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!!!
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!
Judy
Jan 22, 2009
Judy
Jan 22, 2009
sleepycarol
Hope you find it useful and will feel free to post your thoughts and comments.
Jan 22, 2009