Had my sleep study done...

[momeNt]

Sure, this would cause unnecessary stress on the lower back as well as other joints. You aren't going to be able to have correct posture for things like typing at a computer for an extended period of time while standing up. The people here who work away from a desk, at a bench top, are limited to 15 minutes of computer use at a time while at a standing terminal. There is a thick floor mat and adjustable keyboard and mouse trays to get the proper posture. Even with all this, you are going to do damage over extended periods of time. Standing would be fine if you could maintain proper posture but it not going to work for all employees.

It's simple, standing desks require too much training and rely too much on the user to use properly. Companies are able to have less liability by sticking to the traditional sitting desks. Not saying you can't do it with standing, but few companies are going to take on the risks.

Good points. I would have to agree with you that a weak correlation that may or may not be causal such as the heart health of sitting down for extended periods of time has a lot less liability attached to it than a standing desk and the pain associated with improper posture.

The workplace wouldn't be forcing employees to sit up or stand down to work though, it's simply having the option to do either. There are also mechanized desks that raise and lower so you can alternate between positions. Which would be the best option as you can easily switch to reduce fatigue.

 

[mcveigh]

Sleep tech here.

1) get a GOOD sleep doctor, not your regular doc. They don't know crap about sleep and CPAP. Seriously a sleep specialist is what you need. Unfortunately your insurance may say no unless your primary care doc will refer you.

2) The best mask out right now is the swift FX. Seriously like 80-90% of my patients choose this mask.
http://www.resmed.com/int/products/swift_fx/swift-fx.html?nc=patients

my second choice would be the Swift LT (it's slightly bigger but more adjustable)
http://www.resmed.com/int/products/swift_lt/swift-lt.html?nc=patients

for a full face mask the Quattro FX
http://www.resmed.com/int/products/quattro_fx/quattro-fx.html?nc=patients

all by resmed.

good luck!:thumbsup:

 

[Ns1]

I also have severe sleep apnea, waking up > 100 times/hr.

I stopped using the mask after a few days because the noise freaks out my dog. I need to get back on it...

My out of pocket was $0.

 

[ThePresence]

2) The best mask out right now is the swift FX. Seriously like 80-90% of my patients choose this mask.
http://www.resmed.com/int/products/swift_fx/swift-fx.html?nc=patients

As Im sure you know, it wont work for everyone even with the chin strap. I have this mask, tried it, never used it. Won't work for me. Fortunately my insurance lets me get a new mask every six months.

 

[Ns1]

As Im sure you know, it wont work for everyone even with the chin strap. I have this mask, tried it, never used it. Won't work for me. Fortunately my insurance lets me get a new mask every six months.

What's your process for getting a new mask?

 

[ThePresence]

What's your process for getting a new mask?

I just call the medical supply place, they check with insurance and ship it out.

 

[Ns1]

I just call the medical supply place, they check with insurance and ship it out.

Thanks, my mask is a pain in the ass, might try to get this swift fx.

 

[CRXican]

It's a wonder how the human race survived before doctors were able to diagnose and treat everyone with an acronym. I am amazed.

people weren't so damn fat and out of shape back then

 

[highland145]

120 times/hr.....OMG.

2nd on the bike.

Best of....

Didn't know we had our own sleep tech on OT.:thumbsup:

 

[mcveigh]

As Im sure you know, it wont work for everyone even with the chin strap. I have this mask, tried it, never used it. Won't work for me. Fortunately my insurance lets me get a new mask every six months.

the mask is just an interface. there is no right or wrong. as long as it can keep a good seal and you can sleep with it will work.

I think you posted earlier you are using the liberty?? I like it but it takes more time to fit for people. If you get a chance you might want to try that new quattro FX. I really like it.

Depending on insurance covereage, they often treat the head gear, frame and mask cushion as seperate parts and reaplce them a different intervals.
but usually you can get a new mask every 3-6 months.

 

[MixMasterTang]

When I had my first sleep study I was 190 pounds (5'11") but not really in shape. Had moderate/severe apnea (60-70) episodes per hour. I have since had surgery and the problem still persists. My next option will be some kind of dental device because it appears my tongue is a big part of the problem. Interesting read here about Joe Rogan having much the same issue: http://blog.joerogan.net/archives/215 so it always cant be cured by weight loss.

