Text 19196, 90 rader
Skriven 2009-01-06 12:56:02 av Stephen Haffly (1:396/45.27)
  Kommentar till text 19144 av DAVE SACERDOTE (1:123/140)
Ärende: Sleep Apnea
===================
Hi Dave,

On (05 Jan 09) DAVE SACERDOTE wrote to STEPHEN HAFFLY...

 DS> Everything Dave said is true.

And I appreciate your additional advice.


 DS> It will take you a few weeks to get used to the air going up
 DS> your nose, but most CPAP machines have "ramp up" settings that
 DS> start the air gently and gradually build up the pressure after
 DS> you fall asleep.  I used those settings for a while until I
 DS> got used to the air pressure - nowadays, I just hit the button
 DS> on HIGH and it's off to dreamland.

Actually, I don't think it will take that long.  I seem to be getting
used to it already.  It does have the function of dropping the pressure
when I exhale so I am not pushing against so much pressure.  I think
that helps.

 DS> Your sleep therapist will adjust the pressure for you during
 DS> your sleep study - or studies if you need more than one or two
 DS> appointments.  Unless you have trouble with a deviated septum,
 DS> or some old nose injuries like a badly-healed break, it shouldn't
 DS> be too difficult for you, and you'll be on your way.

So far, I have not been scheduled for any follow-up sleep studies with
it like Ruth was.  I am supposed to bring it with me to appointments as
it has a smart card in it that the doctor can read and use for making
adjustments.

 DS> Ask to try out a couple different kinds of masks.  I like the
 DS> nasl pillows, that just cover my nostrils - no mask at all.
 DS> It's very comfortable for me.  Your preferences might differ.

That is the kind I got.  So far, so good, exept that if my mouth opens,
it wakes me up as I get that rush of air through my mouth.  I had the
chin strap slip last night, so was awakened by that feeling.  After I
fixed it, I slept more soundly.  Last night was the best so far.

 DS> My airway adjusted pretty quickly to a perception of "dryness"
 DS> and I ended up not needing a heater or humidifyer for the air
 DS> stream. That's a matter of personal comfort, so take advantage
 DS> of it if it's offered.  The only thing I do is, in the winter
 DS> when my bedroom is about 58 or 59 F, I run the hose under the
 DS> blanket alongside me so the air warms as it travels to the ol'
 DS> schnoz.

I'll keep that in mind.

 DS> There's two other things I should mention - one good, and one
 DS> not so good:

 DS> Good:  Putting on my mask and hitting the ON button on the CPAP
 DS> is a "sleep trigger" now.  With the air on, I can close my eyes
 DS> and go off to sleep in minutes now because my system associates
 DS> the feel of the mask and the air pressure with sleep.  When I
 DS> wake up at night, it's because I need to change positions, go to
 DS> the bathroom, or occasionally because the mask has slipped and
 DS> needs to be repositioned.  I never sleep fitfully any more, or
 DS> snore or wake up gasping for breath.

Ruth is appreciating the quiet. :)

 DS> Not so good:  It is difficult to fall asleep in a chair, like
 DS> a recliner, or in a car, etc. without the air any more.  It's
 DS> like I'm "aware of my breathing" or like I feel my lungs won't
 DS> expand without the pressure.  This is purely psychological, I
 DS> know, but if I'm going to spend the night on the couch or
 DS> in the recliner (say, because I have a chest cold and laying down
 DS> makes me get congested) I have to have the CPAP with me.  No
 DS> option any more.

Again, I'll keep this in mind.

 DS> I heartily endorse the use of the machine, though.  It has made
 DS> a huge difference in my quality of life, and sleep.

I expect it will for me too.

Regards,

Stephen
Team OS/2, Team PPoint/IREX

... Proverbs 3:13 | Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

--- PPoint 3.01
 * Origin: Thunder Mountains Point (1:396/45.27)