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(→‎CPAP_Machine_Choices - read this before you accept a new machine)
(editing for clarity, NPOV & other things - still needs work)
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=== <u>[[Understanding sleep apnea]]</u> ===
 
=== <u>[[Understanding sleep apnea]]</u> ===
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:: a description of what apnea is from a couple of well written forum articles.
+
:: A video on sleep disordered breathing & two forum articles explaining sleep apnea
  
 
=== <u>[[New_to_CPAP_–_The_Process|New to CPAP – The Process]]</u> ===
 
=== <u>[[New_to_CPAP_–_The_Process|New to CPAP – The Process]]</u> ===
−
:: Defining the process from denial thru getting your machine, a what to expect article.
+
:: Defining the process & what to expect (from denial through getting a CPAP machine)
  
−
=== Do you have your records ===
+
=== Obtaining medical records ===
−
:: Do you have your records? HIPAA may be a pain in the . . . but it does give you the rights ( <u>'''[https://www.privacyrights.org/consumer-guides/hipaa-privacy-rule-patients-rights hipaa-privacy-rule-patients-rights]'''</u> ) to your medical information. This includes your Sleep study/studies, titration records and prescription(s). Having these may prevent you from having to repeat a Sleep or Titration Study.
+
:: Obtaining your records can help you greatly. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is United States legislation that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information. Under HIPAA, patients have certain rights to their own medical records ( <u>'''[https://www.privacyrights.org/consumer-guides/hipaa-privacy-rule-patients-rights hipaa-privacy-rule-patients-rights]'''</u> ) These rights include the right to obtain a copy of your Sleep study/studies, titration records and prescription(s).   Obtaining a copy of these items can help patients form a greater understanding of their condition and may help avoid a repeat sleep study or titration.
  
 
=== <u>[[Prescription - CPAP - APAP - BIPAP]]</u> ===
 
=== <u>[[Prescription - CPAP - APAP - BIPAP]]</u> ===
−
:: Sample Prescriptions, recommended xPAP machines.
+
:: Sample Prescriptions & Machine Recommendations
  
 
=== [[CPAP Machine Choices]] - read this before you accept a new machine ===
 
=== [[CPAP Machine Choices]] - read this before you accept a new machine ===
−
:: Do you want a brick? Didn't think so.<br />
+
:: Patients are encouraged to avoid being "stuck" with a "dumb brick" CPAP machine (a CPAP that is not fully data-capable).<br />
−
:: I know it's been mentioned several times in other threads, but I think the Wiki article written by one of our Advisory Members (Archangle) on Machine Choices should be read by everyone here. '''Don't let a Durable Medical Equipment $upplier (<u>[[Durable medical equipment (DME)|DME]]</u>) bamboozle you.''' Never accept or settle for what we nickname a dumb "brick" CPAP machine (one that is not fully data-capable).
+
:: To avoid being "fooled" by a greedy Durable Medical Equipment ([[Durable medical equipment (DME)|DME]]) provider, patients should read "[[Archangle:Machine Choices|Archangle's Machine Choices]]" (a wiki article written by Advisory Member "Archangle"). 
 +
:: By obtaining a data-capable CPAP machine, the patient and doctor can monitor the effectiveness of CPAP treatment on an ongoing basis.
 +
:: Using Free PC Software along with a data-capable CPAP machine will enable doctor & patient to monitor and chart the effectiveness of CPAP treatment. Go to Apnea Board's [http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Private-Files-and-Links Private Files & Links] area to learn how to obtain free PC software for CPAP machines.  You will need to [http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/member.php?action=register register for a free forum account] to access that area.
  
−
:: <u>'''[[Archangle:Machine_Choices]]'''</u> <big>Be an informed patient</big> and read this excellent article
 
  
−
:: If you get a good, data-capable CPAP machine - you and your doctor will be greatly empowered to monitor the effectiveness of your treatment on an ongoing basis. You can also use free software for your personal computer to monitor and chart your progress - as long as you have a data-capable machine.
+
=== <u>[[Setup_or_Change_your_own_CPAP_Pressure|Setup Manuals - Change your own CPAP Pressure]]</u> ===
−
 
+
:: The nitty gritty of entering in to the "Clinician Mode" of a CPAP machine in order to change pressures and other settings.
−
:: Here's our Private Files & Links area, where you can learn how to obtain some of these free PC software packages:
 
−
 
 
−
:: <u>'''http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Private-Files-and-Links'''</u>
 
−
:: (you'll need to be logged into your Apnea Board Forum account to access the above link. <u>'''[http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/member.php?action=register Register HERE]'''</u> for a free forum account if you haven't already)
 
−
 
 
−
=== <u>[[Setup_or_Change_your_own_CPAP_Pressure|Setup Manuals - Change your own xPAP Pressure]]</u> ===
 
−
:: The nitty gritty of manipulating YOUR machine. For forum members only, and a couple of steps, but you can change ANY setting on your machine.
 
