Diabetes Talking

Question:

To all old and new kids on the block here is a great web site to check out if you are looking for CPAP and Bilevel products. http://www.sound.net/~montage

Response:

> > Does anyone know how long this newsgroup has been in existence ? > My guess would be about a year and a half — or was that just when I > happened upon it? > Sally in Seattle

  I think this newsgroup is so popular because …. there is a lot of info   found here, that can not be found in the real world. I am amazed at how many   practicing physicians are not really up to date with this topic. However, I see   they are trying to come up to speed. —           " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

Response:

Mike Wallace wrote: > Hi FJW > Welcome to the sleep- order newsgroup! > Like you was just 5 weeks > ago started on a air machine and have learned a lot from this newsgroup. > I found questions to ask my Md and solutions to problems with equipment > and tips on medication to make things easier.

  Mike zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz   Thank you for your comment.   Are you taking any medication that effects your sleeping pattern ?   fjw …   —           " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

Response:

BillsCPAP in Seattle wrote: > I advise my patients: > If you want warmer air, put your CPAP close to the ceiling, if you want > cooler, put it closer to the floor.

  Bill, in your opinion, in the first couple of months while trying to   correct some of the damage has caused by snoring. Which is better, cooler   or warmer air ? > My machine sits 6" off the floor, under a table that has a table cloth over > it reaching to within 3" off the floor.  No one sees it, dust doesn’t > settle on it and I really like the cooler air.

  How does this effect the ventilation ?  I read somewhere, the unit needs to   be out in the open.   fjw … —           " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

Response:

jerry halberstadt wrote: > f…@popmail.vnet.net writes: >> if electrical power should go off during a thunder storm, >> the unit would be without electricity. Without the machine in >> operation and the mask on … one could suffocate. > You should check with your medical care provider about the danger of > suffocation, but you would probably start to breathe through your > mouth and/or wake up if the pressure dropped because of an electrical > failure.

  Jerry, thanks for the info. I will be checking with my "care provider" and getting   the backup system. With the unit I now have, one of the newer models, when   the air flow stops there is an "alert" audible signal. It pays to read the little   instruction booklet … before operating same           " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

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> >BTW — I didn’t know it was supposed to be on the same level as > >one’s head!  That’s a new one, to me. > It is important if you are using a humidifier to not have the > humidifier higher than your head…if something should happen the > water could run downhill…into your mask. > Ed Whitesell, RRT

  WOW ….   ED, thank you for this IMPORTANT INFORMATION. As I read the above statement   it almost knocked me out of my chair. When I read the instructions on not   having it above one’s head level, I was thinking it meant so it would not fall   on you during the night.   I do have a humidifier connected to my unit with about two coffee cups of water in   it.  Again, it is so important to have support groups like this to refer to.   Before I replied to you ……… I immediately took the unit off the top of the   bookshelf which is about two (2) feet above my head and placed it on a night stand   that is presently even with my head as I lay.   Another potential " LIFE SAVING " piece of information communicated for all to see   and heed.   fjw … —           " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

Response:

f…@popmail.vnet.net wrote: > BillsCPAP in Seattle wrote: > > I advise my patients: > > If you want warmer air, put your CPAP close to the ceiling, if you want > > cooler, put it closer to the floor. >   Bill, in your opinion, in the first couple of months while trying to >   correct some of the damage has caused by snoring. Which is better, > cooler >   or warmer air ?

*************COOLER********************** > > My machine sits 6" off the floor, under a table that has a table cloth over > > it reaching to within 3" off the floor.  No one sees it, dust doesn’t > > settle on it and I really like the cooler air. >   How does this effect the ventilation ?  I read somewhere, the unit > needs to >   be out in the open.

**********Just needs to have the ability to gather air for cooling and for the fan.  My temp never varied more than 2 degrees off ambient.*** BillsCPAP in Seattle

Response:

In article <33DD966D.6…@popmail.vnet.net>, f…@popmail.vnet.net writes: >  I think this newsgroup is so popular because …. there is a lot of >info >  found here, that can not be found in the real world.

Wel-l-l-l — you could read my book…. Sally in Seattle JSo…@aol.com Coauthor, with Dr. Ralph Pascualy, of Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Personal and Family Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment, published in 1996 by Demos Vermande, NY.  

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In article <5rl18l$…@camel12.mindspring.com>, Hi, alannorths…@blahblahblahmindspring.com writes: >Unless your power is quite unreliable, it wouldn’t seem to be >necessary to have a power backup.  The worst that could happen is >that you’d have one or two nights of bad sleep.  I know this >isn’t good, and may have some element of danger, but just think >how long you went with apnea before you got your CPAP — that’s >an indication that a bit of a power outage is more of an >annoyance than an emergency.

