Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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ozij
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by ozij » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:21 am

This thread is meant to keep a list of information sources for newbies - and others.

If you've come this point in the thread because you have a specific question that you want to post, you are very welcome to create a new topic - and those who can will respond gladly to your new topic.

If you've come to this message because you are need of information sources, you will find all the information on the first message on this thread
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35702&start=0 .

Jules who initiated and created the thread edits the first message whenever there's something new.

O.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks.
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023

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junie
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by junie » Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:55 pm

Thank you so much for letting me join I need all the help I can get.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ LT Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Software: Encore Smart Card Reader - USB
Additional Comments: Pressure #11, FF. mask Flexifit 431 & 432, also Mirage Swift ll Nasal Pillow,
Judy

SleepingBeauty3
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Location: California

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by SleepingBeauty3 » Thu Dec 25, 2008 12:42 pm



Hi I am a newbie, to Sleep Apnea and too the CPap machine, it has been for only about a month.

I really need some good advice, because I am at a loss as to what to do about my situation. Here is the problem that I am struggling with:

Every single night while I am in a deep sleep, I REMOVE MY HEAD GEAR. I have no recollection of removing it upon waking the next morning.

Has anyone else here had this problem? If so, what did you do about it to make it stop? Should I tell the Dr? of ResMed? or both of them


SleepingBeauty3

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jules
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by jules » Thu Dec 25, 2008 12:55 pm

SleepingBeauty3 -

You might want to post your question down below in the topic area. Click on the Post a New Topic button at the top of the page, choose your title carefully so you get many readers, and include the mask and machine you are using in your post.

Jules

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ozij
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by ozij » Thu Dec 25, 2008 12:58 pm

ozij wrote:This thread is meant to keep a list of information sources for newbies - and others.

If you've come this point in the thread because you have a specific question that you want to post, you are very welcome to create a new topic - and those who can will respond gladly to your new topic.

If you've come to this message because you are need of information sources, you will find all the information on the first message on this thread
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35702&start=0 .

Jules who initiated and created the thread edits the first message whenever there's something new.

O.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks.
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023

jules
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Joined: Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:51 pm

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by jules » Thu Dec 25, 2008 1:28 pm

For anyone who comes down to the end of this thread and wishes to post a question for the forum members to answer, please start a new topic.

Go back to the main forum page and find the button like the one marked below with the HERE and arrow next to it.

Thanks.

Image

SleepingBeauty3
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Location: California

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by SleepingBeauty3 » Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:16 am

Thank you for your guidance. I do feel and a bit lost around here. What do I post, in where a Newbie Should Start

sleepingbeauty3

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rested gal
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by rested gal » Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:44 am

SleepingBeauty3, you can just click the "Post a New Topic" button (up at top of the page.) Make up a title for your post, like... My mask is causing a sore on my nose!

Write what you want to say and hit the "Submit" button at the bottom of your post.

It will then appear at the top of the longggg list of topics.

This particular topic that you're reading now is called "Where a Newbie Should Start" because Jules's first post has a lot of useful links in it to click. Links that go to lots of stuff to read about. The title "Where a Newbie Should Start" doesn't mean to "start posting in this topic."

It takes awhile to get the hang of using a message board. I made a lot of mistakes about where and how to post when I got started. No big deal. It's ok to make mistakes. That's one of the ways we learn.
ResMed S9 VPAP Auto (ASV)
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435

050681354
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by 050681354 » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:57 am

Thanks! Thanks to all of you who are taking the time to assist us 'newbies'. I started on the forum a couple of weeks ago under the username of 050681354 and since changed to "Crossfit Junkie" and I love this site! It's informative, easy to follow, emotional-we get a chance to share, help each other, empathize, and learn. Mostly, so far, I've learned that as long as we follow our correct treatment, eat well, and exercise- Life can be wonderful and normal. In ONE WEEK, I feel 100% better than I did last week- no exageration and my attitude has changed. Instead of dreading any challenges of the day, I have a clear head to make informative decisions and I welcome each new beginning. This is the first place I go each morning, after reading my morning meditation book, and before my exercise regime. For the first time since being diagnosed, I know I'm not alone. I'm really, really grateful to you all. Keep up the good work and I'll be watching for ya!
Crossfit Junkie

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Jason S.
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Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by Jason S. » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:44 pm

Hello. This is my first post. Sorry it's so long. I was recently
diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea, severe while sleeping on my back.
I've probably had it for many years, as my wife has complained about my
loud snoring. Thankfully she is a heavy sleeper. I was only alerted to
the problem in the last 6 months when I woke up suddenly gasping for
air, which was scary. This always happened while back sleeping, in a bed
or in a recliner. Most of the time I slept on my side, so I wasn't aware
of it happening very frequently. But occasionally I rolled onto my back.


