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Hello
Recently having been told I have sleep apnea I have had a hard time actually getting the CPAP machine delivered through my insurance company.
Thankfully Mike Goldman spoke with me on the phone the other day and now the process is starting over again. I will keep you all posted!!
Jay
Recently having been told I have sleep apnea I have had a hard time actually getting the CPAP machine delivered through my insurance company.
Thankfully Mike Goldman spoke with me on the phone the other day and now the process is starting over again. I will keep you all posted!!
Jay
Views: 98
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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Yes, that makes a lot of sense Jay. The hand holding comes from forums like these, and the AWAKE group, which I encourage you to join us at on May 5th. The head of NYU's Sleep Clinic will be guest speaker. Here are the details: www.ManhattanAwake.org
Jay said:So far Mike I am happy that things are actually moving along, though I do think it feels a little like no man's land between the physician to the distributor. I am sure it will work out but if there is one place for someone to find opportunity to hand hold it would be up until I find the right mask, machine, routine etc. Does that make sense?
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Permalink Reply by Jay on
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My CPAP Machine has arrived. It is a Phillips Respironix with the mask described previously. The technician was very nice answering my questions and having me sign paperwork. I think the machine is very simple to use but we will see. It supposedly will go on automatically when it senses my breath. The amount of pressure I have been assigned is 10. The machine is set to start at 4 and go to ten slowly. The mask looks a little unwieldy. I asked a bunch of questions about it all but of course now that I am alone reading instructions I have more. Do I need the humidifier? Is this going to add to my allergies? If the hose isn't long do they make longer ones?
Anyway, I will try it tonight and report back.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Congratulations, Jay. If you have the standard 6 ft hose, they do make longer ones. As for the humidifier, is your machine equipped with one? At a pressure of 10 you might be more comfortable using it, depending on the humidity of your surroundings. Use distilled water.
By all means keep us posted, we'll be interested in your first, and subsequent night experiences.
Don't know about the allergies, there's no reason it should add to them, but people have different experiences.
Mary Z.
Jay said:My CPAP Machine has arrived. It is a Phillips Respironix with the mask described previously
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Permalink Reply by amott1973 on
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So glad you got your machine Jay! All good questions there. I usually don't use my humidifier, and sometimes I will put distilled water in it but not turn on the heater so that it just gets a little humidity from passing over the water. It shouldn't worsen your allergies I'd think (as long as the water doesn't get yicky- but that would take a long time and it should be cleaned out every so often) as you are getting filtered air going over the water. I think my allergies are really better when using my machine as it does filter out the dust and stuff I'm so allergic to.
You can get a longer hose, I think I've even heard of 12 foot ones! But you might find that having a different length by much might mess up your pressure needs. So maybe stick with a 6ft for now if that's what you were tested with so that you can tell if there is a difference when you go to a longer one.
It sounds like your machine has a "ramp" button that can make it start out low and then gradually go up to your needed pressure. When I first started I usually used that, but then after a while found I didn't need to. Sometimes it was downright uncomfortable for me to start so low too, so I was able to fiddle with my ramp settings to make it start out higher (about an 8 or so) and then ramp up to my needed pressure. Settings can be modified by your DME if you think you would like to try different ones, but they might make you get a doctor's orders for the change. I know the ramp can be changed for the starting pressure AND the time it takes to increase too. So if it ramps up over 10 minutes and you need it to be more gradual you can ask about that too.
Oh, and getting the machine to come on by itself with your breathing. Mine used to work that way, but then they added this little flapper thingy to keep the water in the humidifier from going up into the machine and that effectively blocks my breath from setting it off. (mines an old machine, so that probably doesn't apply to yours) but if you do find that it's taking too long to get it started, there should also be a start/stop button you can hit, and maybe a separate Ramp button that will get it to ramp for you.
Definitely feel free to bring any questions to this group! Hope you love your machine and mask as much as I do soon!
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Jay, I don't use the ramp feature on my machine as my IPAP is 22 and I like to test the mask fit at that pressure before I lay down. Not all machines have this feature.
As you can see there are a world of possibilities out there for playing with your machine. If you can access your nightly numbers via the LCD screen that will give you an idea of how you are doing. I look at leak, AHI, and AI and RR. I like visual data so I graph the numbers .I like to use two weeks as a test period, some folks use less. My doctor likes four weeks.
So how are you doing so far? Able to wear the mask all night? With your enthusiasm I predict you'll do very well. Sometimes it takes some of us a while to work out some kinks, in particular the mask. Most of all, with the right attitude this can all be fun. Getting to monitor a piece, an important piece, of your health everyday is fascinating.
My tech is an RT and the more I show him I'm committed, somewhat knowledgeable, able to ask questions, the more time he takes with me. You can imagine they don't want to waste time on someone not participating in their therapy. Sometimes the first tech is not the best fit for you and by telephone calls to the DME (or if you doc like mine has his own techs that read the data and change the settings according to his orders- they are very responsive to me) you may find one more responsive to your needs, then just ask for him/her every time.
I'm impressed with your attitude of "can and will do". Bravo, and continued good luck.
Please do update us on your nightly experiences with using the machine.
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Jay, for handholding, you get plenty on the site, but if you visit SleepSearch you can find our personal forum professionals who for a nominal fee of $50/30 minutes will consult with you on the phone. This is one on one time just for your particular questions.
Mike if you're there I'vd lost the link and couldnt find it on SleepSearch.
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Jay, if you are interested in this contact Mike personally.
Mary Z said:Jay, for handholding, you get plenty on the site, but if you visit SleepSearch you can find our personal forum professionals who for a nominal fee of $50/30 minutes will consult with you on the phone.
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This is all such great feedback and help. I am really impressed with the offers of assistance and encouragement thank you all. The last few nights have been pretty good. It seems I wake in a daze around 4, 5 am each morning and take off the mask unaware. But I am thinking I will eventually get through the whole night. I see these first few days as a trial. My machine does have a humidifer and I have now tried with and without. I don't seem to see a difference yet.
I have other points to make directly to the kindness of amott and MaryZ that I will follow up on very soon.
Thank you all.
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