True, Alan.  But once you’ve been on CPAP for awhile, and are feeling great and are used to getting a good night’s sleep every night and waking up refreshed, spending a night in a constant struggle to breathe can be excruciatingly horrible.  I don’t think people can imagine what it’s like unless they’ve experienced it, or watched someone suffer through the torment.   My husband has been through several such nights, over the years — massive weights squashing his chest, feelings of suffocation, feeling like road kill the next day.  After the third power outage, he said, "That’s it!" and bought a deep cycle battery. Sleep well! Sally in Seattle JSo…@aol.com Coauthor, with Dr. Ralph Pascualy, of Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Personal and Family Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment, published in 1996 by Demos Vermande, NY.  

Response:

>  You are badly misinformed about OSA.  CPAP does not "cure " OSA, > it keeps you alive and healthy for one more night!!!!!  You do not > become "healed" by CPAP.

Another question answered that I was planning on asking. It is good to see this on going expression of information for all to share. fjw … —           " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

Response:

>   Been there …….Done that!!!!!!!   A Deep-cycle battery beats a > Heart attack any day, in my game plan.  Cheap insurance!!!!!!! >   …………Mr. Bear…………………………………………..

  Made a visit to my Homecare Provider’s office yesterday. He gave me all the information I needed on the converter and marine battery.    We will be checking with the insurance company to see if they will add it onto the bill of my CPAP. If not I will purchase the outfit on my own … will run about $250.  Yes, after experiencing the wonders of positive sleep … this person will gladly put out the money. Again, thanks to all for your support and answering a newbie’s questions. August 5th, I will be attending my first AWAKE meeting. My Homecare Provider will also be there ……. fjw —           " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

Response:

Greetings to everyone in this newsgroup and I would like to thank Sally in Seattle for her invitation to participate. My journey started with Sleep Apnea probably many years ago but was not detected until recently. Sleep deprivation was blamed on other medications … to some degree that could have been the case. However, since I have been on CPAP for about 36 hours now, there is a big difference in my energy level and staying awake when I am suppose to be awake. After making two visits to the emergency room for an elongated and swollen uvula, I was advised to seek the services of an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. He in turn referred me to a sleep specialist. Once I was able to meet with her … she set me up with a night sleep study at the hospital. I have been informed, I have a severe case of Sleep Apnea. A homecare person with a CPAP was dispatched to my home and I have been sleeping with it for close to a week now. As with anything new … the person who set me up with this machine can only tell you so much in an hour. This newsgroup has been a life saver for me. It is answering questions that I didn’t even know to ask. As I told Sally in my e-mail message, I was going to wait and read a while before posting. However, with the dialog that is going on here, I wanted to jump in and get to know ya’ll I am not unfamiliar with the Internet by no means … as soon as my homecare provider left, I came directly to the Net and put in the search for CPAP. With this brief introduction, I look forward to meeting many of you and to your postings and e-mail. I am a fifty three year old male living in North Carolina. Regards, fjw ….           " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

Response:

In article <33D8E64E.6…@popmail.vnet.net>,   f…@popmail.vnet.net wrote:

snip >   Also, an open question for anyone. >   I have read if electrial power should go off during a thunder storm, >   the unit would be without electricity. Without the machine in > operation >   and the mask on … one could suffocate. Are there any backup units >   that I could purchase to prevent the possibilty of this happening ? >   fjw ..

******************* FJW, There are some "in-line" power supplies which provide power for a specified time following a power outage, and some even come with alarms. Doug (Temporarily from the facilities of scenic Weber State University, UT, USA) ************************************************************************** ——————-==== Posted via Deja News ====———————–       http://www.dejanews.com/     Search, Read, Post to Usenet

Response:

We did get a power hit the other night. I did wake up. I have upper airway resistance syndrome so don’t risk death without my CPAP just a really tired day the next day! I love the feel of my pillow on my cheek instead of the strap to the nasal pillows. Barbara

Response:

I advise my patients: If you want warmer air, put your CPAP close to the ceiling, if you want cooler, put it closer to the floor.  If you put it under your bed, the filter will clog up quickly due to the infamous "Dust Bunnies".  My machine sits 6" off the floor, under a table that has a table cloth over it reaching to within 3" off the floor.  No one sees it, dust doesn’t settle on it and I really like the cooler air. As far as power outages, everyone I have known, wakes up, much in the same way you did before you started on CPAP.  The real problem are for those individuals with the "Full Face" type devices.  Even though there is a "Safety Valve", I am not convinced this is truly effective.  IMHO BillsCPAP in Seattle – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -f…@popmail.vnet.net wrote: > a…@no.spam.com wrote: > > >Mine also hangs down so I don’t have to worry about getting tangled > > >in the tube as I sleep. >   Alan, >   I was under the impression the machine was suppose to be level with >   one’s head. Have you had any problems with it being under the bed ? >   Especially with the ventilation process. >   Also, an open question for anyone. >   I have read if electrial power should go off during a thunder storm, >   the unit would be without electricity. Without the machine in > operation >   and the mask on … one could suffocate. Are there any backup units >   that I could purchase to prevent the possibilty of this happening ? >   fjw .. >         " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

Response:

f…@popmail.vnet.net wrote: > Greetings to everyone in this newsgroup and I would like to thank > Sally > in Seattle > for her invitation to participate. > My journey started with Sleep Apnea probably many years ago but was > not > detected until recently.