  
 
=== <u>[[Optimizing therapy]]</u> ===
 
=== <u>[[Optimizing therapy]]</u> ===
−
:: The basic steps to adjusting your therapy
+
:: The basic steps to adjusting CPAP therapy
  
 
=== Using SleepyHead ===
 
=== Using SleepyHead ===
−
::Using SleepyHead - Data is the key to getting good feedback, and SleepyHead is among the best software to see how you and your machine got along last night.
+
::Using SleepyHead - Data is the key to getting good feedback and SleepyHead is among the best software to help examine the effectiveness of your CPAP therapy.
−
::* <u>'''[https://sleepyhead.jedimark.net/ Download SleepyHead]'''</u> (free) Just click on the icon for your operating system, then click on the downloaded file.
+
::* <u>'''[https://sleepyhead.jedimark.net/ Download SleepyHead]'''</u> (free) Click on the icon for your operating system, then click on the downloaded file.
−
::* <u>'''[https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize Organize your Sleepyhead charts]'''</u>  Very important,  
+
::* <u>'''[https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize Organize your Sleepyhead charts]'''</u>  Organizing your SleepyHead charts is important, especially to help patients post relevant charts on the forum.
−
::* <u>'''[https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur Post from Imgur]'''</u> a link from an outside source (easy)
+
::* <u>'''[https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur Post from Imgur]'''</u> How to post screenshots of your charts using Imgur, a free image-hosting website
−
::* <u>'''[[Beginner's Guide to SleepyHead|RobySue's Beginner's Guide to SleepyHead]]'''</u> an awesome detailed reference to SleepyHead and interpretation of the data
+
::* <u>'''[[Beginner's Guide to SleepyHead|RobySue's Beginner's Guide to SleepyHead]]'''</u> A detailed reference guide to SleepyHead and how to interpretethe data
  
 
=== <u>[[Mask Primer]]</u> ===
 
=== <u>[[Mask Primer]]</u> ===
−
:: pretty much everything about selecting, fitting, and using your mask, including leaks
+
:: Great information about selecting, fitting and using a CPAP mask & minimizing leaks
−
 
 
−
=== Help pages ===
 
−
:: The '''Help''' button at top of page, where you will find many "how to" articles is another excellent resource.
 
  
−
=== Posting in Forum ===
+
=== Help with posting a forum message ===
−
:: For suggestions to tune/tweak your settings the best thing is to make a forum query. ( <u>'''http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum'''</u> ) Read the below suggestions.<br />
+
:: You must first [http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/member.php?action=register register for a free forum account] to post a message. 
−
:: We would like to invite you to join our forum if you haven't already. Click the "Create an Account Link" in the upper right corner of the main page.<br />
+
:: The [http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/misc.php?action=help Help button] at top of every forum page is useful for obtaining help with a member's forum account. Forum Members may also ask for help in the [http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Member-Account-Help-Forum Member Account Help Forum].  
−
:: Then  <u>'''[http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-How-to-New-Members-Please-select-an-Avatar-Complete-your-Profile Please select an Avatar and Complete your Profile]'''</u>  Your profile allows us to know what equipment and basic settings you have and to tailor advice specifically to you and your setup.<br />
+
:: Members are encouraged to [http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-How-to-New-Members-Please-select-an-Avatar-Complete-your-Profile completely fill out their member profile] to make it as easy as possible for you to obtain customized help from other forum members.
  
  

Revision as of 17:00, 8 June 2017

New to Apnea - helpful tips to ensure success

Understanding sleep apnea

A video on sleep disordered breathing & two forum articles explaining sleep apnea

New to CPAP – The Process

Defining the process & what to expect (from denial through getting a CPAP machine)

Obtaining medical records

Obtaining your records can help you greatly. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is United States legislation that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information. Under HIPAA, patients have certain rights to their own medical records ( hipaa-privacy-rule-patients-rights ) These rights include the right to obtain a copy of your Sleep study/studies, titration records and prescription(s). Obtaining a copy of these items can help patients form a greater understanding of their condition and may help avoid a repeat sleep study or titration.

Prescription - CPAP - APAP - BIPAP

Sample Prescriptions & Machine Recommendations

CPAP Machine Choices - read this before you accept a new machine

Patients are encouraged to avoid being "stuck" with a "dumb brick" CPAP machine (a CPAP that is not fully data-capable).
To avoid being "fooled" by a greedy Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider, patients should read "Archangle's Machine Choices" (a wiki article written by Advisory Member "Archangle").
By obtaining a data-capable CPAP machine, the patient and doctor can monitor the effectiveness of CPAP treatment on an ongoing basis.
Using Free PC Software along with a data-capable CPAP machine will enable doctor & patient to monitor and chart the effectiveness of CPAP treatment. Go to Apnea Board's Private Files & Links area to learn how to obtain free PC software for CPAP machines. You will need to register for a free forum account to access that area.


Setup Manuals - Change your own CPAP Pressure

The nitty gritty of entering in to the "Clinician Mode" of a CPAP machine in order to change pressures and other settings.

Optimizing therapy

The basic steps to adjusting CPAP therapy

Using SleepyHead

Using SleepyHead - Data is the key to getting good feedback and SleepyHead is among the best software to help examine the effectiveness of your CPAP therapy.

Mask Primer

Great information about selecting, fitting and using a CPAP mask & minimizing leaks

Help with posting a forum message

You must first register for a free forum account to post a message.
The Help button at top of every forum page is useful for obtaining help with a member's forum account. Forum Members may also ask for help in the Member Account Help Forum.
Members are encouraged to completely fill out their member profile to make it as easy as possible for you to obtain customized help from other forum members.


  • Start a new thread. Add all your inquires to this new thread because this will retain your history for us in the responses to your queries.
  • If you don’t have all this info don’t worry about it. As a general rule the more info we have, the better the advice you will get.
  • Using multiple posts is acceptable.
  • What type of Apnea do you have? (Obstructive, Central, Complex, Hyponea, RLS) Have you posted your sleep studies? (They have this information) If not post your Sleep Studies. It is especially important to know if you have Central or Complex Apnea.
  • Include your daily charts. They include a lot of data that is used as the basis of advice delivered
  • How do you feel? This relates to all things comfort and intangible things (my nose hurts)
  • What do you want to know more about? What's giving you the greatest difficulty?
  • Don't use the "Reply with quote" button button until you have familiarized yourself with its use. That's why we have threads, the info is in the above posts (history).



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