Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on February 21, 2010 at 6:39am

Sonia have your pressures been re-evaluate since the loss of the weight? If not a re-titration may be in order for you.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sonia S. on February 21, 2010 at 12:19pm

Hi Brian,

I think you may be right. I didn't think that the distance between the bridge of my nose to my chin wouldn't change much even with such a drastic weight loss. So I'll definitely be trying to get a smaller mask as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Sonia

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sonia S. on February 21, 2010 at 12:20pm

Hi Rock,

How are my pressures evaluated? What is a titration test?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike on February 21, 2010 at 1:09pm

Sonia -- the pressure settings that are appropriate for you are determined during the so-called titration test. This is similar to any overnight sleep study -- you sleep in a lab hooked up to a lot of machinery/wires. The difference in a titration test is that you're using the CPAP while you get the test and the sleep tech is remotely adjusting the pressure settings on the machine to see how you respond to each incremental change. Once you're no longer throwing any apneas or hypopneas, and you're getting the proper stage sleep, that's the setting that they recommend you be on (i think the sleep doctor technically has to write a prescription based on these study findings).. make sense?

Sonia S. said:

Hi Rock,

How are my pressures evaluated? What is a titration test?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on February 21, 2010 at 1:23pm

Great explanation Mike.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sonia S. on February 21, 2010 at 1:38pm

Thanks for the explanation, Mike. I only had one sleep study done and wasn't told to go back to the sleep clinic for any other tests. At the sleep study I stayed overnight and from that was prescribed the correct air pressure setting for my CPAP machine. It's set at 9.0 cmH2O, which sometimes feels like it might be a little low. The first couple of days of first using the machine when I got it the air pressure felt high but I quickly got used to it. I will ask about getting a titration test when I speak to the doctor.

Thanks again,
Sonia

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Judy on February 22, 2010 at 6:01pm

Sonia, I am assuming you spent one night in the sleep lab all wired up and part way thru the night they brought in a mask and you spent the rest of the night w/a mask on and the CPAP turned on? They call that a split-night study, the part of the study where you wear the mask and they use the CPAP for you is what is called the titration.

You might want to try the ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face mask. It is very light weight and has no forehead piece. I've had excellent luck w/the Small. I never could get the Quattro's thin cushion outer cover to stop slicing into the bridge of my nose.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sonia S. on February 22, 2010 at 9:27pm

Hi Judy,

I have trouble remembering if it was a split-night study since I only remember the time I spent at the clinic trying to sleep with the uncomfortable mask on. I don't think I sleep more than a few minutes and was afraid the results wouldn't be too helpful. Was surprised that the sleep tech was able to get the results needed for a proper diagnoses and prescription of the right PAP pressure. I forgot what he told me, but I think he said I had many apnea episodes per hour. Don't remember if I was monitored without the mask on.

Thanks for the mask suggestion. Will look for info on that brand. I hate that the mask I wear now leaves dents on my skin and appear to be causing permanent wrinkles on the side of my mouth. Just what I need! Sigh!

Take care,
Sonia

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page