New hosehead for the new year

Hello everyone.
Finally was convinced to have a sleep study done by my girlfriend after she went to an ENT visit with me and told the doc I stop breathing during the night. That was in August and had first study done 9/2/15. I haven't had a chance to print out study results so I have transcribed them here. These are results from first part of split study with the following:
Slept for 131 minutes
Recording time 156 minutes
Sleep Efficiency 84%
Time in N1 - 75 mins 57.3%
Time in N2 - 56 mins 42.7%
Time in N3 - 0 mins 0%
Time in REM - 0 mins 0%
Respiratory Disturbances
# Index Duration Longest Time(min)
OA 140 64.1 17.6 49.5 41
MA 0 0 0 0 0
CA 1 0.5 21.5 21.5 0.4
Apea 141 64.6 17.6 49.5 41.4
HYP 83 38.0 19.9 44.5 27.6
A+H 224 102.6 18.5 49.5 68.9
RERA 3 1.4 18.3 23.5 0.9
Total 227 104.0 18.5 49.5 69.9
Arousal Summary
NREM REM TOTAL
Spontaneous 8 0 8
Respiratory Event 7 0 7
Resp w/Desat 211 0 211
Limb Movement 0 0 0
Snore 0 0 0
Totals 226 0 232
Index 103.5 0 106.3
Oximetry Summary
W R NR Total
Average % 93 91 91
# Desats 2 206 206
Desat Index 94.5 94.5
Oxygen Low 77%

Here are the results from the 2nd part of the sleep study with CPAP:
Slept for 208.5 minutes
Recording time 255 minutes
Sleep Efficiency 81.8%
Stage Latency Time TST%
N1 0 119 mins 57.1%
N2 - 6.5mins 83.5 mins 40%
N3 - 144.5mins 5 mins 2.4%
REM - 196mins 1 mins 0.5%
Respiratory Disturbances
# Index Duration Longest Time(min)
OA 60 17.3 19.4 45 19.4
MA 0 0 0 0 0
CA 1 0.3 13 13 0.2
Apea 61 17.6 19.3 45 19.6
HYP 59 17 21.8 44 21.4
A+H 120 34.5 20.5 45 41
RERA 0 0 0 0 0
Total 120 34.5 20.5 45 41
Arousal Summary
NREM REM TOTAL
Spontaneous 102 2 105
Respiratory Event 2 0 2
Resp w/Desat 116 0 118
Limb Movement 0 0 0
Snore 0 0 0
Totals 220 0 225
Index 63.6 0 64.7
Oximetry Summary
W R NR Total
Average % 95 94 94 94
# Desats 1 111 111
Desat Index 32.1 31.9
Oxygen Low 83%

So there showed great improvement with the CPAP. Pressure was raised to max at 20 for 89mins with high leakage.

On 12/14/15 went back in for Bi-level tritration study. Below are the test results:
Slept for 286.5 minutes
Recording time 398 minutes
Sleep Efficiency 72%
Number of Awakenings 42
Stage Latency Time TST%
N1 0 99 mins 34.4%
N2 - 43 mins 64.5 mins 22.5%
N3 - 57 mins 110 mins 38.4%
REM - 340.5 mins 13.5 mins 4.7%
Respiratory Disturbances
# Index Duration Longest Time(min)
OA 21 4.4 17.6 36.5 6.2
MA 0 0 0 0 0
CA 0 0 0 0 0
Apea 21 4.4 17.6 36.5 6.2
HYP 52 10.9 21.1 35.5 18.3
A+H 73 15.3 20.1 36.5 24.4
RERA 0 0 0 0 0
Total 73 15.3 20.1 36.5 24.4
Arousal Summary
NREM REM TOTAL
Spontaneous 42 2 44
Respiratory Event 8 0 8
Limb Movement 0 0 0
Totals 111 2 117
Index 24.4 8.9 24.5
Oximetry Summary
W R NR Total
Average % 96 94 95 95
# Desats 3 62 62
Desat Index 13.7 13
Oxygen Low 86%

So with this data I am being prescribed ResMed Aircurve 10 S set IPAP 20/EPAP 15 and choice of mask. Will be getting set up first part of next week as machine was ordered this past Monday. I have already down loaded Sleepyhead and ResScan so I can monitor and make adjustments as things get started and I get used to sleeping with the equipment.
Anything being a newbie that needs to be watched or pointers from some seasoned hoseheads would be appreciated.

