Hi Judy

Thanks for all of your help. You seem to have a good understanding of ResMed equioment nomenclature which still has my head spinning. I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that short of reading the machine's display there is no other way to get data from the machine. Wouldn't a wireless connection, or even a USB port, be nice. But eventually I would like to get a newer machine which would give me the ability to examine my sleep data.

I have been on BiPap for two year since beiing diagnosed with "severe" OSA. They therapy has been like having the aging process reversed. I have energy again! But I suspect I really don't need 18 blowing into my body all night long and bloating me like a balloon. I believe there is technology out there that will adjust to my needs as I sleep.

Thanks again, Tom

Wow! Quite a welcome to this forum, Judy. Didn't realize I'd be under a microscope about the brand or style of my CPAP machine. My question was, and still is along the lines of getting advice about entering the field of Polysomnography, without having to become an RT first. Also, by the way, my CPAP machine is a rem-star auto from Respiratronics. I yse a medium size nose mask, and my pressure setting has wavered between 8-12 over the past year:)

Thanks for the great idea. In fact, I have in mind to bring back Chip and Brian to talk about xPAP machines, to complement their great talk on masks (if they're willing).

I'll have someone check on your order to make sure you got the recording. If you don't hear from us in 1-2 days, please let me know.

You're very welcome. Sorry it went so long, but it was worth it. What other topic related to sleep apnea are you interested in hearing about?

Hi Judy, Thanks for the info. I thought the CPAP S8 Elite was an automatic machine. Oh well, LOL.
Maybe this explains why this morning I woke up with the tube completely disconnected from the machine. This makes me feel that I'd better get the S9 auto-set.

I'm very lucky. The electrical current for Taiwan and the States is the same. Judy, I have another question. I've been using the ResMed APAP S8 Elite feeling my nose was dry. Should I increase the humidity level. By the way, I'm a mouth breather. My friend says that the dry nose could be caused by it having to work for the first time. Thanks for any suggestions, Kim

Thanks Judy for responding. You asked if I will have to pay out of pocket for the CPAP machine and the answer is yes. Also I'm definitely getting an APAP machine. The Apex CPAP machine that I tried before the ResMed caused problems. I'd wake up more than once during the night, feeling like I was suffocating. I think the ResMed demo machine I’m using is the one you recommend. I really like it. However, one of the reasons why I'm considering the S9 is the climate control feature. This is a concern because Taiwan, gets really humid in the summer and damp in the winter. For example, one morning I woke up and the mask was full of water. I’ve been told that the humidifier has been improved on in the S9 series.
All CPAP machines are double the price in Taiwan. When I asked the local ResMed sales rep why it was so expensive, he said because they give more service in Taiwan. Unfortunately, there’s no way to check up on this. He said, they constantly monitor the readings on the machine and come and adjust the machine. Because of the high price and the fact that the CPAP.com operator said they don’t have problems with ResMed machines, I’ve pretty much decided to buy online CPAP.com. What do you know about CPAP.com? I like the fact that they answer calls after I get to work and they will ship to Taiwan (I’m sure at a premium price).
Thanks Judy for all your help,
Kim

It still will be worth your while to check out your other DME options. One or more of them may well have a good RRT willing to help you. Its gonna be a tough road to hoe for you I think as most masks have a lower strap that goes around the back of your neck at the base of the skull. Of course, I haven't seen EVERY mask and its headgear.

I wonder if the PAPCap would be of any help in this regard? Try a google search on it and see if it looks like it might help to avoid a lower strap around the back of the neck at the base of the skull.

I wonder too if maybe Karen (Padacheeks) has something or could come up w/something to pad that area for you. She's been known to custom make things and her prices are always reasonable. Try a google search on Padacheeks for her website

Or search the forum members list for Padacheeks as that is the ID she uses.

Judy,

I'm responding to a message you left for me on January 29th. I jsut saw it again and saw my lame answer. I intend to call the Pulmonologist's office tomorrow and ask why I haven't received anything in writing from him. He siad I would but I've been slow in calling his office to find out wehre it is.

I did call my insurance company and they gave me names of several other DME's they cover. Unfortunately they don't cover the one my Sleep Tech thinks is the best.

I am at my wit's end. I slept well for two nights in a row and thought I was out of the woods but last night, the back of my head, where I have arthritis and the top of my face, above the eyebrows hurt so badly that I took the mask off for several hours. Later I put it back on but al in all, I don't think it's the right mask for me.

I know, due to some strange problem with my sinuses, especially my left one that the only mask I can handle is the nasal masks that are vented. My DME rep was the one who gave me my choice between two masks. She's a very difficult, disagreeable person with whom to speak and I haven't called her at all, although I intend to write a letter and also tell both my PCP and my Pulmon about her. I will also register a complaint to my insurance company about the firm.

I am stuck with the mask but I think that I may go out-of-network and use the firm that my Sleep Tech recommended and see if they can find a better mask for me or at least help me so that my forehead and the back of my neck don't ache constantly.

I'm on pain management for Inflammatory Osteoarthritis, a delightful combination of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. My neck hasn't hurt like this in a long time. I'm sure there are other masks for me to try.

I've been rather laid back about all this, which is not my style, but I've had other matters, like my recalled Toyota, to deal with but now I can give it my full attention.

I thank you for all your help and suggestions!

Judy,

I feel like I'm totally in the dark. I tried this mask just one night, at home, and the pain in my sinueses and the headache was horrible.

The DME now says she'll order the mask I was using, with no problems, in the Sleep Lab. I've let the doctor's office know what's going on.

What I don't understand is why I don't have a copy of my report and know what pressure I need, etc. I'm quite disgusted at this point.

Thanks for the information.

I should learn a lot from this site.

Of course, the lower your leak rate the better, but a leak rate under 0.4 L/s or 24 L/M is considered okay. A Leak rate over 40 L/M can distort your data. My math is not good enough to "translate" that 40 L/M to L/s (L/M = litres per minute and L/s = litres per second). Yes, the data is derived from your sleep time.

Why not white out your IDing info and post your printout so we can better understand and answer your questions.

Thanks for that, Judy. My daily results are given as L/s for leaks, HI, AI, and AHI are just numbers with no indication of the time involved. Are they all derived from the time I sleep, or is some other math involved? And the printed info I get is for a number of days with a number for each category, I take these to be averages. Is that correct? Any input you can give will help figure this out. I've been on CPAP for two months and I know it has helped me, but I really want to be able to make sense of the data, rather than just to see it go up or down Thanks again.

Sure. But you will need to PM me your e-mail address.

Thank you, Judy, you've been a blessing.

Judy, I will be speaking about the role of Sleep Apnea and Psychology in the April AWAKE group in NYC. Lisa Brateman

Hey Judy,

Our company uses ResMed CPAP, VPAP S, VPAP Auto, and VPAP Auto 25. We also have Fisher & Paykel Sleepstyle200 CPAP units. I am a firm believer that patients and their families need to be educated about their therapy to get the most out of it. Any questions you have, please don't hesitate to ask!

Hi Judy, nice to meet you. I'm glad to see that you are so active in your treatment for your OSA. I wish I could treat more patients like yourself. I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist who works in Akron, OH @ a company called Visiting Nurse Service Equipment & Supply. I just started working there about 2.5 months ago. Prior to this, I have worked in hospitals for the last 5.5 years in which 2 of them was being a Clinical Instructor for The Univ of Akron's Respiratory Therapy program. If there is anything I can ever help you with please do not hesitate to ask.