Just after a bit of advice

[verytired]

Hi All,
I have recently been referred to a new clinic as i was disappointed with the service I received at my previous one! (200 mile round trip but worth it)

Now, The new clinic refused to touch the machine that was from my previous clinic and wanted to retest me at their clinic for 2 reasons:

1) They had been sent limited information from my previous clinic.

2) I had changed the settings myself as i couldn't get an appointment at my clinic.

As I had travelled and I wasn't aware that it would be overnight stay, and given that I now have a fairly good knowledge of my condition(Thanks to Tigers Fan) they decided to give me one of their machines and see me again in 3 month to see I was getting on!

The machine i now have doesn't seem to help me!
Morning Headaches have returned and I know I will be dozing eating my tea tonight.
They asked me to contact them if I had any problems.

So the advice I'm after is!
Do I contact now or do I give it a few more days as I have only had the new machine since Monday 19th September?

Also Further time off Work will be required for the overnight stay.

??????????????
Thank you in advance
V Tired

[Richard]

First of all, I would make a note of the settings on your new CPAP, then contact the clinic that has fitted you and ask them what they believe the settings should be.

You will very likely encounter obfuscation and unhelpfulness, but you may be lucky and speak to someone co-operative. Speak to the head of the clinic team, asking for him/her by name, and say what is happening.

Another overnight stay should not be necessary; it is quite common to take delivery of a new machine and find the settings are not what were prescribed. You can input the settings from instructions given over the phone, so another journey shouldn't be necessary.


I hope this does the trick for you,

[Tigers Fan]

Do you know the setting that were on your 'old' machine? and what are the settings on your new machine? What type/model is each machine?

Do you use the same mask, now and then? Has anything else changed with the change of clinic?

Richard is right - I came away from my last review with the shiny new APAP I was told I needed - but it was set up as a CPAP!

TF

[verytired]

Thank you both for the advice

i think i will call the clinic as the settings on the new machine are back to the original settings on the old one(before i adjusted them) when i had trouble with the old clinic.
I think that after the frown i got when i mentioned i had to change the settings myself it would be best to contact them first.

Also i may as well ask while I'm here!

Is it possible to have Sleep Apnea and Insomnia at the same time?????

This may be a really stupid question but i am dying on my feet during the day, Dropping off whilst eating my Dinner then when i go to bed it takes me an age to go to sleep. 2 Days struggling with CPAP and it was still past 2 am before i nodded off.

IS This Normal?

Thank you
V Tired

[Richard]

It is most important if you're going to get the best from your night's sleep with the machine that you adopt a routine and stick to it.

Make a habit of going to bed at a particular time each night; after News at Ten, say. Allow yourself eight hours sleep, at least. No caffeine drinks after 7.00pm, and no alcohol. Don't eat cheese in the evening. Take to bed with you a mug of warm milk, and when you get into bed, relax and clear your head of all the problems and events the day has thrown at you. It is important to relax; it's no good going to bed with a grudge festering away - you will never get to sleep like that.

Only when you have done that should you connect to your CPAP. Make sure there are no leaks before you turn out the light.

Don't harbour any resentment at having to connect to CPAP every night. There are plenty of hose-heads here who could not live without their CPAP; connecting yourself at bedtime becomes just as natural as putting on your PJs.

Think of it this way: those with untreated OSA never dream, because their access to really deep sleep is restricted by 'waking up' every few seconds and breaking their sleep-pattern. CPAP will allow you to enter the realms of really deep, nourishing sleep, and you will feel all the better for it.

Persevere and you will see the benefits.

Richard