5 Nights so far

This is my progress report.

I have been using the Repironiz Auto with C-Flex for almost a week. I have no trouble with the head gear or the system so far. I don’t use the heated humidifier because I don’t seem that dry. Last night I noticed it used almost all of the water in the humidifier without the heat. It seems like I might be a little congested, and I am thinking about not adding water, or maybe just a little. Does anyone think it is a good idea to not add water?

Also, some days are better than others. Some days I wake up and feel rested all day. Other days I wake up and still feel tired all day. Is it supposed to be like that? I did have a mild OSA with only 17 events an hour (I could only sleep for one hour that sleep study night), and only need 8.5 cm to stop snoring. Does it take a couple weeks of regular sleep to feel rested, everyday?

I am sorry I don’t contribute more to the forum yet, except these questions. I am happy I got the Auto with C-flex, and thanks to all for recommending it. My next step is to get the software and maybe a new mask to compare.

Dan, it sounds like things are going very well for you.

Yes, it's normal to have some days not as good as others. The fact that you are having days when you feel rested all day is great progress!! I'd not worry much about the other days - savor the good ones and congratulate yourself on getting good treatment going so soon!

I can't imagine a humidifier, in one night, using up almost all the water -- with the heat not on. At least not if it was filled to the fill line. Weird. My first thought would be, "OMG, the water chamber sprung a leak!" but I'm sure you'd have noticed such a puddle of water.

Some people really don't need extra humidification, much less heated. Most do like at least a bit of extra humidified warmth to counteract the drying effect of the good old leaf blower sending air through the snout all night.

If you don't need humidification, sure, it's ok to not add water. Just be sure you don't accidentally turn the heat on! In fact, you could even remove the machine from the humidifier and just connect the main air hose straight from mask to machine - not even have the humidifier taking up extra space on the nightstand.

Quite right, some people can live without the humidifier and my humidifier also uses water irregularly, but I run the humidifier all of the time for the moment. I think the water usage is proportion to amount of flow throughput. I have had times when I would go through the whole bowl of water in one night. Since the REMstar air flow is fixed at 13cmH20, the difference in air flow from one night to another might be leaks in the mask or sleeping with my mouth open. I finally received my head strap to hold my jaw in place and used it last night. That was the first time since I started using the CPAP I didn't wake up with cotton mouth. I assume the times of excessive flow was when my mouth was open and drying it out.

I have the same machine and also run it without heat. A tank of water lasts MANY days for me and I live in the Mojave Desert. I run a constant pressure of 9cm. I would look for a leak somewhere.

rested gal wrote:Dan, it sounds like things are going very well for you.

Yes, it's normal to have some days not as good as others. The fact that you are having days when you feel rested all day is great progress!! I'd not worry much about the other days - savor the good ones and congratulate yourself on getting good treatment going so soon!

I can't imagine a humidifier, in one night, using up almost all the water -- with the heat not on. At least not if it was filled to the fill line. Weird. My first thought would be, "OMG, the water chamber sprung a leak!" but I'm sure you'd have noticed such a puddle of water.

Some people really don't need extra humidification, much less heated. Most do like at least a bit of extra humidified warmth to counteract the drying effect of the good old leaf blower sending air through the snout all night.

If you don't need humidification, sure, it's ok to not add water. Just be sure you don't accidentally turn the heat on! In fact, you could even remove the machine from the humidifier and just connect the main air hose straight from mask to machine - not even have the humidifier taking up extra space on the nightstand.

I am actually surprised I have little problem with adjusting to the CPAP, and that is with that comfort mask. LOL. I will probably get a new mask, the one you recommended in the other thread.

I will continue to use the humidifier, but without the heat. I was worried about pumping too much humidity into the lungs.

Basically, I use purified water without minerals added and just rinse the humidifier out everyday and dry it with a paper towel. Then I let it sit unassembled until I use it. No soap yet. I rinsed the mask out a couple times. I was reading in the doctors office that you should use vinegar once a week to soak the mask and humidifier in.

Anonymous wrote:Quite right, some people can live without the humidifier and my humidifier also uses water irregularly, but I run the humidifier all of the time for the moment. I think the water usage is proportion to amount of flow throughput. I have had times when I would go through the whole bowl of water in one night. Since the REMstar air flow is fixed at 13cmH20, the difference in air flow from one night to another might be leaks in the mask or sleeping with my mouth open. I finally received my head strap to hold my jaw in place and used it last night. That was the first time since I started using the CPAP I didn't wake up with cotton mouth. I assume the times of excessive flow was when my mouth was open and drying it out.

My mouth does not open (I think) but I have been grinding my teeth a little. I am at 8.5 cm.

Another thing: When I was at the doctors yesterday I found out I had 77 episodes of OSA during REM sleep. The guy at the sleep study told me 15, but I guess that was not during REM. I guess they measure it in several ways.

Newsgrouper wrote:I have the same machine and also run it without heat. A tank of water lasts MANY days for me and I live in the Mojave Desert. I run a constant pressure of 9cm. I would look for a leak somewhere.

I live in the Mojave also, near Victorville CA. I have not had a problem since then.

Hey, we might get some rain.

If you can use the humidifier without heat, go for it! A good cure for grinding teeth is to supplement with a good calcium/magnesium/vitamin D supplement. (grinding teeth usually indicates low calcium)

Last night was the best night so far. I wake up every two hours or so, but dream between each awakening. I get sleepy at night still (what would you expect?). I get fatigued when lifting weights, but I think I am more aware of the day.

Question: How often do you wake up? Do you roll over from side to side? Do you pop out of bed in the mornings?

Sometimes I wake up once or twice, but usually go right back to sleep, for the most part, I will sleep all night and dream just before I wake up, and don't roll around. In the mornings, I usually just hop right out of bed, ready to go...I am sleeping on a Select Comfort bed though, that may have something to do with not rolling around.