So after two all-night sleep studies, one for testing and one for
titration, I bought a CPAP machine which is set to a pressure of 8 and
the Respironics Series M Confort-Gel full-face mask with heated
humidifier. I have a deviated septum and inflamed turbinates which have
resulted in longtime sinus problems, mainly bad headaches and
congestion. I only mention this because I have found relief from morning
headaches since using the machine. This may be due to the humidifier
aspects of the machine, and not the sleep deprivation part, or maybe
from not sucking in dry air through my mouth. In winter dry months, if I
didn't sleep with room humidifier I noticed my sinus problems were much
worse.

I've used the machine for about 210 hours, or about 35 six-hour nights.
Not all of these nights have been continuous however, because I stopped
using the machine on three occasions because I developed a painful nose
bridge ulcer. I started using a small fabric bandages and also loosened
the strap on the upper part of the mask. Thats seems to have helped, or
else my nose has just toughened up. I have a dented bridge (result of
deviated septum) and have always had a problem wearing eyeglasses. They
hurt my nose bridge after awhile. In the first few mornings after use I
had A LOT of gas and bloating, but that seems to have abated recently.
Has it abated because my body has become acclimated, or has the machine
stopped working for me? Anybody else experience this? If anyone has had
a colonoscopy where they pump you full of air, I would equate the
feeling to that.

I have definately noticed a reduction in afternoon sleepiness since
using the CPAP. I used to get very tired about one hour after lunch and
had to fight off dozing at my desk, a battle I sometimes lost. I also
would often fall asleep watching TV in a recliner as early as 8-9pm at
night. That semi-reclined position would soon lead to total closure of
my airway, causing me to wake up very suddenly with a start. Not a good
feeling. I would describe my sleep in general as "hard". I can't say I
woke up rested but I wasn't extremely tired either. I was, and still am,
sleeping only about 6 hours per night, but I'd like to think I'm getting
more REM sleep now. I feel like I had a little energy boost after about
the third day, including more refreshed on awakening, but unfortuneately
I had to stop then because of the nose ulcer. I guess its been
diminishing returns since then, with regard to the energy boost-morning
freshness, but as I've said I am less sleepy after lunch and even better
have had a huge reduction in morning sinus headaches, which I often took
sinus medicine for relief.

I feel like I have a problem with memory recall. I haven't seen any
improvement in that area. Do I need to wait longer for possible benefits
of energy boost, memory recall, alertness etc..? I have noticed that I
remember my dreams more and I also have had a reduction in acid reflux,
though I might attribute this to switching from diet soda back to
regular soda. I tried diet soda to lose weight. I didn't lose any weight
but my acid reflux got worse. I read that diet soda is worse than
regular soda. I am 53 years old. At 6'2" and 200lbs most people wouldn't
consider me overweight, but I've gained about 20 lbs in the last year
which has all gone to my gut. I don't consider myself as "fit". I've
gone up one waist size already and now that is too tight. I need to
start exercising more and get back on that treadmill.

One question I have is my setting for air pressure is 8, with a ramp up
from 4. I never notice the ramp up, but can hear the air pressure
difference when I start the machine and stop it, so I know its working.
However, I find myself sleeping on my back more now, because when I roll
onto my side the mask hits the pillow and is up against it, so it gets
moved out of position and results in leaks. So I gravitate towards back
sleeping which for me results in severe, not moderate sleep apnea.
Should I be concerned my machine is not set high enough?

Because of my sinus/septum issues I think I am a mouth breather while
sleeping. I used to soak my pillow with saliva. But after putting on the
mask I always breathe through my nose and keep my mouth closed. I
suspect that after I fall asleep my mouth opens and I become a mouth
breather. I always awaken with a dry mouth and still am, even with the
humidifier and the mask covering my mouth.

