Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

[Diagnosis] New CPAP user here
#1
New CPAP user here
Hello there guys!

My name is Dustin. I am a 29 year old male who lives in the USA in IL. I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea. I am awaiting to get my CPAP settings and such next month after the holidays. I know people who use CPAP/BiPAP and other things, so sort of know what I am getting myself into. So at 29 I have all kinds of health issues, and my GI doctor suggested weight loss surgery.

I have...
Type 2 diabetes (last year was given that news)
Chronic kidney disease
Non alcoholic fatty liver disease
I am overweight
My blood pressure has been on the high end despite taking losartan
and likely more I'm missing to add

I am a mess at 29 and know apnea can cause some of these issues but so can being overweight etc. I am told that it will take time to adjust using a face mask at night, but that you will sleep good once you are used to it. I had a heck of a time sleeping at the sleep study, so who knows how a CPAP study will go next month? I will try and wear the mask when reading, watching TV, and so on.
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: New CPAP user here
Try to get a Resmed Airsense s10 Autoset. It's important to specify the autoset as there are S10 models with fewer features. The Resmed machine is the machine of choice for plai=n vanilla obstructive sleep apnea. Dream stations are good machines but Resmed provides better therapy with grater comfort for most. Once you have the machine we will be able to help you with settings that will optimize your therapy. Unfortunately, if your experience is like most of us you won't get much good help from your sleep specialist or equipment supplier.
Download OSCAR

Organize Charts
Attaching Charts

Mask Primer
Soft Cervical Collar

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.

Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: New CPAP user here
Welcome to the board...  Many of us have multiple issues with Apnea being part of our problem.  I have everything you mentioned with 24/7 O2 needed.  I started my PAP therapy in my late 30s and still using it today at 73.  The only way to get help from the pap machine is to use it - each and every night.  Good luck in your therapy and know that almost all of us here have had problems along the way that this board has helped us with.
Apnea (80-100%) 10 seconds, Hypopnea (50-80%) 10 seconds, Flow Limits (0-50%) not timed  Cervical Collar - Dealing w DME - Chart Organizing
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: New CPAP user here
Welcome, Dustin. It sounds like you are already educating yourself, which is excellent.

I second Melman's recommendation about the machine to get. If you're offered a Phillips machine, just say you'd prefer the ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset. You might even ask for the ResMedAirsense 10 Autoset For Her; it has one additional mode of operation that you might want to try. (Strange marketing; the setting is useful -- or not -- no matter what your sex.)

A question for you as you get ready for apnea treatment: do you breathe through your mouth during the day? If you do, a full-face mask will be your best bet. If you don't, you might consider asking for a nasal pillow mask. In general, pillow masks are the easiest to fit, because there are fewer linear inches touching your face.

One other thing: ask for a copy of your sleep report; you're entitled to have one, and you never know, it might come in handy.
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: New CPAP user here
Welcome Dustin, you came to the right place for help with your cpap journey. Stick with it even if it gets tough, don’t get discouraged, improvement will come. 
Stan
Post Reply Post Reply
#6
RE: New CPAP user here
(12-25-2020, 12:35 PM)Dormeo Wrote: A question for you as you get ready for apnea treatment: do you breathe through your mouth during the day? If you do, a full-face mask will be your best bet. If you don't, you might consider asking for a nasal pillow mask. In general, pillow masks are the easiest to fit, because there are fewer linear inches touching your face.

One other thing: ask for a copy of your sleep report; you're entitled to have one, and you never know, it might come in handy.
I snore loudly at night I've been told by my sister and parents. I wake up with sometimes a dry/sore throat. I do believe I breathe thru my mouth when asleep. Some people on other sites have suggested getting a full face mask. I also am going to go through a DME with my insurance. I am on Humana Medicare and IL Medicaid. A family friend is a mouth breather and is on BiPAP, and she suggested a full face mask too. I know there's a compliance period if you use Medicare/Medicaid too.

