10 days in the CPAP game

[arezius]

Hi everyone!

Last night was my 10th night using my CPAP (a Resmed Airsense 10 autoset, with a pressure of 5-15, humidifier and a nasal mask).

At start, everything were almost perfect! I'm able to sleep all night with my mask on since the begining.

But on 10 days, problems appears!
1: LEAKS! Trying to setup my mask lead to some leaks... but it's ok now!

2: Twice, I drank alcohol on the evening. Result? I wake up with my mask on the ground...
For this one, solution is easy. Stop drinking alcohol on evening.

3: Hot air... last day was a warm day where I live. And this night, I woke up with a suffocation sensation, hot Air coming to my face, and it's a sensation that I can't bear.
I need your advices for this one. What can I do to avoid hot air on the middle of the night? What can I do during warm days?


And finally, since I started the treatment, I feel more tired than ever... I read that's the "sleep debt" due to sleep deprivation. Anyone have an advice on how to deal with this?

[Julie]

Are you using the heated humidifier (and hose)?

[arezius]

Are you using the heated humidifier (and hose)?

Only the humidifer (and I think that yes, it's heated)

[Julie]

Turn off the heat.

[LSAT]

If you are using the humidity the heat is on...that's what makes the humidity. If you are very uncomfortable, you could try turning off the humidity but leave water in the tub...you could also add ice to the water.

[loggerhead12]

3: Hot air... last day was a warm day where I live. And this night, I woke up with a suffocation sensation, hot Air coming to my face, and it's a sensation that I can't bear.
I need your advices for this one. What can I do to avoid hot air on the middle of the night? What can I do during warm days?

The feeling of suffocation is very common for new users. If it just because the air is oppressively hot, as already mentioned your can turn down the humidifier or even turn it off. After a couple of years of diligently buying distilled water and filling the tank every day, one night I forgot about it - for three weeks. At that point it seemed that if it hadn't made a difference maybe I didn't need it all. No worries - one less thing to worry about.

The suffocating feeling might also be coming from a lack of pressure. You mentioned that your lower pressure is set to 5. That's pretty low, and many, many people have expressed the exact feeling of suffocation with it set there. If you look through the forum for about 5 minutes you'll find instructions on how to post detailed data using OSCAR. There are some truly gifted people on this forum who can look at your charts and tell you if 5 is too low and whether you would benefit from increased minimum pressure.

[Pugsy]

Be aware that if you turn off the humidifier that your nasal mucosa might not like it and respond with some rather ugly symptoms.
Congestion, drainage, pressure, sneezing, itching....etc.

So if you turn off the humidifier you nose might not like it. Google "cpap rhinitis".
Your nose may be happy with no extra moisture or again it might have a problem. Moisture needs are highly individualized and this is an area you just have to sort out yourself.

Also, turning off the humidifier may not resolve the hot air issues because a lot of times it's related to the pressure or air flow going through the mask as well as our own exhaled breath which is quite warm.

[arezius]

The suffocating feeling might also be coming from a lack of pressure. You mentioned that your lower pressure is set to 5. That's pretty low, and many, many people have expressed the exact feeling of suffocation with it set there. If you look through the forum for about 5 minutes you'll find instructions on how to post detailed data using OSCAR. There are some truly gifted people on this forum who can look at your charts and tell you if 5 is too low and whether you would benefit from increased minimum pressure.

Actually, the CPAP is managed by my doctor. I can't (I could if I want to but rather not) change settings as it's not in clinical mode. I have my appointment tomorrow. I'll see if we should rise the pressure, but my reading tends to show that my pressure is around 8.
Do you want me to post my oscar data?

Be aware that if you turn off the humidifier that your nasal mucosa might not like it and respond with some rather ugly symptoms.
Congestion, drainage, pressure, sneezing, itching....etc.

Must admit that I felt some congestionning while I turned off the humidifier. I think that I rather work on room temperature/water temperature than turning it off.

[loggerhead12]

Do you want me to post my oscar data?

Not me, but if you post the right data there are people here who will be able to tell if you could benefit from higher minimum pressure.

[GrumpyHere]

Please follow Pugsy's often repeated instructions on the chart.

