Rethinking whether to get a CPAP(Switched to Airsense 10)

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Tdew
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 7:33 am

Rethinking whether to get a CPAP(Switched to Airsense 10)

Post by Tdew » Sat Jan 06, 2018 7:50 am

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and found out this week I have sleep apnea.
I'm currently on the clinic's 7 day trial for a cpap(JOYCE by WEINNMAN), and so far after about 5 days my sleep has been worse then usual. I wake up several times a night from moving around and when I wake up in the morning I'm really tired(at least it feels more than usual) . Even though I understand there's an adjustment period I'm wondering if I should lose the whole cpap idea completely. The lab said that while I sleep on my back I have severe sleep apnea, but sleeping on the side makes me sleep perfectly. I thought cpap was a better idea as I prefer sleeping on my back but it seems the mask is making me very uncomfortable.

What do you guys think? Should I continue with the mask until I get used to it or make my body get used to sleeping on the side for my whole life?

Thanks,
Newbi
Last edited by Tdew on Mon Jan 08, 2018 11:39 pm, edited 3 times in total.

User avatar
Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: Rethinking weather to get a CPAP

Post by Julie » Sat Jan 06, 2018 8:31 am

Hi...

Back sleeping provokes many more apneas so listen to the clinic !

The machine you have is old and you haven't said if it does auto vs plain Cpap (an important difference) plus I doubt if it will provide the detailed data needed to track your progress with very good software we use now. Please tell us the most info you have about your machine and mask (also extremely important) and what pressure setting(s) you were given - they may well be too low to be useful as therapy (doctors don't always understand how the machines work even if they understand the science of apnea) and prescribe inadequate setting numbers (we can help with those).
Last edited by Julie on Sat Jan 06, 2018 1:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Tdew
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 7:33 am

Re: Rethinking weather to get a CPAP

Post by Tdew » Sat Jan 06, 2018 9:45 am

Julie wrote:Hi...

Back sleeping provokes many more apneas so listen to the clinic !

The machine you have is old, old, old and you haven't said if it does auto vs plain Cpap (an important difference) plus I doubt if it will provide the detailed data needed to track your progress with very good software we use now. Please tell us the most info you have about your machine and mask (also extremely important) and what pressure setting(s) you were given - they may well be too low to be useful as therapy (doctors don't always understand how the machines work even if they understand the science of apnea) and prescribe inadequate setting numbers (we can help with those).

Hi,
thanks for the answer Julie!
I'm not sure if its auto vs plain, what does that mean and how can I check? Also, the mask is a JOYCEeasy X Nasal. I think the settings are set to 4.0cmH2O(not sure).
I think I got it as it was the lowest price with my health care but I guess I can pay more if other ones are vastly better. What do you think?

edit: https://loewensteinmedical.de/en/produkt/prisma-soft-2/
found it online, that's supposed to be the machine, sorry if I confused earlier.

User avatar
Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: Rethinking weather to get a CPAP

Post by Julie » Sat Jan 06, 2018 10:33 am

I've never ever heard of that machine but the blurb is not promising as it doesn't talk about diff modes (Cpap/Apap) and says nothing about data tracking.

Cpap is a fixed pressure mode with one setting, e.g. at 9 (or other). Apap (auto adjusting) has a low setting (e.g. 4 - the default low for most machines and almost impossible to inhale at) and a high setting, not as important, but the default's at 20, though many use a somewhat lower one, e.g. 15, though most can be left at 20 at least to start out. Autos detect apneas at whatever level they might occur (e.g. 13) and move up from the low setting to address them and/or future ones, but if the low setting is left at 4 it may not be able to deal with higher events beyond 10 in time to stop them, so we usually bump the 4 to 6 or 7 starting off and quite possible higher once we have a better idea of what's what... something likely to be determined by software (an SD card inserted in the machine... whether or not yours has a place for one is ?) that's then put into either your computer or a card reader to give graphic and other evidence of many parameters and features of your overnight sleep... showing if settings or other factors need adjustment. Apap machines can also do plain Cpap, but not the other way around.

You really need more info on what you have, but to get an idea of what so many use now go to Cpap.com and look at the auto machines for info, with pix, graphs, many reviews, etc.

bnelsonr
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:31 am

Re: Rethinking weather to get a CPAP

Post by bnelsonr » Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:58 pm

Tdew,
I have used a C-Pap for 18 years and have had 4 new C-Pap machines and different masks during that time.
There is a BIG difference between the different machines & masks.
I now have then Resmed AirSense 10 Autoset and use the DreamWear mask.
I find the heated tubing made the biggest difference for me.
This is the most comfortable setup I have had.
So if you are not comfortable with what you have, I would go back to your provider & see what they can do for you.

