New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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BB6078
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New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by BB6078 » Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:57 pm

Hello got the cpap Friday and tried it Friday and Saturday night for about 3 hrs before taking off. I rested but didn't get sleep. Seems pretty comfortable but yes it's foreign. A friend said stick with it keep trying he finally feel asleep watching tv w it on after many weeks. Both Saturday and today I had it on for an hour or so while TV or reading.

At one point I was falling asleep with it on sat night, apparently I had apnea, because the burst of air woke me up. It automated, starts out at a lower pressure and kicks up when I have an episode. This would be consistent with my insomnia where I would "snort" myself awake. I am now able to sleep about 5-6 a night with melatonin, but I wake numerous times so know it is not good and still OSA.

I have a continual runny nose diagnosed by allergist as non allergic rhinitis. Just got prescription nasal sprays (flonase and astezaline) and ent told me she would not recommend surgery on my deviated septum but to try afrin for 3 days.

I am not giving up but looking for suggestions. I have been counting calories since early march and successfully lost about 18 lbs. I have a colonoscopy on Tuesday and thinking I should just give in to the crappy sleep without trying cpap tonight, as I have to do a liquid diet tomorrow.

Any thoughts on successful acclimation? I am loathe to try it with ambien or another prescription sleep med as I successfully got off ambien in early April (It only worked for 2-4 hours anyway) so dr said I didn't have much chance of addiction because it didn't work.

Maybe I would sleep through the night with ambien and the cpap, giving me confidence?

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Julie
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by Julie » Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:22 pm

The first thing I'd do is not forget to tell your doctor (and/or the anesthetist if one is involved in your colonoscopy) that you have apnea and they'll monitor things differently (or more carefully) during and after the procedure.

Your rhinitis is likely to clear up once you're consistently on Cpap - mine did and I know others for whom it worked.

Afrin x 3 nights isn't a problem, but would be if you use it for longer because it creates a kind of backlash and you need more and more to work, plus it's hell to get off it... stick with the Flonase and/or rinses.

Melatonin does the same thing to me - I'll sleep well x 1-2 nights on small dose. but then have unscheduled (and for me totally unfamiliar) wake-ups in the middle of the night... so save it only for odd single nights when I really need it - which is quite rare.

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BB6078
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by BB6078 » Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:02 am

Thanks Julie. I ended up taking the wuss route and not using the Cpap. I fell asleep right away but woke up four times. Fortunately I got back to sleep.

Decided I will not use ambien w Cpap since I can now fall asleep naturally. I'm going to try it again tonight and keep trying
until the next appt.

Any suggestions for getting used to it? All tips and stories much appreciated.

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Julie
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by Julie » Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:12 am

Well, I don't think your machine does data with software - are you in a position to trade it for something else (one that lets you track every day, not just compliance for the insce. co.), so you'll know if you're leaking, and what your other stats say?

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Pugsy
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by Pugsy » Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:36 am

The Icon Auto is a full data machine. It's an APAP and I don't know of any APAPs that don't do full data recording.
Getting the software to work is another matter.
You might try SleepyHead as it works with some Icons. Otherwise send me a private message and we can see if we can get the F & P software to work for you.

What pressure settings (range) are you using if using APAP mode. If it is just the pressure increase that is waking you then maybe limiting the changes will help. Some people don't do well with auto changing pressures.

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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by houndlover » Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:41 am

I can comment to the rhinitis. The meds you have been given may help, especially the flonase. It can take 14 days of continuous use to get the full effect of the Flonase, many people give up on it before that. Also, the two prescriptions you have been given mean a lot of spraying liquid up your nose. Some folks can't handle that much fluid comfortably. There is a brand name drug that combines the two called Dymista. Much, much less fluid. It can be more expensive and your doctor might have to do a prior authorization for you to get it-but if the meds work but you are uncomfortable with how much fluid is in your nasal passages, it might be worth it.

Flonase alone handles mine pretty well (I was using it before I was using APAP) but I have to use it regularly. I also have found that if I am a little congested my APAP clears out everything within the first 30 minutes of putting it on. Guess that is the side benefit to having a wind tunnel attached to your face.

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BB6078
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by BB6078 » Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:22 am

I'm so green so all this info helps. I don't even know the lingo yet.