Another question is with the leaks. I wake up many times during the
night to adjust the mask. But I wonder that I might have a small leak
and not wake up, in which case the machine isn't working and I am
wearing the mask for nothing. I guess some leakage is expected (since it
always comes out the emergency nose hole anyway). So too tight causes a
nose ulcer and too loose causes leaks. I guess the Comfort-Gel mask is
designed to create a seal around the face. Perhaps the fabric bandaid
and beard stubble interfere with that? Someone else described their
nightly issues as "mask karma" and I guess that about sums it up for me
as well.

I use distilled water and set the humidifier at 3, because that is the
middle setting and the therapist didn't provide any guidance for me. I'm
not really good at cleaning, but I wash the plastic liner (the part that
touches the face) every few nights with dish soap and warm water.
Anybody know about those Citrix mask wipes? I wash the blue gel part
less often because when its gets wet it absorbs water and doesn't dry
easily. I rinse the hose with warm water every two weeks or so. It
doesn't get dry so I run the machine air through it for 60 seconds or
so. I'm sort of flying by the seat of my pants here. My health care
provider does provide replacement parts, but only after I've met my
deductible and then I think its only 75%.

Again, I apologize for the length of this post. It won't happen again.
Please feel free to offer suggestions or respond to any part of my post
that you have an opinion on. Thanks.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ F20 For Her Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Max pressure set at 15cm

jules
Posts: 3304
Joined: Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:51 pm

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by jules » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:01 pm

Jason,

You might want to start your own thread on this. If you start one, you can use copy and paste to copy all of this or let us know and one of us can copy this over for you with a quote.

Read this post from this thread.

viewtopic.php?p=324553#p324553

ysss
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:37 am

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by ysss » Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:14 am

Hi Everyone!

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 2 months ago and have found this board to be priceless during my quest for cpap 'wisdom'
My initial search was for a suitable Auto PAP machine which I've quickly concluded with the Remstar Auto-M as my base machine after reading the many review and recommendations on this board. The posts about Encore Pro (with SQL backend) and James Skinner's Encore Analyzer basically sealed the deal for me. As for the masks, I went with the Mirage Quattro and and Ultra Mirage because my wife has commented numerous times of how big my mouth is agape when I'm asleep Big mistake. 10 days or so of wrestling with the Quattro and I never got a lasting good seal... I don't think I could ever get used to having a full face device covering half of my face trying to sleep either. From the 10 or so days of use, I could only get 1 night of good sleep which happened because I was super tired after a day of outdoors activities. The rest of the days, I was sleep deprived with only 2-3 hours of 'proper' sleep.. and most of that happened after I ripped the Quattro off my face.

In my sleep deprived state, I almost gave up... then I got back here and went thru the posts to find more answers.

About 2 weeks ago, it finally came in the form of Opus 360
Where I averaged 1-2 hrs of sleep with the Quattro at 9+ AHI.. I could easily get 5+ hrs average at <2 AHI with the Opus. Oh, and my wife could sleep better too, because she doesn't sleep next to Darth Vader anymore nowadays (and I was referring to my sleep deprived temper, not the particular breathing noises

So right now I have a very lightly used Quattro and a still-sealed Ultra Mirage if anyone is interested *G* and am looking to trade the extra (Small & Large) Opus 360 nose pillows that I don't need (Goodness, I didn't know these small items cost $25 each! Does anyone know of a good place to buy em for less?).

Oh yeah, I'm also located in Indonesia.. so I'd be interested to find CPAP (enthusiast??) communities nearby (Singapore, Malaysia, Australia).

Cheers

-ysss

gmoorhouse
Posts: 17
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:28 am

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by gmoorhouse » Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:02 am

I"m new and here..........thought I should drop by and say hi.........I seen a bunch of "stuff" listed in the newbie start area and not sure what that is about maybe we can change this to the area that newbie come in and introduce theirselves, what type of sleep apnea, equipment, ect.............but no questions asked because the non newbie forums are for that part unless you make this a newbie forum for questions until they feel comfy........but then plz make an intro forum as well.


