Need some advise, please

I'm thinking I might do better on APAP, but would appreciate some opinions from some of you more experienced XPAPers. Here is my background:

I've been on CPAP since late Jan., pressure of 6cm. My sleep study showed I incurred 11 apneic events an hour consisting of complete and partial obstruction, the longest lasting 26 seconds. My oxygen desaturation was 89% and I had an RDI index of 12.

I am feeling a little better, but I have yet to wake up feeling "refreshed and energized". The Vista mask leaked horribly, the ultra mirage is a little better and I still have some leakage with the Aura (my head is just too small and it doesn't want to stay put, even with added straps.) I'm still having some episodes of snoring; don't know if it's from air leaks or perhaps I need more pressure. Also, I have high blood pressure and the Dr. increased the dosage of my bp meds a month ago. - but it hasn't helped.

I've read everyone's raves about the Goodnight 420E and Remstar Auto w/Cflex and I'm wondering if one or the other might be a better machine for me. I noticed they both have leak compensation --- does that really help? I also like the idea of being able to see a readout (LCD or comp. printout) of how I did overnight. Of course, my S7 doesn't give me any feedback. Do you think either of these machines would make a difference in my treatment?

Thanks for your help. Sorry this is so long

I have been on CPAP since January 24th. I quickly got myself from CPAP to APAP. I have Remstar Auto with C-Flex---I can't say enough about this machine...ITS HEAVEN ON EARTH!!!

I also use the Aura and Activa. The Activa is great, except I'm breaking out on my forehead from it.

Good luck--I really liked the Ultra Mirage until I got used to the Activa.

I asked my DME about the Activa, and she told me she thought the forhead support would be too tall for my face. Since you have both (Ultra Mirage and Activa) can you compare the two and tell me if their is a difference in height from the bridge of the nose to the forhead support? Can't tell by looking at the pictures.......

Thanks!

The biggest benefit of autopap with cflex is for people on higher pressures to have some relief (drop) in pressure for some of the night. With a prescribed pressure of only 6, I can't see that you would benefit much.
I think your money would be much better spent finding an excellent mask. Have you tried the swift?

With your required pressure, and I use the word "required" lightly, since you probably don't need that high or low as most have discovered when they switched to APAP, I would think that a Goodknight 420E would be the ticket. It is small, lightweight and a very good machine.

I too would recommend the Swift if you have issues with finding a mask to fit. Just remember to keep the straps of the headgear rather loose.

Yawning, there's always the chance that the pressure of 6 that you were prescribed is not getting the job done. Or, 6 might be fine but wouldn't be if you are leaking a lot of treatment air out your mouth.

You mentioned still having episodes of snoring. Sounds to me as if you're opening your mouth in your sleep. If so, you can sure lose treatment air through mouth air leaks. No nasal mask or nasal pillows mask will change that.

I'd be looking at the possibility of mouth air leaks first of all if snoring has been noted by a bed partner.

I definitely would ask for at least a trial on autopap. REMstar Auto with C-Flex would be my choice. With a heated humidifier, of course. If you also get the software yourself (doesn't require a prescription) you can monitor what's happening better.

A few of the many things software used with an autopap might reveal:

"Am I hitting my pressure ceiling a lot, indicating perhaps it should be raised some?"

"Are massive leaks showing up in the data, indicating I'm losing treatment air through my mouth?"

"Are there no huge leaks, but a lot of minor/medium leaks, perhaps indicating my mask leaks often?"

"What kind of events am I still having - mostly apneas? Mostly hypopneas?"

"Since the data shows I'm having only a few apneas/hypopneas and a low AHI, should I start looking for other causes for my continued fatigue - hormonal imbalances, etc.?"

I'd feel as if I were driving in thick fog, without an autopap and software to monitor my own treatment.

Hope things start getting better for you!

Thanks for your responses.

Since I'm at such a low pressure, I wasn't sure if an APAP w/C flex would make a any difference in my treatment or not. But I do suspect that my pressure might need to be bumped up a little.

As for the snoring; I was a chronic snorer, but I believe I snored with my mouth closed the majority of the time. Sounds impossible, but that's what I've been told! Before CPAP, on rare occasions, I would wake up with a dry mouth and throat. Since CPAP, I haven't had that happen, so far. Or, if I am mouth breathing, maybe I'm arousing myself just enough to be aware of it and then respond by closing my mouth. This is where the software the would be nice - then I would know what is going on.

I was torn between the Aura and the Swift. Beings I flop from side to side, I opted for the Aura. I was afraid that with the Swift, every time I would lay on the side with the hose, I would break the seal. Maybe some of you side sleepers can comment on this?

I will be making an appointment to discuss all this with my Doctor. Hopefully soon, I will be bringing home an Auto Pap!

There's many of us who prefer the apap. I feel why get too much pressure, IF you don't need it. I have the 420E, and swift combo. Works for me.
It's a tough adjustment both physically and (mentally) to think we have to strap this on every night, but it has become second nature to me. In fact, if I do take it off during the night and do not remember, when I wake up, I can now tell the difference in my breathing,and my restfulness, feel more groggy without the use of the apap versus using it for the night.

It takes time, ea. person is different.

Good Luck!

Yawning in OK wrote:I'm thinking I might do better on APAP, but would appreciate some opinions from some of you more experienced XPAPers. Here is my background:

I've been on CPAP since late Jan., pressure of 6cm. My sleep study showed I incurred 11 apneic events an hour consisting of complete and partial obstruction, the longest lasting 26 seconds. My oxygen desaturation was 89% and I had an RDI index of 12.

I am feeling a little better, but I have yet to wake up feeling "refreshed and energized". The Vista mask leaked horribly, the ultra mirage is a little better and I still have some leakage with the Aura (my head is just too small and it doesn't want to stay put, even with added straps.) I'm still having some episodes of snoring; don't know if it's from air leaks or perhaps I need more pressure. Also, I have high blood pressure and the Dr. increased the dosage of my bp meds a month ago. - but it hasn't helped.

I've read everyone's raves about the Goodnight 420E and Remstar Auto w/Cflex and I'm wondering if one or the other might be a better machine for me. I noticed they both have leak compensation --- does that really help? I also like the idea of being able to see a readout (LCD or comp. printout) of how I did overnight. Of course, my S7 doesn't give me any feedback. Do you think either of these machines would make a difference in my treatment?

Thanks for your help. Sorry this is so long

There's many of us who prefer the apap. I feel why get too much pressure, IF you don't need it.

I agree! Let's hope my Doctor see's it that way. I see him next week.

Hi Yawning...I'm yawning in Oklahoma, too. OKC to be exact. I'm yawning because i haven't received my cpap yet. Hope to get it in the next couple of days.
Good luck to you fellow Okie.

Hi Photogal,

I'm in OKC too; perhaps we're neighbors.

Do you know which machine and mask you'll be getting? My Doctor was so quick to get me set up, that I didn't have much time to do any research on the various machines. Heck, I didn't know a CPAP from an APAP or Bi-Level Now that I've had time to make some sense out of all this, and I have some experience using the equipment, I want to take a more pro-active approach to my therapy.

Good luck and keep reading - there's so much to learn.