Comment

Comment by sleepycarol on February 23, 2009 at 8:56pm

Most of us have had to struggle getting our deductibles met in getting our treatment. My sleep study was done in 2007 and my insurance covered 80% after my deductible was met.

A suggestion would be to find a good used machine -- try craigslist, cpapauction.com, local flea markets, etc. Place an ad in your local paper -- there maybe one in your own community that someone will let you have cheap. You will still have to purchase a mask. These are not part of the cpap, but are purchased separately. You maybe able to find a set up for practically nothing up to a few hundred dollars.

I have been told that your script is good for life. Try the pharmacy that might take payments -- you might be surprised.

Good luck.

Comment by Judy on February 23, 2009 at 8:43pm

Hi Everyone!

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea March of 2008. At that time I was unsuccessful in completing the test with a CPAP due to the fact I freaked out with the mask on my face, I just could not do it. This broke my heart, as I really do struggle every day and night with my problem. This past August of 2008, I went back to the Doctor to see what else they could offer me, not surgery, and he suggested I take the machine home with me to try on my own for a few weeks, (not in a lab setting), were I would be more comfortable. Unfortunately, when I took the prescription to the Pharmacy, they required, $500 up front just for me to try the machine for 3 weeks! I do not have extra cash like that, but that is my deductible with my insurance. I know I am dying a slow death here, I am thinking about trying another pharmacy, a friend told me would work with me on a payment plan, but I am afraid they will think the prescription is to old? I cannot stay awake during the day, falling asleep at my desk on the job, falling a sleep the second I get still and sit anywhere! Cannot sleep at night, wake up constantly, even fall asleep sitting up right in bed, it is horrible. What other things can anyone suggest to help other than surgery and CPAP machines? My Doctors, both MD and Sleep Specialist, have no one they would recommend for surgery, seem to have a grim outlook on it. Any advice on things that would help? Thanks for reading.

Comment by Patricia Heinze on January 29, 2009 at 9:48am

I'm not sure what it is. If I do have air in the stomach that might explain this feeling. I have an appointment with the Sleep Study team in March - they usually see me every 6 months. I use 3 pillow to help raise the head of the bed. My pressure starts out at 4 and goes to 9 and I don't think that is really too high. I just don't like the feeling I've been getting with the machine. I've been to a cardiologist and have had chest x-rays and a stress test and they were okay. I really need to start using the machine again because that is the only way I get a good night's sleep.

Comment by sleepycarol on January 29, 2009 at 8:09am

Is it your lungs or could it be that you are actually experiencing a stomach full of air that is pushing against the diaphragm?

I know that I experienced some of the air in the stomach and it felt like it was hard to breathe. Some find that it helps to take an anti-gas med and others do not find relieve in this -- so it is trial and error. Others find by raising the head of the bed helps. Raise it about 4 inches and see if that helps.

What is your pressure?

Comment by Mike on January 29, 2009 at 5:22am

Patricia,

I haven't experienced the feeling of lungs being full in the morning. It's possible that your pressure settings are too high. Do you have a data card that you can look at/share with us?

Mike

Comment by Patricia Heinze on January 29, 2009 at 12:50am

Well - it's 12:30 a.m. and I can't sleep. Didn't use the machine tonight because it's been bothering me. I wake up in the morning and feel like my lungs are full of air. Is that common to feel that way? It's so hard to explain. I'm dreading going back to bed right now. Debating whether to try it again. Not in a really good mood right now. Sorry I'm venting.

Comment by sleepycarol on January 25, 2009 at 4:21pm

I didn't write the following definitions but "borrowed" them from another site. Snoredog on cpaptalk.com wrote these -- or at least posted them. I would like to give him credit for this wonderful list.