Hi FJWWelcome to the sleep- order newsgroup! I say order because the only place theres any kind of order is here! I’m a 51 yr old male with severe OSA and CSA with Diabetes in Illinois. Like you was just 5 weeks ago started on a air machine and have learned a lot from this newsgroup. I found questions to ask my Md and solutions to problems with equipment and tips on medication to make things easier. Mike zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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In article <33D7A2CF.7…@popmail.vnet.net>, f…@popmail.vnet.net writes: > Does anyone know how long this newsgroup has been in existence ?

My guess would be about a year and a half — or was that just when I happened upon it? Sally in Seattle JSo…@aol.com Coauthor, with Dr. Ralph Pascualy, of Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Personal and Family Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment, published in 1996 by Demos Vermande, NY.  

Response:

Hi, FJW In article <33D8E64E.6…@popmail.vnet.net>, f…@popmail.vnet.net writes: > the machine was suppose to be level with >  one’s head.

I don’t think this is necessary.  If you have a humidifier, I think it’s supposed to be below the level of your head, but the location of the CPAP is not important. > if electrial power should go off during a thunder storm, >  the unit would be without electricity

You can use a deep cycle marine battery.  Talk to your CPAP supplier about exactly what kind of cables and adapters to use to connect your machine to it. Best wishes, Sally in Seattle JSo…@aol.com Coauthor, with Dr. Ralph Pascualy, of Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Personal and Family Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment, published in 1996 by Demos Vermande, NY.  

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a…@no.spam.com wrote: > >Mine also hangs down so I don’t have to worry about getting tangled > >in the tube as I sleep.

  Alan,   I was under the impression the machine was suppose to be level with   one’s head. Have you had any problems with it being under the bed ?   Especially with the ventilation process.   Also, an open question for anyone.   I have read if electrial power should go off during a thunder storm,   the unit would be without electricity. Without the machine in operation   and the mask on … one could suffocate. Are there any backup units   that I could purchase to prevent the possibilty of this happening ?   fjw ..                   " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

Response:

f…@popmail.vnet.net writes: >  Also, an open question for anyone. >  I have read if electrial power should go off during a thunder storm, >  the unit would be without electricity. Without the machine in >operation >  and the mask on … one could suffocate. Are there any backup units >  that I could purchase to prevent the possibilty of this happening ? >  fjw ..           >        " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

You should check with your medical care provider about the danger of suffocation, but you would probably start to breathe through your mouth and/or wake up if the pressure dropped because of an electrical failure. Electrical backup systems (i.e., battery operation) is discussed in a 4-part newsletter on the Phantom Sleep Page <http://www.newtechpub.com/phantom>. In the event of a power failure, you would have to wake up, connect the battery power supply to your CPAP. If your concerns were great and/or you had a medical reason for avoiding any risk of losing power, a more expensive option would be some form of UPS — uninterruptable power supply– there is a backup battery which kicks in whenver the mains current fails to meet standards. You could also see about an alarm that would wake you up if the electricity were to fail. — Jerry Halberstadt. *President, New Technology Publishing, Inc: Health & Business Resources *Principal, FORESIGHT: Visionary business plans. * PHANTOM SLEEP PAGE <http://www.newtechpub.com/> *<halbe…@world.std.com> * 6 W.Blvd. POB 1737, Onset MA 02558 USA.

Response:

On Thu, 24 Jul 1997 02:42:55 -0700, f…@popmail.vnet.net wrote: >With this brief introduction, I look forward to meeting many of you and >to yourpostings and e-mail. >Regards, >fjw ….

Welcome to a rather unique collection of individuals.  All happy we have a group to share our concerns with while each wishing the original reason for why we are here didn’t exist. Indeed reading the posting can truly assist.  Awhile back I was having trouble adjusting to the CPAP system.  Key problem was dragging the tubing back and forth over a king size bed.  From experimentation and adaptation of hints read here I elevated the tubing so it drapes down from overhead.  Now nothing yanks off or gets pulled by my arms. Little item made quicker by the newsgroup. I’m certain in time you’ll both have items that have helped you and useful items for others. ********************************************   Anti-spam measures in action.             For e-mail response delete "nospam"     ********************************************

Response:

Jim Strand wrote: > On Thu, 24 Jul 1997 02:42:55 -0700, f…@popmail.vnet.net wrote: > >With this brief introduction, I look forward to meeting many of you and > >to your postings and e-mail. > >Regards, > >fjw …. > Welcome to a rather unique collection of individuals.  All happy we > have a group to share our concerns with while each wishing the > original reason for why we are here didn’t exist.

  Jim,   Thank you for the kind words. I learned early about the dragging tube. Mine also   hangs down so I don’t have to worry about getting tangled in the tube as I sleep.   Does anyone know how long this newsgroup has been in existence ?   fjw   —           " I am not ADDICTED to the NET, it is just my way of LIFE "

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