[CPAP] Why are masks designed with holes? (probably a dumb question)

[DaveL]

Incredible is the right word, Dave. I can see that this place is chock full of rock stars. Thank you, guys. You are worth your weight in gold. You have my gratitude.

I hope I'll have the chance to return the favor one day.

Fillmore

My story isn't important. However the comment Gideon made about not being able to read the SD card made me think...

I've been complaint for almost 35 years.

My first sleep doc diagnosed me.  I moved. I wanted Doctor's care.  The Doc I was referred to was a piece of work. Here as a new resident  in Toronto Ontario I was lucky to have a family doc...It's hard to get a referral to a decent specialist.


Once I was in his care I had to call him to make any change. I couldn't change anything myself. He said that changing pressure was "practicing medicine without a license."
So I would call and request an appointment. I'd get one in 6-8 weeks. He told me he had over 3,000 patients. Then I'd have to go the DME to get the Rx filled. Increase in pressure? No problem. My appointment would be in about 3-4 weeks....

If I can't read my card I'm forced to go to my sleep Doc. Or my DME.  If my sleep doc hasn't authorized a pressure increase, then I'll have to make an appointment with my sleep doc....

For me reading my SD card myself makes me my own advocate. It's about "wellness".  

About a year ago I found a new sleep doc. He was the first one I've had that talked about sleep quality.  

People here recommended an apap machine. They told me how to get one....because here in Ontario those who are wise have decided my treatment doesn't require an apap machine.

People here told me how to get past this...the S10 "for her" is registered as a cpap in Ontario.

So I have a ResMed S10 with humidifier and a nasal mask. I've added a heated hose.

Dave

[Neelix]

Every time I read a story about how this stuff works in other countries, I find myself more and more thankful that I live in Australia. After I was diagnosed I wasn't prescribed a specific pressure, rather my GP gave me a referral to my supplier (a local pharmacy) for a trial to see if CPAP was right for me and determine how to make it work for me. The staff there are nothing short of amazing. Friendly and helpful, and always willing to make time for me on fairly short notice. Finding what was right for me, both in terms of settings and equipment felt like a really collaborative effort. I made no secret of the fact that I was doing my own research and checking my own data, and they were nothing but supportive. Granted, this particular supplier only stock ResMed stuff but from what I've learned online I didn't feel a need to shop around in that regard.

- Neelix

[DaveL]

Incredible is the right word, Dave. I can see that this place is chock full of rock stars. Thank you, guys. You are worth your weight in gold. You have my gratitude.

I hope I'll have the chance to return the favor one day.

Fillmore

My story isn't important. However the comment Gideon made about not being able to read the SD card made me think...

I've been complaint for almost 35 years.

My first sleep doc diagnosed me.  I moved. I wanted Doctor's care.  The Doc I was referred to was a piece of work. Here as a new resident  in Toronto Ontario I was lucky to have a family doc...It's hard to get a referral to a decent specialist.


Once I was in his care I had to call him to make any change. I couldn't change anything myself. He said that changing pressure was "practicing medicine without a license."
So I would call and request an appointment. I'd get one in 6-8 weeks. He told me he had over 3,000 patients. Then I'd have to go the DME to get the Rx filled. Increase in pressure? No problem. My appointment would be in about 3-4 weeks....

If I can't read my card I'm forced to go to my sleep Doc. Or my DME.  If my sleep doc hasn't authorized a pressure increase, then I'll have to make an appointment with my sleep doc....

For me reading my SD card myself makes me my own advocate. It's about "wellness".  

About a year ago I found a new sleep doc. He was the first one I've had that talked about sleep quality.  

People here recommended an apap machine. They told me how to get one....because here in Ontario those who are wise have decided my treatment doesn't require an apap machine.

People here told me how to get past this...the S10 "for her" is registered as a cpap in Ontario.

So I have a ResMed S10 with humidifier and a nasal mask. I've added a heated hose.

Dave