"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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Mostly venting about my new sleep study
History:
Dx with OSA summer of 2005, got my cpap and mask (swift) in July-ish 2005. Have worn it religiously every night and nap ever since! I LOVE it!
Recently I started feeling awful. My mask was leaking and I was snoring with my mask on. I finally got a replacement mask that isn't leaking, but I'm still snoring. I emailed my doctor and was sent for another sleep study. I'm thinking either my machine is not working right or my pressure needs to be increased. (my machine doesn't give me any data to check it myself)
So...
I had my sleep study last night and it was miserable! My problem is that I've started snoring (and thus not breathing) while WEARING my mask. I did get a new mask that doesn't leak and it's not as bad, but I'm still snoring.
But the sleep techs said since my original study was in 2005 I should do another split-night study. I didn't think that sounded too bad, so I didn't put up a fight about it. But trying to fall asleep hooked up in that whole apparatus with goop, tape, wires and belts made it so hard to sleep. Add in that I didn't have my mask on, which I've slept with nearly every night and nap for almost 4 years...
Well let's just say it was probably 3:30 before I really fell asleep. And then it seemed I woke up from not breathing every few minutes for the rest of the night. It was horrible! But since they didn't "catch" me not breathing until after 2am, they did the whole night without the mask.
So great. They've proven that I have sleep apnea. WE KNEW THIS ALREADY PEOPLE! Garg!
So today I'm completely wiped out, at an all day computer training (desperately trying not to doze off), and will have to go BACK again sometime to get the actual titration done to see if my machine is broken or if my pressure needs have increased.
I'd scream if I wasn't so damn tired.
They wouldn't share any information with me this morning at the sleep lab, and said it would be 3-5 business days before my doctor had the results. Perfect.
Anyone know how to increase your own pressure? Cause I'm seriously considering this.
Dx with OSA summer of 2005, got my cpap and mask (swift) in July-ish 2005. Have worn it religiously every night and nap ever since! I LOVE it!
Recently I started feeling awful. My mask was leaking and I was snoring with my mask on. I finally got a replacement mask that isn't leaking, but I'm still snoring. I emailed my doctor and was sent for another sleep study. I'm thinking either my machine is not working right or my pressure needs to be increased. (my machine doesn't give me any data to check it myself)
So...
I had my sleep study last night and it was miserable! My problem is that I've started snoring (and thus not breathing) while WEARING my mask. I did get a new mask that doesn't leak and it's not as bad, but I'm still snoring.
But the sleep techs said since my original study was in 2005 I should do another split-night study. I didn't think that sounded too bad, so I didn't put up a fight about it. But trying to fall asleep hooked up in that whole apparatus with goop, tape, wires and belts made it so hard to sleep. Add in that I didn't have my mask on, which I've slept with nearly every night and nap for almost 4 years...
Well let's just say it was probably 3:30 before I really fell asleep. And then it seemed I woke up from not breathing every few minutes for the rest of the night. It was horrible! But since they didn't "catch" me not breathing until after 2am, they did the whole night without the mask.
So great. They've proven that I have sleep apnea. WE KNEW THIS ALREADY PEOPLE! Garg!
So today I'm completely wiped out, at an all day computer training (desperately trying not to doze off), and will have to go BACK again sometime to get the actual titration done to see if my machine is broken or if my pressure needs have increased.
I'd scream if I wasn't so damn tired.
They wouldn't share any information with me this morning at the sleep lab, and said it would be 3-5 business days before my doctor had the results. Perfect.
Anyone know how to increase your own pressure? Cause I'm seriously considering this.
Views: 1
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by PD Laire on
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I'd have skipped the sleep study and just increased the pressure settings myself from the beginning. correction, i would have trashed the machine you have now and invested in a fully data capable machine, then started to adjust the pressure settings.
Below are instructions for how to access the provider menu on the Respironics M Series Pro CPAP machines. I see you have a M Series Plus (the cheaper vesion). Anyway, the instructions should be more or less the same. Caution: before changing any of the settings on your machine, make sure you write down each and every pre-set setting so that if you make a mistake, you can change it back to the way it was.
1. Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the power on the back, wait for 2 beeps, release buttons.
2. Press the + key. <- -> buttons move to next field, -/+ keys decrement/increment
3. Check the following field(s):
-Therapy Mode = CPAP
-CPAP Pressure = NN (4 - 20 cm.)
-C-Flex Setting = (options are off, 1, 2 or 3)
-Ramp Time = (options are 05 to 45 min)
-Ramp Start Pressure = cm (Min. 4cm)
-Mask Alert Feature = On (On/Off)
-Auto Off Feature = Off (On/off)
-Show AHI/Leak Feature = On (On/Off)
Press On/Off button to exit.
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Permalink Reply by amott1973 on
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Thanks PD. I might just try that. I'm getting ready for bed now and I'm so looking forward to putting my mask on tonight. It was so horrible sleeping without it (or NOT sleeping I should say) last night.
I fortunately got a call today from the sleep lab scheduling a second night (WITH a mask). Apparently they gave the results to my doc today and he told them to get me in for another study with the mask ASAP. Unfortunately the earliest one available is June 3rd.
So if I feel really crappy I might try adjusting it myself.
I mean, can it hurt me if I push it up a point? Or would it just be uncomfortable and I'd know to switch it back down?
