First night on a CPAP

Last night was my first time using a CPAP machine.

I made it five hours and I didn't sleep well. The mask was irritating my skin. In fact, I woke up with red marks where the mask touches my face. It's hard to make sense of what this all means, but here are my sleepyhead stats:

AHI: 28.75
Cheyne Stokes: 5.40%
Large Leak: 46:28%
Hypopnea: 28.75
RERA: 1.70
Vibratory snore:0.19
Vibratory snore (VS2): 2.08
Pressure pulse: 0.76

I assumed my AHI would be lower. What am I missing?

--Nathan

you're leaking far too much, for one thing. and it's best if you post a screenshot of the daily tab showing your data... because other than the large leak numbers, all that above just mainly poses more questions.

make sure the mask is good and clean, maybe there was residue on it?

did you have it set on auto ... or was it at 4.

I left it on auto. Here is a screen shot:

http://imgur.com/s0tey6H

repost again .... remove the callandar and display the detailes ...

Nathan, it looks like your pressure was at 5 cm the whole night with a brief moment at 6.0. That's pretty low and may be the source of your abundant hypopnea that is most of your AHI.

Please fill in the equipment profile in the user control panel profile. ucp.php

which mask did you use ?

I think the problem is that your leaks are so bad that the machine keeps reducing pressure to try and get a mask seal.

the 560 has a mask fit feature, you should use that to work on getting the mask to fit and seal on your face.... then the pressure can come up, and reduce those hypos that you're having so many of.

Gray, I used the mask with the jaw strap. I don't have it with me right now so I can't post the name.

I also discovered that I am more of a nose breather than a mouth breather. I may need to a nose mask.

Nonetheless, I still had a significant number of issues even when my mask was not having a large leak--maybe that's because the machine was dropping the pressure.

I have two masks and will try the second one tonight.

you did accomplish one thing .... You do have sleep apnea

grayghost4 wrote:you did accomplish one thing .... You do have sleep apnea

Sadly, it seems I do.

Based upon these numbers, would you guess I am moderate or severe? I know you are not a sleep doctor, but educated opinions are nice to have.

you have chosen the wrong machine in you equipment .... should include 60 series

When I first started I used a nasal mask and had red areas on both sides of my nose with blisters. I had to use bandaids for a few days until it healed. After that I had no problem. I hadn't washed my mask before use and I'm not sure if that was the reason or if my skin just had to get use to the silicone. The bandaids may not help your leaks but it doesn't take long to heal.

both of the masks I gave you have small flaper valves in the elbow .... if it is not closing that can cause a large leak