RemKeeper, welcome to the forum! Your input is greatly appreciated. Especially since you are an "apnean" and xPAP user as well as a PSGT!

Shucks, I took "my" RPSGT an apple pie 'cause he was so great about explaining things, etc. Unfortunately, I only saw him the one time. Had other PSGTS my other PSGs and titrations. *sigh* They've all been pleasant but he was outstanding.

What xPAP device do you personally use? How did you happen to choose that one?

Do you have much experience w/bi-level evaluations and titrations? I was just recently switched to a bi-level. I have COPD. I have the new Resmed VPAP Auto and have been very happy w/it. I also have the Resmed S8 ResLink and ResScan 3.4 software and Embla XPod oximeter and sensor.

They tried to pawn off a Respironics pre-M Series Plus w/C-Flex on me but between the evaluation PSG and titration I found these apnea support forums. They brought it out late Friday and Monday morning I called to tell them I was returning it. They told me I couldn't w/o doctor's order. Ha! I was at their office returning it w/in a half hour!!! I then went straight to my sleep lab and told them either they saw to it that I got a fully data capable CPAP so I could monitor my results myself or I'd go elsewhere and find a GOOD sleep lab, doctor and DME supplier. They saw to it that I got the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR and DAW'd the equipment order. That was in Oct '06.

Adjusting to CPAP and mask wasn't the easiest experience for me. I did okay w/the sleep evaluation but only slept 42 minutes out of 6 hours bed time my first titration so they brought me back for a second titration. I only slept 98 minutes out of six hours bed time. But that got me the Elite.

I've been thru a lot of masks *sigh* The Breeze, HC 407 Flex-Fit, original Swift, ComfortGel Petite, ComfortGel Small, F&P Aclaim 2, Respironics ComfortLite 2, Simplicity Medium Simple Nasal Cushion and FINALLY the Simplicity Petite simple nasal cushion. I LOVE the Simplicity! Its one of Respironics' oldest masks and I did have to "fix" the center strap which was way too long w/some scissiors and velcro. My second favorite is the new Resmed Mirage Micro Small which my sleep doctor surprised me w/when he ordered my VPAP Auto. And he has insisted on the Quattro XSmall for when I have difficult congestion and need a full face. But it is the Simplicity Petite that has worked for me and that I favor and love.

My first 30 nights on CPAP were the WORST sleep of my life! By that time I was one snarky witch!! But a great sleep lab manager got me thru it. 2 pressure changes and a 3 week loaner autoPAP plus 2L of 02 brought gradual improvement. In March of this year they brought me back in for another evaluation and a bi-level titration as whilst I was definitely doing better than pre-CPAP I still was not doing as well as I felt I should be and could be. I've had this VPAP Auto w/o  the 2L of 02 since March and have done much better. It was just 2 nights ago that they switched me from VPAP Auto mode to Spontaneous mode plus the addition of 2L of 02.

I love being able to access my data each morning, not only via the LCD screen, but also w/the software, especially since the addition of the S8 ResLink and the Embla XPod oximeter and sensor. I quite likely would NOT have continued w/CPAP had it not been for being able to access that data every morning. That data was the ONLY thing that kept me on CPAP and mask those first 30 nights!!!!


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

the resizing procedure for the comfort gell masks helps improve the fit and the same mask can be resized several times


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resmed S6 lightweight, respironics comfort gell mask using CPAP since 1995, no humidifier
during my many years of severe fatigue, no doctor ever asked me if I snored

Thank you, Lynn. Yes, I tried that a couple of times but ... it just wasn't my cuppa tea. But then too there's time and experience. I've wondered from time to time how would I do now trying those masks again - but not enough to give up my Simplicity!!! I probably could get along w/a couple of those masks I failed previously. But, I'm happy w/the Simplicity - and the Micro and Quattro for back up so ... why bother?


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Hi and thank you for the welcome!!

I use a Remstar with cflex, my pressure is 14.0 cwp and I use a Resmed mirage micro, or the swift LT, when Im congested I use the Respironics comfort gel Full Face (new FF mask and its great, low leak even with a full beard, the gell on a full face mask lets you make it tight to seal well with facial hair but not be too tight for comfort.)

