"Ginny, I so agree with your DME frustration. I still haven't gotten billing for my original Wisp. I've since gotten one cushion & am calling this next week about another new one & frame. I too don't like not having extra…"
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Lee Dryden posted a discussionSleeping with CPAP blog post
Hi,Here is a new blog post on the debate over veterans receiving sleep apnea coverage.http://sleepingwithcpap.blogspot.com/See More
Ginny Edmundson replied to ZolliStar's discussion Wisp nasal mask part for free: Size petite"I also have the petite and large that someone can have!!!"
ZolliStar posted a discussionWisp nasal mask part for free: Size petite
This isn't the headgear, only the nasal part. I won't be using it and hate to let it go to waste.Anyone want it? If so, contact me privately.See More
Mary Z replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"Zollistar, the more I learn about sleep apnea the more I find I do not know. At least research is ongoing- there's a lot of money in the field.
You're right- there are differences in how each machine senses and treats an…"
RockRpsgt replied to ZolliStar's discussion Beating Sleep Maintenance Insomnia"Not a problem, Z. It's important to know and can take a minute to wrap your head around. I know it did for me. Very few sleep disorders fall into a "breathing disorder" catagory.
"
ZolliStar replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"Dear Mary,
Thanks for the clarification that good sleep and apnea are probably two different things. I'm still grateful to Terry Vella for pointing out that sleep apnea is a breathing disorder, not a sleep disorder. That opened my eyes and now…"
ZolliStar replied to ZolliStar's discussion Beating Sleep Maintenance Insomnia"Thanks for the clarification, Rock.
"
Mary Z replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"Zollistar, if you haven't seem this video by Dr. Krakow take a look. It's about ASV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fMki3KFRgg"
Mary Z replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"Dx is diagnosis and CSA is central apnea.
As to whether people sleep better with an ASV, well if you slept well before ASV I'd imagine you would continue to sleep well. I slept well on all modes, but found none that worked for me…"
RockRpsgt replied to ZolliStar's discussion Beating Sleep Maintenance Insomnia"Apnea is not a breathing disorder. It actually has very little to do with pulmonary function short of causing O2 desaturations. Sleep apnea is a neuromuscular sleep disorder. Central sleep a[nea is a breathing disorder."
"I've confirmed that our next meeting is Thursday, June 27 at 7 pm."
Lee Dryden posted a discussionSleeping with CPAP blog post
Hi,This post is about sleep apnea and blood sugars. Thanks for reading.http://sleepingwithcpap.blogspot.com/See More
ZolliStar replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"Thanks for this, Mary.
Worse comes to worse, I'll buy a used machine from Second Wind. First I'm going to see if I can get my doctor to prescribe one.
Maybe this is the final answer. Meanwhile, I'm surely happy to have…"
Mary Z replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"Zollistar, I think the ASV is hands down the best machine. It took me four years to get hooked up. Because of lingering depression and continued day time sleepiness with a high AHI my doctor suggested a night in the lab with an…"
ZolliStar replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"May I ask two dumb-dumb questions? What do "Dx" and "CSA" mean?
And here is a not-so-dumb-dumb question (I hope!): From your experience, do people sleep better using an ASV machine?
I look forward to your answer.
"
RockRpsgt replied to ZolliStar's discussion What's the Right Machine?"You will most likely not be able to get insurance approval for an ASV without a Dx of CSA. I think that saying that an ASV breathes with you is false. ASV does however provide a better breath support and algorithm for auto use. The newer ASV units…"
Mary Z replied to ZolliStar's discussion Beating Sleep Maintenance Insomnia"Zollistar, what a good idea! The music is nice and relaxing on some of them."
ENT APPOINTMENT - WHICH OPERATION?
Just back from my ENT post-op appointment where it's been confirmed the SMD laser operation I had in August has not been a success. Initially, it was fantastic and I was able to breathe for the first time ever through my nose, but 2 months later the problem is back (coinciding with the central heating coming on now winter's coming). The ENT surgeon offered me 3 operations:-
1) Turbinectomy, to remove part of the turbinates
2) Septoplasty for my deviated septum, and
3) Surgery on my large soft palate.
I was quite shocked to be offered all 3 operations at once and I also pointed out that I've heard the septoplasty and soft palate surgery aren't always that successful, as well as being painful. He said the choice is up to me, but to save me having further operations he would do it all at once - yikes! He also pointed out that due to me not being overweight, the palate operation is likely to be more of a success (not sure why!). At this stage I've opted for the turbinectomy, seeing as the first minor turbinates op proved very successful at first. I can, however, ring to op for the other procedures too, but I wanted to research them first and ask the knowledgeable people on this site what they thought.
I did learn today that I have sleep apnea due to the soft palate issue, a receding jaw and a large tongue base (no 'hope' for me is there? lol), along with the nasal stuffiness!
Thanks for your time in reading my post!