You just need to order the graphs optimally so one screen shot gets what is needed.
Graphs can be resized.

viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html

it's not in clinical mode.

Going into the clinical menu is a matter of pressing and holding two buttons. Instructions on page 14
https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... 520her.pdf

Actually, the CPAP is managed by my doctor. I can't (I could if I want to but rather not)

BUT If you aren't going to manage the changes yourself then I don't understand why you're here.

Most visitors to these stomping grounds are looking for help BECAUSE their care provider are unable to help in a timely manner.

Your results will be much better if you're willing to become an engaged patient.

Best of luck.

[LSAT]

Not much point in displaying Oscar data....If someone told you what adjustments should be made, it seems you would wait for your doctor anyway.

[Julie]

Reverse psychology?

[arezius]

BUT If you aren't going to manage the changes yourself then I don't understand why you're here.

Actually, I'm here cause it seemed to me that it's a place to talk about CPAP and sleep apnea, not only CPAP settings.
And I'm not saying that I won't change settings myself, it's just that I prefer to wait this afternoon to see what my doctor and my care provider will say (Both will be there).
The fact that it's new (Sleep Apnea diagnosis, understanding of how it works, and the CPAP machine) , and that I don't know what's covered by insurance lead me to be precautious for the moment.


For the 1st point that I mention, I ask to switch from my nasal mask to a nasal pillow, do you think it'll be better? (Also want to change cause I can't wear my glasses with my nasal mask)

For the 3rd point that I mention : Hot air, lowering room temperature and lower humidifier seems to be ok. But I think i'll be very sensitive to temperature change...

[GrumpyHere]

Actually, I'm here cause it seemed to me that it's a place to talk about CPAP and sleep apnea, not only CPAP settings.

You might want to read the thread below regarding as to why this forum exists
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=178616&p=1343495

There a few OT topics.

But almost all are about getting better sleep and rest by changing your CPAP treatment and solving associated problems. Hence the emphasis on OSCAR.

And I'm not saying that I won't change settings myself, it's just that I prefer to wait this afternoon to see what my doctor and my care provider will say (Both will be there).
The fact that it's new (Sleep Apnea diagnosis, understanding of how it works, and the CPAP machine) ,

Good that at least you're willing to consider taking control.

The doc's life and the care provider's life will press on whether you feel better or worse.
They have too many people to "look after."

You're the only one with real skin in the ”CPAP game."
Whether you feel better only truly matters to you.

Those here who can help have been where you are now.
They have been helped.
They want to pay it forward.
Hopefully in time, you too will pay it forward.

and that I don't know what's covered by insurance lead me to be precautious for the moment.

Sorry ... just noticed you're in France. Don't know how your insurance system works.
Ignore this : You should be talking to the insurance company, not the doc.

For the 1st point that I mention, I ask to switch from my nasal mask to a nasal pillow, do you think it'll be better? (Also want to change cause I can't wear my glasses with my nasal mask)

One person's treasure, another's trash.
Most people have to try multiple masks to find "the one."
You just need to keep trying them.
Think it as dating

Again ignore this (because you're in France): The forum's sponsor cpap.com has a 30 day (including shipping time both ways) return policy.

[arezius]

The doc's life and the care provider's life will press on whether you feel better or worse.
They have too many people to "look after."

You're the only one with real skin in the ”CPAP game."
Whether you feel better only truly matters to you.

From what I understand about how it works with insurance in France is :
- 1st month after starting treatment appointment with care provider and sleep doctor is mandatory
- 4th month after : new sleep study is mandatory
- Once a year : Appointement with sleep doctor is needed for prescription renewal.

At no time I'm the owner of the machine. It's just lended by the care provider... So that's why I'm not sure on what I can change or not on the machine settings.
On the other side, I told them that I want to try another mask, so they'll bring me a new one this afternoon. I have nothing to pay.

What I need to know, and I'll ask this afternoon, is that if I order a mask by myself, will it be refund by my insurance? (Or I think it social welfare in US? )


In fact, I'm so unsure about what I can do or not, that I'm not even sure that it's legal for me to import my data to OSCAR...