Introduction

Cmcg916 · Post by **Cmcg916** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 9:55 am

Hi all!

Newbie here. Trying to embrace this new lifestyle with a positive attitude. I guess my home sleep study number was 79. Which according to my doctor is quite high. He said 30 was severe....

My husband has had his Cpap machine for 5 years now. So I understand the benefits of using the machine.

So, I picked up my machine on Wednesday but ignored it until Saturday Not a good start.

Bedtime on Saturday, got off to a rough start. Tried to put the mask on, air pressure scared me couldn't breathe, panicked over and over, kept pulling it off. Finally, my husband got me to relax and breathe through my nose slowly. After about an hour, I fell asleep. Some minor frustrations, the nose bridge locks my glasses onto my face, my long, thick hair cannot be in its "nighttime" pony tail due to the headgear, I can't read my book without holding it up high so I can see it, sleeping on my side can cause the mask seal to leak a bit.

I wore it for a total of 4 hours, but then had to take it off, because my sinus in my forehead hurt so bad!

So yesterday, Sunday. I read the troubleshooting and it said to prevent the sinus issue use the humidifier, it was preset to 4 so I moved it to 6. Last night I tried again, but I kept having to take a big breath through my mouth about every 7-10 inhales because I wasn't getting enough air. I only lasted for 1.5 hours and had to take it off. Felt suffocated.

Unlike my husband, I am not one who likes to burrow under the blankets, my face ALWAYS needs to have access to fresh air. I'm am already feeling claustrophobic with this thing on my face and forehead, I'm not feeling real positive that I can get this contraption to become a part of my life.....

Any advice?

Thanks

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 10:01 am

What are your pressures set at please?

SleepyVegas · Post by **SleepyVegas** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 10:12 am

Welcome! You will find a lot of help, advice, tips here.

Do you have the sleepyhead software? This is a free download, and will get you a wealth of information about your sleep based on the machines data card. See Pugsy's tips and tutorial viewtopic/t88983/Pugsys-PointersSleepyH ... Hints.html

Next, what pressure(s) is the machine set at? Some other settings are helpful as well. IE is EPR on or off?

Again, welcome.

Cmcg916 · Post by **Cmcg916** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 10:28 am

I'm not sure if I'm reading it right. But when I turn it on, it says pressure is 5-20 and the green circle says 4.

I have no idea what software, but I will go read where you said to.

SleepyVegas · Post by **SleepyVegas** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 10:59 am

basically, it sounds like your machine is "wide-open", meaning, that the minimum amount of pressure prescribed is 5, with a max of 20. With CPAP, the lowest amount that is always 4 and the max is 20. It also sounds like your machine is set with a ramp setting, IE, you have 5-60 minutes of a pressure of 4, which is a comfort feature, allowing you to adjust to the pressure as you fall asleep, However, most people have indicated that with the lower pressure such as where yours are set, feel the suffocation effect. And it could be in your case as well.

The easy recommendation is to have your low pressure moved up to a higher minimum. Also check the ramp time and pressure during ramp, as the pressure can actually be below the prescribed. For example, I have my ramp set to 6, with an EPR or 2 for 10 minutes, but my machine is set with 8-11 pressure after that.

You should consult with sleep doc too if do make changes.

Cmcg916 · Post by **Cmcg916** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:34 am

So my ramp was set to auto. With a 4 green circle. I turned auto off, and it then started at a 5 green circle. I read Pugsys tips and am still not sure about the humidity. I'll leave at 6 (originally set to 4) and see what happens.

Thanks for your help!

Cmcg916 · Post by **Cmcg916** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:36 am

Also, can't find the glossary. What is epr?

SleepyVegas · Post by **SleepyVegas** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:47 am

EPR is exhale pressure relief. So as you exhale the pressure drops. When pressure is at 10 and the epr is on with a setting of 3, then the pressure goes to 7 as you exhale. But if the pressure is minimum pressure is 5 and epr is 3, it wont go to 2, as the minimum will always be 4.

bwexler · Post by **bwexler** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 12:23 pm

If it were me, I would increase the minimum pressure to 7 and turn off the ramp for tonight.

Who selected your mask? Did they offer you any choices? There are hundreds of masks to choose from. CPAP.com our sponsors offers a mask selection tool. You might want to look at it and take the results to whoever provided your mask and tell them it doesn't work for you and you want to exchange it. Most DMEs (durable medical equipment providers) offer a 30 day period to exchange a mask you don't like for one that you think is better. Since they are paid by insurance code, they get the same payments for a mask that costs them $30 as one that costs them $200. They can also return a used mask to the manufacturer for credit

Sleepyhead is software for your computer. It reads the data on the SD memory card from your APAP machine and displays a variety of graphics indicating when you had events that might disrupt your sleep. It can be very enlightening and allow you to fine tune your therapy. After five years I now find myself checking occasionally to verify the machine is on.

I am curious, did your husband take an active role in dialing in his therapy, or did he simply accept what ever he was given?

Cmcg916 · Post by **Cmcg916** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 12:38 pm

Well, I can't figure out how to change the pressure. Any suggestions? It does 4 with auto ramp and 5 with ramp off. When you exhale are you supposed to feel like a "pulse" in the mask?

My husband came home, plugged in his machine, and never did anything else. He snores a lot less, I no longer want to kill him due to snoring. He has just a nose plug mask, it is loud often, leaks a lot, mine is 10000 times quieter.

I have 30 days to switch masks, but I think I need a few days with this one before I start being the pita patient...lol.

Will sleepyhead work on Windows 10?

SleepyVegas · Post by **SleepyVegas** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 12:51 pm

to change settings, enter the clinical menu, link to instuctions http://www.apneaboard.com/resmed-airsen ... setup-info. Yes, sleepyhead works on win10.

SleepyVegas · Post by **SleepyVegas** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 1:00 pm

I have 30 days to switch masks, but I think I need a few days with this one before I start being the pita patient...lol.

CPAP therapy is about being in control and getting the best sleep possible. No problem being a pita, I am a polite pita

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 2:18 pm

Cmcg916 wrote:Unlike my husband, I am not one who likes to burrow under the blankets, my face ALWAYS needs to have access to fresh air.

perhaps part of the reason he likes to burrow under the blankets is that he has a steady stream of fresh air delivered right to his nose, ready to be inhaled at all times.

I know I used to be the same as you, couldn't stand the stuffy feeling under the covers, now having the covers over my head is sometimes quite nice (especially if the room isn't dark enough) because I get fresh air no matter where the covers are.

Cmcg916 · Post by **Cmcg916** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 2:45 pm

Pale Rider - I like your positive outlook! LOL

I have downloaded sleepyhead software, but found out I have no card reader. Must go get one.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Mon Feb 15, 2016 2:48 pm

Cmcg916 wrote:Pale Rider - I like your positive outlook! LOL

I have downloaded sleepyhead software, but found out I have no card reader. Must go get one.

fortunately, usb card readers are quite inexpensive.

with your husbands experienced help, and good advice you find here, you'll be sleepin better in no time, (we hope).

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