I chose the Remstar because it was given to me free by my lab, it was a factory rebuild like new. I chose the mirage micro for my mask because it it is very adjustable easy to use clean and a very good leak with facial hair. I always tell my patients to try as many masks as they can that are available. #1 comfort!!! #2 compliance!!! if you dont have #1 you wont have #2.

I have done cpap bi-level and auto sv titrations, I have had patients as young as 7 and as old as 92. I actualy just had a patient this week with copd my first patient with copd by the way, and she was titrated by 6 but I wasnt sure at 4 if it was going to happen. I work in a free standing lab that does have its credit. We have two 4 bed labs and a great crew with a great Dr, our Doc is one of a few who helped develop Auto SV.

Thats cool you came in with some pie!!! I had a patient come back for her titration, requesting me as her tech and she brought me a candy bar! Reeses fast break! my fav too  

I have been on cpap for about 5 months now and I love it, although I did have a bit of time to get used to it. I would wake up and my mask would be accross the room I would not even remember doing it lol. but I just put it back on and with in about 2 weeks I was able to wear it all night.

Anyway, enough about me lol
I hope I can help here Im glad I found these forums it seems like there are alot more questions out there then are being answered by the techs or Docs for that matter.

Anyway I just got home from a 12hr shift and Im beat, have a good weekend PAPers


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Im a PSGT with OSA
Dx 4-15-08
14.0cwp
Resmed mirage micro
It was strange to have a co-worker watching me sleep
"I hope I dont have a fart arousal"
Did I say that out loud?

Sleep and rest well, RemKeeper!!! I'm sure you've earned it!

Yes, unfortunately, we seldom have access to the techs by the time we finally have some understanding of what is going on!! I wish we did!

I know the manufacturers are constantly working at providing better therapy and better data w/their products but in the USA the medical profession from the FDA right down to the doctors - or just as likely vice versa - seem hell bent on depriving the patients of that data AND are relying on the DME suppliers to provide the education, information, advice and assistance.

As you will learn the longer you are on the forum, a large number of local DME suppliers are virtually worthless for education, truthful information, advice and assistance. AND way too many sleep doctors are .... a joke and a disgrace. Too many are jumping on the "cash cow" bandwagon of sleep medicine as a sub-speciality. Little consumption of time, little or better yet (from their viewpoint) involvement w/the patient and a nice, hefty "consultation" fee for so little time required.

I'd MUCH RATHER pay for a consultation fee w/a savvy RPSGT who is free to answer questions as best they can, than any sleep doctor I've encountered!!!! And access to an RT who actually knew the xPAPS they were providing and what data the devices are capable of providing, who understand the data being provided would be great too. To h*ll w/probably 90% of the sleep doctors patients "might" have access too.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

CrohnieToo wrote:

RemKeeper, welcome to the forum! Your input is greatly appreciated. Especially since you are an "apnean" and xPAP user as well as a PSGT!

Shucks, I took "my" RPSGT an apple pie 'cause he was so great about explaining things, etc.

Uh, what's a PSGT/RPSGT?  

PSGT Polysomographic tech

RPSGT Registered Polysom tech

the people that put the wires, belts, hoses on you and observe you sleeping. Also find the optimal pressure for patients with apnea and are in for a titration study.

 


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Im a PSGT with OSA
Dx 4-15-08
14.0cwp
Resmed mirage micro
It was strange to have a co-worker watching me sleep
"I hope I dont have a fart arousal"
Did I say that out loud?

I should have included a welcome and expression of appreciation to MOS and Moribus too, but I was just so delighted to see a PSGT who was also an "apnean" and xPAP user ..... moi bad!

AND, I have to confess, I am DELIGHTED to read that you had your problems at first adjusting to your mask and therapy. It gives you more input and understanding into what many new xPAP patients go thru. How neat about your lab's sleep doctor!!! Impressive! Does HE pay any attention to the data these newer xPAPs are capable of providing?


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.