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.

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...

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 had to look it up, i am using the REMStar Pro with the additional humidifier. I do not know what the style of mask is that I am using. I use a full face mask because I have a deviated septum and cannot use the nasal mask. i have been on Therapy for about 3 years and my Cpap is set at 10, I would like for it to be higher...

Hello Carol,

I manage a sleep lab, score studies, educate patients on the results of their studies( since many dr's will not or are not able to properly interpret a study and relay it back so patients can understand what is actually going on). Me and my husband are also contracted with a company to deliver CPAP machines to patients homes and educate them on the machine and use of CPAP. We go above and beyond what other DME's are doing. I have been reading many stories on this site about the poor service that is given and I'm very proud of the what we do. It's great to see the support given on this site and I'm very excited to be part of it.

No I have not thought about a sleep study. This is my first info I have found on the matter. I never really thought I had a problem, except with snoring. My husband is always telling me that I wake my self up with my snoring, but now I know better.. What is sleep study??

Thanks for the welcome, carol, I've been on a cpap for just about a year now...can still remember quite clearly the first time I used it, however, and would never go back to life without it.
I come from a family of olympic class snorers: real window-rattlers. My daughter once complained about my keeping her awake and her room is in the basement!
Anyway, I've just found this group and will lurk around for a bit, it's nice to find some fellow "darth vaders"....

Carol, thank you for answer me so fast. Next Friday she will be in a hospital for 24 hours, so the doctor can make all the studies, we do not have a diagnostic yet, but all these seems to be a problem when she is asleep. I¨m really worried about all these. I will tell you what she has when teh doctor give us the results. But I´m really afraid because is the first time she can not breath

I need that somebody answer my question. I´m new in this page and I don´t know how to use it. My daughter is 8 years old and she has a sleeping problem, she wakes up but her brain don´t. This morning she got one epidose like this, she was shaking (involuntarie moves) but she could not breath, its the first time that something like this happen. Somebody can tell me what I have to do

Thanks Carol,
I see you post quite a bit over on cpaptalk. I can not tell you enough how helpful these forums are for people with OSA. I can not believe how little help you get from your Dr. , DME, or RT.

If it were not for these forums what would all these people do. I read these posts and I get crazy thinking about all these people with no where to turn. I myself, am having a pretty tuff go of it, it seems somedays I sleep well and then the next couple of days are rough. I guess it will just take some time.
I have had my machine about 25 days now and I have not spoken to anyone but the guys and girls over on cpaptalk. Can you believe that not a doctor 's office call to ask if you are doing OK ??? NOTHING.

Well thanks for the greeting,
Stay and sleep well.

Jerry

I was just diagnosed last month and just did the cpap study at the sleep center last Saturday, so don't even think my doctor has the results from that test.
Had a hard time adjusting to any of the masks. Any suggestions of questions to ask my doctor is most appreciated. Thank you for the welcome!

I did not realize that until I read information on this site. I frequently awaken with a severe headache. Sometimes they go away, but most times they worsen. I have difficulty concentrating and have word finding problems. I'll keep you updated.

I have thought about it. A little history... My late husband snored like a freight train - he slept with cpap after having a very revealing sleep study. Fast forward... I have remarried and my new husband wakes me all night long because I'm snoring. I never knew I snored. I have gained about 30 pounds that I can't shed - which doesn't help and I have frequent headaches and constant fatigue. So, I know I need one and will likely have one in the coming month (new insurance). Evidently, I snore in any position and without any consistancy - I snore for awhile then I don';t, Not necessarily every breath.

Thanks!

HI,thanks for the welcome! I have been on cpap for a little over a year. My cpap says "Compact" on the top of it and S8 on the right hand bottom top. I love my cpap and can't even imagine sleeping without it. It truly changed my life.

Carol, I wish I knew the answers to your questions and realized that not only do I know the answers but the last time I was tested was in the mid 1990's. I really need to connect with some one here to get tested again! Thanks for asking the questions. As to how I lost weight? I went to my local hospital's wellness center to a Non-surgical Weight Loss Program. The program emphasizes exploration of eating behavior, nutrition, and fitness. The program is saving my life, literally. I hope this is helpful. Jan

sounds like you've been through a lot of masks. if the mood every strikes you to write on one, i think it'd make a good discussion topic.

Hey Sleepy Carol,

I use the Resmed Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask. Did you try this mask and/or others before settling on the Fisher/Paykel? Do you like your mask? I was thinking of trying a different/alternating so I don't indent my face too much in the same spots!

Mind? Well, how about Thanks! And Happy New Year. This little product works very well--mountains of testimonials to prove it. Marketing--now that's been something of a challenge. So every little bit helps!

Bret

Happy New Year! Someone you referred to me on this forum has contacted me and I decided to join up to check it out. Bret