Restarting CPAP Therapy

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Evmeister
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Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by Evmeister » Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:16 pm

Hello

I've been reading through CPAP Talk for a while now and finally got around to making an account. I suppose most get started because they're having one issue or another and that would be my case as well.

So I guess my first post will be asking for help from you great folks in trying to restarted on CPAP Therapy. First off I was diagnosed with Mild-Moderate Sleep Apnea about 2 years ago. I was given a CPAP and Mask and started trying to use it. At the time I didn't have much education on the subject and I just kind tried to go along with it. Well I was having some nose issues to where I was constantly blowing my nose. This made it very difficult to use the CPAP. Also, I didn't have a job at the time and I was being dinged $25 each time I had to go in and just talk to the Sleep Specialist. I didn't like the thing and was losing money pretty quick with no real results. So I pretty much just gave up on it. A few months later through the help of my mom, I got into a Crossfit Bodycamp and over five months lost 50 pounds, and for the most part the issues went away. Then I ended up with a full time job and my schedule changed and I had to put it on hold. I came back and did another camp later when I switched to days again.

Anyways, Through a course of events shortly after that I gained the 50 pounds back and am now having issues again. Only this time it is pretty severe. I'm currently trying to go to School full time and Work full time. First 3-4 weeks were going well, although I was still having trouble and quite a few times would go home after the lectures to nap before work. Now, just last week I missed FOUR days of school, and have missed 2 1/2. I'm so exhausted that I barely even register the alarms going off in the morning. Sleep Apnea is back and with a vengeance. I tried to get in to my Sleep Specialist but come to find out they book 6 months in advance and I have to wait till early march next year to see her. I need to be at school by 7am and then I usually leave around 12:30pm-1pm to start work at 1:30pm and goes till 10pm. At best I'm getting 6-7 hours of sleep, of course with the Apnea I'm not really getting any sleep at all.

So now you know my situation. At this point I have a CPAP and a Mask. I really don't like the mask and am thinking about getting the Quattro FX as it seems a little less invasive.

So my questions are First, does anyone have the Quattro FX or used it? How has it worked for you?

Second, I have the S9 Escape Auto. I recently got the ResScan software and downloaded the data but there was zilch as far as details. I found out through these forums that it doesn't provide detailed data but the Autoset does. My second question is there some way or place I can go to, to try and trade in my current S9 towards an autoset? I was looking at the price on CPAP.com and I don't have that kind of money to buy one outright. I'm sure I won't be able to get a prescription for a new one from a doctor until I see her and I'm not sure what my insurance will cover. Seeing how I won't be able to see the specialist for a while I need to treat myself in the mean time but need more data.

I look forward to any help you guys can provide. I've fallen so behind in School I'm starting to get a little desperate, I can't miss any more school.

Side note: So far i've tried using it a couple nights and I never get over about a 1h 30m before I wake up. I just shaved tonight so I'm going to try again and am hoping it will cut down on leakage.

Thank You So Much!

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kaiasgram
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by kaiasgram » Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:30 pm

Hi Ev, welcome to the forum.

You should be able to get a copy of your prescription since it's only two years old. Then you could go to secondwindcpap.com, a very trustworthy seller of gently used and open-box, zero-hour Autosets. If there aren't too many hours on your Escape Auto and it's in good condition secondwind may buy it from you which could make an Autoset affordable.

You are entitled to a copy of your medical records and you shouldn't really need a doctor's appointment in order to obtain a copy of that Rx. Office staff can get that for you.

In the meantime you can get total AHI info from your EA and that's at least a start.

You must be running on empty -- I'm glad you found this forum and no way do we want you to wait around for six months to get the help you need. I'm sure others will have more ideas for you including ideas about the quattro (I don't use that mask).

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Pugsy
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by Pugsy » Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:40 pm

The S9 Escape Auto will at least give you AHI...what is it showing?
What is/are your current pressure settings?
Could you afford a used S9 AutoSet from some place like secondwindcpap.com and use your current humidifier (assuming you are using one and if you aren't you probably should be)?
Secondwindcpap.com might be willing to buy your Escape Auto but they won't be able to give you much for it...remember they buy wholesale and sell retail and go to their website to see what those models sell for.

Probably would get more from craigslist sale.

You do have some data available though and while limited it is at least something.
If your AHI is high and pressures are low then maybe all you need is a pressure adjustment.

