Hello Guest,
Welcome to Apnea Board !As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address. Login or Create an Account
Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
|
10-29-2016, 09:28 PM
Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
I am a truck driver by trade, and recently did an at home sleep study according to the new DOT rules. It was required due to the fact that my BMI is over what it should be, and my neck circumference is too large. Went back to my local sleep center for the results of the test yesterday, and sure enough, I have sleep apnea. I rarely wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air, but I sometimes do. Doctor told me that my breathing is shallow and my blood oxygen levels get very low. I have an appointment for Monday night at the sleep center. They're essentially gonna hook me up to a ton of wires and medicate me to sleep so they can fit me for a CPAP machine. It's a requirement for me to hold on to my CDL, and I'm also hoping that this will help improve my sleep where I feel better rested each morning. The lack of oxygen in my blood during sleep drives up my heart rate and blood pressure, not so good. Thanks for listening, and I'll share my sleep progress here. New chapter in my middle aged life.
10-29-2016, 09:55 PM
RE: Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
Welcome. nightrider1669! You will have lots of questions and get lots of good advice here. Be sure and keep us posted on this new journey.
10-29-2016, 09:58 PM
RE: Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
And welcome to the world of having to stay medically compliant in the world of a professional/heavy vehicle driver. I'm now on CPAP for compliance here in Australia, and my diagnosis is only at the "mild apnea" level. You will find this group very helpful and informative Nightrider.
10-30-2016, 12:57 AM
RE: Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
Welcome I just started as well. I'm about a week in, and after a rough couple of nights at the start, I've taken to it like a duck to water. Its a little shocking to the system that my new reality is going to be "hooked up to a machine" every night for the rest of my life (most likely), but once I get over that, I should be home free. And the pros certainly outweigh the cons already. Good luck to you.
10-30-2016, 07:23 AM
RE: Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
Hello nightrider1669. Welcome to the forum!
I am on DOT compliance as well. Once you meet insurance compliance, meeting DOT compliance is easy. It is just a matter of taking the sd card from your machine to your sleep doctor or equipment provider and having them to print a compliance report for you to take to the doctor who does your DOT physicals. Now is the time to decide on the machine you want. I would insist on an auto machine over a straight cpap machine. The auto will do everything a fixed pressure cpap machine cans plus automatically adjust your pressure and it doesn't cost much more. Insist on getting the machine of your choice. Here is a link to Archangle's Wiki article on machine choices. It is a good place to learn about the different machines that are available. Good luck on your new journey. Mitch
Useful Links
Download OSCAR Organize your OSCAR and SleepyHead charts Attaching images and files to posts Advisory Members serve as an "Advisory Committee" to help shape Apnea Board's rules & policies. Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
10-30-2016, 07:43 AM
RE: Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
(10-30-2016, 07:23 AM)pupcamper Wrote: Here is a link to Archangle's Wiki article on machine choices. It is a good place to learn about the different machines that are available.Archangle's wiki article pretty much sums up everything you need to know about getting the machine, with these two additional facts: 1) Avoid the Resmed AirSTART 10 CPAP and Resmed AirSTART 10 Auto. The Resmed AirStart machines look just like the AirSense machines, but the AirStart machines do NOT record full efficacy data. I'm convinced the naming scheme is intentionally confusing here. 2) The latest version of SleepyHead works well with the PR DreamStation BiPAP Pro and the PR DreamStation BiPAP Auto. They record full data and they are the current bilevels in the PR line up. These machines are missing on the list of bilevel machines.
10-30-2016, 11:39 AM
RE: Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
Hi nightrider1669,
WELCOME! to the forum.! I wish you good luck as you start your CPAP journey, hang in there for more responses to your post.
trish6hundred
09-09-2018, 07:13 AM
RE: Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
Welcome.
There. I said it.
OMMOHY Contrarian in Residence
09-09-2018, 10:16 AM
RE: Hello folks, allow me to introduce myself
The following is a wiki article targeting the new user.
New to Apnea? Helpful tips to ensure success You will see a Mask Primer in my signature and the article above. A mask that works for you is one of the more difficult parts of your therapy, something about each of us being unique, with different facial features and all, go figure. Use your sleep study to TRY different masks, and different type masks. This is one of few opportunities to do this. Did I say to read the Mask Primer? Key steps. 1. Get a physical copy of any Apnea related Rx or Sleep Study, a full detailed copy, not just the summary. 2. Get a fully data capable machine, preferably an "auto" machine (which is the same insurance code as a non-auto, straight pressure CPAP machine). (best choice) indicates a full data capable machine that has Sleepyhead software capability and an Auto Mode. These are in general the best available machines Always specify the exact machine you wish, This removes all ambiguities and prevents substitutions. DAW (Dispense as Written) prevents substitutions. Current acceptable in Production Machines (ResMed and Philips Respironics, the 2 most popular manufactures)
3. Masks. Masks are the "Interface" between the APAP/CPAP and you. This makes getting the right mask that fits you VERY important I suggest to Try masks from the most unobtrusive to the biggest bulkiest of masks. This would typically be starting with Nasal Pillows, Nasal Mask, Hybrid Masks, then finally the Full Face Mask. The smaller masks that you start with leave you with less mask on your face and more visibility. Finally, as I have said before, you have to try masks on, under pressure, and preferably lying down in sleeping position. The basic classes of masks are Pillow masks (Fits to under the nose), Nasal Masks (Covers the nose) and Full Face Masks (Covers both the mouth and nose). 4. Going forward. You will find this forum will provide you with a wealth of information. We are a forum of users, not medical professionals, who collectively have been through every issue that you are likely to run into. Most of our advice is rendered after reviewing your detailed nightly charts (why we want you to get a fully data capable machine, insist on it!!!) (your doctor will most likely review the summary data) which can go down to a breath by breath evaluation if necessary. Good health and sleep going forward.
Gideon - Project Manager Emeritus for OSCAR - Open Source CPAP Analysis Reporter
Download OSCAR OSCAR - The Guide New to Apnea? Helpful tips to ensure success Soft Cervical Collar Mask Primer Dealing with a DME Organize Charts Optimizing Therapy |
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
Possibly Related Threads... | |||||
Thread | Author | Replies | Views | Last Post | |
Did the Sleep folks miss something? | Sleepy Quixote | 2 | 667 |
06-25-2023, 01:13 PM Last Post: Sleepy Quixote |
|
Hello folks, here is my graph from last night and night before | Phil487 | 5 | 1,212 |
06-15-2023, 02:05 PM Last Post: OpalRose |
|
Hello folks, new here and new to using CPAP | Phil487 | 4 | 612 |
05-31-2023, 09:32 AM Last Post: mmaattppp |
|
Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself | Snorriette | 9 | 1,480 |
06-18-2020, 02:30 PM Last Post: trish6hundred |
|
[Treatment] S. Apnea caused by bad orthodontia, solve w/ dental appliance. What do folks think? | NightOwl42 | 11 | 2,349 |
08-28-2019, 10:16 AM Last Post: Stom |
|
I'd like introduce myself to you | ShaunBlake | 23 | 3,505 |
02-21-2018, 03:45 PM Last Post: ShaunBlake |
|
Board Newbie, 13+ years on CPAP - Hello folks!! | GreatBlueWhale | 4 | 2,441 |
09-12-2014, 02:36 AM Last Post: NickDanger |