New CPAP/APAP user... questions/guidance plz?

[KEEPER4560]

Hey Yall,

I just recently got diagnosed with Moderate Sleep Apnea after originally dealing with some High Blood Pressure issues. I did an at home sleep study, and it came back to me having 27.3AHI. So, I received my machine(I believe it is an APAP machine) and a nose mask to go along with it. I just had a few questions in regards to, I don't know, its... effectiveness?

Firstly... I did not work with anybody on a mask that "fits best for me" however, this nose mask I am using(my apologies I don't know the name or brand of it) seems to work pretty well and is pretty comfortable. I have been told nasal masks aren't the best for people who breathe through their mouth during the night. Generally, I breathe through my nose. 99.99% of the time but I do snore. So, I guess my concern is the nasal mask not being the best for me? At least, maybe without a chin strap. I have no idea really if I sleep with my mouth open or not...

That being said, tonight is 2 nights using my machine and between the two nights my machine recorded a 4AHI/hr the first night, and a .5AHI/hr the second night. This, obviously, is an extreme improvement from 27.3AHI/hr. Generally I have woken up feeling a bit better and maybe feeling a bit more alert. Haven't quite felt the need to snooze alarms or anything like before so. Perhaps, the nose mask is working for me and I shouldn't worry?

Just don't know when I feel like I am going to have that transition of like "ahh, this is really working" maybe I never will... idk rambling.

Anyways any opinions on this or suggestions are appreciated.

Alex

[chunkyfrog]

Many of us develop a habit of mouth breathing before cpap.
In many cases, it decreases or disappears with treatment.
Full face masks are often favored by the dealers. Because---$.
The best mask for anyone is the one that feels/works the best.
Every face is different--unless you are an identical twin.

[KEEPER4560]

Many of us develop a habit of mouth breathing before cpap.
In many cases, it decreases or disappears with treatment.
Full face masks are often favored by the dealers. Because---$.
The best mask for anyone is the one that feels/works the best.
Every face is different--unless you are an identical twin.

Makes perfect sense to me... I am just trying to figure out if indeed it does work the best. I would presume... if my AHI has decreased from 27.3AHI/hr without cpap to... 4AHI/hr and .5AHI/hr the first two nights of using it that... must be doing what it is supposed to do then right? lol...!

[Miss Emerita]

You're off to a great start! Could you tell us the make and model of your machine? We might be able to tell you how to get more information about what's going on during the night.

[KEEPER4560]

You're off to a great start! Could you tell us the make and model of your machine? We might be able to tell you how to get more information about what's going on during the night.

Certainly... I believe it is the Resvent iBreeze APAP machine, and I am using a ResMed AirFit N30i Nasal Mask !

[SJ-Paddler]

Generally, I breathe through my nose. 99.99% of the time but I do snore.

Your not snoring anymore are you? My CPAP is what got me back in my bedroom after a few years in the guest bedroom. My wife just could not sleep with my snoring. All she has to deal with now is some cold air blowing on her.

[Miss Emerita]

Darn, your machine is not supported by the Oscar software, which provides a wealth of information using the SD card in your machine.

So, back to your original questions. You asked whether you might be breathing through your mouth. If your mouth is not very dry, then you are probably not doing a lot of mouth breathing. On the other hand, it's a little unusual to snore with your mouth closed.

You could try taping your lips shut to see whether that stops the snoring. Lots of information here:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/snoring ... -for-sleep

Somnifix strips are pricey but very gentle, if you want to invest in a box. You can get a stronger hold with other kinds of tape.

As for improvement during the day: it can come quickly or slowly, and it can be dramatic or subtle. So be patient with it. You seem to be off to a great start, and I bet you'll see continued improvement.

[Julie]

Are you in the U.S? It matters because various aspects of Cpap etc. are diff. in e.g. the UK (as expert Rick Blaine over there can explain if you put UK in the post title).

[GrumpyHere]

it is the Resvent iBreeze APAP machine

Darn, your machine is not supported by the Oscar software, which provides a wealth of information using the SD card in your machine.

Wellue provides the iMatrix analysis package for Windows.
It's not OSCAR level but it's better than nothing.

https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php? ... e#p1406884

https://getwellue.com/pages/pc-software

[KEEPER4560]

Thanks yall for the response. Sucks to hear about OSCAR not working but thank you for the other link. I don't really know if my snoring has stopped because I live alone. However my mouth hasn't been dry when I wake up. Yes, I am in the USA(midwest). Last night when I used my machine it recorded a .6AHI so... this is night 3. feeling pretty good this morning!

[Miss Emerita]

Feeling better -- that's great! You can always try recording yourself during the night to see whether you're snoring. But I wouldn't bother, given how well things are going for you.