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Newly diagnosed

Posted by Janey on December 03, 2002 at 20:49:09:

I'm a 38 year old woman and I was just diagnosed with REM-related OSA last week. The sleep doc ordered a DeVilbiss CPAP machine w/heater-humidifier and after trying lots of masks in the sleep lab, I settled on a Breeze w/nasal pillows. I have a few questions and would be grateful for answers...

1) I'm just now learning that there are many kinds of machines (mine is rented by my insurance company from the medical supply business). The hardest part for me is exhaling against the pressure (10). Would a Bi-level PAP or auto-PAP make that easier, and if yes, can I switch to one of those kinds of machines on my own, or would the doc have to be involved? Can I "test drive" a machine before exchanging my current one for a new one?

2) I've been pressing ramp very often during the night, to make the pressure bearable...but then I end up fragmenting my sleep. Do people generally get used to the pressure at "full strength"?

3) How long should I expect it to take for me to adjust to sleeping with the machine and headgear? I'm sure it varies from person to person but it would help to have some sense for when this will begin to feel "normal."

Thanks so much for your help!!

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