Hi folks,

I'm a newbie with the sleep apnea condition so please be gentle on me.  

I have been to the sleep lab three times. The 1st time was a bust with no sleep. The 2nd time I thought was also a bust but apparently I slept enough to yield results. The 3rd time, just the past evening, I was back to see if the CPAP was helpful... which apparently it was.

Some of the results:

-Recommended pressure setting of 8 cm H20
-Apnea/hypopnea index: 56
-RDI: 58

They had me on the Respironics ComforGel - Full Face mask... not sure about the machine.

A little about me... the sleep failure...  

-51 year old male
-270 lbs (should be 180 lbs, working on it... really!)
-diagnosed with high blood pressure several years ago.
-now under treatment for high blood pressure... pretreatment readings were 170/100.
-I am tired most of the time. Can easily fall asleep while watch tv in the evenings.

My dilemma now... and perhaps it is not a dilemma at all...

-Should I put of getting a machine and concentrate on losing weight to see what effect this has on the apnea? A brief read earlier through some posts seem to suggest this is the wrong approach as losing weight may have little effect.

-Should I consider a higher end machine like the "REMstar Auto M Series with A-Flex" or start with a basic model? My thoughts here are that perhaps later on I may not need a machine so why go for the high end when the low end model will do for the short run.

The only experience I have with cpaps so far is my husband's, but I can tell you what I've read and experienced with sleep apnea, as I have it too. From what I know, once you have it, you have it. You can improve your blood pressure, etc. with cpap and weight loss, but weight loss is no guarantee you will ever get rid of it. And it's really hard to lose weight if your're too tired! I was dx'd with mild apnea 6 years ago and told to lose weight. I've been too tired to exercise, so how am I supposed to lose weight? I'm sure there are more experienced people on here who can give you a more intelligent response. Just my two cents! Good luck and God bless!

Don't start with a basic model. Get a "Data Capable" machine to start with. If you can get an "Auto", I would recommend it.
However, there are several nice Data Capable machines that are not Autos.
Then get a card reader, software, and follow your data.
This is your therapy. The more you know about your treatment the more likely that it will be successful.

Hi Paul and Welcome!!

Get your machine.  Untreated OSA causes weight gain by several mechanisms.  First, because of the extreme fatigue, our energy levels decrease and we are less active.  Secondly, some people eat more and eat more unhealthy foods in attempts to increase our alertness and metabolism.  Untreated, I couldn't figure out why I ate spoonful of raw sugar at 4 PM.  Finally, sleep disruption raises the level of the hormone ghrelin, which increases appetite and decreases the utilization of fat stores and it lowers the level of leptin, which decreases appetite, increases the utilization of fat from fat stores and increases base metabolism.

Keep us posted!!

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Thanks for the responses folks!

After reading more I can see that my AHI index of 56 places me in the severe category. I will make some phone calls today and get the ball rolling on getting a machine.

I decided to take action on this issue today.

Called one CPAP provider early this morning and left a message asking them to call me back. No call back all day long. Okay, they are not the most responsive... do I really want to get tangled up with them? NO! Maybe I'm too impatient. <shrug>

Called another bigger outfit who called me back in 10 minutes. Setup an appointment for Monday. They offer 30 day trials so I will go with that initially. I'm hoping I can trial with the same equipment that I will end up purchasing... makes no sense to me to trial on different equipment than what I purchase after the trial.

I also thought I was going to be on my own with purchasing this equipment, but also found out today that the medical plan at work will cover 100% of the cost which is fantastic news!

During my Titration, they told me my AHI was around 20, which put me at the Moderate Apnea range (AHI of 15-30).  I snore every single time I fall asleep and my wife is pretty frustrated with it.

I just got my machine and I'm having some issues.  I posted them in another listing:
http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?p=118942#118942

I'd be interested to hear feedback and advice.

Thanks!

Paul..let them know from the get go that you want a fully data capable machine...shoot for the best.  Insurance pays by a code, not a specific make and model.  For the same price you can get a bottom shelf or one with all the bells and whistles...it is the DME who tries to get you take a run of the mill machine due to their profit margin...but they make $$ no matter what, just maybe not as much.

Good luck


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Paul, I have a weight issue primairily because of my OSA.  Before CPAP it took considerable effort to lose weight and putting it back on was way too easy.  There are several articles about weight and OSA in the FAQs and and out on the web.  I've been on CPAP 3 months and started dieting and exercising about a month ago.  I've lost 18 lbs and probably have close to 50 to go.  Getting on CPAP may be the only way to lose that weight.  For one thing it does increase your metabolism.  I went to my cardiologist a few weeks ago and my blood pressure dropped considerably and my cholesterol dropped 30 points.


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REMStar Pro M w/ c-flex and heated humidifier
ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow
Encore View Software
12 cm H20, 13 cm H20
CPAP start date: June 4, 2008

I picked up my trial CPAP machine yesterday.

I live in Ottawa, Canada and decided to deal with VitalAire. I called one other supplier, Medigas, but they never returned my call so I felt if that was an indication of their customer service... thanks but no thanks.

The Respiratory Therapist spent an hour with me while we filled out paperwork, explaining items and answering questions. She was very helpful.

Since they did not have an data recording machines on hand they provided me with a Fisher Paykel Sleep Series 600 Model 604 and a Resmed Mirage Quattro FFM for the first week. I go back in next Monday to get a fully data capable model so we can see what is going on during the trial.

Last evening was my 2nd night on a CPAP. The machine was set to pressure of 8 and no humidity. I had trouble falling asleep but eventually did get to sleep. Woke up feeling a little dry so I turned the humidity up to 1. The mask fitting was reasonable... did have some leakage that I was aware of but that was quickly taken care of with some adjustment. I plan on spending more time this evening adjusting.

