First night with a CPAP

FlameOut wrote:I had the humidifier set to "waterboard."

OK that was funny..

Have you tried lowering the setting to see if it helps?

It's all normal. Took me almost a week of hell before I got used to it. You're breathing is probably fighting against it, thats what I was doing. You have to set your mind to relaxing and breathing normal. Of course, you also need to post your pressures as it is a significant piece of information people can use to help you. There's ramp settings and exhale relief some people use that can help, depending again on your pressures. The waterboarding effect (funny) can be solved in a few ways as well. Hose placement, heated vs. non-heated hose, etc. Probably need a little more info on what you're doing.

In order to really tell if its working, you'd do well to get the Sleepyhead software and track what's going on. It's possible you were asleep and dont realize it. For the dry mouth, if you know you can breathe through your nose all night there are other options people like beside the full face. I'm a mouth breather so I have to use the full face. I arrange myself on the pillow to keep it from getting pushed off. If you're a mouth breather, like myself, you dont really have much of a choice. I use biotene gel before bed and it helps to reduce dry mouth enough that it doesnt wake me up.

I dont think taking it off your face and leaving it running hurts anything. I've done it a time or two. Stick with it, it takes time but it's worth it

ChicagoGranny wrote:

FlameOut wrote:turning off the rig

We need to know exactly what equipment you are using. Go to User Control Panel/Profile and fill out the equipment section.

FlameOut wrote:If I remove the mask for awhile w/o turning off the rig,

You probably have not damaged the machine, but ...

Why not just turn the machine off, and then you don't have to worry about it?

FlameOut wrote:I had the humidifier set to "waterboard."

If you need help with rainout, you need to be more thorough in you explanation of what is happening and more specific about what settings your are using. Rainout is a problem that is fairly easy to solve.

In control panel I'm asked to choose my equip't, but it's not listed. I listed my rig in my 3rd or 4th post. Machine use is monitored by Medicare. My attempt at humor, 'waterboard' is max setting, but no rainout (condensation?). I've since learned my machine starts at 6 and goes to 15. Today I picked up a different mask. It's a Philips Wisp nasal mask. Will try tonight. Thanks for the info & support folks. I think i am fighting the new breathing pattern. When I relaxed a bit it went somewhat better. If I pull the sd card out can I read the data?

FlameOut wrote: CP-CPAP-Rempro460ph / cont airway pressure device
Philips/ respironics/ DS460S

FlameOut wrote:In control panel I'm asked to choose my equip't, but it's not listed. I listed my rig in my 3rd or 4th post.

That model number matches up with PR System One REMStar 60 Series Pro CPAP Machine. Find it in the drop down and add it to your equipment profile. You don't want to be asked your model number in every post you make, and people don't want to dig through your posts to find the model machine you use.

Add the Amara View mask also.

FlameOut wrote:no rainout (condensation?)

Condensation is moisture forming on the inside of the hose or mask. Rainout is when that condensation collects and runs into your nose, your mouth or anywhere on your face. There are easy solutions to this. You may have solved it by turning down the humidifier setting.

Last night I used the Wisp nasal face mask. It went a bit better, but I notice the thing leaks air out of the connection to the tubing. Quick connect clamps. Is this normal? The mask had pressure though. I could feel it if I opened my mouth. I think the air stream leak made me feel cold. This might be a problem in the Winter. Btw, I used a breathe- Rite strip (clone) with it.

FlameOut wrote:It went a bit better, but I notice the thing leaks air out of the connection to the tubing.

Is the connection leaking air or are you referring to the exhaust ports on the elbow? http://www.healthcare.philips.com/main/ ... efault.wpd

You know these things have to exhaust or there could be an unhealthy build up of CO2.

FlameOut wrote: I think the air stream leak made me feel cold. This might be a problem in the Winter.

You poor thing.

FlameOut wrote:Last night I used the Wisp nasal face mask. It went a bit better, but I notice the thing leaks air out of the connection to the tubing. Quick connect clamps. Is this normal? The mask had pressure though. I could feel it if I opened my mouth. I think the air stream leak made me feel cold. This might be a problem in the Winter. Btw, I used a breathe- Rite strip (clone) with it.

If it's leaking from the connection point, that's bad. But all masks are designed to vent some air so that C02 doesn't build up in the tube. That's probably what you're experiencing.

I didn't realize there are vent ports on the connector. I will check tonight. A call to the supplier this morn confirmed this. Thanks for the info, help, and support.

I've slept much better the last couple of nights. Thanks for the support.

Hey Flameout, can you let me know how you like the Phillips Wisp? If you like it can you please include a description of the shape of your face. That is one of the masks I am curious about. Because of where I live, I cannot return masks or try them on, so I have to rely on info I get from this forum, which has been a lifesaver for me. I am new to CPAP also.

A technique that has helped many people to get used to cpap is to use the cpap machine while you are doing something else that is distracting - like watching tv or surfing the internet. This gets your mind and body used to the sensations of cpap and breathing with the machine. This method has helped many people - give it a try.

PEF wrote:Hey Flameout, can you let me know how you like the Phillips Wisp? If you like it can you please include a description of the shape of your face. That is one of the masks I am curious about. Because of where I live, I cannot return masks or try them on, so I have to rely on info I get from this forum, which has been a lifesaver for me. I am new to CPAP also.

I have the feeling it has less to do with the mask and more to do with finally settling in to the new routine.To which I would agree with Yaconsult's suggestion to use the rig as much as you can to learn not to fight it. I'm tempted to try the full face mask again to see if this is true. It also helped to learn that the leaks I was experiencing were normal.

After over a month, I manage to sleep better, but don't mind removing the mask either. I was told to dump out residual distilled water in the morn. I don't. I will go maybe two or three days. Also, how often do you clean out the tubing/mask. I do it maybe once a week. I fall asleep on the couch often (1-3 hrs), then go up to bed and do the CPAP. Sometimes I struggle to get 4 hrs in. Lately though, it 's been getting easier. My wife thinks my sleeping habit are nutz. My wife thinks my eating habits are wrong. Works for me.