New hose head and confused

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Golf4Fun
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 7:23 pm

New hose head and confused

Post by Golf4Fun » Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:17 pm

Greetings all,

I had a sleep study a few weeks back (April 9th). The study technician said they got three hours of sleep on me but I don't think I slept the entire night. I even told him I did not snore last night and he agreed but proceeded to advise me I would be treated. At home I snore every time I sleep and am never refreshed by sleep so I likely have something going on here.

I slept so poorly that they did not titrate me during the sleep study.

Wednesday I go to the hospital to pick-up my equipment and so I have some newby questions.

1. How will they know what levels to give me if I was not titrated?
2. Is there a best, better, no way table somewhere that suggest a CPAP machine that newby like me can use to be sure I get something that will help me?
3. Is there a best, better, no way mask table somewhere that shows which masks are best tolerated and therefore help with compliance?

I have been unwell since July of 2007. I am prayerful that this treatment/therapy will resolve my years of suffering.

Regards and thanks for the replies.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: SleepyHead software

JDS74
Posts: 3397
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:57 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by JDS74 » Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:39 pm

Insist on a full data machine - one that will collect and report what is needed to monitor your therapy.
For Respironics, this means a model 560 or higher since you weren't titrated. Without a titration, you need an auto machine that can adjust to your needs.

For ResMed, this means nothing with Escape in its name.

Those two brands allow you to get your own data easily with SleepyHead or the manufactuer's software, Encore for Respironics, ResScan for ResMed.

Search on this board for "Brick" machines to see what else is said about machines that can't.

As to the mask question, ask what the DME's policy for return and exchange. Have the DME let you try different ones for fit and comfort. The best mask is one that fits you well AND that you will wear. Your face is different from mine or anybody else so the mask is a very personal decision.

Also, get a copy of your sleep study report for your own records as well as a copy of the scrip. You will need the scrip if you wish to get supplies from a different DME or even on line.

_________________
Mask: Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: EverFlo Q 3.0 Liters O2 PR DSX900 ASV
Oracle 452 Lessons Learned Updated
DSX900 AutoSV with HC150 extra humidifier and Hibernite heated hose
Settings: EPAP Min-10.0, EPAP Max-17, PS Min-3, PS Max-10, Max Pressure-20, Rate-Auto, Biflex-1.
Sleepyhead and Encore Pro 2.21.

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

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by Pugsy » Sun Apr 19, 2015 2:00 pm

Golf4Fun wrote: 1. How will they know what levels to give me if I was not titrated?
They should be giving you a machine that has the ability for the machine to self adjust the pressures as it senses it needs to be adjusted and that gives a good starting point for further more fine tuned pressure settings. We call these machines APAP machines but what they really are would be machines that have the ability to auto adjust along with fixed pressure mode...
Golf4Fun wrote:2. Is there a best, better, no way table somewhere that suggest a CPAP machine that newby like me can use to be sure I get something that will help me?
You want full data for sure so that you can evaluate pressure needs. See if this helps you...but I suggest targeting only ResMed or Respironics machines..they are the 2 main players in the market
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment/cpapmachines

You probably should also read this
https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what- ... me-part-i/

You should be given an apap machine and the only apap machine to avoid now in the ResMed/Respironics brand would be the ResMed S9 Escape Auto because the data it collects is extremely limited and not all that useful.
Otherwise all APAP capable machines are full data machines.
Golf4Fun wrote:3. Is there a best, better, no way mask table somewhere that shows which masks are best tolerated and therefore help with compliance?
No...unfortunately mask preference is highly individual and there's no guarantee that what will work for one person will work for another person. I use a mask that some people hate and some people are using a mask I hate....both masks are "good" masks but there are no masks out there that make 100% of the users happy.
All masks have pros and cons and we as users have to figure out which ones suit our individual need and preference the best.

You can ask people which mask is the best and most people will tell you that the one they use is the best...and it is for them but that doesn't mean it will be for you.

Can your normally breathe through your nose without significant nasal congestion issues that mandate mouth breathing? If you can...target a nasal interface mask...either cushion or nasal pillow (see the link in my profile for the one I use) because there is simply less surface area touching the skin to need to keep sealed.