When I put the mask on and the machine starts I can feel an immediate difference in that I'm getting more air... this is positive.

Despite not getting the usual amount of sleep I don't feel all that bad this morning.

Top of my head feels a wee bit odd. Best description is an extremely mild headache. Perhaps just getting used to the mask... perhaps more adjustment required.

All in all... a reasonable first time experience with the CPAP at home.

The equipment prices knock my socks off. $2,400 for a Resmed S8 Elite II, $2,800 for a Resmed S8 Auto II... these prices include masks. Suspect these prices include fees for the service they are providing. Can get a Resmed S8 Auto II and Mirage Quattro mask online for ~$1,000. Insurance pays $2,000.

I'm asking myself why this whole process seems to be full of minefields and surprises.

This is getting frustrating!

I can't seem to fall asleep with the mask on no matter whether I use the ramp feature or not.  Last night, I layed awake for 2 hours and I was sleepy when I first went to bed.  I took the mask off and fell asleep.  This morning, I put it on after waking up and slept for another two hours with it on but I can't seem to get relaxed at night when I'm trying to sleep.   The other night, I moved to a different room and slept in a chair in front of the TV set to an all-music station and was able to sleep for six hours.  I've not gone more than two or two and a half hours in my own bed with this darn thing and those are usually waking hours.

Ugh!

CPAPerRon wrote:

This is getting frustrating!

I can't seem to fall asleep with the mask on no matter whether I use the ramp feature or not.

I did not use ramping last evening. At one point I did feel like removing the mask and sleeping without it, but decided to stick it out. I feel it is a matter of becoming used to it.

After having slept for years with no mask I figure it will take a period of adjustment. I can definitely sleep with it having done so for 2 nights now... it is just that it takes me a long time to fall asleep.

Third night coming up... I'm actually looking forward to it instead of dreading it.

Paul,tell me this isn't really happening to you.(I am in Toronto by the way)
My Chronology:

July 23/08-Diagnosed with "severe" sleep apnea.

July 30/08-Started with a Fisher&Paykel Sleepstyle 200(with humidifier) with their nasal pillow mask,due to my lack of knowledge.

Aug.18/08-Swapped for a ResMed Escape II(with humidifier),ResMed Swift LT mask and six feet of hose insulation.

Sept.05/08-Swapped for a ResMed Elite II head unit.

Howled like a wolf at the director of the Healthcare company,who personally came directly to the door of my home and did these upgrades twice,without adjusting the original invoice price of $1,380.00 Can.,albeit he said it "wasn't the norm"

Ontario Health Insurance Plan covers $780.00(75% of a basic machine)every 5 years for CPAP,my insurance carrier would only top it off to $1040.00(remaining 25%)

I'm 50 years old,6'3" and 300 cranky pounds,guess he didn't want me looking for him...


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5aces: You seem to be getting your equipment much cheaper than I am. Do you mind me asking who is the provider?


Well, just went through the 2nd night at home on the machine. I have to say that last night was about the same as a completely "normal" night sleeping without the CPAP. I went to sleep quickly and had a good night. I seem to be adjusting well to the mask, a Resmed Quattro. In fact I like the Quattro better than the ComfortGel I was on at the Sleep Lab. The Quattro is a size large where the ComfortGel was a medium... perhaps that is the difference. <shrug> A good night, but I think the adjustment period is far from over.

It might be time for me to try a new mask.  I never tried a FF mask during my sleep study.  I have a beard and mustache.
I fell asleep last night with the Swift LT, but one of my nostrils plugged up and I woke in the middle of the night with a dry mouth because I had been breathing through it and the machine had cranked up the pressure to compensate.  I only used the machine for 4.5 hours last night and then finished the night without it.

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Update (Friday morning):

I switched to the Liberty mask yesterday and spent my first night with it.  I like the fact that if I keep my mouth closed, the pressure exerted by the mask on the outside of my mouth overcomes the old feeling of pressure building up inside my mouth that used to make me want to exhale through my lips.  I did still open my mouth some last night because I noticed that I had a very dry mouth and tongue when I woke up at 4am.  The Liberty mask was less noisy than the Swift LT in that I couldn't "hear myself breathe" as loudly as I did with the Swift LT. I also put the VPAP machine under the bed and ran the house up between the mattress and the headboard.  I didn't have any problem with condensation and the machine noise was a lot softer too.  I didn't hear it groaning next to my head like I have the past few nights.

So far though, I've awakened between 3am to 4am every night.  Maybe at the end of a sleep cycle?  I'm usually wide awake at that time (or at least I feel wide awake).  Sometimes I get up for a little while, other times, I just stay in bed.  I eventually fall back to sleep with the gear on.  But when I wake up the next time around 7am, I'm very groggy.  I didn't have work today and this morning, after waking up at 7am with the mask still on, I slept an additional two hours after taking the mask off.

Last night, I used the machine for 7 hours and my AHI was 20.1 and my AI was 10.9. During my titration, they told me my AHI was 20 without CPAP/BiPAP.  I've only had one night where my AHI was very low.  That was the night I slept in an Easy Chair all night because I couldn't fall asleep in bed.

The only other problem I'm having is this darn feeling like I have post nasal drip. It feels like there's "something there" at the back of my throat but I can't clear it out and it won't go away when I swallow, drink water, blow my nose, etc.  When the machine starts blowing at full pressure, the air rushing down my nasal cavity blows by it and I end up concentrating on trying to clear out my throat rather than going to sleep. Trying to sleep on my side just ends up causing mask leaks.  

The adventure continues...



Last edited by CPAPerRon on Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:35 am; edited 1 time in total