Today's the day

hayeswildrick · Post by **hayeswildrick** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:09 am

Wow. After weeks of paperwork and delays, today's the day.

My DME resisted just a bit, but then agreed to supply me with the REMstar Auto M series. Thanks for the support in sticking to my guns! Even my doctor was surprised I got it.

I've got my first night's "sleep kit" ready with distilled water, nasal gel and spray, tape and polident (just in case).

The one good thing about the long wait is that it's helped me to make the mental adjustment to the idea of CPAP. Instead of dreading it, I'm actually eager to get started.

By the way, my older brother just got a sleep study and he has apnea too!

Wish me luck!

Jeff

TGregg · Post by **TGregg** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:19 am

Gratz, and good luck to you. One thing to consider for your first night is straight CPAP with none of the options. Like you, I read this board quite a bit before starting. I expected quite a few problems such as rainout and my integrated humifier not being strong enough, etc.

The only problem I had was figuring out how to sleep on my side and not push the mask off my face from the pillow.

Users are more prone to write about problems they have, and others spend most of their time helping folks with problems. So problems get the overwhelming majority of posts on this board. I'm not saying that's bad, but it does suggest to newbies such as myself that they'll have a lot of trouble.

So don't go to bed expecting trouble. And good luck to you, I caught over 9 hours last night!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:48 am

You have the right attitude Jeff ... you will do just fine and soon be able to pay it forward for your bro.

Best wishes!

zhotster · Post by **zhotster** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:36 am

The one good thing about the long wait is that it's helped me to make the mental adjustment to the idea of CPAP. Instead of dreading it, I'm actually eager to get started.

Wish me luck!

Jeff

Jeff,

I felt exactly the way you do know when I started my therapy at the end of last week. I was PLEASANTLY surprised how it went. I have an auto like you do with CFLEX and it was so much easier than the sleep lab (at my pressure)!!!

Good luck tonight!!! You are very well prepared and that will help you!!!

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cflex, CPAP, auto

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:39 am

Good luck!

Remeber to fit the mask at full pressure and in bed, toss and turn a bit and make small adjustments as needed! Do this well before you are ready to go to bed for the night.

We'll be expecting a full report in the morning!

muld00n · Post by **muld00n** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:11 pm

The one good thing about the long wait is that it's helped me to make the mental adjustment to the idea of CPAP. Instead of dreading it, I'm actually eager to get started.

Jeff, good luck with your therapy. I've been "on the hose" for 2 1/2 years now. I've tried sleeping with the CPAP and without the CPAP. Believe me, once you get accustomed to it, you wont want to be with out it.

Steve

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:40 pm

Welcome, Jeff! I'm 11 nights into CPAP, and still excited about it, especially when newbies like you remind me how I felt the day I got my CPAP machine. TGregg has the right idea, if you ask me. This forum is excellent for advice on problems, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Good luck tonight, and let us know how it goes!

jackr · Post by **jackr** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:01 pm

Good luck Jeff,
I am still a newbie. About 6 weeks into it. It have been fantastic and I feel much better.

I got the same machine you have and put it on cpap and not apap and set it to the prescribed pressure. I wanted to get the apap since it was not much more expensive and I didnt know if I would need to adjust it at some point.

Anyway I did great with straight cpap having an ahi or 1 to 2 now consistantly so I didnt mess with it. The only thing I really have messed with is the humidity.

I was also very eager to get started since I was like a walking zombie. Now I cant see myself sleeping without it. Not even for a nap.

BUt I am at a point where I thing that I wish I didnt have to be saddled with this thing forever but I try to just look at it one day at a time.

Best to you!

hayeswildrick · Post by **hayeswildrick** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:13 pm

So far, so good -- with a couple of bumps in the road!

The RT arrived right on time and started to set up my machine for the demonstration. After a few minutes I noticed that the machine didn't say "Auto" on it anywhere and asked if she brought the right machine.

"Oh. You don't need an Auto. I saw that on your prescription, but your doctor prescribed a set pressure so I brought this instead. It's really all you need."

When I explained that my doctor specifically wanted an auto so that she could have greater flexibility in treatment down the road and that I'd discussed this at length with the "office," she said, "Well, I did bring the auto with me. It's out in the car if you really want it. Actually, I use an auto myself!"

One other little hitch. I'd asked for an Omni mask, but they were out of stock. She brought a Swift and fitted me with it. I've got to say, it feels great. She did promise that if I have any problems she'll be happy to bring an Omni next. All I need to do is call.

With those two "bumps" out of the way, I've got to say that she did a FANTASTIC job of setting up the machine, fitting me, and showing real personal concern for my lifestyle and condition. As I said, she's a hosehead herself, and shared from her own personal experience.

