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+--- Thread: Introduction to group and need general advice. (/Thread-Introduction-to-group-and-need-general-advice)
Introduction to group and need general advice. - Gazza59 - 07-02-2017
Hi All,
First post here so I'll introduce myself. Newly diagnosed Apnea sufferer with COPD of the bronchial variety as well. 58 years young - smoker since I was 12. Living in tropical Queensland Australia.
Started having a lot of trouble sleeping - waking every hour to go to the toilet didn't help where as previously never woke - to go to the toilet at least - at all. Not one to go to the doctors that much but decided I needed to.
Was getting really frustrated and angry with the doctors - medical clinic where I had to start from scratch to explain what was wrong each time. I told them how I was exhausted and falling asleep all the time at work - had several instances where I was leaning on my car with my hands to have 1 arm buckle under me and then recover - until I had a total collapse to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Was also getting breathless just getting dressed and had developed a wheeze that was nearly constant. After the collapse I went to the clinic and there was a new doctor again - but this time for the better - as she sent me by ambulance to the hospital after measuring my oxygen level which was 91 - first time it had been done. This was when the COPD was confirmed by tests at the hospital.
I started to do my own research on the COPD but also on the apnea. I realised that the apnea was exasperating the COPD and more than likely the cause of my low oxygen level but now on my next visit another doctor was going to finish the consultation without addressing it. I was P*ssed off & demanded he give me a referral for a sleep study. This was done at home after being wired up from a woman who operates a clinic from her home. Unfortunately the sensor to measure my REM sleep came off - as well as the one on my right calf and the tubing in my nose. I found this when I woke in the middle of the night and reattached them but the two probes dislodged again. Test results below but REM and leg movement figures not accurate.
The next step was waiting to see the specialist in respiratory and sleep medicine and having a comprehensive breathing test done. By this time I'd convinced myself that I was in the final stages of the COPD and was starting to wonder about how long I had left - a few years maybe? During the consultation with the specialist he remarked "if we don't get on top of this you'll be dead in 5 years." Strange as it seems that was music to my ears because I now had a clearer understanding of where I stood and knew that even though both problems weren't curable they were treatable & the COPD in particular was reversible. The specialist gave me a prescription straight away - a further sleep study to determine a triration level test would take to long - thank heaven for auto CPAP's.
Have rented a Phillips Dreamstation - been using it for 16 nights so far. At the bottom of the this is a snapshot of my Stats.
The Most Recent hours is deceiving as I had a 3 hour nap in the afternoon - but the average is right.
Felt much better after just one night and have been improving every day - only felt drowsy without nodding off the first few days. Did have major leakage problems for a while but on my third mask now and they seem to be solved.
Thing is I feel it was more the second hand equipment rather than the mask types. I require a full-face mask as I sometimes cannot breathe through my nose. I felt most comfortable with the Amara View - not sure what my first mask was - and now have a ResMed Airfit.
I'm about to buy my own equipment and wanted some advice on what to get.
I'm very happy with my Dreamstation and can buy one at a very cheap rate through Amazon. Only query I have is that I've seen it referred to as a "good travel" machine but would be using it as my one and only.
Also with the mask there are great prices on Amazon but what to buy and what size do I need. Have come to understand that you can have the best machine available - but if your mask is leaking it will be severely compromised.
Very happy that I found this site - only read a few threads so far but have learnt heaps already - thank you to all the people that take the time to share their wealth of experience.
Looking forward to taking full advantage of the wisdom here and eventually maybe being able to supply some myself.
Thanks Gazza.
RE: Introduction to group and need general advice. - suzpigott - 07-02-2017
I am also a newbie to CPAP. Been on my Dream Machine for about 6 weeks and I have fallen in love with it. Gives me lots of flexibility and never had a mask problem. Maybe because before I bought the machine, I was fitted by a technician at the medical supply store and there has never been any leakage.
I will share with you that after six weeks, I feel 100% better than I did before the mask. I believe I had SA for 10-15 years, and it would have killed me if I hadn't been tested and diagnosed. I still get tired some afternoons, but I take a nap and feel instantly better.
Heard all good things about Dream Station and hope you work it out and have great results.
RE: Introduction to group and need general advice. - OpalRose - 07-02-2017
Gazza,
Welcome to Apnea Board!
You will need a few more posts to upload your data.
Download #SleepyHead software and read the tutorials in my signature line to learn how to take a screenshot of your data and use imgur to post here.
RE: Introduction to group and need general advice. - dwd1249 - 07-02-2017
Welcome Gazza59
Your data didn't make it across too well.
Glad you are on your way with cpap and off to a good start. I was lucky with cpap and took to it like a duck to water.
There are a few machines about. I'm on the resmed a10 auto and like it a lot. I started with a 3B Resmart machine which on lasted a bit over 2 years.
Be sure that you get a machine that records full data and is compatible with SleepyHead. You will be able to post charts here and get help from a great group of very knowledgeable people.
RE: Introduction to group and need general advice. - ajack - 07-03-2017
don't buy anything yet, I think the odds are you will be on bilevel/bipap with copd
RE: Introduction to group and need general advice. - robysue - 07-03-2017
Gazza59,
The DreamStations are good machines. Make sure you get the APAP version. In the long run, it gives you more flexibility if/when things are going as smoothly as you would like them to.
You also write:
(07-02-2017, 07:07 PM)Gazza59 Wrote: I'm very happy with my Dreamstation and can buy one at a very cheap rate through Amazon. Only query I have is that I've seen it referred to as a "good travel" machine but would be using it as my one and only.That "good travel machine" language is advertising for: This is a machine that is small enough to travel with without it being difficult. It's designed to be used as an everyday machine.
RE: Introduction to group and need general advice. - Gideon - 07-03-2017
Two things.
First post your SleepyHead charts. Let's see how that is doing before buying a machine.
Second. Read the links in my Sig. Good info on apnea and its treatment and the mask primer.
Sorry I'm being short but I'm doing this from my phone
RE: Introduction to group and need general advice. - trish6hundred - 07-03-2017
Hi Gazza59,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I wish you good luck with CPAP therapy, hang in there for more answers to your questions.
RE: Introduction to group and need general advice. - Mosquitobait - 07-04-2017
Only query I have is that I've seen it referred to as a "good travel" machine but would be using it as my one and only.
This is just in addition. It is great as a one and only machine, but travels well too. I agree with the others. While you may be fine with just the Dream Station auto, with COPD, a bilevel or one specific for COPD may be your best long term option. That's a question for the doc though.
RE: Introduction to group and need general advice. - Crimson Nape - 07-08-2017
Gazza59,
You can't post an image directly from your computer. You have to use a service like imgur. Please read Posting SleepyHead Charts in 5 Easy Steps, if you need help in doing this. While it is aimed at SleepyHead charts, it will provide the steps required to post any image here.
- Red