Good Luck.
Bruce

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34378
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: Rethinking weather to get a CPAP

Post by chunkyfrog » Sat Jan 06, 2018 1:07 pm

It appears you may be in the UK.
Please clarify, as machine/mask availability varies outside the USA.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

User avatar
Cpapian
Posts: 415
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2017 2:00 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Re: Rethinking weather to get a CPAP

Post by Cpapian » Sat Jan 06, 2018 1:41 pm

I downloaded the user manual. Looks like this machine is an APAP and has a SD card slot, although the card is not provided.

Based on memory, this is a German made machine, used in Europe, Africa.

Unfortunately, your machine stats are not compatable with the free software Sleepyhead, which is too bad.

It is with Sleepyhead that the users here can help you fine tune your treatment if you have issues.


NB edited post to correct some inaccurate info.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P30i Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear Starter Pack
Additional Comments: SleepyHead , P10 and Dreamwear FFM, Airfit N20

User avatar
palerider
Posts: 32300
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:43 pm
Location: Dallas(ish).

Re: Rethinking weather to get a CPAP

Post by palerider » Sat Jan 06, 2018 9:17 pm

I'd say any weather, other than heavy rain/snow/ice is good weather to get a cpap.

_________________
Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution
Additional Comments: S9 VPAP Auto
Get OSCAR

Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34378
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: Rethinking weather to get a CPAP

Post by chunkyfrog » Sat Jan 06, 2018 10:28 pm

If the DME insists on home delivery, not so much.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

Tdew
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 7:33 am

Re: Rethinking wheather to get a CPAP

Post by Tdew » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:27 pm

Thanks for all of the comments, a bit of updates: apparently I was getting that machine as it was considerably cheaper with my health care. Going back to return it today showed (as they have the software to read the SD card which I couldn't of done with SH) that my AHI was normal with the machine but that I slept less hours than usual. Still I asked to try the air sense 10,which even though is more expensive should provide better results and support from what I've been reading online. So hopefully in a few days I'll have more updates.

User avatar
Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: Rethinking wheather to get a CPAP

Post by Julie » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:41 pm

Remember that with C (or A) pap you will sleep fewer hours because you're getting much better sleep than you did before using Cpap - people tend to forget that .
Last edited by Julie on Sun Jan 07, 2018 9:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

SouthSeaPirate
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:45 am
Location: Florida, USA

Re: Rethinking wheather to get a CPAP

Post by SouthSeaPirate » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:54 pm

You deff have to get the right combo; settings and hardware.
I had my machine for over a year, until one day I got it just right, and have used it ever since. I honestly got to the point where I thought this whole thing was BS and gave up. I even have a machine that most recommend here; Resmed Airsense 10.
Final setup was nasal mask (and I was a mouth breather), the right settings (thanks to SleepyHead and the awesome ppl here), heated hose (for rain out), and finally replaced the filter (it actually had musty mold in it).
Life changed! It's worth the trial and error, believe me! Like I said, took me over a year before I could use mine properly. Knowing what I know now it would have never taken me that long. Get it right, be happy!

And to add to what Julie said, I also had a hard time sleeping for more than 6 hours. But if you think about it... prob 6 more hours than I ever got before. I also started having back problems cause I was no longer tossing and turning. I would literally stay in one position for hours. Had to get a contoured leg and head pillows.

Tdew
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 7:33 am

Re: Rethinking whether to get a CPAP

Post by Tdew » Mon Jan 08, 2018 11:23 pm

Hi guys,
they gave me the AirSense10 now with a nasal and pillow masks to try. It seems perfect(as is, much more comfortable than the previous one) except one thing: the noise it makes when you breath. It seems there's a decent amount of noise coming out of the machine at night from the filter area.

I almost didn't see any reviews talking about it with the AirSense10 and everyone said it was dead silent. Am I crazy or just got a faulty unit? It is a testing unit after all and I'm wondering if that's the cause. The other machine was more quiet(literally no sound) but the masks offered were less comfortable.

Any idea?

Edit: seems like a search confirmed my initial experience

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=157320&p=1207692&hi ... e#p1207692

This is so sad, I really wanted to get the Airsense 10
Guess I'll have to go with the more quiet yet less comfortable one