1) Turbinectomy, to remove part of the turbinates
2) Septoplasty for my deviated septum, and
3) Surgery on my large soft palate.
I was quite shocked to be offered all 3 operations at once and I also pointed out that I've heard the septoplasty and soft palate surgery aren't always that successful, as well as being painful. He said the choice is up to me, but to save me having further operations he would do it all at once - yikes! He also pointed out that due to me not being overweight, the palate operation is likely to be more of a success (not sure why!). At this stage I've opted for the turbinectomy, seeing as the first minor turbinates op proved very successful at first. I can, however, ring to op for the other procedures too, but I wanted to research them first and ask the knowledgeable people on this site what they thought.
I did learn today that I have sleep apnea due to the soft palate issue, a receding jaw and a large tongue base (no 'hope' for me is there? lol), along with the nasal stuffiness!
Thanks for your time in reading my post!
Tags: palate, septoplasty, smd, soft, turbinates, turbinectomy
Views: 140
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on -
Kath, if you try to look for the same mask I have it's the FitLife Total Face Mask by Respironics and comes in two sizes only. I think you said you looked at one Total Face Mask by the same manufacturer that comes in one size only. You do breathe through your nose with my mask, but if your nose was full of packing I guess you would just breathe through your mouth. I find it very comfortable and it's not too expensive. In your situation I would try the oracle if I truly couldn't breathe through my nose so as not to lose the benefit of therapy. I have had to skip some nights after surgery on my head due to straps across suture lines and was none the worse for it, though I couldn't recommend it.
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Permalink Reply by 99 on -
as an after thought
should the cpap treatment be disturbing any packing
and you do not want packing
try for a short time an oral device
i purchased one for emergencies should a power failer occur
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk on -
Good idea. I just wish the surgeon wouldn't use packing like Dr Park's + Banyon mentioned :(
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk on
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Thanks for your concern + advice, plus your PM which I've just replied to Mary
Mary Z said:Kath, if you try to look for the same mask I have it's the FitLife Total Face Mask by Respironics and comes in two sizes only. I think you said you looked at one Total Face Mask by the same manufacturer that comes in one size only. You do breathe through your nose with my mask, but if your nose was full of packing I guess you would just breathe through your mouth. I find it very comfortable and it's not too expensive. In your situation I would try the oracle if I truly couldn't breathe through my nose so as not to lose the benefit of therapy. I have had to skip some nights after surgery on my head due to straps across suture lines and was none the worse for it, though I couldn't recommend it.
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Permalink Reply by Ginny Edmundson on -
Hi! I had the same surgery as you and had the splints~not packing. Done on Monda and splints removed on Thursday. Will be 3 weeks on coming Monday (today being Friday). ENT said to resume CPAP but I am afraid to try. How soon did you resume yours? Thanks!
Banyon said:
Mary Z said:Kath, so sorry your surgery was not a success. And I thank Dr. Park for his response about the further surgery.
The Oracle by Fisher and Paykel is a mouth only mask, with nasal plugs, which you would not have to use. As I remember it comes with two sizes of mouthpieces. I tried one about a month ago, but had leakage around the nostril plugs and so could not use it. I found the mouthpiece to be very comfortable, though.
Mary, Why not tell Kath about that total face mask you use? After nasal surgery, it should be much better than the oral mask, don't you think?
Kath, I would find a surgeon that doesn't use the packing. My turbinate reduction surgery and septum correction was done without packing and things went very smoothly. The doc used splints for the septum which were removed on the third day post-op and I was back to normal except for avoiding heavy lifting for another week.
I would not have the palate surgery.
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk on
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Hi Ginny
This is an old discussion you've come on and was from my 1st operation which only worked temporarily. I then went on to have the septoplasty and turbinectomy which has worked (been speaking to you lately on your own thread about your surgery).
After both operations I used my CPAP the same day and this was when I found the best mask for me - Respironics FitLife, which I still use. I'm sure you have no need to worry about using CPAP as, like I said, I used mine on the day of both surgeries with no problems. Incidentally, how are you feeling re tiredness after having gone 3 weeks with no CPAP?
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Permalink Reply by Ginny Edmundson on
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I fell OK. Have been on oxygen at night to avoid low O2 sats. I am surprised I have not resumed the frequent urination at night as I had Pre-CPAP use. I think I will begin trying 2 masks I have in mind (one being the one you use) and if no luck back to the pillows. I would love the one you use to work~then I could forego the horrid chin strap monster! I will try the pillows tonight!!!!! Thanks for your response.
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk on
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I know what you mean Ginny, as I hate chin straps. I can't bear to be made to keep my mouth shut LOL. The thing is, I can now breathe through my nose, but after being a lifetime mouth breather, it's difficult to re-train myself and I keep forgetting to practise.
I love my FitLife as there are no marks on the face - it saves money on liners, nasal bridge pads and strap covers too! Hope it works for you as well as it does for me and Mary on here.
Good luck, but am sure you'll be fine tonight.
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