Finding the right mask is probably one of the biggest hurdles cpap users have to deal with...
Make a point to ask your DME (where you get your machine) exactly what the mask trial/swapping period is so that you can make us of swapping masks if one you try doesn't work out. Example...often 30 days is what is allowed for mask swapping...don't spend 21 days with a mask that you are struggling with...swap for another one so that you can get ideas what other masks offer. You can always go back to a prior tried mask if you wish.

Welcome to the forum. When you have time please register here at the forum and when you get your equipment add it to your profile like I have mine...it will help us help you better and faster if we can see at a glance what you are using.

_________________
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.

Golf4Fun
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 7:23 pm

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by Golf4Fun » Mon Apr 20, 2015 3:12 pm

Thanks for the replies. You have provided me with the information I think will help for my Wednesday appointment. Hopefully the VA will have what I need.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: SleepyHead software

yaconsult
Posts: 1099
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 10:43 pm
Location: "Silicon Valley", CA

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by yaconsult » Mon Apr 20, 2015 4:28 pm

JDS74 wrote:Insist on a full data machine - one that will collect and report what is needed to monitor your therapy.
For Respironics, this means a model 560 or higher since you weren't titrated. Without a titration, you need an auto machine that can adjust to your needs.
The 550 works too - it just doesn't have the heated hose option that the 560 does, right?

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: January 2015 Sleep Study Results: Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI): 80.2, Sleepyhead

Golf4Fun
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 7:23 pm

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by Golf4Fun » Tue Apr 21, 2015 7:23 pm

OK, machine tomorrow. I've been told it will be an auto PAP and I'll be set at 5-15.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: SleepyHead software

Golf4Fun
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 7:23 pm

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by Golf4Fun » Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:20 pm

So I've begun this journey. When picking up my equipment yesterday they told me I had moderate AHI of 23. My equipment is posted in the signature below, hopefully it is right for me and not a brick.

Last night the nose pillows felt uncomfortable and I did have some leakage just before midnight. I do not really feel refreshed today and believe I mostly played awake playing with the mask checking the pressures etc. My settings are auto 5-15 as they did not do a titration during my miserable sleep study. The plus side is my AHI was under 2 for my first night with my nose to the hose.

I don't really want to chase numbers or anything just yet until I feel like I am soundly sleeping each night and have the leaks corrected.

I will however very gladly take advice or hints regarding selecting which nasal pillow size I should be using and if there are any comfort tricks. By the end of the night my snot locker was pretty sensitive.

Regards,

Golf4Fun

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: SleepyHead software

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Nick Danger
Posts: 621
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 3:13 pm

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by Nick Danger » Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:47 pm

I'm surprised they gave you a VPAP with those numbers, but great!! You have a very nice machine.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: APAP mode, minimum pressure = 9. No ramp, EPR = 3, medium. Soft cervical collar. Sleepyhead software.

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

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by Pugsy » Thu Apr 23, 2015 5:48 pm

Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream found in the baby aisle of most stores like WalMart.
Used my nursing mom's to help with nipple soreness.
Use just a little in and around the nostrils before masking up.
It will help with the minor tenderness your are having and anything more than minor tenderness means something isn't working like it should. With the P10 they tend to run a little on the small side when compared to others I have tried so you might try going up one size if you can if the discomfort becomes more than minor.

_________________
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.

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Nick Danger
Posts: 621
Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 3:13 pm

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by Nick Danger » Fri Apr 24, 2015 10:17 am

I see you corrected your equipment - the S9 Autoset is also a great machine.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: APAP mode, minimum pressure = 9. No ramp, EPR = 3, medium. Soft cervical collar. Sleepyhead software.

Golf4Fun
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 7:23 pm

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by Golf4Fun » Fri Apr 24, 2015 1:42 pm

Wow Nick, excellent catch. I realized when I looked at it I had it wrong originally. It is the corrected now autoset CPAP. Too many choices. Maybe this will clear my daily brain fog and I will be back to my old self and make a few less mistakes on the way.

On a plus side I did sleep much better last night than the night before. I'll see my data when I get home. It was awesome though. 9.5 hours and only up one time to relieve my internal water pressure.

Regards,

Golf4Fun

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: SleepyHead software

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Nick Danger
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Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2014 3:13 pm

Re: New hose head and confused

Post by Nick Danger » Fri Apr 24, 2015 2:37 pm

Wow! I wish I'd gotten 9.5 hours of sleep my second night on the machine. Great start!!

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: APAP mode, minimum pressure = 9. No ramp, EPR = 3, medium. Soft cervical collar. Sleepyhead software.