I asked for a copy of my sleep report, and was told I'd get it when I see my sleep specialist when I get my CPAP machine and set up that appointment. I cannot get a copy via the messaging system as I did try and ask. Yes, I have heard sleep specialists and medical suppliers can be hit or miss.

As far as other stuff goes? I am still learning. I have been dx with a butt load of kidney stones too, and was told I'd need my CPAP machine as will be put under. It'd be used for post op. I have gotten three procedures done and still not in the clear.
Post Reply Post Reply
#7
RE: New CPAP user here
The time to have a choice in machines is now. You should specifically request to be issues the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset. It is much more proactive in preventing events (apnea and hypopnea) rather than responding to events like the Philips. The EPR (exhale pressure relief) in the Resmed is equivalent to bilevel pressure support up to 3-cm if you don't state a preference, it is very likely you will not get what you want, or even a fixed pressure CPAP without data capability. Having the data can really help new users to understand their therapy and reinforce good compliance and allow you to participate in your therapy.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#8
RE: New CPAP user here
Dogdemon, I'm curious about how you breathe during the day: mouth or nose?
Post Reply Post Reply
#9
RE: New CPAP user here
(12-28-2020, 12:18 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: The time to have a choice in machines is now. You should specifically request to be issues the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset. It is much more proactive in preventing events (apnea and hypopnea) rather than responding to events like the Philips. The EPR (exhale pressure relief) in the Resmed is equivalent to bilevel pressure support up to 3-cm if you don't state a preference, it is very likely you will not get what you want, or even a fixed pressure CPAP without data capability. Having the data can really help new users to understand their therapy and reinforce good compliance and allow you to participate in your therapy.
I am already going to write down and save this machine in particular. I am going through a DME and someone told me to demand I get a good mask that works/fits alongside a good machine which some elsewhere mentioned ResMed AirSense machines.

I know it was insurance dependent, and it seems my insurance is OK with me going for a CPAP titration study. I have read it's also important you get your correct pressure settings hence why they likely want a new CPAP user to do this. It is an overnight ordeal and not a CPAP nap like some here may have done.

(12-28-2020, 12:25 PM)Dormeo Wrote: Dogdemon, I'm curious about how you breathe during the day: mouth or nose?
I breathe through my nose during the day. As said, I know at night when asleep I am a mouth breather.
Post Reply Post Reply
#10
RE: New CPAP user here
Read the Mask Primer wiki article to help in deciding where to start http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/Mask_Primer
CPAP titration studies are helpful, especially to individuals with more complex problems, or that do not intend to be involved in their own therapy analysis and decisions. If you intend to be more involved, then the titration will end up causing further delay for the study, review, follow-up and giving you a prescription for pressure rather than just issuing an Auto CPAP and self-titration. I don't know why anyone would want to do that as their first option, but do what makes you comfortable.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
Question New CPAP User - Help Please - ResMed Airsense 11 Autoset Pawpri 19 354 58 minutes ago
Last Post: Pawpri
  Newer CPAP User, still snoring Warnick13 45 1,473 03-11-2024, 06:29 PM
Last Post: Warnick13
  [Pressure] New CPAP user - Please help interpreting graphs fsdx2004 40 2,034 03-07-2024, 08:01 AM
Last Post: fsdx2004
  [Symptoms] CPAP(UARS) user 10+ years, still feel terrible DB10 17 1,013 03-05-2024, 09:37 AM
Last Post: Sleeprider
Question [Symptoms] New CPAP User, Started Snoring Again heyou 30 1,591 03-02-2024, 11:00 AM
Last Post: heyou
  AirSense 11 & AirFit F30i Mask, new CPAP user TreeSky 0 297 02-25-2024, 09:47 AM
Last Post: TreeSky
  Long time CPAP user, first time here. Any insight is appreciated! TwoFistedWonderBrain 7 615 02-06-2024, 02:21 PM
Last Post: TwoFistedWonderBrain


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.