I hope I can be helpfull and assist in answering questions and give some feedback. Both me and my husband are hoping to get more people involved, so they can hopefully get help and support when they need it.
Thanks for being so kind

i cannot have my deviated septum fixed and use the cpap so the ear nose and throat dr. said the best option is to loose enough weight that i may not need the cpap and then get it fixed. If you have the surgery done with the amount of deviation that ihave it will set you up for a perforated septum, and that is even worse...

As for why i would want more pressure, when I first started using it, it would sort of take my breath away when it kicked on full blast. I had to use it on the ramp setting to try and be asleep when it actually came on at my prescription level. Now i start it full blast and it just sort of feels like, "Well it's on..."

Do you work for this site or are you just another member? I have had an idea in the back of my brain for a couple of years now that I would like an answer to if anyone could give it to me...

A couple of years ago my now ex-mother-in-law had a problem where she could not eat due to pain. They ended up installing a system inside her body that provides electrical stimulation to her spinal cords and basically covers the pain receptors with what she would say was like a slight tingling in her stomach.

This along with the fact that in the 8O's I used to have this machine that you could hook up to major muscle groups to exercise your muscles. It was essentially a pad with a conductive gel that was attached on either side of a major muscle group. The current was very low but could be controlled to bring the muscle to full flexing. This technology has been used for years in chiropractors offices to strengthen the back of patients that cannot physically work their back out.

Long story short... The reason that sleep apnea occurs is that at night the muscles in the soft pallet relax and close off the air way. What is to keep a Dr. for using similar technology to that implanted in my mother-in-laws spine and implant the electrodes into that muscle tissue of the soft pallet. There for stimulating those muscles while we sleep keeping the airway open???

Have you ever heard of anything like that? I asked my Dr. About it last check-up and he sort of blew me off saying something about there is no technology out there like that for the throat, etc, etc, etc...

Thank you! I was diagnosed in April '08 so I am anxious to learn more about Sleep Apnea and gain from the experience of others.

Thank you again for the welcome.

Thanks, I hope to get some help with some of the issues I've experienced. I feel like I need to read the articles first, but right now my main problem is not getting the humid air right. I get condensate in the hose and nasal pillow system, and it wakes me up. I've knitted a cover for the hose since we sleep in a cool bedroom, but that hasn't cured the problem.

Thank you for the greetings!!! I have not thought about any type of sleep study at this time. I have been waking myself up at night snoring. This all just started in the last few months. I am in the learning stages right now on what it is all about. I am beginning to think I may need to drop a few pounds since I recently gained some weight when this all started. My husband said I snore so loud I wake him up as well. It is not funny anymore and now I am worried with all the other health related issues. I have decided to make an appointment with my family doctor to discuss this further. Thanks again!!

Thanks! I never heard of this site!

Thanks sleepycarol

My specialty is Sleep (generally), but specifically Natural Solutions for Insomnia. My mission is to do the legwork for insomniacs and broadcast it through my websites, sleep seminars, expert interviews and case study interviews.

There's a lot of work to do, even though I have been out there already in Australia for about 8 years.. I'm kicking up the gears big time in 2009 (yes, it rhymes!).

I am contribute by getting the experts' messages out there (some experts aren't promoting themselves properly) ... and finding information that isn't seeing the light of day (so to speak).

There's so much noise on sleep, no wonder no-one's getting to sleep ... if I hear the word coffee again!

Sweet dreams
Elizabeth

no insurance and don't meet the financial guidelines by just a little. I have been diagnosed with right side congestive heart failure back in August at the hospital. Still no help.

Yes I have I just haven't gone to the Dr. to get it going not sure really how I would go about it.

I have had a study and am going back to be fitted for some type of CPAP soon.

I have the Respironics REMstar Plus M Series CPAP with C-Flex, Humidifier and SmartCard with OPTILIFE MULTISIZE CPAP MASK. It's the best mask yet. I also love that the cpap is so small. I want to buy a snuggie for the tubing.

hello, thank you for emailing me the info., i appreciate it very much. this sunday i will go for the cpap treatment study., i went for the first one., now they are trying this cpap to see if it helps. i am not sure which they will use., it will be done in a sleep center., i will mention what you said., and see what they tell me., all i know is i feel horrible., i am 50yrs old and really exausted. i hope this helps., thank you ., keep in touch., donna lyn

It is a REMstar Pro with C-Flex CPAP from Respironics with a humidifier. I am also sending her my ComfortLite Nasal Mask from Respironics. I including some spare Nasal parts but I do not know if they will fit her. If you know of anyone that might have spare Nasal fittings that she might need that would be great.
Thanks
Rich

It also has a smart card included

SleepyCarol, I have a Bipap Auto M series now. How can I find out what my pressure settings are set to now ?
Thanks Rich

Thanks, I do most of my emails later on in the day since I don't get much sleep at night due to other issues since the accident. I avg appox 3 hr a night broken sleep.

