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Comment by PaulaO on November 4, 2011 at 8:51am

So that's how they work? Interesting. Over at another forum, someone was asking for help with understanding CSA so I did some research into it. Not much, just enough to find links for him. I have mixed.

Comment by Will on November 4, 2011 at 5:17am

Hi Justgeo,

I am curious if you have just CSA or Mixed Sleep Apnea. Just CSA is rare, less than 1% of those afflicted with apnea. Mixed is around 14%. OSA is the other 85%. So this means apneacs (all those with apnea) afflicted with OSA is as high as 99%.

Will

Comment by justgeo1 on November 3, 2011 at 10:44pm

I use a VPAP which is also called an ASV (adaptive servo-ventilator) that adjusts the pressure and breathing rate every 3 breaths... I need it as my CO2 levels can jump as high as 65% if I don't use it...

Comment by PaulaO on November 3, 2011 at 9:41pm

Which machine do you use? I recently did some research on CSA and was surprised they often still use a CPAP in some cases but most used a 'V-PAP' or something like that.

Comment by justgeo1 on November 3, 2011 at 9:38pm

I've come to spy on those of you with OSA as I have central sleep apnea... not related, but similar... I sleep with a machine and have to deal with it as all of you do. I just have a different cause.

Hi, Emmy! :)

Comment by Brian (bsc) on October 21, 2011 at 3:10am

PaulO, that is a great suggestion. My sleep dr does recommend a CPAP with downloadable data. And I don't want to be totally dependent on her to tell me how I am doing and making adjustments. And I do think I probably should get a humidifier, I have oil heat and the house gets dry during the winter.

And Emmy, you have brought up a good point which I shall have to struggle with. My sleep center also appears to act as a supplier of the equipment, which I will have to navigate (they may have a bias and limited selection). I think I will request a prescription, and I'll try to be aware of the options.

I do think I'll need a full mask unless I make some changes. I know you can't see it in my little picture, but I have a serious moustache.

Comment by Emmy on October 20, 2011 at 5:04pm

PS. if you buy online from http://www.cpap.com/ later on, be sure you get the insurance on any purchases. It raises the price a bit but its worth it, because you can get the mask price refunded if it doesn't work out. Otherwise, you lose everything you paid because you normally can't return masks.

Comment by Emmy on October 20, 2011 at 5:03pm

Hi BSC. Welcome to the other club you don't want to be in. I'd recommend that you try each face mask at home for at least 3 or 4 nights before you decide on one. It takes time to figure out what's going to work best for you. Don't rush into anything, they should let you borrow one first to try it out and make sure its a good fit. If not, look for a different supplier. If you are in the USA, you can get masks cheaper at http://www.cpap.com/ but you WILL need a copy of your prescription first.

Get your machine through a local provider, but when it comes time to replace masks and filters, you can save money through the online store.

If you have insurance, you won't need to worry about it.

Good luck and remember that it takes time, sometimes months to get used to using it and it could take up to a year or more for your body to really start to feel rested when you wake up.

It won't solve all your problems, but it will help your overall health.

Comment by PaulaO on October 20, 2011 at 2:39pm

YES! If you want more control over your CPAP treatment, request (demand, really) a machine capable of data gathering and reporting. The Resmed S9 Autoset or S9 Elite gathers lots of data. Not the S9 Escape. All it records is how many hours you had it on the night before which is referred to as "compliance" data.

Visit this site for clinician manuals and software to download and display the data for you:
http://s7.zetaboards.com/Apnea_Board/index/
It is also a good site for advice and help.

As diabetics, we are allowed to dose ourselves with, if dosed incorrectly, potentially fatal medications but with sleep apnea, we are not even allowed to see our data.

Humidifier is good, even if you don't use it every night. If you have dry-air winters, it is very important you get one.

You don't *have* to get a full mask. There are comfortable chin straps that will keep your mouth closed.

It will probably take you several masks and many weeks to find the right one for you. Don't give up! Some people take to life with a CPAP easily, others fight for years.

Comment by Brian (bsc) on October 20, 2011 at 10:45am

I was just diagnosed with severe OSA. I had an RDI of 33/hr and AHI of 18/hr. I had a hypopnea of nearly three minutes (the doctor was impressed). I guess I've had it for a long time. It will hopefully explain a number of ongoing ailments. I have an appointment to obtain a CPAP from my sleep center. I already pretty much know I breath through my mouth and I need a full mask. But what other key considerations are important? I've seen mention of humidity and temperature control. Is there anything else important?

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