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go ahead and live on the wild side and push your pressure up on your own a point or two! i won't tell. promise ;-) and unless you have some serious respiratory illness going on other than apnea, i know of no way that doing so can do any harm whatsoever.
amott1973 said:Thanks PD. I might just try that. I'm getting ready for bed now and I'm so looking forward to putting my mask on tonight. It was so horrible sleeping without it (or NOT sleeping I should say) last night.
I fortunately got a call today from the sleep lab scheduling a second night (WITH a mask). Apparently they gave the results to my doc today and he told them to get me in for another study with the mask ASAP. Unfortunately the earliest one available is June 3rd.
So if I feel really crappy I might try adjusting it myself.
I mean, can it hurt me if I push it up a point? Or would it just be uncomfortable and I'd know to switch it back down?
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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If you continue to open your mouth raising your pressure is not going to help. If you are wearing a nasal mask your mouth might be opening while you sleep. If you have a full face mask it could be to tight. Both of these things would cause you to snore, and the machine to be ineffective. Also it is not the sleep techs fault that you did not qualify for a split study. We have to follow the rules set by the insurance companies otherwise you will have to pay for the study out of pocket. You guys have know idea what we go through to keep the expense in the pocket of the insurance companies. So many people think that we jump through insurance hoops because we are in bed with them. This is not true. We jump through these hoops so that the bill does not fall on you. I know it is frustrating for you and me , but it is the game we all have to play. Pd if your going to tell him to do something without medical supervision at least attempt to address every issue that might be ocurring. Show some respect for the medical professionals that do frequent this site and PM those messages. It is post like this that will turn sleep techs and other medical professionals away.
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Thanks Rock. I'm sure I'll feel a lot better after a night's sleep. I can understand the insurance aspect. But that's still frustrating. I guess because I feel like all we managed last night was to prove I have sleep apnea. It just feels like such a waste. I wasn't initially worried about it when they said we'd do the split night because I didn't realize how hard it would be to fall asleep without the mask on. Man, it was insanely hard! I am so happy I'll be able to wear my mask for the next one. I just wish it was sooner.
I'm still a little leary about messing with the pressure myself. And that's interesting to think it might just be me opening my mouth. I've never had that problem before when using my mask. I use the Swift (now the LT version) and even though I've always had to breathe thru my mouth night and day, for some reason I've been able to sleep and breathe thru my nose since day 1 with the Swift. Maybe that's changing though. It is peak allergy time, so that could also be a problem.
I'm glad to have this forum to ask questions and get a wide variety of responses. Especially from the techs, docs and experienced cpap users. I only know a few folks in RL who have apnea and not all of them are compliant. (Although I scared my mom by emailing her that video! Hopefully that'll be a wake up call for her.)
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No problem amott. If your nose is stuffy because of allergies you would open your mouth. The air has to go somewhere. Hang in there you will make it. Sorry I did not reply earlier. Usually things like this get answered very quickly. I will not let another post like this one slide by me again I promise.
I am not against self titration as long as your doctor knows. This is not because I don't think that anyone is smart enough. There are some people on this site that have way more knowledge than I do. I am not even against you having the clinical guide. I just think that a certain amount of education goes into finding it on your own. I don't believe that an open forum is the place to post it.
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I didn't mean to offend any sleep professionals on the site.
Rock Hinkle said:No problem amott. If your nose is stuffy because of allergies you would open your mouth. The air has to go somewhere. Hang in there you will make it. Sorry I did not reply earlier. Usually things like this get answered very quickly. I will not let another post like this one slide by me again I promise.
I am not against self titration as long as your doctor knows. This is not because I don't think that anyone is smart enough. There are some people on this site that have way more knowledge than I do. I am not even against you having the clinical guide. I just think that a certain amount of education goes into finding it on your own. I don't believe that an open forum is the place to post it.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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PD Laire, I'm so glad you included the admonition:
"Caution: before changing any of the settings on your machine, make sure you write down each and every pre-set setting so that if you make a mistake, you can change it back to the way it was."
That is so important for those accessing the Clinicians Menu for the first time!!!
I think most of us "oldie moldies" and at least some of our "pros", agree that its not the providing of the access to the Clinicians Menu, its the doing so in public where those newbies who haven't a clue yet to what is involved have access to that info. Some newbies are ready for it, others aren't. If you want to share the info it is just suggested that it be done via PM or private e-mail when you have some confidence in the responsibilty and readiness of the person in question.
Sometimes when we have a new "toy" we are more excited about being able to manipulate that "toy" than whether we know what we're doing when we manipulate it or not.
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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we all have to walk a fine line between advocating that patients make changes to their settings willy-nilly and that they be empowered enough to make informed choices, under their doctor's supervision, about managing their own therapy.
Judy said:PD Laire, I'm so glad you included the admonition:
"Caution: before changing any of the settings on your machine, make sure you write down each and every pre-set setting so that if you make a mistake, you can change it back to the way it was."
That is so important for those accessing the Clinicians Menu for the first time!!!
I think most of us "oldie moldies" and at least some of our "pros", agree that its not the providing of the access to the Clinicians Menu, its the doing so in public where those newbies who haven't a clue yet to what is involved have access to that info. Some newbies are ready for it, others aren't. If you want to share the info it is just suggested that it be done via PM or private e-mail when you have some confidence in the responsibilty and readiness of the person in question.
Sometimes when we have a new "toy" we are more excited about being able to manipulate that "toy" than whether we know what we're doing when we manipulate it or not.
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