I think I'm getting the hang of this...

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
SilverIce
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:39 pm
Location: MN

I think I'm getting the hang of this...

Post by SilverIce » Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:33 am

Hi everyone,

Yet another newbie here. I'll try to make my long story relatively short.

I've spent years of terrible mornings (three alarms, two hours of hitting snooze buttons) and not feeling refreshed even when I was able to 'sleep in'. I heavily self-medicated with coffee and Dew. Over the last year, it finally got to the point that it was severely affecting my work. At the prompting of a friend who was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, I decided look into my sleep issues. I talked to my doc who ordered a split-night sleep study. I left the study, not having been put on a xPAP for titration. The tech just made it sound like nothing was wrong with me, which made me confused and a bit miffed. I KNEW there was something wrong.

Had to wait a month for the follow-up with the sleep doc. Turns out my AHI didn’t get high enough until it was too late to begin the titration (wish the tech could have told me that). I was diagnosed with Mild-Moderate Sleep Apnea (AHI 10.2, jumping to ~23 during REM) and Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder. He prescribed an APAP with a pressure of 7-14. Hope returns. With prescription in-hand, I head to the one and only DME in town only to be told that they’re “not equipped” to handle the wireless reporting capabilities that the prre-certification company requires (I’ve heard it’s just that they don’t want to deal with it). So I had to drive 40 miles to a DME that supports the wireless reporting. I asked for and received the AirSense 10 Autoset and the Airfit P10 pillows.

The first night with the machine was pretty good. Mask was pretty comfortable and I actually woke up feeling pretty well-rested with an AHI about 5. Some centrals have popped up even though I didn’t have any in the sleep study, but I’m reading that they’re probably normal or could go down over time. The biggest issue I’ve had is mouth leak with the P10. I’ve had clenching/grinding/TMJ issues for a decade now, so I’ve conditioned myself to keep my jaw relaxed, which seems to be the issue. I started looking into FFMs and tried the SleepWeaver Anew (I’m a side sleeper), but I seem to be between the Regular and Large sizes and it seemed to be quite loud. DME provided a chin strap for use with the P10 and also the F10. The F10 has been working well aside from some very minor leaking near my eyes. I’ve ordered the CPAPFit pillow, and hopefully it helps (I’m notoriously picky with pillows). I’ve been using Sleepyhead to keep and eye on my numbers. AHI has been in the 5-7 range. This morning, ~10 days in, I woke up feeling great with an AHI of 1.94, so I think things are heading in the right direction.

In the month between my sleep study and follow-up, I spent considerable time educating myself on sleep apnea and treatment, preparing myself if I did, in fact, have it. Much of my time was spent reading up on threads here. I just want to say ‘thanks’ to all of the users here for the knowledge. I hope to pay it back around here as I continue my own journey.

tl;dr: Newbie with sleep apnea and DPSD. Got an APAP. Having typical issues, but it’s going well overall. Thanks to everyone here for sharing their knowledge.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Simplus Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Alt: Eson Nasal Mask, Pressure: 8-14, Software: SleepyHead v0.9.8-1,

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Drowsy Dancer
Posts: 1271
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:35 am
Location: here

Re: I think I'm getting the hang of this...

Post by Drowsy Dancer » Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:46 am

Welcome!

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Swift™ FX Bella Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgears
Additional Comments: Software: SleepyHead. Pressure: APAP 9.5 min/11 max, A-Flex x2
How we squander our hours of pain. -- Rilke

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sleep_quest
Posts: 186
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 10:24 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area - Peninsula

Re: I think I'm getting the hang of this...

Post by sleep_quest » Tue Nov 25, 2014 2:17 am

Glad to hear that things are going relatively well for you. Welcome to the community; feel free to pop in any time

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Pugsy
Posts: 63941
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: I think I'm getting the hang of this...

Post by Pugsy » Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:35 am

Welcome to the forum.
At 10 days into therapy you are already miles further ahead than I was at 10 days. Good job.
It will get easier with time and experience.
The mask and bed pillow can be a challenge but it's a challenge that can be dealt with.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.