Rich

Dear Sleepycarol, thank you for the time that you have being in touch with my daugthers problem. Yesterday we arrived from the hospital. We spend 3 days. The doctor made a lot of exams to her and the diagnostic is that she has epilepsy. Thank you for support me during the days I didn´t know what my little girs has. You are a wonderful person and maybe we could keep in touch, so I can Know how are you and I can tell you what is happening with the epilepsy of my daugther. Thank You. Mayra

Iv'e only had my "Sandman" for a few months, but I wouldn't give it up for anything. I use it religously and can't imagine going back to the nights I had before I got it.

use breathe right nasal strips open your nose it help

Carol, Thanks so much for the links. They work great and they have so good info. If a person owns the machine I don't know why they won't give us this info when we get it. I am not sure what the secret is all about.
Thanks Rich

did two sleep studies, the last one with cpap, waiting to hear results and get Rx for cpap. Waiting is daunting, knowing I have it and can't do anything about it (yet). Sometimes I worry going to sleep and not waking up (altho they told me I had mild to moderate sleep apnea). I want to get the best equipment available out there, liked the nasal pillows the best. but oh! my nose!

Hi! You asked me why my loved isn't receiving treatment and I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to get back to you. The reason he isn't being treated is by his choice. He's stubborn. He had a machine with a mask that he liked, and the mask isn't made anymore, he tried some others but doesn't like them. This has been a couple of years ago and we can't get him to go back to see about any of the new designs.

Hi Carol! I'm a Respiratory Therapist (15 years) and A Registered Sleep Tech (9 years). After working in the hospital, I began working at a sleep center and really enjoyed it. Now, I do respiratory home care, focusing on O2 and CPAP/BiPAP pts - initial set-up, instruction, and follow up care.
Have a good day!
Kristen

thanks! which companies make those apaps?

No, I totally understand the "discouragement" issues, especially as it pertains to the pt's relationship with their provider - there are some really disreputable companies out there, and some not so good employees working for them. Unfortunately, with Medicare cutbacks, I feel that you will see this situation more often than not, as companies will not invest in therapists to set up their equipment, and instead rely on drivers or equipment techs who have little to no knowledge of the disease or it's treatment. Which means NO follow up care, let alone proper fitting/instruction on the equipment.
It is great to see that you are taking a proactive role in your treatment. I hardly ever see this in my pt's, even with the follow up care that we provide. Too many people start treatment with the mindset that they "won't be able to take it", and defeat themselves before they even give the therapy a chance, and the machine ends up in the back of their closet. I also wish that more physician's were familiar with sleep apnea, so that they can provide support for their pt's. Many don't even know that their pt is using a CPAP, let alone be able to make adjustments or suggestions to better tolerate treatment! The relationship between a pt and their MD has to be a trusting one, and if the MD is unaware of what a PAP device is, or ignorant of their pt's use of CPAP and what the consequences of non-compliance are, then I feel that it is more likely that the pt won't use CPAP.
I love it when I hear from my pts that they feel so much better now that they're on C/BiPAP, and that they're "living again". It is one of the most rewarding aspects of this field, and I am glad to read some of these posts that say that exact thing. I am also willing to help those that I am able to via this forum!
I am always looking for forums to suggest to my pts, and will suggest this one.

of course I am interested, thank you!

How true is that, I can understand why about some who might change there pressures on their own. I have a good sleep study center that will work with you, they even have given me a free sample mask that they get from the suppliers.

SIDS is basically the same as some Apnea that my husband has. Minor problem his back of his tongue is too thick. Main problem I learned on our wedding night he stops breathing. After 3 sleep studies we learned that the portion of his brain that tells him to breath at times forgets to tell him. Our insurance paid almost all of the 7 thousand dollars his bi-pap cost and it knows when his brain has forgotten to tell him to breath and forces breaths into him until his brain takes back over.
I thought I was always exhausted because I spent 23 years poking him to keep him alive . His doctor never once suggested a sleep study. So , I called and told him .
We loved our grand daughter , Taylor was a beautiful girl. She was healthy and fat. We kept she and her sister Wytney Marie while their parents worked and then the kids had a key to our apartment and would take them out of their beds sleeping back home.

This is our beloved Taylor Skye Binkley , fantastically healthy and fat, happy grandbaby

Our 37 year old son that lives with us is on a C-Pap with humidifier and Medicade paid for all of it for him. He is a surviving twin and has multi problems so was covered under Crippled Children's until 18 , then medicade .
I am also on a C-Pap after not getting up to speed once my husband and son were on theirs. I had issues of a mask on my face, but love my pillow- c-pap and again it cost us about 200 bucks after BC/BS paid and they pay for my filters and everything.
So, there are ways

Wow, thanks sleepycarol! That's a lot of info, I'll definitely look into that. I want the best I can get, so I can be proactive in my treatment.