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zoocrewphoto
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by zoocrewphoto » Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:48 pm

I use the quattro fx,and it works great for me. Do keep in mind that different masks work well for different people, so you may have to try several to find the right on for you.

Check out your local Craigslist. It may take a few weeks, but you might find a good deal on an autoset. I have seen them for $200-300. Then keep the escape as a backup.

Any doctor can write a prescription, so you can ask at your next doctor appointment. Just tell them you would like to buy a better machine, and you would like a prescription for the machine you want.

Do you know your current settings? You mentioned that you don't sleep long with it on. Can you tell us what wakes you up, or how you feel when you take it off? That may help us to adjust your settings even though you don't have data to work with yet.

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Evmeister
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Location: Puyallup, WA

Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by Evmeister » Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:41 pm

Hello

Thanks for the replies, a lot to get started on.

The settings were set on APAP with EPR On which is set on Patient. Used to have a ramp on 30min but I turned it off. The pressure was 5 with a max of 20. I bumped it up to start at 7, seemed a little easier breathing starting out. I've tried it 3 separate occasions. My highest AHI being 3.6 and lowest just last night .50

I'm not sure what's waking me, maybe the high pressure and due to leakage, I'm not sure. It's not a slow wake, I'm awake and alert pretty quick.

The highest pressure it's gotten up to is 12 that. First time max was 6, Second time max was 9.5, and Third last night was 12.5. I apologize if that's obtuse I'm still learning to read the data, at least I know what AHI is haha.

The plan was to keep the humidifier and just get the new unit. I will definitely check out secondwind. I'm a little concerned about sterility going through craigslist but I'll definitely look. Have any of you gone through craigslist, how did that go over?

Once again thanks for the help!

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Pugsy
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by Pugsy » Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:02 pm

I have done craigslist several times.
There's really not much of an environment suitable for germ multiplication on the blower units.
Wipe down the external parts with a cloth with some disinfectant on it and change to a new filter.
But if it bugs you too much go with secondwindcpap.com as they do that for you.

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palerider
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by palerider » Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:41 pm

Evmeister wrote: I'm a little concerned about sterility going through craigslist but I'll definitely look. Have any of you gone through craigslist, how did that go over?
I've bought several machines off craigslist, no problems.

I suggest, if you're doing a local buy, meet at somewhere public that has electricity so you can test the machine out, I prefer starbucks, because they've most all got outlets scattered around for laptop users.

the biggest problem with craigslist is if the machine was used by a smoker and you're not one... it's not easy to desmoke them, though it can be done.

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borgready
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by borgready » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:18 am

When you wake up after about an hour or two, look at the machine to see what the pressure is up to. If it is going higher, check that you can breathe through your nose(both sides) with no restrictions as the cpap use can inflame your nasal passages and cause an air restriction. Also note your sleeping positions. Usually lying on your back will require a higher pressure than lying on your side. Head forward cuts off the airway. Head back opens it. In CPR they teach to put the head back to open the airway. If your piled up on pillows and the head is forward, which may seem more comfortable,but the air pressure will have to go up to try to open the airway.

Try some nasal decongestants like afrin to see if it helps the inflamed nasal passages. Soak a cotton swab and gently wipe down the inside of the nose as far as you can tolerate before going to sleep.

Colder air is better than warmer air when it comes to keeping the swelling of nasal passages down. So reduce the humidity setting and this will keep the air colder.

borgready
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by borgready » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:21 am

What is a Crossfit Bodycamp?

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49er
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by 49er » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:37 am

Try some nasal decongestants like afrin to see if it helps the inflamed nasal passages. Soak a cotton swab and gently wipe down the inside of the nose as far as you can tolerate before going to sleep.
Hmm, if you are advising someone to use Afrin, you need to mention it can only used for 3 days because the danger of rebound congestion greatly increases which will lead to addiction. Usually safer advice would be to try nasal rinsing to see if that would help.
Colder air is better than warmer air when it comes to keeping the swelling of nasal passages down. So reduce the humidity setting and this will keep the air colder.
Wrong advice. Evmeister might want to try this but everyone is different regarding what type of humidity helps their nasal passages. He needs to play around with the settings and make a careful notation as to what works best for him.

