Another newbie: Throat is raw

Diagnosed with something between mild, closer to moderate sleep apnea. Have been on the machine for 5 nights. First two nights, I didn't make it 3 hours. Give myself a stern talking to, and decided to self medicate myself to sleep with Tylenol PM. I've managed the last 2 nights to keep it on all night--progress! (But a groggy start to the day until caffeine'd to the max. Yeah, I know I need to wean myself from that intervention.)

However what is clear to me is I hate the feeling of hot humid air...it feels suffocating. I do better tolerating it with the humidity on very low. THe problem: my throat is pretty darn sore and my sinuses aggravated. I know its likely I need more humidity, but when I turn it up...I hate it. (No, not a mouth breather, that's not it.)

What's this I see about ice cubes? (Makes no sense to me how that works, but I'm not engineer...I'm a HR exec...)

Other suggestions?

Please fill in your profile with your specific equipment and the settings (pressure, humidifier, etc.)


Den

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I'm sorry, being a newbie I am still navigating and leaerning the site, and I cannot quickly find the way place to do that-so bear with me.

It is a F&P AUto Icon w/ humidifier. I am using a FX nasal mask. I am not confident about the settings--I called the RT about that and got an unsatisfactory answer ("4 to 20, the machine automatically adjusts to your needs") and plan to speak to my physician this week.

Dirty Martini wrote:"4 to 20, the machine automatically adjusts to your needs

Part of that suffocation feeling could very well be that 4 cm starting pressure...that's as low as the machine will go and most people find that low pressure suffocating. We won't suffocate but it sure feels like we are.

I believe that machine is compatible with Sleepyhead software (links in my signature). Might want to check out the software reports and see what the pressure is doing.
Increasing that minimum pressure to around 6 cm might help with that suffocation feeling.
I am not familiar with how the humidifier on the Icon works. Maybe someone who uses that machine could help out with possible settings to maybe reduce the warmth feeling but not sacrifice the humidity setting.

But for sure...just try 6 cm starting point and see if that helps.

Is your machine the Icon or Icon +? The Plus is the latest model.
You can get the provider/clinical manual for it here
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual
Just follow the instructions near the bottom of the page for requesting it via email.
The manual should explain humidifier options. I am not familiar with that machine enough to offer much.

I have attempted to download the SLeepyhead software multiple times, but have been unsuccessful -- keep getting message about missing drivers and to re attempt install. Figure I'd wait to my computer tech (aka college senior son) is around to assist.

Data off my machine is as follows: 29 hours total compliant in 5 days, with average of 5.9 hours, and 80% of days over 4 hours. AHI 1.6, Leak 20, and 90th percentile pressure of 6.

Is that helpful info to the question?

I don't remember if that leak number is total leak or % of time with large leak. Like I said, not all that familiar with the machine at that level. Once I see the software reports I am okay.

Are you absolutely sure that you aren't mouth breathing or opening your mouth a little when you go to sleep?
It doesn't take but about 15 minutes of a little mouth breathing to wreck havoc on the mouth and throat. Been there and done that myself with the software leak reports to prove it doesn't take long.

I am sorry but I have no idea how the humidifier works to offer ideas on how to reduce the temperature without reducing the humidity. I don't know if there is a heated hose or not either. That's why I suggested getting the clinical manual to see if it helps you.

If you have the Icon + I could maybe also get the manual and read up on it but I need to know which one to get.

What operating system is on your computer? Windows OS what version? Or are you using a Mac?
And which SleepyHead version did you try?
Did it say missing dll library files or driver? The missing dll thing I know about but haven't heard about missing drivers.

Your AHI is fine...Your pressure needs don't appear to be very high but you wouldn't be the first to be more comfortable with a little more minimum pressure....I suggest that you at least try 5 or 6 minimum briefly to see if it helps or not.