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Newbie to my own sleep apnea (hubby using CPAP since 2003) - Evpraxia - 08-31-2014
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea on Thursday (moderate to severe) and am NOT patiently waiting for my CPAP to come in. So, in the meantime, I am using my hubby's old CPAP (the "brick") with a setting of 8, which we will be increasing tonight.
My sister was diagnosed the week before me and is also waiting for her CPAP to come in. She has moderate to severe sleep apnea
Hubby has used a CPAP since Feb of 2003. He now has a diagnosis of severe/mixed using setting of 13-18.
Better living through machinery!
Evpraxia in the Pacific Northwest USA
RE: Newbie to my own sleep apnea (hubby using CPAP since 2003) - trish6hundred - 08-31-2014
Hi Evpraxia,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
It's good to hear that you are starting to use a CPAP machine 'til you get your own.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and best of luck to you as you continue with your CPAP therapy.
RE: Newbie to my own sleep apnea (hubby using CPAP since 2003) - Tez62 - 08-31-2014
Welcome Evpraxia, at least something is better than nothing, hopefully you and your sister get your CPAP's soon.
RE: Newbie to my own sleep apnea (hubby using CPAP since 2003) - Evpraxia - 08-31-2014
Thank you for being here!
Given my family background (my father gave himself dementia and damaged his heart so much he had to have a valve replacement) there is NO WAY I would NOT use a CPAP/APAP.
Evpraxia
RE: Newbie to my own sleep apnea (hubby using CPAP since 2003) - Tez62 - 08-31-2014
No worries, we are all here if you have any questions, Sleep Apnea is hereditary, my sleep specialist says " it is the illness that keeps giving"
RE: Newbie to my own sleep apnea (hubby using CPAP since 2003) - retired_guy - 08-31-2014
I thought I had given myself Alzheimers. But I must not have.. In any case I can't remember where I put it if I did.
Welcome to the board Ev. I think it's fine you're beginning your therapy with your husband's old machine. But remember, don't change stuff too quickly. If you're at 10 tonight, stay there a few days and see what your results are.
You have a tremendous advantage in that your husband is already a master of this stuff. So he will no doubt be of great encouragement to you in the process.
RE: Newbie to my own sleep apnea (hubby using CPAP since 2003) - Evpraxia - 08-31-2014
(08-31-2014, 08:45 PM)retired_guy Wrote: I thought I had given myself Alzheimers. But I must not have.. In any case I can't remember where I put it if I did.
Welcome to the board Ev. I think it's fine you're beginning your therapy with your husband's old machine. But remember, don't change stuff too quickly. If you're at 10 tonight, stay there a few days and see what your results are.
You have a tremendous advantage in that your husband is already a master of this stuff. So he will no doubt be of great encouragement to you in the process.
Oh retired-guy, he IS a tremendous help! And I am SO glad he has been very diligent about using his CPAP. But then, he had my father as an example of what happens if you do NOT use the CPAP.
RE: Newbie to my own sleep apnea (hubby using CPAP since 2003) - becker44a - 09-01-2014
(08-31-2014, 05:40 PM)Evpraxia Wrote: I was diagnosed with sleep apnea on Thursday (moderate to severe) and am NOT patiently waiting for my CPAP to come in. So, in the meantime, I am using my hubby's old CPAP (the "brick") with a setting of 8, which we will be increasing tonight.
. . .
Better living through machinery!
Evpraxia in the Pacific Northwest USA
Hi Evpraxia,
I see from your profile that you just recently joined here. Having just been diagnosed, this is a CRITICAL period for you. Generally in this country, insurance will provide a machine once every 5 years. So whatever machine you get now, you will live with for the next 5 years.
In my view, the most important capability is that it reports full data, so that you can see what is working with your therapy, and what is not. The second most important capability is auto-adjust. Even if you turn out to be a person who does not tolerate the pressure changes of an APAP that well, all APAPs can be configured to run as fixed pressure machines. The advantage of an APAP is that you can repeat an in-home titration test as often as you wish. It isn't unusual that titration in a sleep lab is of dubious value - different environment, all those wires and sensors, etc. Often a patient won't sleep much, sleep may not resemble their normal sleep pattern, sleep often interrupted by the sleep tech, etc.
If you have not seen it, here is a link to a good article about choosing a machine and machines to avoid:
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Archangle:Machine_Choices
Recommendations:
Be assertive: decide what you want, and DON'T let the Dr. or the DME stampede you into getting something less. Remember, many DMEs will lie thru their teeth if they think it is in their interest.
The machine prescription. It is often wise to have the Dr. write the prescription to include the specific machine, Mask as "patient choice", and some words like "Dispense as written". If you decide you want an APAP machine, it will be necessary for the prescription to be written with a pressure range, not just a single pressure. Also, get a hard copy of your PAP prescription, for several reasons.
Don't accept physical delivery of a machine you don't want, unless it is clearly a loaner, a rental, a trial machine, etc. Once you have accepted a machine from your prescription, it is often VERY difficult to change it.
Get the full copy of your sleep study. Many times patients are told "You wouldn't understand it", or are fobbed off with some excuse or another. In this country under HIPPA rules, this is YOUR data and you are entitled to it. Don't settle for less. It may become important later, and it will be easier to obtain right now.
Good luck on your journey.
RE: Newbie to my own sleep apnea (hubby using CPAP since 2003) - Evpraxia - 09-01-2014
Greetings,
Thanks for ALL the info! My hubby has the Philips Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex System One and Really likes it. He switched to the nasal pillows, so I am currently using his worn-one-week nose mask. I know I will be looking for a different style of head gear and requesting the nasal pillows.
I will look at the Choices page later today.
My hubby found some info on a sleep sensor that affixes under the bed sheets; but at $149 it will be waiting for a few months. It looks like it would be a good alternative to another sleep study before the insurance would approve/pay for it. PM me if you want to know the name.