49er

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AlabamaAl
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by AlabamaAl » Fri Oct 31, 2014 5:09 am

I use the Quattro Fx face mask, it works well for me, but as with anything your experience may be different. I have a problem with nose stuffiness, but have found a little eucaliptis on a cotton ball near the intake port helps with this. Also the humidity settings will effect how your nose reacts. This is just something you will need to play with, as everyone's needs are different.

Good luck with your therapy.

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Evmeister
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by Evmeister » Fri Oct 31, 2014 10:17 am

The Crossfit Bodycamp could also be viewed as a Bootcamp. They take plyometric cardio movements and then combine them with weight lifting. In the bodycamp, the lifting is scaled down vs your regular Crossfit which can get pretty intense. The place has changed since I was last there but here's a link to their bodycamp http://www.sumnercrossfitelite.com/body ... lenge.html

I was 230 and lost 50 pounds in about 5 months. If I had stuck with it I would have lost more but work and stuff kept getting in the way.

I did not realize that about sitting up in the bed. I have a tempurpedic and a movable base, so I had it up last night while trying to use the CPAP, but noticed it was a little harder to breath. The pressure was low too, so that's probably why. My AHI was 1.5 and lasted an 1h 14m but I never fell asleep that time. I used Afrin once before, directed by a nose doctor when he was trying to diagnose my issue. But 49er is correct its a 3 day thing. Though the nose problem has mellowed out some to where it's not so much of an issue with the mask now.

Alabama, what kind or brand of eucalyptus do use?

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Kennerly
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by Kennerly » Fri Oct 31, 2014 11:25 am

Evmeister:

Sounds like you are headed for better success this time around. Your AHI readings are already pretty good, though its tough to get the full picture without leak data.

Your adjustable bed can help reduce your nasal congestion. With the bed set somewhere at about a 30 degree angle you should experience better drainage. Keep in mind that sleeping at an angle can also reduce your pressure requirements.

Regarding the QFX mask, I've had good luck with it, but each person's face is unique. If you post the specific problems that you have with your current mask (and which model it is) you might get more valuable mask related advice from folks here on the forum. Sometimes one just needs to modify the current mask a little.

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Evmeister
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by Evmeister » Fri Oct 31, 2014 1:24 pm

Probably my issue is the mask I have feels restrictive. I was trying to read the other night with my Kindle and was having trouble with the bridge going to my head. I also have glasses which I can't where with the mask if I want to watch tv. Another issue Is I tend to go from my back to my side, and also breathe better on my side. The mask I have doesn't really work well with that. Its the Comfort Gell Full with Headgear.

Also, great news! I will be purchasing a S9 Autoset tomorrow locally from a person in Seattle for $500 which will include the blower and humidifier and then a bunch of tubes and masks. I'm actually really excited to get my hands on it! I think it's a damn good deal, and it's lightly used.

Thanks again your guys for all your help so far! I'm really starting to feel I'm going to get things turned around!

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Kennerly
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Re: Restarting CPAP Therapy

Post by Kennerly » Sat Nov 01, 2014 5:09 am

Evmeister wrote:Probably my issue is the mask I have feels restrictive. I was trying to read the other night with my Kindle and was having trouble with the bridge going to my head. I also have glasses which I can't where with the mask if I want to watch tv. Another issue Is I tend to go from my back to my side, and also breathe better on my side. The mask I have doesn't really work well with that. Its the Comfort Gell Full with Headgear.

Also, great news! I will be purchasing a S9 Autoset tomorrow locally from a person in Seattle for $500 which will include the blower and humidifier and then a bunch of tubes and masks. I'm actually really excited to get my hands on it! I think it's a damn good deal, and it's lightly used.

Thanks again your guys for all your help so far! I'm really starting to feel I'm going to get things turned around!
Hope the new machine works out for you. Regarding glasses and masks I'm in the same boat as you: I can't read nor watch the tube after the mask goes on. Some people overcome this with hybrid masks but I haven't had any luck with them.

The solution for me has been podcasts with a sleep timer. There are some history oriented podcasts that I find really interesting -- moreso than the tv shows that I used to watch at bedtime. These days I actually look forward to masking up at night because I want to hear the next part of the story. This is the opposite of how I used to feel about masking up at bedtime.

And since no light is needed to listen, podcasts allow your natural melatonin level to rise and help you fall asleep, unlike reading by light or looking at an illuminated screen which can inhibit melatonin production.

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