 

[ThePresence]

the mask is just an interface. there is no right or wrong. as long as it can keep a good seal and you can sleep with it will work.

I think you posted earlier you are using the liberty?? I like it but it takes more time to fit for people. If you get a chance you might want to try that new quattro FX. I really like it.

Depending on insurance covereage, they often treat the head gear, frame and mask cushion as seperate parts and reaplce them a different intervals.
but usually you can get a new mask every 3-6 months.

I'm using the liberty. It's the only one I was able to find a comfort zone with. The Quattro that I tried was to big for me to sleep comfortably. Problem with the Swift FX is if you open your mouth at all when you sleep you feel like you swallowed a jet engine.

 

[mcveigh]

When I had my first sleep study I was 190 pounds (5'11") but not really in shape. Had moderate/severe apnea (60-70) episodes per hour. I have since had surgery and the problem still persists. My next option will be some kind of dental device because it appears my tongue is a big part of the problem. Interesting read here about Joe Rogan having much the same issue: http://blog.joerogan.net/archives/215 so it always cant be cured by weight loss.

it's not always weight that's the cause but it's usually a big contributing factor.

cpap is the gold standard. for 99% of people as long as you can sleep with it, it works. My dad, mother-in-law, and grandfather are on it. I know every option out there and it's what I have my family on.

The UPPP is a type of surgery I don't reccomend. It's very painful, and has poor long term results, the tissue sometimes grows back.

dental devices can help a lot if you problem is a jaw position one. doesn't help with being fat.

provent is something new that I've used in the lab to test for effectiveness.
http://www.proventtherapy.com/
I've seen it help quite a lot but never 90-100%

as a side note my medical director says he has had good results using a combination of a dental device to shift the jaw forward and the provent.

my lab is currently doing a medical trial of a new device hta tis implanted like a pacemaker and uses electro-stim to tighten the muscles around the airway to help keep it open during sleep.

so far it looks very promising. The device is approved for use in Germany and The Netherlands I think.

just throwing out some other options.()

 

[TallBill]

I dunno how the hell they'd do a sleep study on me... it seems that every day I sleep differently.

 

[MixMasterTang]

it's not always weight that's the cause but it's usually a big contributing factor.

cpap is the gold standard. for 99% of people as long as you can sleep with it, it works. My dad, mother-in-law, and grandfather are on it. I know every option out there and it's what I have my family on.

The UPPP is a type of surgery I don't reccomend. It's very painful, and has poor long term results, the tissue sometimes grows back.

dental devices can help a lot if you problem is a jaw position one. doesn't help with being fat.

provent is something new that I've used in the lab to test for effectiveness.
http://www.proventtherapy.com/
I've seen it help quite a lot but never 90-100%

as a side note my medical director says he has had good results using a combination of a dental device to shift the jaw forward and the provent.

my lab is currently doing a medical trial of a new device hta tis implanted like a pacemaker and uses electro-stim to tighten the muscles around the airway to help keep it open during sleep.

so far it looks very promising. The device is approved for use in Germany and The Netherlands I think.

just throwing out some other options.()

let me know if you need any volunteers for the trial!

 

[Fritzo]

My if has sleep apnea. She has one of those machines too, but it's so uncomfortable and difficult to clean she stopped using it.

She'll be laying there and stop breathing, then after 5-10 seconds she'll start again with a loud ***SSSNNNNNOOOOOKKKRRRZZZSKKKKKKAAAAAAKKKKKKSZZZZZ***

Since she refuses to wear the breathing mask, I figure I'll just let her die one night and collect the life insurance :whiste:

 

[slag]

Sleep tech here.

1) get a GOOD sleep doctor, not your regular doc. They don't know crap about sleep and CPAP. Seriously a sleep specialist is what you need. Unfortunately your insurance may say no unless your primary care doc will refer you.

2) The best mask out right now is the swift FX. Seriously like 80-90% of my patients choose this mask.
http://www.resmed.com/int/products/swift_fx/swift-fx.html?nc=patients

my second choice would be the Swift LT (it's slightly bigger but more adjustable)
http://www.resmed.com/int/products/swift_lt/swift-lt.html?nc=patients

for a full face mask the Quattro FX
http://www.resmed.com/int/products/quattro_fx/quattro-fx.html?nc=patients

all by resmed.

good luck!:thumbsup:

Thanks! I'm checking out that mask right now. I did have my sleep study done by a sleep specialist after a referral by an ENT. Did the whole videotape and review thing. It was $4k for the sleep study but insurance covered most of it.