Shawn

Welcome. It's a slow process. Whatever problems come up, the good people here have been thru it and have solutions. So don't get frustrated or think "I have to put up with ..." Cause we have been thru it, and have lots of suggestions to make it work.
Wait till you feel the effects of treatment.

shawnavonsr wrote:Anything being a newbie that needs to be watched or pointers from some seasoned hoseheads would be appreciated.

Here are some tips on choosing a mask.

How to Choose an Initial CPAP Mask for Newbies

1. If you had a sleep lab titration and liked the mask that was used, and that mask was recommended by your medical team, then go for it.

2. If not 1., then did your medical team recommend a nasal mask or a full face mask (FFM)? For many people, nasal masks are easier to use assuming they don't mouthbreathe, leak air out the mouth or get air inflating the cheeks while using CPAP during sleep. If you have any of these problems, you may need to use a FFM. (Despite what you may see in the forum, there are many of us that find FFMs are easy to use, do not leak and are not uncomfortable.)

3. Once you have decided whether you need to start with a nasal mask or a FFM mask, begin looking at the mask descriptions and images at https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php . This is the website of this forum's host.

4. For a newbie, you should select a popular mask that gets high rankings from the reviews. Some people in this forum get excellent usage out of masks that are not popular and do not get good reviews. They might rave about the mask to you. But for a newbie, you want to start with a popular mask with high rankings. After you get some experience, you can experiment with masks that pique your fancy but are not popular.

5. Once you have a category (nasal or FFM) of masks selected, you can go to that category on CPAP dot com's web page and sort by Biggest Sellers and then by Rating. You can check the ratings and read reviews.

6. When you receive your mask and machine, you should watch the mask manufacturer's videos (On CPAP dot com's web page) for instructions on use and adjustments.

7. If you have any problems using the mask, please start a new thread here and ask for help.

8. It's not unusual to try different masks before settling on one that works well for you. If you find yourself buying a fourth or fifth different mask, the problem may be with the way you are trying to use the masks, instead of the mask itself. Please get help from the experienced forum members.

- ChicagoGranny

Thanks ChicagoGranny for the suggestion on masks. I have been doing research as I have a goatee and know that can lead to leak problems. Read some posts about a couple and have looked them over on the suggested site. Also some videos on youtube. Hoping not to turn into a mask junkie lol
So far top contenders are F&P Simplus and Quattro(spelling)

shawnavonsr wrote:F&P Simplus and Quattro

Here is another FFM that gets good reviews by users - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

Any of those three masks would be a good start, IMO.

When you are ready to use your mask, you might want to come back and look at these fitting and adjustment tips.

To reduce unintentional mask leak -

- Make sure the mask is fitted properly. (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure the headgear is adjusted properly (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure to use good hose management - the hose should not pull on the mask. Notice how your hose is positioned between machine and mask. It should be positioned to minimize any pull on the mask. Hose management is an individual practice. How it is done depends on the mask, the position of the machine, your sleeping position and other factors specific to the individual.

- If you still have problems, learn from the forum what mask liners are available.

- If your mask still has excessive leak, try other masks. Many people report trying several masks before they find one that works well for them.

Note: Links to just about all of the mask manufacturers' instructional videos can be found on the forum host's website - https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php

- ChicagoGranny

Good luck!

I have a full face of hair .... and have used the Simplex and it work well, also the Amara View works well for me.

I will defiantely add both the suggestions to my list to try when I got get fitted. Appreciate your responses.
F&P Simplus and Quattro and F10 and Amara View