleep apnea. Bottom line, after CPAP treatment, her BP problems were solved. At least, from my layman's understanding.

Yes at 41 it isn't real good to be diabetic but my dad and his mom were both diabetic my mom is and so are both my brothers. I had gestational diabetes with my youngest child. I keep my sugars at a decent number not like a lot of people I know including my mom and husband. I am a little over weight but definitely not obese. I would love too lose weight but for the past 2 months i have done nothing but walk and stand because if I would sit down for a minute I would fall asleep. The last straw for my sleep problems was when I had my 5 y/o granddaughter and 1 1/2 y/o grandson outside playing and I fell asleep watching them close to a busy highway. I am always exhausted even after waking in the mornings. I do not think my weight has anything to do with my sleep cause now that I know what sleep apnea is I would bet a million bucks that my dad had it also. I know it isn't hereditary but it does run in familys. My husband almost guaranteed has it also he is going to get checked for it and he is obese and cant lose weight for nothing. So though I appreciate everyone's input I do not appreciate "hyperlexis' input, I have done my research on this wonderful forum and online so I know that my apnea IS NOT because of a weight issue. Thank you

Pugsy wrote:What brand and model machine will you be getting from the pharmacy?

Sorry Pugsy I was venting but I am not sure what type of machine it is I go see the RT tomorrow at 12:30 and will update everyone as to what I am given.

I was given the REMstar Pro + c-flex I also got a humidifier for it. I am using the wisp it worked good for my titration so will try it for a while. I am planning on getting a full face mask for times that allergies act up or a cold. So to night is my first night to be one of you. A hosehead LOL. Wish me luck.

NoSleep4Nana wrote:I was given the REMstar Pro + c-flex I also got a humidifier for it. I am using the wisp it worked good for my titration so will try it for a while. I am planning on getting a full face mask for times that allergies act up or a cold. So to night is my first night to be one of you. A hosehead LOL. Wish me luck.

Good luck! Let us know if the model number on the underside of your blower says REF 450 or REF 460 (or something else) so that we can help you get set up with software (if you want to check your data)...

And if you check that make sure you don't turn machine upside down with water in the chamber.

The humidifier you have chosen ....was discontinued back in 2007.
Look at the picture of what you chose ....does your humidifier really look like that?

I would suspect that you have one of the new System One machines...PR System One Pro CFlex...either model 450 or 460.
The model number is a 3 digit number on the bottom of the blower unit...probably has either DS or REF in front of the 3 numbers.

So tell me exactly what the model number is along with what operating system is on your computer (and is it 32 or 64 bit) and we will get you pointed to appropriate software.

No the pic is not the one I have. I have a ref 450p. The pic was the one that come up when I chose REMstar heated humidifier. And I am interested in looking at my numbers if at all possible. I am running Windows 7, 64 bit on my laptop.

Gottcha.

Your humidifier choice should be "PR System One Heated humidifier"
Your machine choice should be the PR System One Pro CPAP with CFlex but the link to that machine is broken so it won't show up if you choose it.
Instead just add this to the comments section....PR S1 Pro CPap model 450 ...and we will all know what you are using.

With your computer....I would suggest that you start with SleepyHead as it is probably easiest to manage.
I have links for it in my signature line.
Get version 0.9.3...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/files/

How to install and use
viewtopic/t88972/Pugsys-PointersSoftwar ... hints.html

You can also use EncoreBasic...send me a private message when you are ready to try it. I would start with SleepyHead though.
There's no rush to get everything done all at once.

BlackSpinner wrote:

hyperlexis wrote:There is a lower cost option -- lose some weight. At 41 and to have type 2 diabetes is an absolutely terrible situation. Losing limbs, going blind, having failed kidneys and all the other suffering resulting from diabetes is far worse than the OSA.

Hopefully you will get a cpap machine, but at the end of the day it's the underling cause that needs fixing, not the symptom. And a cpap will do nothing to help fix that.

Don't be silly. At least half the people are overweight BECAUSE of OSA.

I'm not getting into an argument over this in a CPAP forum but if there's a problem with it, then it's a problem with medical science and statistics, not something else. Because the statistic is that four out of five Americans with Type-2 diabetes develop it because of obesity. Not because of genetics, not something else, but because of obesity Period. Type-2 diabetes is NOT Type-1 diabetes one is just born with. Totally different problem with different causes and treatments. ( http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/ ... betes.aspx ). And sure, if you then need a cpap machine because you are obese, you also statistically have a higher chance of also having T2 diabetes. So put the two together and then a way to reduce the need for needing to spend money on a cpap is by exercising and losing weight. But if one would rather not get to the underlying cause, the actual obesity, then you can just treat the other diseases with expensive pills, expensive breathing machines, and insulin shots.

Do you seriously think she's unaware of those things HL? All we said was that weight was not necessarily the cause of OSA, and questioned your apparent need to point out to her that the condition must all be her fault, especially in the way you did (and continue to do so). Lecturing someone is so not the way to help, and sometimes if you can't say anything nice, it is better to say nothing at all. Take a look at this -

http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-an ... s-articles

"There are many causes for diabetes, which means that there are many reasons why a person can develop diabetes type 2. The most common of all the factors that cause diabetes is genetics. Almost a half of the people who suffer from diabetes type 2 are brothers and sisters and one in three children of the same family will eventually suffer from diabetes. The second strongest cause of developing diabetes is obesity. That and an intake of many calories are the second and third of the diabetes causes. Almost a third of all people that suffer from diabetes type 2 have antibodies to the islet cells, which produce insulin. These cells so vital in diabetes can be detected in the blood. If the islet cells do not work properly, your body will not get enough insulin.

'Type 2 diabetes results from a combination of defective insulin secretion and insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity. Although the exact cause for type 2 is unknown, it seems that central obesity predisposes people for insulin resistance, possibly because of hormone secretions that impair glucose tolerance. Fifty-five percent of individuals with type 2 diabetes are obese."

...Again, a condition sometimes resulting in obesity, not necessarily brought on by one's flagrantly ignoring to eat or live properly (or according to you HL). Not everyone who lives 'wrongly' gets diabetes, and many who do have not done a lot 'wrong' except come from particular genetic backgrounds. Of course one should be careful and try to eat right, etc., but with (in this case anyway) such a strong genetic history, it may be almost impossible for family members not to end up with the condition, and your comments show no understanding or support.

chunkyfrog wrote:Losing weight--easier said than done!
I hate those obnoxious thin people who think you can snap your fingers and lose weight.

Chunky,

As an FYI, I am thin and definitely realize that it isn't because of anything special I am doing. My heart goes out to people big time who struggle in this area.

HL, as one whom I feel has been extremely supportive in many areas on this board, I am frankly stunned by your comments. During the rare times that pap therapy worked for me, it was so much easier for me to resist junk food. It was like I had a completely different body and metabolism of insulin. If that was my experience, I can only imagine what it must be like for people who aren't as fortunate weight wise.

49er

No Sleep: how did (or have) your first few nights been? I was interested in helping you with the cpapside of your journey, er... not your weight! Tell us what your night was like... good and bad...

Sheriff