Thanks for the welcome sleepycarol. My husband says I need to have a sleep study done.
Bonnie

Thanks..
I'm new here.

We're about an hour (give or take depending on traffic) north of Manila in the province of Pampanga. I'm actually writing this right now from California. We spent the Holidays here and we're leaving on the 26th and will be back home on the 28th.

Thanks for the comment Sleepy Carol. I was 'officially' diagnosed with complex sleep apnea about a year and a half ago but knowing what I know now I realize that it explains issues for my entire life.
I use a vpap and a full face mask . I can say without reservation that I really dislike wearing the mask but what can you do? I know I need the nasal surgery but time is an issue.

Well, I really like it when the mask is good. I don't know how to explain it, but I've had it replaced a few times, and the last time, it just seemed like it doesn't do as well as the others--no matter what, I can't seem to get it adjusted to comfort level. When it's good, it's really good, but when it's bad, it's just awful. Overall, though, I would recommend it.

I've had the M Series auto with A-Flex for just about a year now. I love it! I like the A-Flex setting very much. I know you from another forum and appreciate your comments there.
I just found this one and here you are!
I need to get familiar with the set up here.

YES,BUT I HAVE NO INSURANCE??? THE CLINIC I GO TO MIGHT HELP ME ,BUT NOT SURE

Thank you. Interesting site. Didn't realize there was so much information on CPAP.

I do not have the machine anymore it found its way to the trash. I only tried the one mask, tried it about 30 days.

i ordered a face-chin-sling that is supposed to keep my mouth closed so I won't snore.

Yes, it has a cat5 port, but i've never known how to use it. I have a PC with XP home. Is it possible to adjust the pressure via the data cable? I know D.I.Y. is at least frowned upon, but needs must when the devil does.....

Thank you SleepyCarol. You are so kind. I came across this thru Facebook and I was just diagnosed with Sleep Apnea 2 months ago and I feel a difference already. I can't believe how many years I did not sleep and I didn't know the dangers until now. I need to check this site out better. Thank you for the welcome. You are sweet, Elizabeth

never got any software. )c=

If the people that sold me the bill of goods - and the gear weren't playing the "show me the money" game i'd ask them fopr it. My CPAP machine is a Puritan Bennett GoodKnight 4208. I'd also like to see what the machine could tell me about my sleep patterns, if that is possible. I'm just groping in the dark about this stuff.

Thank You Carol for the warm welcome. I was diagnosed about six months ago. I cannot get through a whole night with the mask on I feel like I'm suffocating. I can no longer drive because of falling asleep at the wheel. I found this site through Facebook. Looking for help and support.

Hi Carol,
I'm promoting that Sleep Apnea individuals use an Austin Air cleaner in the bedroom, plus a CPAP. AUstin Air makes excellent bedroom air cleaners. Check 'em out at www.austinair.com.

Hi Carol. Thanks for asking how I am doing. I am actually in a huge Lupus Flare and not feeling so good. Don't know how much you know about Lupus, but it is an auto-immune disease that attacks various organs in the body "at will" - pretty hard to live with at times. I have numerous illnesses and am pretty much homebound most of the time. Am currently waiting for approval for Social Security Disability (SSD).
I love the SleepGuide site and am trying to help anyone I can with my limited knowledge and also to gain more knowledge for myself. Together we can ALL make a difference in many people's lives - and that is what it is all about.
Just this week, I donated my original C-PAP to a friend of a friend, and that gave me great joy to be able to help someone else that needed a C-PAP that I had that was already paid for, as it was not the machine I need.
I have "Central Sleep Apnea" and require the newer high tech Respironics Bi-PAP Auto Sv and it is really helping me tremendously.
I really appreciate all the info and inputs you post on this site. Feel free to contact me at any time. Here is my personal email: melodieamorris@hotmail.com
I will be receiving my new nasal mask on Monday - so after I receive it, I will make a new Discussion about it and let everyone know all about it.
I always look forward to reading your posts on the site - you are VERY helpful.
Thanks much and I hope you are doing well yourself.
Melodie (Mel)

Thanks for giving me more input on yourself also Carol. I, too, am a recovering alcoholic and still use the AA principles. If you think about it, the AA principles actually DO apply to everyone!
I love this group and am so glad I stumbled across it and have become so involved.
I just replied to a couple of discussions since writing back to you.
I love to see your replies as they usually apply to me and some of the things I am going through.
Hope you sleep well tonight my friend!
Mel

I've been on the hose since early October.

Thanks for the nice welcome. I am an EMS Educator and feel that EMTs and Paramedics should be aware of the problems associated with sleep apnea and the equipment used to help.