DEFINITIONS:
APNEA = cessation of airflow for 10 seconds or greater.
HYPOPNEA =>50% decrease in airflow for 10 seconds or greater with a decrease in oxygen saturation of >3%.
APNEA/HYPOPNEA INDEX (AHI) = apnea plus (+) HYPOPNEA/hour of sleep.
RESPIRATORY AROUSAL INDEX (RAI) = AHI +snoring related EEG arousals/hour of sleep.
AHI/RAI** Scale =<5 events /hour = (none); 5-15 events/hour = (mild); 15-30 events/hour = (moderate); >30 events/hour = (severe).
Respiratory related sleep fragmentation: Sleep arousals due to respiratory events or snoring.
Desaturation = Drop in O2 oximetry distribution saturation by 3% below average saturation.
SaO2 scale: >89%=(none); 85-89%=(mild);80-84%=(moderate); <80% (severe).
EPWORTH SLEEPINESS SCALE =<10=(does not indicate EDS (Excessive Daytime Somnolence));10-15=(indicates daytime somnolence-not excessive);>16 (indicates EDS).
RESPIRATORY EFFORT RELATED AROUSALS (RERAs)=Sleep Arousals due to respiratory events characterized by pressure flow limitations in the airflow indicator channel without significant O2 desaturations.
StageIII and StageIV are combined and referred to as Deep Sleep.
Sleep Efficiency = Normal is >80%
As established by AASM/ABSM 1999.

Normal Sleep Architecture:
Stage1: 5%
Stage2: 50%
Stage3: 10%
Stage4: 10%
Stage REM: 25%

Stage3&4, REM decrease as we age.


Stuff seen on a PSG Report:

Arousal: An interruption of sleep lasting greater than 3 seconds.

BR Arousal index: The number of breathing related arousals(apnea, hypopnea, snoring & RERAs)multiplied by the # hours of sleep.

Bruxism: Grinding of the teeth.

Central apnea: A respiratory episode where there is no airflow and no effort to breathe lasting greater than 10 seconds.

EEG/EOG: Comments about sleep stages, brain waves (EEG), or eye movements (EOG)

EKG/ECG: Comments about heart rate, abnormal heart beats, etc.

EMG: Comments about leg movements and or teeth grinding (bruxism).

Hypopnea: A respiratory episode where there is partial obstruction of the airway lasting greater than 10 seconds. Also called partial apnea or hypo-apnea.

Non-supine: Sleeping in any position other than on the back.

NSR: Normal sinus rhythm.

NPSG: Nocturnal Polysomnogram, or sleep study.

(#)Number of Awakenings: The number of pages scored as wake after sleep onset.

Obstructive apnea: A respiratory episode where there is a complete cessation of airflow lasting greater than 10 seconds.
PLMs: Periodic limb movements.

PLM arousal index: The number of periodic limb movements that cause arousals multiplied by the number of hours of sleep.

PSGT: Polysomnographic technologist.

REM latency: Latency to REM(dreaming) from sleep onset.

RERAs: Respiratory effort related arousals. Episodes that are not apneas or hypopneas, often related to loud snoring, that generally do not cause a decrease in oxygen saturation.

Respiratory: Any specific comments about respiratory events.

RPSGT: Registered polysomnographic technologist.

Sleep efficiency: Total sleep time multiplied by time in bed.

Sleep latency: The first 30 seconds (one `epoch' of recording time) of sleep.

Sleep onset: The first 90 seconds (3 `epochs) of uninterrupted sleep.

Sleep stage shifts: The number of incidents of sleep stage changes.

Snoring intensity: Level of snoring loudness determined by the sleep technologist. Ranging in degrees from mild to very loud snoring.

Spontaneous arousal index: The number of spontaneous arousals (e.g. arousals not related to respiratory events, limb movements, snoring, etc) multiplied by the number of hours of sleep.

Stage 1: The lightest stage of sleep. Transitional stage from wake. top

Stage 1 shifts: The number of times the sleep stage changed to stage 1.

Stage 2: The first true stage of sleep.

Stages 3/4: The deepest, most restorative sleep.

Stage REM: The dreaming stage; Normally occurs every 60-90 minutes.

Supine: Sleeping on back.

Time in bed: The time in the study from `Lights Out' to `Lights On'.

Total arousal index: Total number of all arousals multiplied by the number of hours of sleep.

Total # of PLMs: The number of leg movements in sleep that last greater than 0.5 seconds.

Total sleep time: Total time asleep.

WASO: Wakefulness after sleep onset.

WNL: Within normal limits.

Comment by sleepycarol on January 8, 2009 at 8:18am

We want to welcome all newcomers!!

This is the place to learn more about your therapy.

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