The reason for a gap in blogging.

This is the reason for my recent neglect of the blog. I'll begin posting again once my home has regained "balance". Her name is Allison Brooke. She was born on 8/16/2010. She weighed 7lbs 6oz and 21 inches tall. Both her and mom are safe, happy and healthy!

Switching from Swift LT to Swift FX

I've been using the Swift LT for 1 1/2 to 2 years. It worked well for me. I put it through its paces. I took it camping, took it to relatives homes, used it on couches, of course used it at home sweet home in my bed, slept on my sides, back and even face!. The LT worked like a champ in all those sleeping arrangements and positions. Why in the world would I give up the LT? Well, to see what new technology offered! The Swift LT was the third or fourth masked I tried in search of the perfect mask for me. I was very impressed at the time. So, once the Swift FX came about, I thought I should give it a try! Let's start by opening the package.

The FX comes with more than any typical CPAP mask. The packaged contained four different sizes: extra small, small, medium, and large. The mask also came with soft wraps. Soft wraps are padding strips that go along the cheek portion of the mask. Last but not least, the FX comes with the User Guide. Enough with looking at it, I wanted to use it!

It was fairly easy to adjust. A quick pull over the head and pull a couple of straps, there, I was sealed and more importantly comfortable. I did this in front of a mirror. This makes adusting it a little easier for me. I found it best to adjust it while I have it on. Also, be sure to adjust your mask well before you want to go to sleep. When you are ready to sleep is not the best time to try and figure out a new mask. Believe me, I've tried it. Next step, don the mask at sleepy time and sleep with it!

No matter how experienced you are with CPAP, new masks always take some getting used to. When I first put it on at bed time with the CPAP on, it felt like "more air" than usual. However, the CPAP machine's setting was the same as before. The only reason I can come up with for the feeling is the following. CPAP masks are shaped differently in many ways. The air flow pattern for a particular mask is unique. What I mean is air is going to flow differently through a full face mask versus nasal pillows. Air will also flow differently in different styles of nasal pillows too. So, maybe the FX gives the sensation of "more air". Well, anyway, this concludes my specultion on this matter. On with the sleep.

Once I was laying in position to go to sleep, I noticed the FX exhaust port vented in a slightly different direction than the LT. I had to move the blanket a little so the exhaust didn't blow onto it making a ssshhhhhh sound. There, one hurdle jumped. This was actually something I had to continue to get used to. When I would roll, I had to adjust things a little to keep the ssshhhh away. As with most any mask, you have to deal with the exhaust flow. It is by no means only with the FX.

Overall, the first night with the FX went well. It wasn't as good as the good ole LT night, but I had some adjusting to do. No worries. I'll get there.

Stay tuned for more FX updates!

When should I have sleep study?

There are a few different scenarios in which a sleep study is needed or recommended. These scenarios include but are not limited to: Undiagnosed Sleep Disorder(s), Retitration, and Requalify.

First, let's look at undiagnosed sleep disorder(s). If you feel tired all the time, your sleep is not refreshing, you can't fall asleep, you can't stay asleep, you can't stay awake at the proper times, someone says you stop breathing while you sleep, or someone says you snore a lot, you are a prime candidate for a sleep study. Many different sleep disorders exist in which countless books, articles and publications are written. For time sake, I won't go into them. But, if you fall into this category, it is well worth your time to get checked out. It may save your life.

For those of you who have already had sleep studies and diagnosed with a Sleep Breathing Disorder, you fall into the Retitration and Requalification categories. Retitration is straight forward as to what is done, the sleep center simply titrates you again on xPAP. Sometimes the Sleep Doc will want to go from CPAP to BiPAP or maybe even a switch to "Fancy PAP". I use that term for everything else like AutoSV, ST, AVAPS, and others. When I first started titrating patients, we only had CPAP and BiPAP. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. How do you know when you are a candidate for a Retitration? Some of the instances may be if you are snoring with your mask on, feeling tired and unrefreshed, and sometimes when you feel it is not working for you in general. Some xPAP users get retitrated every couple of years just to be sure they are receiving optimal therapy. However, with today's technologies, patients and doctors are able to follow the progress because new xPAP machines will provide AHI's and leak data. Ultimately, it is best your doctor determines when you need a retitration. This brings us to Requalification.

Requalification is more for insurance companies. Depending on the insurance company, an individual needs to be redocumented and titrated every so many years. Especially if you need a new xPAP machine. Redocumentation means they need proof that you still have sleep apnea. So, you have to undergo a polysomnogram without xPAP so they can see how bad you are. This is usually a tough night for someone used to sleeping with xPAP. If the individual is lucky, a split night will be performed. If not, a second night is needed.

These are only very broad categories for when someone should have a sleep study. There are more reasons to have a sleep study that I did not touch on. If your doctor wants or needs you to have one, by all means do it.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comment section or send me an e-mail. My e-mail is listed in my profile. Until next time, Happy Sleeping!