I had 3 sleep studies to determine what was wrong with me. I have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I had 6 apneas (1 obstructive and 5 central). I'm not sure why I'm diagnosed with obstructive if I have more central episodes???? I had 113 hypopneas and 18 periodic limb movements, but the doctor said the limb movements were apnea-related. The doctor said my apnea is pretty much entirely weight-related (I'm 180 lbs). I'm definitely emotionally fragile right now. I know I'm overweight but enough to stop breathing?!?!?! Plus, I recently injured my back from a fall so exercising isn't as easy for me.

Anyways....They sent me home with a CPAP machine. I chose the Opus 360 mask. I hate it. I took it off at 1:00 a.m. last night. I'm now going to try to do an hour or so a day with a nap or watching tv to get used to the mask. This evening I put all my face measurements in for the Opus mask on a website and it told me that wasn't the proper mask for me. Now I'm stuck with it for 6 months I think (for insurance purposes).

Short of me rambling, my main question is, does anyone know why the doctor would diagnose me as OSA rather than Central? And will Central go away with weight loss?

I don't know about your insurance or your equipment provider but I have been successful at returning several masks without having any problems.   So long as you return it after only a few weeks it might not be a problem.

Whether some local DME suppliers want to acknowledge it or not the major CPAP mask manufacturers will replace FREE to the local DME suppliers most any of their masks that patients have tried and been unsuccessful with IF the DME supplier will fill out a form and return mask and form W/IN 30 DAYS.

Plus I'm not sure about the Opus but many masks come in parts and cushions can be replaced. Many insurances will replace a cushion every 30 days if necessary, masks (w/o headgear) every 3 months and headgear every 6 months. Some masks, and again I'm not sure about the Opus, can use more than one cushion size in the mask frame. Too many local DME suppliers are "less than truthful" about just what and when your insurance will pay for a specific item.


_________________
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 mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

My doctor is my supplier so I would just call them I assume. Maybe I should try a nose mask??? Not sure what it's called...the one that doesn't go up your nose but covers only your nose.

There are four basic styles of mask:
1] Full face - Respironics just came out w/a new one, the PerfectFit or some such which is REALLY a FULL face!!!
2] Nasal cushion - covers just the nose area
3] Nasal pillows - have small cushions that againt the bottom of the nose or into the nostrils a short way
4] "hybrid" - a combination of nasal pillows and a mouth cushion

The major mask manufacturers are Fisher & Paykel, Respironics and Resmed.


_________________
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 mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

I called the CPAP/mask person at my doctor's office and she said they may be able to switch me with a lightly used mask. I'm not real happy with that, but oh well. She seemed irritated that I hadn't tried it for very long and while I can understand that, I just don't think I can handle the nasal pillows. Plus, they seem to be leaking. I feel like I'm not getting enough air...at least when I'm awake.

That irritates ME when they get irritated.  We're the ones who have to use the things.

That irritates ME when they get irritated.  We're the ones who have to use the things.

I felt the same way the first few nights about the nasal pillow, but once I settled down, I realized it was all in my head. I began using my CPAP machine on 6/14/09, so I'm a new user, for sure. Haven't missed a single night, though.

Two things that occurred to me: 1. The nasal pillow has a removable piece on it that disperses the air you exhale quietly and in several directions gentely, and I think that's for the comfort of your "bed partner," if you possibly share your bed with someone else. I had a CD with my equipment that talks a little about that, and it makes sense they should worry about the bed partner's comfort, because if that person is bothered by the equipment, then the person using it is less likely to be compliant.

I did feel initially like that sense of "resistance" from the nasal pillow was causing me not to get enough air, but it was just the fear of it (for me), the feeling of change with my breathing, FOCUSING on it so closely, etc. I am three weeks into my treatment, and I don't even think about the possibility of my not getting enough air with the nasal pillows. I know I do get enough, and I just need to get comfortable with the headgear and all, find a method that is comfortable for me with my pillow, etc., and then drift off. I've made huge progress, and I hope you do too.

If you sleep alone, perhaps you could ask your clinician if removing that "baffle" on the nasal pillow would be an option that would help you use it more comfortably? I wouldn't remove it without asking, but seems to me that could be a solution. Best regards,  

Head gear can be modified but masks should not be.  Mask are carefully designed to maintain an accurate pressure, air flow rate and CO2 exhaust rate.  You mess with one part and it messes up the mask dynamics.  Plus, usually when a mask is missing a part, it gets really loud and silencing is probably part of the baffling.  For mask and CPAP questions, I usually go straight to the manufacturer.  They all generally have good customer/technical service and know their products best.

Vicki


_________________
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
Marilyn Von Savant

That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.