I think the Pressure is set at 5 and then it kicks up to 11 (or maybe 17) when it senses apnea.

The humidity is set at 4. I can adjust that up to 11 (11 for winter, etc.)

I really don't know anything else about the machine The quick start guide says nothing, just turn it on, so it must be on auto. I think I have to call the clinic to get it turned on to advance mode where I can fiddle with the airflow.

Someone on FAcebook suggested the sleepyhead app - will look for that.

Pugsy I will send you a private message, maybe tomorrow, as I will try to read the long manual. But I think I'm stuck with auto until they do something.

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Pugsy
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by Pugsy » Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:31 am

If you do have the Icon Auto...that's the APAP and it's a good machine. It's just not so easy to pull the data from what it offers using software.

If your minimum pressure is 5 starting out the night and ranges into the teens as it senses the need with the apneas then the therapy may be sub optimal as it can't increase from 5 to 13 or whatever in the blink of an eye..and the airway collapses so the therapy is sub optimal as too many collapses occur and aren't prevented.

You can try SleepyHead easy enough. Links in my signature line. Make sure you get the latest Windows build though. It works with some of the Icons...just not sure if it works with yours...it all depends on which Icon Auto you have. Won't hurt to try it though.

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BB6078
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by BB6078 » Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:45 am

I have a Mac at home...I see there is one version of Sleepyhead for Mac from your link. Wonder if I could use the Windows version on my son's Surface...

This CPAP machine works with a Mac - their only one.

So you download the mfr software and then after installation put in the flash drive in your computer - the clinic can access all the data that way I guess. Or you mail the flash drive in if you don't have a computer.

Thanks so much - very useful inso on your lists, Pugsy. Also thank to Julie and Houndlover for your insight on the rhinitis. I sure hope it clears up when I get used to this machine - heard reflux might too. I will be one happy camper.

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Additional Comments: InfoUSB 2 jump drive fits in machine and computer
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APAP Pressure 5 to 15
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lliann
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by lliann » Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:53 am

I have been just walked through getting Sleephead on my mac and getting a print screen to share back in a msg here. When you are ready for that, give me a holler and I'll pass it forward.<g>

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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by lliann » Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:54 am

also, sometimes I try those little nose sticky thing to reduce snoring. It holds the nares open and for those of us with deviated septum, that can help.

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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by Pugsy » Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:56 am

If you want to use your Mac..try the new unstable build for Macs from this link
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyh ... %20Builds/
It's actually less buggy than the prior version and already contains the Patch file that you would need to manually add (if using the older Mac build) to have any chance of getting data from your Icon.

InfoSmart is the F & P manufacturer's software and there is no Mac version for it. If you want to try it on a Windows computer send me a private message and I will point you to where you can get it but be warned...it is a royal PITA to install and use.
If you can get the Mac version of SleepyHead to give you a report you will save yourself a lot of headaches.

There is a way to run Windows software on a Mac but you have to install some sort of virtual Windows on the Mac...like BootCamp or Parallels.

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BB6078
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by BB6078 » Mon Apr 21, 2014 1:13 pm

Thanks for the info and links Lilann and Pugsy - going to download the mac software for sleepyhead tonight so anytime you want to post the screen, THANK YOU! I too find relief w/ the nasal strips. Do you use them with your nasal mask?

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Mask
Additional Comments: InfoUSB 2 jump drive fits in machine and computer
AHI 8.6
APAP Pressure 5 to 15
And no, I don't smoke - pix is from a theater production that a friend produced.

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lliann
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by lliann » Tue Apr 22, 2014 8:02 am

BB6078 wrote:Thanks for the info and links Lilann and Pugsy - going to download the mac software for sleepyhead tonight so anytime you want to post the screen, THANK YOU! I too find relief w/ the nasal strips. Do you use them with your nasal mask?
I use them anytime my nose acts up. It also helps with the deviated septum by opening the breathing space a tad more.

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lliann
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Re: New to Cpap + deviated septum rhinitis

Post by lliann » Tue Apr 22, 2014 8:10 am

yes, I will use the nasal strips with my nasal mask. I can't use any small masks (often its med if roomy or large) because I flare my nostril a lot. (I dunno why I just do) But I am also very sensitive to anything touching my actual nose because it immediately feels like its impacting my deviated septum. So I find all the room I can for my little nose so we are all happy breathing.

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