Thank and take care

cheer, beers and no tears.
Live another day to Love another day, kindness will never be mistake for weakness

THE HARD TRUTH

Re: Where A CPAP Newbie Should Start

Post by THE HARD TRUTH » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:27 pm

I WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED WITH OSA IN JULY 2008 AND LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE WHO HAS THIS DIAGNOSES,IS WAS TOLD ABOUT THE GOLD STANDARD.EVERY APNEA WEBSITE THAT I GO TO YOU READ THE SAME THING.FIRST OF ALL I AM NOT IN DENIAL,I HAVE APNEA AND IT CAN KILL ME.FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY ARE TOLD OVER AN OVER AGAIN THAT CPAP IS THE ANSWER.APNEA PATIENTS ARE BRAIN WASHED INTO THINKING THAT THERE IS NO THERAPY BUT CPAP.AT TIMES I THINK THAT MOST SLEEP DOCTORS HAVE A LOT OF STOCK IN THE CPAP COMPANIES AND THE DME'S.AND MAY BE GETTING KICK BACKS FROM THOSE COMPANIES.THE DOCTORS AND THE DME REPS TELL YOU JUST GET USED TO HAVING HURRICANE KATRINA STRAPPED ON THEIR FACE.JUST GET USED TO THE OVER PRICED MASKS THAT LEAK AND THE 50 LBS OF TIGHTNESS ON THEIR STRAPS JUST TO HOLD THE THING ON YOUR FACE THEN THEY TELL YOU THAT THE PERFECT MASK IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.IT REMINDS ME OF THE SCENE IN THE FIRST ALIENS MOVIE WHEN THE HALF SQUID AND HALF CRAP CLIMBS ON TO YOUR FACE.FIRST OF ALL CPAP'S ARE OBSOLETE.THEY TELL YOU YOU WILL GET USED TOTHE RESISTANCE OF YOU LABORED BREATHING OUT AGAINST THE INCOMING PRESSURE. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN,IT'S LIKE BREATHING INTO A BALLON ALL NIGHT LONG.I AM A AIRCRAFT MECHANIC i KNOW ALL ABOUT OXYGEN MASK REGULATORS. PILOT DO NOT HAVE TO BREATH AGAINST 300 LBS OF PRESSURE.THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NO REASON THAT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT YOU CAN'T EXHALE NORMALLY. THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY.BIPAS AND CFLEX ARE OPTIONS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIKE ME,THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE A HUMIDIFIED FISHER AND PAYKIIL AND A HUMIDIFIER IN YOUR BED ROOM.YOUR RINITUS MAKES YOU APNEA THROUGH YOUR NOSE.THEN THEY TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE TO CUT OUT YOUR SEPTUM AND PACK YOUR NOSE COMPLETELY WITH GAUZE FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS SO YOU CAN'T BREATH. THE ONLY REASON THAT I AM WRITING THIS IS TO SAVE YOU FROM WHAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH.I DECIDED TO GO THE ORAL APPLIANCE ROUTE AND I AM SURE GLAD THAT I DID. SINCE I HAVE NO TEETH A TAP WILL NOT WORK FOR ME BECAUSE I CAN NOT MOVE MY JAW FORWARD. AND THEN A DENTIST IN COLUMBUS OHIO FOUND A SOLUTION FOR ME. iT IS CALLED AVEO tsd AND IT IS MADE IN NEW ZEALAND BUT IS APPROVED BY THE FDA. APNEA IS SIMPLE MECHANICS. YOUR TONGUE BLOCKS YOUR AIRWAYS. THE TOUNGE STABILIZING DEVICE THROUGH SUCTION HOLDS YOUR TONGUE OUT.IT REALLY WORKS.100% COMPLIANCE FROM THE FIRST DAY THAT YOU USE IT.iT COST THE SAME AS ONE CPAP MASK $150.YOU JUST HAVE TO GO TO A DENTIST AND YOUR SLEEP DOCTOR CAN FIND A GOOD ONE FOR YOU. BUT IF YOU STILL WANT TO BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT CPAP GO AHEAD AND KEEP TELLING YOURSELF THAT IS IS THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS OUT THERE.kEEP LISTENING TO THE BULL THAT YOU WILL JUST GET OVER IT

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Perchancetodream
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The Truth about the hard truth

Post by Perchancetodream » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:39 pm

Borrowing from Rested Gal's post:
rested gal wrote:Here are links to some topics where snork1 discussed his experience trying the Aveo tongue device:

Somnoguard AP vs Aveo TSD
viewtopic/p334869/viewtopic.php?p=144209#p144209

Aveao TSD vs dental device
viewtopic/p334869/viewtopic.php?p=135042#p135042

Surgery: My final option. Death is better than this....
viewtopic/p334869/viewtopic.php?p=99876#p99876
"If space is really a vacuum, who changes the bag?" George Carlin