I was referred by my primary care phys. to the sleep center. The tech hooked my up. Some great and powerful OZ read and determined the results. Passed his reccommendation back to my primary care phys. who in turn sent my prescription to the DME. The DME tech showed me how to turn it on and pack it in the bag for portability and sent me on my way. I spoke with my Primary care phys. About my average AHI being around 13 still. He told me if I knew how to 'bump it up a notch' and see if that brings it down. He doesn't know any more than I do. I don't have a Sleep doctor. Not in the military! I don't think such a thing exists... So I am my own sleep doc I suppose. I have access to changing everything. First however, I will start by changing habits. (stop sleeping on my back etc).
You can be Shocked and Amazed at how the Docs and DME's are less than concerned but that doesn't do A THING for the numbers of us who have no other choices...
The best line I ever heard about Doctors... "There's a reason they call it a practice"
Doctors don't know everything... Even a good doctor is often just making a guess when they prescribe some treatment. Yes, ideally they have all kinds of knowledge that you and I don't have... However, they still can only go by what we tell them and then may a guess as to what to try next...
My doctor seems very knowledgeable and also seems to understand that there is nothing cut and dried abut this CPAP stuff. He also seems to understand that giving a patient some room to maneuver a bit from the titrated pressure is worth a try if/when the patient seems to be having trouble...
However I am still irked that they don't just give everyone CPAP that can yield full data... I mean how the heck can a Doctor make a informed decision without data?... Well I think the reason is that you suffer long enough without data, then they'll have to come back in to the office and they then can charge you some more money (or in my case, charge my insurance company more money). I don't care so much about my insurance paying more money, but I am not happy if/when I have to suffer through the period of time it would take before they could 'justify' the further office visits to my insurance company...
When I had my second sleep study done about a month ago the experience was awful. For some reason my legs kept moving, aching & getting needle like pains. The mask leaked all over, wheezing, hissing and making farting noises. The bed was not very comfortable and of course I was wired up like Frankenstein.
So, on the basis of this my doctor had to make a recommendation about the pressure that would deal with my apneas/hypopneas. While I know that they got a lot more information than I get from my ‘fully data capable’ CPAP, things like O2 saturation, body sleep position, REM, etc. The condition under which these were taken makes me wonder just how accurately they could establish the pressure requirement. I have been told that they will give me a copy of the titration report once the Dr has finished it. I’m looking forward to seeing how it compares to the data I am seeing now.
And thank you for the snip, snip, snip. It looks so much neater and attractive. Nothing less appetizing than sitting across from someone at the dinner table w/some of his dinner hanging off his face! now a thin layer of PoliGrip should be no problem at all!
_________________ Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.
I had a terrible sleep last night. I had lots of congestion. I think that I am slightly allergic to some type of pollen. Nasal rinse helps at first but then congestion sets in during the night. If it is allergies, it isn’t very severe as I am not congested, sneezing or itchy eyed during the day.
Still trying to get accustomed to the Mirage Liberty. I started out with medium pillows but switched to the large during the middle of the night. That still did not work all that well with lots of leaks and restricted flow. It appears to be a problem of orientation of the pillows. I’m not sure how to deal with that. I tried ear plug silicone around the edge of the medium pillows to no effect. I think I’ll try again with these large ones since using my fingers I experienced a significant increases in flow if I stuck my finger in the right place. Couldn’t sleep that way though. Um… now that I reread that bit with the fingers, it does sound a bit funny but it worked. I’ll also try the poligrip around other areas that leak and post the results soon.
You are on the right track by switching to the larger pillows. PoliGrip is for the lips, not the nose. I'd venture a guess that the congestion is due to the "novelty" of the air pressure so directly into your nasal passages. They are probably really drying out. Some Ayr Saline Nasal Gel or spray may help w/that. NEVER put a petroleum-based gel in your nose. Ayr is safe to use in that regard as it has no petroleum in it.
_________________ Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.
Yep, got that Ayr Saline Nasal Gel on the shopping list too. I was thinking of using the poligrip around the edges of the mask between my lips and my chin where the mask tends to leak. Is that not what it is used for?
No, the PoliGrip Denture Gel is spread in a THIN layer on the lips from corner of mouth to corner of mouth to prevent gentle air leaks thru the lips, "the lip flutters".
For sealing the mask to the face Mack's Silicone Ear Plugs work well. Roll one in your hands into a thin rope or "tape" and press it to the mask cushion. It seals well and lasts for 2-3 days usually. I haven't ever heard of it being used w/nasal pillows but rather w/full face and nasal cushion style masks.
The PoliGrip really would be a bit messy is used between mask and face.
_________________ Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.
Thanks for the clarification CrohnieToo, Since I have a beard, it might have been more than a bit messy. More like using wax to remove hair that gals use. I may try the poligrip on the lips later if I can't get the dry mouth problem solved any other way although with the nasal congestion I might suffocate or feel like I am anyway. I am still getting some of those panic moments when congested and with my mouth so dry that it seems that I cannot get a decent breath at all.
I agree, get the congestion under control first. Keep in mind that sufficient humidity from your integrated humidifier can actually in some cases open up dry, swollen, irritated nasal passages. Use that Ayr spray and/or gel and get some relief to the swollen, irritated nasal passages.
On occasion I've just opened my mouth and gasped a gulp of air and then closed it and given the humidifier a chance to do its thing before opening and another gulp of fresh air and w/in 5 minutes or so my nasal passages have cleared and I can breathe thru my nose the rest of the night. Don't be afraid to turn that humidifier up, to maximum even if necessary.
W/the humidifier turned way high you can sometimes encounter "rain out", condensation in the hose or even your mask. That can often be avoided by hanging the hose above your head, taking it under the covers w/you, making sure your Elite is sitting BELOW the level of your mattress, a hose cover that can be made or purchased, etc. And, of course, there is always the option of turning it down a notch.
_________________ Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.
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now a thin layer of PoliGrip should be no problem at all! 