Grrrrrr.... Don't like the change of equipment

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:41 am

OK, so I go see my sleep doc last week - she's pleased with how well I am responding to the Swift and the APAP I got as a loaner.

Now, she still believes that I am not covered by insurance on this - so she HANDS me a used CPAP. No charge. Free. Gratis.

So, I turn in my old buddy the APAP and go home with the refurbished CPAP. Within an hour, I had my mask off - it has been terrible.

With a straight CPAP blowing max pressure all the time (10), I have felt terribly uncomfortable. I've ingested air (a first during my treatment). Heck, my ears have been popping!

This morning, I am calling the doc to see if I can get a new APAP... Hopefully, it can come quickly...

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:25 am

Well if nothing else, now you know what the difference is!

Hope you get your new machine quickly! Like today? or maybe they'll let you rent the one you had until the new one comes?

Good luck! I don't think ears popping is part of the treatment regimen.
- JB

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:58 am

Nah - doc is out until WEDNESDAY!

SO, I gotta wait until then...

This is so bad....

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:09 am

And she has no-one on call??

You live in the Yukon somewhere?

There SHOULD be someone backing her up while she is away. This is a fairly major crisis. Get some help.
- JB

jordiboy · Post by **jordiboy** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:19 am

Hi Tom,

Have you tried setting the ramp on your CPAP? This should make falling asleep tolerable. I would try setting the lower end of the ramp to 5 or 6 to make the transition to falling asleep. Also, she is a very strong proponent of C-Flex, so if she gave you a model with C-Flex, ensure it is enabled.

Once you are asleep, you probably will not have a problem with a pressure of 10.

PM me if you have any questions.

Ken

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:18 am

The doc may be checking her calls between now and then - and the receptionist didn't think it was urgent....

Yes, I do live in the Yukon!

DrainedDad · Post by **DrainedDad** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:38 am

Hi Tom,

I use a straight CPAP machine set at 10. Jordiboy makes a good point about ramping the pressure. I have my ramp set to start at 4 and within 20 minutes the pressure builds to 10. I don't believe that I have ever noticed the change as the pressure builds and am normally sleeping within that time period.

I had a lot of the ingested air the first few days of treatment but it has dissipated as time has passed. I can't say that I have ever had my ears pop.

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:23 am

Pops -

That is a good point, but I am using the ramp feature (4 to 10 in 20 mins) - it takes me quite a while to get to sleep, so that's not enough time....

glassgal · Post by **glassgal** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:52 pm

Hi Tampa Tom,

I hope that you can get this straightened out, but I have to be honest here -- I have an auto and my bottom pressure is 10. I am glad to be able to spend part of my night at that pressure. The top end for me is 17, and my titrated pressure was 14 (a little low, I think). The point here is that I started on a straight CPAP at 14 and adjusted pretty well. It is nice to be able to spend most of the time at a lower pressure, but you do get used to it -- my ears don't give me much trouble anymore, and the aerophagia is better too. Your body can adjust to a lot if you give it a chance.

I know that this is something that I MUST do -- I want to see my granddaughter grow up! Not wearing my hose when sleeping is just not an option.

I used my ramp the first few days and turned it off -- I felt like I was suffocating with less than 6 pressure. Now 10 feels good!

For the air swallowing -- be sure that you pull the mask away from your face if you need to swallow, cough, sneeze or sniff -- you are more liable to swallow air when these things occur.

I purchased my APAP out of my own pocket. I think that our insurance premiums are outrageous, so this is an attempt to help that situation. My family owns a small business, and our payments for medical insurance for our employees is absurd. This is where I am coming from with this topic.

I don't mean to be unsympathetic either -- I do believe that you can learn to live with it -- you may not choose to, however, and that is your choice. I chose to get my APAP and have not regretted it at all -- best bucks that I have spent in a long time!

I hope that you work things out to your satisfaction.

Tampa Tom · Post by **Tampa Tom** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:01 am

Jane -

You aren't unsympathetic - I like your story - but WOW - 10 as a minimum! That's when my ears pop!

My doc should call tomorrow - in the meantime, I did manage to sleep from about 11:30 until about 4:30 with the CPAP on last night - maybe I am getting used to it....

But, BOY, do I miss that really comfortable feeling with the APAP....