Julie Gorres

Female

Benson, MN

United States

Profile Information:

My Interest in Sleep Apnea
I have Sleep Apnea
Treatment Being Used, if any
CPAP
If Machine Being Used, What Type? (e.g., Respironics M Series with A-Flex Auto-Adjusting CPAP)
Respironics
If Mask Being Used, What Type? (e.g., ResMed Activa Nasal Mask)
ResMed

Comment Wall:

  • Judy

    Welcome to the forum, Julie. How long have you been using CPAP therapy for your OSA? I have just the opposite equipment of you, I have a Resmed VPAP and use a Respironics mask. :-D I was in MN not too long ago - while the weather was still fairly decent. No need to share you cold and snow w/the rest of us!!!
  • Judy

    Hey, my first 30 nights on CPAP were THE WORST 30 nights of sleep I didn't get in my entire life - except my two titration studies. Yeah, TWO titrations. I only slept 42 minutes out of 6 hours bed time my first titration which wasn't enough so they had me come back for a second titration. I only slept 98 minutes out of 6 hours bed time that second titration. BUT they figured that was enough and set me up w/a Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR. After 30 nights trying to sleep w/that mask I complained to my sleep lab (had a LOUSY local DME supplier) and based on the data from my Elite (its fully data capable - not just compliance data) they upped my pressure by 1 cm. Then I saw SOME improvement, but not enough so I complained to the sleep lab again. That resulted in another 1 cm raise in pressure. Again some minor improvement - but NOT ENOUGH. So - not being bashful, I complained to the sleep lab AGAIN and this time insisted I wanted a loaner APAP which the sleep doctor scripted. Another 1 cm raise in pressure. I figure I've been thru about 12-13 masks before finding my beloved Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion. Ahhhh. FINALLY I was getting some decent sleep. Not great, but decent sleep. And THAT was my mistake. I was satisfied w/decent sleep for much too long before I complained to the sleep lab again and based on the data from the Elite they FINALLY brought me in for another titration and I was switched to this Resmed VPAP Auto bi-level. NOW I'm getting GOOD sleep. Sheesh! Hey, the docs (or DME supplier's RT - if - you are lucky enough to get a good or at least decent one - can't help you if they don't know you have a problem. And if you make them aware you are having problems and they don't help - dump them!!! Find someone who DOES care and WILL help. A lot of my problem was my high Leak rate. But when I'd ask about it I was told these xPAPs can compensate quite nicely for high leaks. Yeah, right. They can - to a limited degree. Once I finally added a Respironics 302175 chin strap I started getting some 0.0 leak rates and most always w/in the compensable leak parameters. Its been a long haul but well worth it!!!! Hang in there. Don't be bashful. Ask for help here and push your sleep professionals for help as well. Good luck!
  • sleepycarol

    Welcome to the forum!!

    Hope you find it useful and will feel free to post your thoughts and comments.