New Sleep Apnea Sufferer, Insurance Non-Helpful ---

[palerider]

Not arguing that.

I'm wondering if too much pressure (i.e. my settings) might cause part of the leaks.

the higher your pressure is, the harder leaks are to control.

also, the larger the contact surface of the mask, the harder leaks are to control.

as suggested, mask liners can sometimes help greatly with managing and taming leaks. they were a game changer for me when I was using a FFM.

[Shinino]

New fun -- I'm experiencing swelling in my lower legs, ankles and feet. I think it has to do with BIPAP -- specifically the fact that before BIPAP I was waking up 4-5 times a night, and urinating while I was up -- I'm no longer doing this, so I think I'm retaining water. I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday to see if I can find out what caused the nighttime urination that is now water retaining.

[cancun]

New fun -- I'm experiencing swelling in my lower legs, ankles and feet. I think it has to do with BIPAP -- specifically the fact that before BIPAP I was waking up 4-5 times a night, and urinating while I was up -- I'm no longer doing this, so I think I'm retaining water. I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday to see if I can find out what caused the nighttime urination that is now water retaining.

My experience only and pre CPAP, I complained of the swelling in one leg, ankle and foot, they checked for one thing and then ignored me, it moved to the other leg and I couldn't stand it the swelling got so bad I thought the skin was going to split open. On my way into that appointment all of a sudden I couldn't breathe and they rushed me to the hospital for my extended 9 days in ICU and a final diagnosis of a heart attack and congestive heart failure. Don't let them ignore that swelling, and I wasn't have any unusual breathing issues before that morning.

[palerider]

I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday to see if I can find out what caused the nighttime urination that is now water retaining.

before cpap, what happens is you stop breathing, after a while your brain panics and sends out "SAVE ME!" hormones, your heart cranks up speed and pressure to try and get oxygen to the brain, your BP goes up, your kidneys get the message "HEY, BP IS TOO HIGH! MAKE MORE PEE TO LOWER IT". and... your bladder fills up.

nighttime urination is one of the frequent side effects of sleep apnea.

[chunkyfrog]

Good plan, see the doctor. GET THAT EDEMA ADDRESSED!
Blaming it on cpap would be dangerous.
---Don't feel threatened because some folks get bent over vocabulary/spelling.
I've been there myself. It took a long time to get used to the idea that not everyone
spent their childhood with their face buried in a book.
We are different, but if we try, we can understand each other.

[Shinino]

I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday to see if I can find out what caused the nighttime urination that is now water retaining.

before cpap, what happens is you stop breathing, after a while your brain panics and sends out "SAVE ME!" hormones, your heart cranks up speed and pressure to try and get oxygen to the brain, your BP goes up, your kidneys get the message "HEY, BP IS TOO HIGH! MAKE MORE PEE TO LOWER IT". and... your bladder fills up.

nighttime urination is one of the frequent side effects of sleep apnea.

Right. And I'm not saying the BIPAP /caused/ the reason for the swelling. I'm thinking the swelling is because I'm not having the frequent urination and now I'm retaining fluid. So the question is -- why? That's why I'm going to the doctor. I'm going to be clear with him on the timeline.

[palerider]

Right. And I'm not saying the BIPAP /caused/ the reason for the swelling. I'm thinking the swelling is because I'm not having the frequent urination and now I'm retaining fluid. So the question is -- why? That's why I'm going to the doctor. I'm going to be clear with him on the timeline.

ok, that was a bit unclear, and I just wanted to address it. having the situation checked out is the best plan of action.

[GettingBetter]

New fun -- I'm experiencing swelling in my lower legs, ankles and feet. I think it has to do with BIPAP -- specifically the fact that before BIPAP I was waking up 4-5 times a night, and urinating while I was up -- I'm no longer doing this, so I think I'm retaining water. I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday to see if I can find out what caused the nighttime urination that is now water retaining.

My experience only and pre CPAP, I complained of the swelling in one leg, ankle and foot, they checked for one thing and then ignored me, it moved to the other leg and I couldn't stand it the swelling got so bad I thought the skin was going to split open. On my way into that appointment all of a sudden I couldn't breathe and they rushed me to the hospital for my extended 9 days in ICU and a final diagnosis of a heart attack and congestive heart failure. Don't let them ignore that swelling, and I wasn't have any unusual breathing issues before that morning.

Very good reason to don't give up!

[Shinino]

So here's a question -- my mask moves specifically when I exhale. I'll put it in place, have a good seal and turn on the air -- inhaling is fine, but when I exhale, it breaks the seal, which leads to the mask moving and leaks occurring. Any ideas to the cause of this?

[OkyDoky]

If you are putting the mask on sitting on the side of the bed without the machine on, things change when you lay down. After the machine is on and you are lying down sounds like you need to tighten the straps a little more. A mask liner may also help, such as http://padacheek.com/ or RemZzz's or cut your own from old tee shirt material. RemZzz will give a free sample pack just PM Becky at RemZzzz. viewtopic/p1057667/Especially-for-newly ... l#p1057667

[Okie bipap]

If you want to try making your own mask liners, I used the pattern I found on this web site: http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/diy-cotton-mask-liner.pdf. The liner is similar in size and shape as the Remzzz small liner. I used these when I was using the F&P Simplus mask. The liners you make out of old tee shirts are washable. I put mine in a small mesh bag and throw them in with the whites when we do laundry.

[Shinino]

Okay, I've got the mask issues mostly resolved.

My big issue now is (BADADUM) Dry MOuth. I've tried an oral rinse, I've tried Biotine gel, I've tried turning the humidifier off with water in the tank -- I still wake up 2-3 hours in with a mouth like the Sahara. Obviously, to drink water I have to take my mask off, then put it back on, then try to get relaxed to go back to sleep.

I'm going to ask at the DME tomorrow, but anyone have any ideas?

BTW -- DME wants to charge me $25 to help me calibrate my machine -- should I tell 'em screw off and just post my Sleepyhead (now that I have a card reader)?

[palerider]

Okay, I've got the mask issues mostly resolved.

My big issue now is (BADADUM) Dry MOuth. I've tried an oral rinse, I've tried Biotine gel, I've tried turning the humidifier off with water in the tank -- I still wake up 2-3 hours in with a mouth like the Sahara. Obviously, to drink water I have to take my mask off, then put it back on, then try to get relaxed to go back to sleep.

I'm going to ask at the DME tomorrow, but anyone have any ideas?

BTW -- DME wants to charge me $25 to help me calibrate my machine -- should I tell 'em screw off and just post my Sleepyhead (now that I have a card reader)?

sounds like mouth leaks...

as to calibration, I'm not sure what you're asking, modern machines, being computer controlled, either tend to work right, or fail completely and throw an error message. what are you wanting calibrated?

and, yes, post a sleepyhead screenshot, follow the instructions on how to organize them that's in the link below.

[Shinino]

Calibration to make sure the setting sare right, I guess. I don't now. :/

I also know that I can't take this 'sleep for 2-3 hours, wake up with the mask off, drink water, put mask back on and not be able to sleep due to anxiety'. :/

[OkyDoky]

You mentioned Biotene but Did you try the OraJel? I have both and Orajel For Dry Mouth lasts longer.