 

[slag]

I dunno how the hell they'd do a sleep study on me... it seems that every day I sleep differently.

Same here. I like to sleep on my stomach but its not possible during the sleep study. They hooked like 18 connections up to my head alone, some to my arms, finger, chest, neck, legs, etc. I was basically on my back, staring at the ceiling. Even trying to get under the covers was an excercise in futility. Needless to say, I didn't get a restfull sleep, and the mask kept coming off or leaking air, or making me sweat.

I almost aways sleep on my stomach but couldn't that night. couldn't even sleep on my side well.

 

[mcveigh]

Same here. I like to sleep on my stomach but its not possible during the sleep study. They hooked like 18 connections up to my head alone, some to my arms, finger, chest, neck, legs, etc. I was basically on my back, staring at the ceiling. Even trying to get under the covers was an excercise in futility. Needless to say, I didn't get a restfull sleep, and the mask kept coming off or leaking air, or making me sweat.

I almost aways sleep on my stomach but couldn't that night. couldn't even sleep on my side well.

the tech didn't do a good job hooking you up then

 

[slag]

Day 3 of using my cpap machine and I'm noticing the difference already. I'm awake today at work for the first time in a long time. I had very little difficulty adjusting to the cpap machine. I have just a nose mask. The machine has pressure on a scale of 1-20 and I'm set at a 19. It also ramps up slowly over 20 minutes to help me fall asleep. I route the air hose up over my head, through the backboard (metal), and down to the machine on the floor. I never notice the hose since its over my head.

Really liking it so far.

 

[mcveigh]

Day 3 of using my cpap machine and I'm noticing the difference already. I'm awake today at work for the first time in a long time. I had very little difficulty adjusting to the cpap machine. I have just a nose mask. The machine has pressure on a scale of 1-20 and I'm set at a 19. It also ramps up slowly over 20 minutes to help me fall asleep. I route the air hose up over my head, through the backboard (metal), and down to the machine on the floor. I never notice the hose since its over my head.

Really liking it so far.

awesome!

 

[slag]

Seth,

My experience in getting fitted was totally different than how I envisoned it. My idea was that I would go in, meet with the person fitting me, talk to me, ask me for my preferences, let me try a few masks, etc.

Thats not how it went.

I got there, he had the machine and mask on his desk, explained everything in detail, but told me I would be starting with a nose mask because its the most inobtrusive. He didn't offer me a full face mask or anything with nasal pillows. He did say to try it for a week or two and that I had 30 days to return it if I didn't like it and get a different kind. He also sold me some mask wipes, but told me to clean it religiously to avoid "nasties" and was very helpful.

 

[lupi]

I had to have 2 studies done. I almost never sleep just on my back which is how you have to stay to do the study while all hooked up, so first time I didn't enter true sleep until about 6 hours in and they had little time to get real data.

My doc was a dentist before converting and recommends against the dental devices so tried the machine for awhile. Did get more sleep affect with less time spent asleep, but had same problem with machine as I did the test, so I would try and wait till and to pass out before putting it on.

Both my doc and sleep guys documented that mine was probably attributed to shape of my throat, so went in for the surgery. By far the most narcotics I've ever taken and I would have been just as happy to have stayed in the hospital for the first week or so so that I could have maintained the morphine drip.

Post recovery though I sleep as well as with the machine without having to use the damned thing, and my snore went from about an 85/100 to 2/100.

Thee only negative is that pre-op I could lay down and sleep 8-10 hours without awaking for anything unless someone intentionally tried to wake me, now normal sounds and such can get me up and once I hit about 6 hours it gets more likely that minimal exterior events could wake me.

 

[ThePresence]

Thee only negative is that pre-op I could lay down and sleep 8-10 hours without awaking for anything unless someone intentionally tried to wake me, now normal sounds and such can get me up and once I hit about 6 hours it gets more likely that minimal exterior events could wake me.

Why is that?

 

[slag]

Why is that?

I'm guessing his/her body gets more sleep now and doesn't need 8-12 hours of "rest"