I confess that I didn't let on that I've already ordered the clinicians manual and software. I think I'll fill her in on that in future visits.

So, my experience says, "Keep your eyes open," but "enjoy the ride."

Now, for the part where I actually go to sleep....

Jeff

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:58 pm

hayeswildrick wrote:So far, so good -- with a couple of bumps in the road!

The RT arrived right on time and started to set up my machine for the demonstration. After a few minutes I noticed that the machine didn't say "Auto" on it anywhere and asked if she brought the right machine.

"Oh. You don't need an Auto. I saw that on your prescription, but your doctor prescribed a set pressure so I brought this instead. It's really all you need."

When I explained that my doctor specifically wanted an auto so that she could have greater flexibility in treatment down the road and that I'd discussed this at length with the "office," she said, "Well, I did bring the auto with me. It's out in the car if you really want it. Actually, I use an auto myself!"

Jeff, that was a great catch! Way to go!!! Just wait until you start feeling better from your CPAP treatment! You're gonna be one sharp cookie. LOL

But, IMHO, that sure smacks of evil DME greed at the least (giving you a straight CPAP instead of an Auto) and downright malpractice at the worst (blatently ignoring your Dr's written order for an Auto, which is a prescription and not subject to change except by your Dr, because she thought you didn't need one and that a straight CPAP was "really all your need"). I think I'd give a call to your DME and talk to the owner and let them know what happened.

Anywho, best of luck to you and "Sweet Dreams" to ya!

Kajun

hayeswildrick · Post by **hayeswildrick** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:15 am

FIRST NIGHT

All in all, my first night with CPAP was a pretty good one! A long and intense meeting at work kept me out later than usual, so my wife and I stayed up later than usual debriefing. Then a prayer, a hug, and a kiss, and on with Swift.

Despite the painful experience I had with the Swift in the sleep lab, last night I found it remarkably comfortable. (Just goes to show that the problem was the sleep tech who didn't know how to fit the mask.) I had a 20 minute ramp from 4 to 9. I'm sure that I was awake more than 20 minutes as I tried to get adjusted, but the pressure wasn't a problem. I was quite aware of the C-Flex kicking in with it set at 3, and think I may try 2 sometime in the next few nights. My only complaint about the Swift was the sound of my breathing when I inhaled. Silent on the exhale, but a little bit of Darth Vader on the inhale. Not too loud though, and I'm sure I can get used to it.

I woke up twice to the feel of air escaping through my lips. The second time I woke up enough to think about it and decided it wouldn't stop if I didn't change something. So, I reached into my handy "first night kit" (thanks eveyone for your advice) and taped my mouth. The thought of taping was really weird, but the experience wasn't bad at all. I also turned my humidifier up a notch.

Back to sleep until I had to get up for the bathroom at about 4:00. Did I do this right? I turned off the machine, disconnected my mask, did my business, hooked up again, turned it on, and hit ramp.

Again, it took quite a while to fall asleep, and then only lightly for the rest of the night. I woke once or twice more when my tongue dropped from the roof of my mouth and my taped mouth filled with air. A weird experience. Is this something I'll be able to train myself not to do during sleep?

I haven't looked at the read out on the machine yet. I figure I got about 4 or 5 hours of sleep, but woke up whenever the sleep got deep enough to relax my mouth or tongue. I feel fairly rested, but I'll probably try to take a short nap this afternoon.

Any advice or questions? This is all so new, but I'm feeling pretty positive so far.

Jeff

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:03 am

It sounds like you had a really good first night, well prepared and you did everything correctly!

My Q:
Would it be easier to remove the mask and put it back on or disconnect it from the cpap hose? I do not have a Swift, so I don't know how it all disconnects.

Onward and upward!

-R

muld00n · Post by **muld00n** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:43 am

hayeswildrick wrote:FIRST NIGHT
Back to sleep until I had to get up for the bathroom at about 4:00. Did I do this right? I turned off the machine, disconnected my mask, did my business, hooked up again, turned it on, and hit ramp.

Jeff, you already sound like an ol' pro at this.

I too use the Swift but when I have to get up for any reason, I just take the whole mask off. It is easy to put on and it gives the ol nose a break while I'm up.

It wont be long before you wont even use or even need the ramp feature. You'll just be able to pull on the mask and go to sleep.

Glad things are working out for you.
Steve

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:55 am

I don't have much success putting my mask back on in the dark, so I disconnect it at the CPAP and take the whole hose with me. I don't wake up as much that way! Good luck to you - you're off to a great start!

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