"I have an appointment with my NHS Respiratory physio team on Friday and will plead my case for an F30 or F40. They said to me last week they did not have f40 in as yet however they are soon to see resmed rep any day now."
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CPAP Trial - Early Days But Looking Good!
Hi, just an update on my experience so far,
To summarise, diagnosed severs obstructive sleep apnea after home oximetry showed 68 breathing interuptions per hour in early April, put on CPAP trial waiting list for mid May, instructed to stop driving by DVLA while okayed by CPAP doctor, got cancellation appointment for yesterday and had my first night using CPAP last night!
I went to the sleep clinic and was issued with Resmed S8 for the trial and fitted up with a Resmed Mirage FX nasal mask.I was a little sceptical about this as I class myself as a mouth breather and all the info I have read pointed to me needing a full face mask. However, after trying it on, I could see no reason for not giving it a whirl. I all so mentioned about a humidifier and was told probably wouldnt need one. The nurse was very helpful and informative and did imply that there was a possiblility if things went okay during the week I might get nod to drive again.
Now I was obviously concerned as to when it came to the crunch could I nod off with CPAP gear on, so got home rigged it up and laid down on the bed to have a tester! I was concerned that when I started the machine was not supplying quite enough air for me to breathe comfortably but when I woke up an hour later to my mobile ringing I realised this is not much of an issue!
My concerns about the nasal mask seemed to be unfounded and mouth/throat did appear not to be dried out when I woke up as is usually the case!
As a gadget geek I had all ready purchased a wrist oximeter and fitted this up as I settled down for my first nights sleep on CPAP. I did again experience the feeling the machine was not supplying me quite enough air before I nodded off but next time I woke up it was 5am and after a short trip to loo I was straight back to sleep and eight hours in all I now have 9hours 20 min usage logged after the first day!
I was interested to see my oximetry results as I would'nt say I felt that much more refreshed but from having anything from an index of 15 to 30 it has dropped to 6 with only 6 desaturation events falling below 90% and only 2 below 88%. Seems very impressive for one night and assume the machine will improve this more over the week. I think from the reading the machine has settled on a setting of 12 at the moment and will be keeping a daily check on this.
I am now looking forward to completing the rest of the trial and reaping the obvious benefits associated with undisturbed sleep!
Regards
Colin
Views: 165
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on
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That's exactly why I saved up and bought my own machine Colin, as my hospital only give out basic machines with just enough information to tick their compliancy box. Someone I know ended up in A & E with a suspected heart attack and it turned out it was his CPAP machine that was faulty. He would have spotted that earlier had he had access to his data. Pulse oximetry is a good indicator though, but not all apnoeas cause desats. It's time the manufacturers stopped making these basic machines!
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Permalink Reply by Colin on
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Hi, generally I've got on well with the new machine( S8 escape) for the first three nights but had an issue on the last two where I've woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I wasn't getting enough air from the machine, didn't appear to be excessive leakage or kink in hose. Eventually I've got back to sleep and woke up getting plenty of air! Do you think they've got my pressure slightly low?
Also how are people treated on the NHS who get there own machines - are the sleep clinics generally still happy to treat/advise and tolerate those who want a better machine or access to there own data or do they expect you to go private?
Regards
Colin
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That could be the reason Colin so if it continues to happen I would give the clinic a ring to query this and they may suggest a slight increase in pressure.
Most of the clinics I hear about are happy for people to get their own machines, and as long as you stick to the manufacturer they deal with they will they will often give a supply of filters and replacement hose at the annual check-up. I particularly wanted a machine my clinic don't deal with so purchase my own supplies. However, this doesn't cost much for these extras so it was worth it to me.
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After less than a week after been told I can drive by the Sleep Clinic and sending the forms back to the DVLA I have received a letter back form the DVLA saying I satisfy the medical standards for safe driving and they are pleased to inform me I may keep my car/driving licence! Very kind of them indeed!
I also decided this week that as I wanted a second machine to leave at my girlfriends I would go for the S9 Autoset and after 2 nights use, think as well as the benefit of being able to monitor my therapy by looking at the superior data available on screen and downloadable, I feel better when I wake up not having the constant 11.2cmH20 blasted up my nose!
AHI was 0.4 and 0.2 last night APAP seems just that bit more refined!
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Good to hear you've got the driving sorted, and great stats of your successful treatment
In case you didn't know, you can purchase the machines directly from the manufacturers here, and I highly recommend this so you get the best support if you need it.
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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on
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Well done Colin, I also use the Resmed S9 Autoset, being able to manage our own therapy and having the comfort of a non constant pressure is much better, glad you can see the difference in machines.
Colin said:After less than a week after been told I can drive by the Sleep Clinic and sending the forms back to the DVLA I have received a letter back form the DVLA saying I satisfy the medical standards for safe driving and they are pleased to inform me I may keep my car/driving licence! Very kind of them indeed!
I also decided this week that as I wanted a second machine to leave at my girlfriends I would go for the S9 Autoset and after 2 nights use, think as well as the benefit of being able to monitor my therapy by looking at the superior data available on screen and downloadable, I feel better when I wake up not having the constant 11.2cmH20 blasted up my nose!
AHI was 0.4 and 0.2 last night APAP seems just that bit more refined!
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