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

Help with sleep apnea for newbie
#1
Help with sleep apnea for newbie
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 10 years ago and did wear horrible face mask for less than month..only to be put to the side. Have no idea where it even is now since moving twice. I was on bi-pap which can't really remember difference between that and c-pap but 10 years later I think I may actually need. Getting older and not bullet proof like in younger years. I know I was waking up like 100 times an hour (actual number from sleep study) Will have insurance next month at new job and just looking for advice on new treatments?? I do see the sleep pillow device which appears better than old mask. Please any tips appreciated? 48 year old male
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Help with sleep apnea for newbie
Hi staonh - Welcome to the board!

Due to the time that has elapsed since your last sleep study, I would recommend that you see a physician that specializes in sleep apnea to get an newer assessment of your condition. In 10 years xPAP development has made major strides in both equipment and software to address apnea treatment.

Crimson Nape
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com
___________________________________
Useful Links -or- When All Else Fails:
The Guide to Understanding OSCAR
OSCAR Chart Organization
Attaching Images and Files on Apnea Board
Apnea Helpful Tips

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: Help with sleep apnea for newbie
Yep, welcome to the papers.
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Help with sleep apnea for newbie
Hi statonh,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Better luck to you this time around as you restart your CPAP therapy.
Hang in there for more responses to your post.
trish6hundred
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: Help with sleep apnea for newbie
(10-10-2016, 11:08 AM)statonh Wrote: I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 10 years ago and did wear horrible face mask for less than month..only to be put to the side. Have no idea where it even is now since moving twice. I was on bi-pap which can't really remember difference between that and c-pap but 10 years later I think I may actually need. Getting older and not bullet proof like in younger years. I know I was waking up like 100 times an hour (actual number from sleep study) Will have insurance next month at new job and just looking for advice on new treatments?? I do see the sleep pillow device which appears better than old mask. Please any tips appreciated? 48 year old male

Hope this reply finds you in good health as the effects of sleep apnea often occur over long periods of time.

Best practices dictate that you self-administer an Epworth self-test (https://www.slhn.org/docs/pdf/neuro-epwo...pscale.pdf) and then consult a physician in your insurance network that specializes in sleep issues.

If you can retrieve your old paperwork, bring it to your first visit. It is likely that they will have you filling out a history form, another Epworth self-test, and some additional paperwork.

There have been numerous improvements in machines and masks and until you know what type of sleep apnea (central, obstructive, complex-mixed) you are dealing with, machine selection is a moot point. You may wish to look at some of the machine and mask reviews on this forum for background, but do not commit to any particular solution until you have a definitive diagnosis (or a starting point).

One word of caution, as a new employee, be careful during the probationary period about discussing sleep apnea or other medical issues with your superiors or co-workers as it may have an adverse effect on your continuing employment or the tasks you are assigned.

Best of luck.


"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius
Post Reply Post Reply
#6
RE: Help with sleep apnea for newbie
With new insurance, you will want to become familiar with its deductibles, copays and limits so you know whether you want to get into PAP therapy without concerns of the costs of sleep studies and equipment, or whether you are going to have to pick up a substantial portion of the hit. On the cheap side your old sleep study would probably suffice as a Dx, and a doctor could write a Rx for auto-CPAP. Write or call the clinic and try to get records if possible of the study and prescription, then work with your primary care doc to get a new prescription. Worst case, if your deductibles are high then get a Dreamstation auto CPAP on Amazon and a nasal pillows mask like the Resmed Airfit P10 and self-treat.

If you have full-boat insurance, schedule an appointment with your doctor, and get a referral for split study that does the diagnosis and titration in one session. You will get a referral to a durable medical equipment supplier. Get the list of in-network providers ahead of time and be sure you get he supplier of your choice by looking at reviews and asking here.

Good luck. There is no doubt you need to get on therapy as soon as possible to preserve your health. The problem that was found 10 years ago has not gone anywhere. With the right support and data feedback, I'm sure you can be more successful with modern gear.
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
#7
RE: Help with sleep apnea for newbie
Thanks for the reply. I have caught myself waking up in middle of night trying to catch my breath so yeah I guess I better get re-evaluated. And I know my dad had sleep apnea as well though never diagnosed. I do believe it contributed to his death via heart attack and the drinking did not help. I do not drink anymore however I use to and my wife could tell the difference that it made. I do still snore and need to shed a few pounds. And in my post I had said I wake up 100 times but I actually only stop breathing that many times a hour (I'm sure ya now what I meant) which is bad I know...it was the worst out of the 6 that participated that night in the study
..I'm sure it's not any better 10 yrs later...although surprisingly enough I do have energy at work.

.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Help Lowering a Varying AHI for a Newbie rtkierke 16 372 10 hours ago
Last Post: PeaceLoveAndPizza
  Apnea has gotten worse recently, I have no sleep study, can I just buy a cpcp? replayablecontent 12 215 Yesterday, 12:38 PM
Last Post: replayablecontent
  Collars for positional sleep apnea Jimasripper 17 347 03-25-2024, 10:05 PM
Last Post: Deborah K.
  newbie looking to get machine dialed in Jpm6179 3 128 03-25-2024, 07:42 AM
Last Post: Jpm6179
  Invisalign to help sleep apnea and dental extractions as a cause of sleep apnea SingleH 10 608 03-24-2024, 07:00 PM
Last Post: stevew168
  Sleep Apnea or Something Else? RoughriderTR 6 284 03-23-2024, 04:43 PM
Last Post: ButtonNoseBarbie
  Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Stroke Help MB123 1 74 03-23-2024, 01:08 PM
Last Post: Dormeo


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

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