I just got back from my titration study and am so pumped!  I woke up just once and that was when the tech increased the air -- I thought I was leaking due to the increased exhaust and got all agitated.  This was a couple of hours into the night.  After that I slept without waking!  That is startling in itself, much less when hooked to all that stuff in a strange bed.

The tech couldn't get either the Swift or Mirage nasal pillows to work with me without leaking (not even moving around or laying down) and ended up with some tubing.  I asked her what kind it was this morning and she said that she thought  it was ResMed nasal tubing.  Anyhow it was quite comfortable, obviously.

Now that I am home I realize I have a little sinus headache -- hope that is just change in the weather and not the cpap.  Probably, given that I didn't wake up with it.

I didn't think I would be too peturbed by the equipment and it turns out I wasn't.  It felt slightly hard to breathe when I was trying to doze off but I just told myself that I was getting plenty of air and to breathe deeply and off I went!

Judy

Hi judyb,

I go for my titration study tonight.  I'm glad yours went well, I hope mine goes as well.  I am a lilttle nervous, claustrophobic and all.  I am getting short of breath and  panicy just writing this message.  But don't get me wrong, I can't wait to get my "new friend" because I am very tired of being tired.

Anyhow, I am happy for you and wish me luck!

Leslie

Leslie,

I do wish you luck.  I was very nervous also, which surprised me, so just because you are nervous doesn't mean it will be difficult for you when you get right down to it.  

Perhaps the nasal pillows help with the claustrophobic feeling as I did find them easier to tolerate even when the CPAP is not on.  You might ask for them, I really found them comfortable although I was initially very wary of something "stuck up my nose".

If you feel closed in upon, just exert your rational mind over yourself, say to yourself "I'm fine", take a few deep breaths to prove it, and off you go!  The deep breaths helped my feeling of not getting enough oxygen so I highly recommend them.

Cheers --

Judy

  When I got there we put all of the hook ups on and then the tech had me sit ln the bed for about 15 minutes with the mask and machine on  while watching tv to get a feel for it.  It seemed fine to me.  Well, not any more encumbersome than all of the wires and other  things stuck to my face lol.  Then we did our diagnostic testing  and then it was lights out.  

  She  told me I could sleep on my side but I am a kind of combination side/stomach sleeper and she wasn't sure how that was going to work with the mask.  So I tried to sleep on my side and could not fall asleep.  It took forever.  And when I did try to sleep the way I wanted to, the mask did leak.  BTW, the mask was a Respironics Profile Lite Gel Mask and get this, it is the only one the hospital's sleep clinic uses!  Talk about no choices.  Anyway, when she told me to wake up, ( I was already awake)  she did tell me that when I did sleep, I slept well.  So maybe at least that is encouraging!     

   Anyway, I will stop fussing,  I still can't wait to get my own machine and try a different mask!

Leslie

Leslie -
I am a stomach sleeper and have great luck with the Breeze Nasal Pillows.  I just have to move my head to the very edge of my pillow.  Some stomach sleepers wind up having to get a thicker pillow.

Good luck to you!

Leslie,

Sorry that you had such a hard time getting to sleep.  It is so difficult if one normally sleeps in one position and you can't get into it.

I think it is great, though, that you slept well once you got over that hump.  You know the hump was caused by abnormal sleeping position and hopefully can find something that works with it -- as suggested by Merlin, and I'm sure others will have thoughts.

I can't believe them just having one type of mask!

Judy

Thanks for the suggestion merlin, I have been thinking of the Breeze nasal pillows myself.  

And yes judy, only one mask,  sometimes I think that my hospital's sleep lab is just a hobby for them

I still felt very tired when I got up because I slept very little, but I hope they got what they needed to set the correct pressure for me.  

Leslie

I was so glad you posted as I was wondering how it all went.

Let's hope it doesn't take either of us forever and a day to move on from here.

Please stay in touch --

Judy

Leslie,

Just to comfort you - I had my titration study 2 weeks ago, and also had great difficulty sleeping.  However, they still got enough data to recommend a pressure setting for me.  Now I'm just waiting on the DME to call and start the process of actually getting my equipment.

So, don't worry - they most likely got what they needed to get you started.

I, like you, am looking forward to getting my stuff and really sleeping for once!  

Hang in there,

Karen

I had mine last night.  I felt exhausted this monring.  The technician said I did reach deep sleep at one point.

I am waiting my Dr's followup appointment to find out what's next.

I'm waiting for my titration.  It's scheduled for December 30th, but I'm on the cancellation list.  When my doctor saw my results he wanted me to have a titration right away.  Ha-ha-ha.  Anyway, when I told him I was not sure I could sleep with a mask because I'm very clautrophobic, he ordered a "loaner" for me to get used to it before my study.  Talk to your doctor and try to get a mask before your titration.  I am also going to be able to use my own mask for it.

I had a lot of trouble with a similar arrangement.  Many of those masks are meant to be hooked to a CPAP before they can be comfortable.  I got a very sore face and a rash from using a mask without a CPAP.

I now have to wait until Nov 4th to get my results and perscription for what ever they are going to give me.  

I have been able to breathe much better the last few days since the test.  I want to move on get going with whatever therapy they provide.

Actually the doctor ordered the whole thing for me.  I have a ResMed APAP with heated humidifier and nasal pillows.  Unfortunately, I am going in tomorrow morning to exchange the nasal pillows for a full face mask, which I'm dreading.  But I woke up last night in the middle of a panic attack because my mouth was open and was getting no pressure or air.  I wasn't breathing through my mouth, it was just open enough to lose pressure.  I guess claustrophobia is going to have to be dealt with somehow.

Guest-Ramona wrote:

Actually the doctor ordered the whole thing for me.  I have a ResMed APAP with heated humidifier and nasal pillows.  Unfortunately, I am going in tomorrow morning to exchange the nasal pillows for a full face mask, which I'm dreading.  But I woke up last night in the middle of a panic attack because my mouth was open and was getting no pressure or air.  I wasn't breathing through my mouth, it was just open enough to lose pressure.  I guess claustrophobia is going to have to be dealt with somehow.

 I started out with the nasal pillows and found them to be a big problem. There is no way that I couls use them without a heated hunidifier., which is a pain, because it has to be cleaned and sanitized every morning.
 Went with a full face mask and love it. You really need a good R/T to fit and teach you how to adjust it.